Simone Valentino

~~~22~~~

John and I stood, lined up just outside the front door, waiting for Simone to bring the car around. I wore a long royal purple dress that exposed my shoulders and ended just above my ankles. A pair of heels that matched the design of the fabric made me only a head shorter than John. John was only there to help me right now. He wasn't part of the plan yet. He would show up in a getaway car for us at exactly 9:15. Another shiny black car I'd never seen before pulled up and I got in the passenger seat. Simone started right away.

"You remember their names?" I nodded. "Good. I found out you asked questions last time. About missing family members." He was staring at the road, his eyes wild. I realized he was speeding and I knew he was dead serious.

"Won't happen again"

"It better not Nora. Your life is at stake the second you step through these doors, is that clear?"

"Mhm"

We took a sharp turn and my arm moved to steady myself, and he caught it in his.

"We'll need to act like we've been dating for several months so, if you feel the need to kiss me, you are welcome to." His mouth turned up at the side and I giggled.

"Sure sure." The silence stretched out. I felt words in my mouth but I knew now wasn't the time. I couldn't ask him if he had almost kissed me, couldn't ask if he ever would. Not now.

"I'll make sure Salvador leaves you alone this time. You're sitting with me and my little sisters by the way."

"You're the oldest, they are all, you little sisters."

"That's fair. it'll be you, me, Rosetta, Loretta, and Maria." He smiled at her name.

"Is Maria like you and John?"

"I knew you'd have noticed. Yes, and I have to say I'm glad for her sake." He must have understood my confusion because he elaborated. "Well I've already warmed my mother up to the concept, and she can always move away to a small cottage with her wife, say they're friends, and go about their days. But for me the only thing I can say is how thankful I am that I fell for a wom-" He trailed off, saying too much. But I couldn't make sense of it. What did he mean?

Did he mean me? "Oh, I just remembered!" He said and opened the glovebox, then grabbed a small purple thing. "A flower for you." He said giving me lavender springs, braided together into a bracelet. With one hand he tied it around my wrist and I smiled. He got me these last time too. "Also. We are here." He said. And opened my door for me. I took in a deep breath and looked around. There was a large church, with nothing visible behind it. The road was empty, the sky clear. It was a good day for a wedding, I thought.

I took Simone's arm as he led me into a pew in the large church. The roof was so high, the glass painting so large. I noticed the intricate woodworking on the floor too, as well as the tiny designs in the pew.

I looked around and noticed that despite its size, the church was full. Well not really. Any pew with anyone from the dinner only had them and maybe one other person, their plus one.

"These people all work for us. They wouldn't dare sit with us, and none of them will hurt you, or talk to you. If you are worried about that, They are all terrified, which makes sense. We could wipe their families out with a word. Which isn't a comforting thought to them. That'll change soon though." He said, lowering his voice. I smiled a little then remembered that today was that day. Soon meant less than a day. "You can back out. But now is the last chance."

"Will we ever get another chance?"

"No." He clenched his jaw, probably because he didn't think I'd actually leave.

"Then we finish this today."

Violetta walked down the aisle, her hair in a braid around her head, like a crown. Flowers were braided in as well. Layers and layers of white fabric followed behind her, dragged along from the back of her dress. Loud piano music began and we all stood up. Her cheeks were red, her smile wide. She looked so happy. I felt a pit growing in my stomach. We sat down and a long Italian monologue began from the priest. I leaned my head on Simone's shoulder, a gesture everyone else would see as romantic, but really it meant it was almost time.

All the girls, bridesmaids, were in long lilac dresses, made of sheer fabric, made opaque but the number of layers made them solid purple while adding a lovely fairytale feeling. Their hair was in similar braids but half their hair was left down. Their eyes watered and they smiled at one another.

Tony said "I do" and everyone looked at Violetta. I could hear her take a deep breath in, and she said a teary I Do.

While everyone's eyes were locked on them kissing, Simone and I pulled out our guns, both fixed with silencers. I aim my gun at Salvadore, and Simone's is pointed right at the godfather.

We had less than a second. We had to act now. I fired at Salvador, and Simone shot his own father.

We stand right by the door. Backs to it, when every person in the room has a gun. They all point at us when everyone remembers that Simone is now the Godfather. All the people who are now employed by him change direction, looking at his family, who have stopped pointing at us. Everyone is looking at Simone, except his mother.

She stares right at me. I only take a second but I can sense the small change in her arm so I shoot and dive. She doubles over and I feel like I'm moving in slow motion. Simone grabs me and runs out

"Shoot!' He screams and I blindly aim and shoot at people.

I just killed his mom. I get thrown into John's car, Simone piling in after me and I feel the car moving. My ears ring and my shoulder hurt.

"We did it" I mutter, smiling a little. I lay down in the back of the car, seeing nothing despite my eyes being open. So I close them and laugh a little. Then drift to sleep.

I wake up in a white room, with an IV in my arm. The room has barely any furniture, and the abundance of medical equipment made the whole room feel sterile and cold. I looked around and saw John next to me. He was staring at me.

"How bad shape am I in?"

"Your shoulder was busted but otherwise you're okay now. You've been out for three days. But you did kill his mom. As well as Rosetta."

I cringe and realize he probably hates me now.

"We need to go."

"I know The car is ready. We are going to my mother's old house." 

"We need to go."

"I know The car is ready. We are going to my mother's old house."