Rose

Chapter 11

I pull the shoulder-less, long-sleeved, black shirt over my head. I avoid my red rimmed and tear stained face in the mirror. My father's necklace sits cold around my neck. Grabbing a hair band, I pull my hair up, giving myself a once over in the mirror. I look like a little girl, but my scar defies the look. I ignore the makeup palette and head for the door. I leave, ignoring the aching in my heart.

I make my way down the stairs, where I hear the whispering of my bimbos. All talking stops as I come into view. I meet Cesare's eyes looking away. I can feel all eyes on my scar, more defined than ever, not hidden by makeup.

"I'm right here." Bruno whistles and Davide smacks him in the back of the head.

"Whistle one more time and I'll cut your lips off and have them personally fed to you."

"Our dear Rose is back," Bruno sighs.

"She never left," I say, continuing down the stairs. I walk right past them to the door. I realize they're not following me. I turn around. "What're you waiting on? Come on." We walk into the night.

I fall in behind the many cars pulling into the Governor's house. I rush into an empty spot, beating the other car to it. "That's my Rose!" Bruno says. I internally roll my eyes, unbuckling my seat belt. We get out of the car stretching. My gun sits cold against my side. I look up at the house, the lights are blazing from here. The house is quite large and I see a pool in the back. 'It's going to be a long night.'

***

We walk through the open doors of the huge house. Eyes trail on us as we enter. The whispering is almost louder than the music and that's actually saying something. Davide leans into my ear. "I thought this was a business social, why're there so many children from school here?" he asks. I almost laugh at the fact that he regards people the same age as him, as children.

"I guess it wasn't as we perceived it as, and did you forget that we are supposed to be children?" I laugh. He shakes his head rolling his eyes.

"Mr. Abbinato!" I look up to the sound of my name. A middle-aged man is the source, heading in my direction. He's a stout, short man, with balding hair. He looks to Cesare. "Boss I'm so glad that you could make it," he says reaching his hand out. Cesare looks down at me.

"Actually, I'm Boss," I say. The governor looks at me as if just now noticing my presence. He looks struck-shocked even. "Is there a problem?" I ask. He quickly recovers.

"No, no, I'm dearly sorry, I just didn't realize- "

"That a female was now Boss, yeah we know, and now you know too, congratulations," Cesare says sarcastically. Everyone looks at Cesare at his slight outburst. I smile to myself. The governor's ears turn red as he clears his throat. He bows his head slightly.

"I am honored to have you in my home, enjoy yourself, have fun, act-"

"We got it," Adolfo says cutting him off. He gulps and leaves our presence.

"Do you want to leave?" Bruno asks as my eyes connect with the familiar stranger's eyes. I stare at him hard. 'What is he doing here?' A hand waves in front of my eyes.

"What?" I ask annoyed.

"Do you want to get out of here?" Bruno repeats his question. I shake my head.

"No, if this so called governor wants to socialize with our kind we have to at least know if he's dirty or not, as we've learned not everyone is as loyal as they seem," as the words come out a pang stabs me in the chest. They all nod understanding. I look around taking in the portraits and art all across the room. My eyes stop on one portrait- a family portrait. 'The governor, the guy from lunch-what was his name?' "What was the asshole from lunch name?" I ask.