The Mafia Leader

1

^Ava pictured above^

"Ava! Come down for dinner!" My father called from downstairs. I sighed, turning around to look at myself in the mirror. My dress seemed to be laying right finally, and I slipped my flats on, before taking a quick selfie. One last check of my makeup, before I walked out of the bathroom, and down the hall to the stairs. Let's hope this goes well, I thought to myself as I descended. When I walked into the dining room, my father crossed the room to pull out my chair for me. I smiled at him and took my seat.
"Thank you daddy." I said, before smiling at our guests. I recognized the older man, but not the younger more handsome one to his right. He sat across from me. Dirty blonde, leaning towards brunette, blueish gray eyes, neatly maintained stubble. He had medium length hair, and it was swept to one side of his head, well maintained as well. I turned to the older man. "Good evening Mr. Esposito. I trust all is well?" My father went into the kitchen.
"Yes, my dear. How's your girlfriend treating you?" He asked, smiling warmly. He and my dad had grown up together, and my dad was a silent partner in his company. When Mr. Esposito's father stepped down from the CEO chair, he offered it to my dad. My father is retired now, but he still gets money from the company. And as a result I am very close to Mr. Esposito. Some people have a second mom, I have a second dad.
"Caught her cheating on me, so not great. She isn't my girlfriend anymore." I smiled. He scowled.
"You're too pretty for her anyway." I laughed softly. "Well, any other prospects?" I glanced at his friend beside him, who was more interested in his phone than our conversation. I looked back to him smiling.
"Maybe one or two." He nodded.
"Are you doing okay?"
"You worry about me too much!"
"Well I don't have my own daughter to worry about! I see you as my own, mio caro." I blushed as my father walked in with dinner.
"Daddy, I can help you." I said, standing up. I grabbed the mashed potatoes and gravy, before placing them on the table. The silent man finally looked away from his phone, watching me.
"You're Ava, right?" He said as I sat down. I nodded.
"Yes, and you are?"
"Kieran." He said, his voice a gravely baritone.
"My son, Ava." Mr. Esposito said. "He can be a bit grumpy at times. He's taking over the family business at the end of the month."
"Oh wow. That's only two weeks away." I said, trying to lighten the mood from Kieran's gruff response. Kieran nodded once, and looked back down to his phone.
"Kieran." His father said, and he sighed.
"It's business." Mr. Esposito sighed, nodding. We chatted as we ate, Kieran silent the whole time.
"So Kieran," my father spoke up. "Are you excited to take over the company?" Kieran nodded, shoving a bite of his steak in his mouth. If he was actually excited, you couldn't tell. "James, you didn't tell me you're retiring."
"In truth, Kieran has already taken over." Mr. Esposito said. "He's been in control for a month or so now. In two weeks it'll be official though. In the public eye that is." I nodded. Soon they left, and my father smiled at me.
"Why are you smiling at me like that?"
"What did you think of his son?" I exhaled, puffing my cheeks.
"Glued to his phone. He said six words total throughout the hour they were here, and a nod." He sighed. "I get that he has business he's handling, but come on."
"Then I guess you aren't going to like what I have to say next." I gave him a look. "James and I need to head out of town to handle some business, and we both agreed that you could stay at his house while we're away."
"Dad, I'm 19. I don't need a babysitter. And I'm pretty sure silent partners are just that. Silent." He nodded, smiling weakly.
"I know that. But he's got a problem. Someone leaked his list of investors, and I've been getting some cryptic messages. With his security at his place, we figured you'd stay there. It's safer." I sighed and nodded, earning a kiss on my forehead. "I love you sweetie."
"Love you too dad." My dad has always been there for me. Dad loved my mom, I could always tell by the way he looked at her, with adoration and infatuation. He lived for her, and she for him. So when mom died from a brain aneurism when I was 11, he'd had to play both my mother and my father. It was touch and go at first, but after that first year, we grew really close. He was never afraid to cry in front of me, but he was always strong for me. He made me into the woman I am today.
"James and I are leaving tomorrow morning, he's sending a car for you. We'll only be gone for a week." I nodded and went up to my room. I packed up a week's worth of clothes and changed into some pjs. Plaid pants, and a baggy white shirt was all I needed to be comfy. The next morning, I brought my bag downstairs, before grabbing something to eat. Daddy walked in and smiled at me. "Good morning pumpkin."
"Good morning dad." I said, motioning to my bag.
"Oh good! James should be here any minute." There was a knock on the door, which he went to answer. "Hey James."
"Good morning Matt. The car is outside waiting for her." I walked out into the foyer. "Mio caro!" He hugged me. "Car's outside for you dear. Kyle is driving." I smiled and grabbed my bag, going out to the car. Kyle smiled at me, and I hugged him.
"Kyle, it's been so long!" He chuckled.
"It's been three weeks. Come on." He drove me up to their house, and walked me inside. "Ava, since you're going to be here for the week, I offer myself as your driver." He said, bowing to me. I laughed, grabbing my bag as one of the butlers walked over.
"My own personal driver? Hmmm, I may have to think about it." I said, teasing him.
"Oh really? Think about it?" He said, smiling. I laughed.
"Ma'am, I can take you to your room." The butler said.
"Of course Harry." I said, waving to Kyle. Harry seemed surprised that I remembered his name. Once I was in my room, I sat down and texted my friend for a while and then watched tv for a few hours. That is, until I heard someone screaming downstairs.