Love and War. (BWWM)

Chapter 14

Ralph and I slipped away like shadows into the inky night, the echo of our hurried footsteps a mere whisper against the city's symphony. In the car, Ralph's grizzled face betrayed traces of concern as he muttered, "Kid, we're dancing on thin ice here. Your old man ain't gonna like this revelation."

I let out a heavy sigh, the weight of the situation settling in my chest like an anchor. "I can't afford to drag my family into this mess. They can't know, Ralph. It's a risk I can't take."

The car sped through dimly lit streets, carrying the gravity of the information Ralph and I had stumbled upon. Ralph, ever the voice of reason, interjected, "We gotta play this smart, Corinna. Your father, he's not the forgiving type, especially when it comes to matters of the family."

Arriving at the Da Luca mansion felt like entering the lion's den. The air crackled with tension as we stepped into a room teeming with Father's loyal enforcers, armed to the teeth. Lorenzo, usually the embodiment of stoic calm, looked anything but. His eyes, usually soft with paternal affection, now bore into me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

Gone was the affectionate nickname. "Corinna," he uttered, his voice low and rigid, the silence that followed as heavy as a tomb. The enforcers, sensing the storm that brewed, retreated, leaving only Vinnie standing sentinel by Lorenzo's side.

As I stood in the epicenter of that charged atmosphere, the absence of the familiar nickname sent a chill down my spine. "Corinna," he repeated, each syllable laden with a father's concern and the underlying authority of a mafia boss. The room buzzed with unspoken tension,

The room was charged with tension, a thick air of disagreement hanging between my father and me. His men had obediently filed out, leaving us alone with our opposing views. Vinnie, always stoic and vigilant, stood by my father's side, ready to intervene or defend as needed.

"Why, Corinna? Why would you go out without telling anyone, without having Vinnie there to watch your back?" My father's voice carried the weight of genuine concern, the lines on his face etched with worry.

I squared my shoulders, meeting his gaze with a determination that mirrored his own in intensity. "Dad, I'm not a child anymore. I can handle myself. I had a loaded gun and more weapons than you'd imagine. Plus, everything is bulletproof. There's nothing to worry about."

He shook his head, the frustration evident. "It's not just about physical danger, Corinna. You're part of this family, this life. You can't just wander off like any other young adult. Our enemies will target you, recognize you. You have disguises, but that's not the point."

I bit my lip, resisting the urge to argue further. Vinnie chimed in, his loyalty unwavering. "Boss, I agree with Corinna. She's not a kid anymore, and she's well-equipped. But the world out there is unpredictable, especially for someone in our line of business."

I nodded in agreement with Vinnie's statement, acknowledging his concern without verbalizing it. My father sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Corinna, where were you? I need to know. I can't protect you if I don't know where you've been."

My eyes darted away briefly, avoiding direct confrontation. "It's... complicated, Dad. I can't tell you right now. It's for your own safety, too."

He frowned, a mixture of worry and frustration painting his expression. "Corinna, this secrecy is harmful. I can handle whatever it is."

I shook my head, a painful acknowledgment of the truth. "Dad, you can't. I love you, but this is a burden I have to bear alone. It's late. I need to get some rest." Without waiting for his response, I left the room, leaving behind a father searching for answers in the shadows of uncertainty.

Lorenzo's office, dimly lit, carried an air of both history and secrecy. Vinnie, a loyal confidant, spoke carefully, acknowledging the weight of the conversation.

"Boss, I can't imagine the pain you've been through. Losing Angelina was... it was a tragedy," Vinnie began, choosing his words with a mix of sympathy and understanding.

Lorenzo's gaze turned distant, his mind replaying the painful memories. "It was a hit from the Giordanos. They took away the love of my life, and I vowed to protect Corinna at all costs."

Vinnie's eyes tightened with a sense of shared resolve. "We've kept her safe all these years, but with this engagement to Leo, things are getting complicated. You think he's genuine?"

Lorenzo leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping against the polished wood. "I don't know, Vinnie. We don't know this Leo well enough. The Giordanos have always been cunning. I can't risk Corinna's life for anything."

Vinnie, ever the pragmatic advisor, continued, "Maybe it's time to dig deeper into this alliance. Make sure Leo's not playing a game, especially with the Da Luca name."

Lorenzo nodded, his expression reflecting the burden of responsibility. "I can't lose Corinna. Not like I lost Angelina. I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe."

Vinnie's voice conveyed unwavering loyalty. "We've got your back, Boss. Corinna's safety is our top priority. If there's a threat, we'll handle it."

As the weight of their shared history and the looming uncertainties hung in the air, Lorenzo and Vinnie knew that the intricate web of mafia alliances held dangers that could unravel even the most carefully laid plans. The bond between them, forged through years of loyalty and adversity, would be tested once again in the face of an unpredictable future.

Silence settled in the room, broken only by the distant city sounds filtering through the partially closed blinds. Lorenzo finally spoke, his voice a low rumble, "Vinnie, we need eyes and ears on the Giordanos. Find out everything you can about this Leo and his family. We can't afford any surprises."

Vinnie nodded, acknowledging the gravity of the task. "Consider it done, Boss. I'll make sure we're one step ahead."

With a nod from Lorenzo, Vinnie left the office, leaving Lorenzo alone with his thoughts. As he stared at the cityscape beyond the window, a myriad of emotions played on his face As I get ready for the day, the phone call with Leo lingers in my mind. The casual conversation we shared, the warmth in his voice - it's all a stark contrast to the complex reality I know. Despite the strange mix of emotions, there's a part of me that genuinely likes him.

I glance at the family pictures on the wall, a visual narrative of a life divided between the normal and the clandestine. Leo's entrance into this world adds another layer of complexity. Can he handle the truth? Can I trust him with it?

Descending the stairs, I find solace in the familiar presence of Chauncey, my loyal companion. The upcoming family gathering hangs in the air, a tense anticipation

As I descend the stairs with Chauncey at my side, the lingering tension from the earlier argument still hangs in the air. My father, Lorenzo, is not one to easily accept being left in the dark, especially when it comes to matters concerning me. I know he doesn't understand my need for secrecy, but it's a protective barrier I've built over the years.

Silently, I grab Chauncey's food, hoping the mundane task of feeding my loyal companion will distract from the unspoken turmoil. Lorenzo watches me closely, his expression a mix of concern and frustration.

"Corinna, why won't you tell me where you've been?" His voice carries the weight of a father's worry.

I pause, meeting his gaze. "Dad, it's not something I can share. It's for your safety, for all of us."

He sighs, a deep-rooted frustration etched on his face. "You talk about safety, but you know keeping secrets is what breaks people, right?"

"I know, Dad," I reply, my tone gentle yet firm. "But this one... it's different. It's for your protection. Trust me."

His eyes reflect a mixture of emotions, but understanding doesn't seem to be one of them.

I glance at Vinnie, signaling him to grab his keys. "I need to go shopping," I say, injecting a mundane reason into the conversation, hoping to diffuse the tension, at least momentarily. Vinnie nods in understanding, and we head out, leaving the complexities of our mafia life lingering behind us.