Hey Mister!

Chapter 2

"Uh oh, she used my full name." The girl I now know as Seraphina whispers to me.

(Flashback)

Giuseppe and I were discussing shipments, while I let Ziti run around. The dog has so much energy.

"Psst! Hey Mister!" I feel a tap at my shins. Looking down I see a little girl. She had curly blonde hair and looked to be about 4.

"Hello topolina, what do you need?" I ask her, trying to sound nice. (mouse)

"See that lady over there? That's my Momma. She's lonely, and you look like you could take care of her." she points to a woman who seems to share her curly hair. The woman is kneeling and counting with her eyes closed.

Right when I'm done looking at the woman's features she opens her eyes.

She stands up and looks around. When she turns to us, it's like the wind has been knocked out of me. This woman is a goddess.

(Flashback over)

She runs over to us quickly, yelling so quickly in Italian that even I can't understand it. Her face is plastered with fear. Breaking my heart just a little bit.

When she gets to us she picks Seraphina up, mulling over the little body in her hands.

"Stai bene? Oh, grazie a Dio non sei ferito!" She clutches Seraphina so close to herself that it's like she's scared someone will take her away. (are you okay? Oh, thank God you are not hurt!)

"Mamma sto bene. Ho trovato un bell'uomo per te." This little girl speaks perfect Italian. (Mamma I'm ok. I found a nice man for you.)

Giuseppe decides to make himself known at this moment, laughing his ass off.

The goddess's eyes snap up, her blue eyes staring into my brown ones. Her eyes are like ice, freezing me in place.

"Oh, mio Dio! I'm so sorry about her bothering you." She rushes out, looking guilty. (My god)

"Hey listen to me it's ok tesoro. She wasn't bothering me. Lei non potrebbe mai." Her face scrunches up, she looks confused but adorable. (she could never)

"My name is Romeo Rossi, what is your name angelo?" Her face turns to knowingness, instead of fear like I expected. (angel)

"I am Finnerty Russo and this is my daughter Seraphina. Ma puoi chiamarmi il diavoletto." Now my face looks shocked, this woman was the little devil? (you can call me little devil)

"Bambina can you go to Aunt Letty? Mamma needs to speak to this man." she sets Seraphina down, in turn, Seraphina goes running.

"You're the little devil?" I ask as soon as topolina is out of earshot.

"Sí and you are the Italian-American mafia Don," she states, matter of fact.

"How old are you guys?" I ask, now realizing I should know.

"I am nineteen and Sera is three," she says proudly.

She was sixteen when she had Sera? That must have been hard.

"Yes, I'm a teen mom, go ahead call me a puttana." she takes my silence as disgust. Looking down in shame.

"You are no puttana. You are a strong woman. Who had a child at 16 and has raised her well." I grab her face in my hands, she flinches but lets me keep my hands there.

"Give me your number tesoro," I tell her, leaving no room for defiance.

I hand her my phone and she reluctantly types it in.

"I have to go tesoro, I'll text you." It hurts to walk away but I have work.

Before I get far, my hand is pulled back. I turn around and am met with arms around me.

"Thank you for not hurting my bambina," she mumbles into my chest. I simply wrap my arms around her.

"I will always keep her safe," I promise her. She lets go, and her eyes are watering. I wipe down the tears that fall.

"I promise I'm not always this emotional." she giggles as she wipes her eyes.

"If you cried 24/7 I wouldn't care."

"Um, I should get back. Text me ok?"

She runs off, in the direction of Seraphina and a taller blonde girl.