American Dynasty

T W E N T Y - S I X

HI HELLO I KNOW I'M TRASH FOR NOT UPDATING

I was kind of in a funk for a while coupled with the fact that I am a busy university student but here is chapter 26, enjoy!

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Marcella stared at her daughter worriedly. Stella had barely touched her dinner and was absent-mindedly pushing a piece of meat around on her plate with a fork. "Cara mia, is everything okay?" She finally asked.

Beppe looked up from his meal and raised an eyebrow, waiting for his daughter's response. He too had noticed her strange mood that had developed over the past week. Stella glanced up her parents, her gaze flicking back and forth between them. Matteo chewed quietly on his food, already aware of why Stella was so despondent.

"I just haven't been feeling well, that's all," Stella said quietly, glancing forlornly out the window. "May I be excused?"

Marcella opened her mouth to protest but Beppe rested his hand on her arm. "Yes, cara mia, go lie down."

"Thank you, Papà," Stella muttered as she pushed back her chair. Immediately a servant came forward and cleared her still full plate from the table. "I think I might actually go to sleep," Stella said, not meeting her parents' concerned gaze. Matteo pursed his lips, looking at his younger sister pointedly.

"Alright, my little star. Good night." Beppe spoke for Marcella again, waving his hand dismissively. Stella hurried out of the dining room and up the stairs. Once inside her bedroom she shut the door and sighed. For six nights now she had been contemplating it, and now she had mustered her courage. She was going to go find Flynn herself. She slipped on her coat and was about to open the doors to her balcony when her bedroom door opened and Matteo stepped in.

"And just where do you think you're going?" He asked, his arms crossed over his chest. Stella gulped at the furious expression on his face.

"I think you know," she said quietly.

"What did I tell you?" Matteo asked through clenched teeth. "I told you to stay away from that Flynn Dempsey and what do you do? The exact opposite!"

"I'm sorry Matteo, but I'm not going to stay away from the man that I love," Stella said defiantly. She looked her brother in eyes as her voice softened. "He means everything to me."

Matteo's lips parted slightly, seeming to be in conflict with himself. "Stella..." He said with a sigh.

"Please don't worry about me, Matteo," Stella said softly, "I'm perfectly aware of the insanity of what I'm doing and I'm...I accept it. If it means I get to be with Flynn, I accept the risk."

Matteo looked torn, but he nodded and crossed the room to hug his sister tightly. "I hope you know what you're doing." Stella gave him a tight, melancholy smile before climbing over the balcony railing and jumping down onto the grass. Matteo stood at the top with an ominous expression as he watched his sister run down the street.

Stella stood outside the Puncheon Club, the same club that Flynn had taken her to the night they had gone dancing. She knocked on the door three times and waited. The small hatch opened and eyes peered out. "Name?" The voice on the other side asked.

"Stella Biancardi," she responded, standing a little straighter. The doorkeeper's eyebrows raised and the door quickly opened. She stepped inside, nodding at the doorkeeper who was staring at her with a mixture of awe and suspicion. It was a different man from the first night, this one was younger, taller and skinnier. The bar was empty, it was probably before operating hours. "I'm looking for Flynn Dempsey, I don't suppose you know where he keeps his residence?"

The doorkeeper nodded slowly, stroking his beard. "I knew I saw you from somewhere. You're that pretty bird Flynn brought with him a little while ago." His heavy Irish accent made Stella strain slightly to understand him.

"Yes, I am. Now can you help me?"

"Why should I?" The doorkeeper asked, his expression turning to suspicion again. "You're Itaian."

"And?"

"I don't trust whops," he said flatly. "And I thought Flynn didn't either."

Stella narrowed her eyes and reached into her purse. She produced a roll of hundred dollar bills and held it up. "Address, and it's yours."

The doorkeeper's jaw dropped slightly as his gaze remained focused on the money in Stella's hand. She held her breath as the doorkeeper pursed his lips and contemplated his options. "Alright, you have a deal." The doorkeeper walked over to the bar and grabbed a pencil and paper. "He has several locations that he bounces in between but his main residence is in Queens. Kissena Boulevard." He quickly jotted down an address and held it up just like Stella had held up her money.

Stella gingerly handed the money over and the doorkeeper placed the paper in her outstretched hand. "This had better be the right address," Stella said as she watched him count the bills.

The doorkeeper looked up at her briefly with an incredulous expression. "I know who your father is. Do you really think I'd even try to double cross you?"

Stella found his comment mildly disturbing, but shook it off and left the speakeasy. The heavy metal door shut with a loud bang behind her as she began walking towards a taxi parked on the side of the street.

Half an hour later she was standing outside an unassuming looking house on Kissena Boulevard. Multiple cars were parked outside, making her second guess her decision to come here. She nevertheless walked up to the door with a determined gait and knocked on the door. She only had to wait a few moments before the door opened slowly, and a towering figure appeared. Stella recognized him as Flynn's friend whom he had introduced at the Costanzo's ball.

"Stella?" Aiden said in surprise, glancing over his shoulder furtively. "What the hell are you doing here and how did you find this place?"

"People talk once you give them money," she answered honestly, trying to see past him. "Flynn home?"

"You shouldn't be here," Aiden said firmly.

"And yet here I am," Stella said stubbornly.

Aiden pursed his lips. "Why would a nice Italian society girl need to see an Irish gangster?"

With a start, Stella realized that Aiden had no idea about her and Flynn. Stella put her hands on her hips and tilted her head to the right. "Why would an Irish gangster have business with a Mafia boss?" She asked with a coy smile.

"You shouldn't be here," Aiden repeated flatly.

"I know, I heard you the first time."

Aiden narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. It was obvious to Stella that he was not going to budge. She was searching for the most convincing words she could muster, but it turned out she didn't have to.

"Let her in," a voice said from inside the house.

Aiden looked over his shoulder again, raising on eyebrow but wasting no time in obeying the order. He stepped aside and held the door open, letting Stella cross the threshold. Flynn was sitting in the living room in a large armchair, a cigarette dangling from his fingers. He was staring at the flames in the fireplace, seemingly entranced. The light danced across his face, making his sharp features appear even sharper. "Why am I not surprised that you figured out where I live," Flynn mused, still staring at the fire.

"I'm not stupid, and I have money," Stella said as she took a seat opposite from him. Aiden stood off the side, watching the interaction with growing interest. "Flynn, could I speak with you in private, please?" She asked, her eyes darting towards Aiden.

Flynn finally looked up at her and raised an eyebrow. "Something you want to discuss?"

Stella pressed her lips in a tight line and clenched her jaw. "I think you know there is."