The King's of New York

A Warm Welcome

"Only thing that's on my mind... who's gonna run this town tonight."

~

Leo

"I leave for not even a damn year, and you two are drowning our family in utter mayhem. And over a damn girl!?" My mother berates as Gia stands watching with a gloating smile.

Jack snorts rolling his eyes, "Our family has a thing for females being our destruction."

Mom's eyes cuts to him narrowing at his slouched form on my office sofa, "Jackson Sicario before you let your mouth get you into a casket please shut the fuck up." She threatens her hands on her hips daring Jack to go against her.

"Sorry momma. I'm just stressed." He whispers, as I roll my eyes.

Such a goddamn momma's boy.

"Mom you left and went into hiding. We stepped up and we have been doing well considering the circumstances. Hermione isn't just some girl; she's apart of this family." I  declare walking passed her to pour me a full glass of whiskey.

"On what grounds is she apart of this family Leonardo!? I know Iris told you about who she really is—"

"I know every thing mom. Everything you and Dad decided to not tell us about." I interject before downing the entire whiskey glass in one gulp.

The burn simmering down my throat and blooming a fire in my chest. I turn around facing my mother. She's nearly fifty and she looks nothing older than thirty-five. Her long, dark brown hair still has its full color, yet if you look closely you may see a few gray strands sprouting. Her form is far more slender than the last time I see her. Yet I wouldn't dare think her neglecting her weight effects her quick intelligence or combat skills. She is Diandra Sicario after all.

"We all know about Hermione. Aunt Jade being her mom. Her biological dad, and how he has a secret daughter named Carmen, waiting to slaughter her and anyone protecting her. Dad's death; we know every single puzzle of the picture board." I explain leaning my back on the wall as I watch her face morph through many emotions.

"Then you know why I had to leave..." She speaks quietly almost unsure of her words.

"I don't." I answer shortly.

"Leo-"

I  march towards her, standing face to face, "You ran! You promised him you would never leave! You promised you wouldn't run! I tried to lie to everyone; to myself! Saying we put you in hiding or you were away doing something productive for the family!Sending Gia to wherever you were to make sure you were alive every other month was exhausting! But you ran mom! Once again you did what you always will be known for! A runaw-

"MY HUSBAND WAS KILLED!" Mom screams back silencing me, "The only man that fought for me, made me a home, gave me a family when it was ripped from me as a kid. The man that taught me to love, gave me three beautiful kids, the man who was my partner in crime, the king to my queen, the man that I thought could never die. The man I thought I could protect all my life took his last breath in front of me. So don't you dare— don't you fucking dare judge me." Her voice cracks as she tries to push a sob down.

She takes a breath stepping away as tears build in her eyes, "He died in front of me. My world flipped in front of me. I would've never left you if I knew you three weren't safe, equipped, and ready to lead this family. I couldn't be the queen the family needed. So yes I ran. But I didn't just run and be weak. I ran and fought for my husbands honor. I ran and searched for the responsible ones; and I found them."