Intertwined

Chapter 57: Lillies and Peonies

A/N

Hope you are all doing well. Thank you again for continuing to read my little fan fic. I feel very honoured anyone takes any notice. I just love to write. Creating characters and worlds with words is what I've always done.

There is a little bit of insinuation of violence, take care of yourselves.

Love always

She looked at the times his phone had turned on and decided it had been going on quite long enough. He was becoming distracted. His check ins were infrequent, and she had been informed of his drunken behaviour.

'Gio, take Ettore with you and visit our friend Niccolo. He is wasting my time and money it seems,' she handed one of her most trusted men two envelopes, 'This one is for the local Deputy Chief in Zykanthos, to let you take him from the cell he is currently drying out in,' the tall man, built like a rugby player, but dressed in a designer three piece black suit, gold cufflinks with rubies and the Sarracino family crest, nodded at his bosses instructions. Gio's composure never faltered with Antonella. Actually, it never faltered. Had his surname been Sarracino he would have been the one in charge, but if he were honest, he liked the position he had. Sure he answered to a woman, but she had always been a leader and Gio enjoyed the comfort of having someone above him who had the final say. 'The second envelope is what's left for Niccolo. Let him know he has until the 4th September to complete what I have requested,' Antonella's mouth twisted in thoughtful smile, 'Gio, give him a taste of what failing that entails,' the large man nodded with a smirk.

Allegra walked in with a smile on her face, the relaxed demeanour of someone breathing in the familiar and feeling completely herself, at home.

'That will be all, Gio. Thank you,' Antonella nodded seriously and turned to smile at the younger woman.

'Bye Gio,' Allegra waved at the gentleman who she had known all her life, and was more family than her mother's employee. 'Arrivederci piccola,' Gio affectionately called as he left.

'Mamma, where's Gio going?' Allegra arranged some freshly picked Lillies of the Valley in her hand.

The older woman sighed and walked toward the redhead, 'I have some business I need him to attend to in Zykanthos,' Allegra's eyes lit up at the mention of the Greek island.

'Oh, I loved going to the Ionian Islands as a child. When you're treatment is finished we should go there,' the younger woman placed the flowers in a vase and sat them on her mothers desk.

Antonella took her daughters hand, 'Of course my darling, anything for you. Let me make you lunch,' Allegra shook her head.

'No Mamma, your tests are showing the treatment is helping but let me look after you. Sit,' she directed her mother to take a seat at the kitchen bench, giving a determined frown towards her the older woman, who rolled her eyes but sat obediently. 'Thank you for looking after me, angioletta'.

'It's the least I can do for you. I just wish you would rest more,' Allegra gave her mother a slightly disapproving stare, but then softened to a smile as she began cutting ingredients for their lunch.

'I promise I'm not working too hard my bambino,' Allegra gave a soft chuckle.

'Pet names don't fool me anymore, mamma,' the garlic began to sizzle in the pan.

'You were always too smart for me. But Gio has been helping me a lot Ali girl,' it was true that he had. Antonella's most trusted employee was the only one, besides her daughter, who knew how many sick she had become and had covered for her as the treatment had caused her to rest for the first time she could remember.