Raised In The Mafia

1 Roses

~Vixen~

I breathed in the ocean air letting the breeze attack my lungs. I closed my eyes, and let the sun soak into my skin, feeling at peace with myself and my shitty week. Just as I start to drift off, I hear my phone start ringing.

"Ugh, seriously?"

Annoyed, I reach for my phone from my back pocket and answer without looking.

"What?" I snapped.

"Well aren't we just a big ol' ray of sunshine today V?" A familiar deep voice said sarcastically.

"Not my fault you caught me at a bad time Rive. It's good to hear your voice."

"Sorry I haven't called in a while, I've been really busy lately. But don't think for a second you haven't been on my mind. How's school? You excited for Graduation?" My brother River asked. I can see the smile on his face when he's talking. Which for River is rare.

"Most of my finals are done. My apartment decided to flood this last week and ruin all my clothes, so that was fun to deal with. And to top that all off, Kyle asked me to move in with him. The nerve on that guy! I mean in what world does 'strictly casual' dating mean 'move in with me and start a life together'?" I  practically shout at the end, realizing my surroundings instantly.

River started chuckling, "Damn girl, I take it hasn't been your month then huh. You know you can always get new clothes right, it's not like you don't have the money for them. And FUCK Kyle... You deserve better Vix. Actually no, no one is deserving enough for you ."

I let out a snort-laugh. "Thanks Rive. And hey! Don't think for a second I could replace my boots and vintage clothes. I spent YEARS building that collection. Fuck some of them were moms too!" I whined.

I can hear him chuckling in the background and I smiled. His laugh warms my heart. If you ever saw River, you would not think he was capable of emotions or humor.

"Alright, alright. You can stress only about your vintage shit. Forget about everything else and enjoy your last week of freedom Sis."

He clears his throat and I knew that he is about to business talk with me.

"River, talk to me."

I can hear him exhaling a deep breath. "I nonni stanno arrivando" (Grandparents are coming).

I widen my eyes and can feel myself start to panic. FUUUUCK. This was not good.

"Cosa perchè? Perché dovrebbero lasciare l'Italia? (What why? Why would they leave Italy?) What's going on River?"

"We've been having a few issues with the Luna brothers. They aren't cooperating. We have had our differences in the past but it's different now. The brothers are in charge and they want more business. Nonno, (Grandfather) said vuole la pace tra di noihe (he just wants peace between us)."

"Have you tried reasoning with them? Maybe try to agree to let them do their business on the side as long as it doesn't affect us?" I asked.

I have been behind on all the information. I'll probably spend the next month catching up on all our data and research on all our suppliers and clients.

"Si, I've tried Vixen. What the fuck do you think I have been doing? They don't seem interested in negotiating," he sounded annoyed.

"We've always agreed to be civil with one another but they're getting too greedy. We can't have a war break out right now. Especially since you'll be taking over the Mafia here while I settle things in Italy."

He paused and let out a breath. "Vixen, Nonno is talking arrange marriage."

"WHO is being arranged to marry? ME? YOU? " HA. That'll be the day! I'd never agree to that. I don't need some wannabe boss man telling me what to do.

"Relax  V, I would never agree to this. If last resort and they agree, they have a sister. It's not like it has to be love. Just business. She'll just be what I need her to be and that's all."

"River, who wins in that scenario?" I asked, aware of the answer.

"The Mafia wins Vixen. We need to stay civil and at peace with our strongest allies. We have enough enemies to deal with. We don't need a war in our own backyard right now." He pauses and adds, "Vixen, I can't handle anything happening to you. You know how much you mean to me. Without you, everything is pointless."

Those words really tugged a few heartstrings. He would do anything for me, he would die for me in a heartbeat. And I would do the same for him. 

"I know River, I appreciate everything you do. You are doing great, we'll figure all this out together when I come back."

"I know we will.... Anyways I will be flying in next Friday for your graduation. Elliot will pick me up from the airport and we'll go out to dinner to celebrate."

"I can't-wait to see you River. Its been too long."

"Yeah, it has. Love you—see you soon. Ciao"

"Love you too, bye." I hung up and just stared at the phone, letting reality sink in.

Am I ready for a life of guns, drugs, escorts, and money?

Am I ready to step back into the life of killings, beatings, and threats?

I was born and raised for this, I told myself. This is what I was made for—ready or not.

A/N: Hey everyone!♡  this is my first "book"  that I am sharing and writing as I publish. I have so much in store for you guys! PLEASE DON'T mind my errors and editing. I try my best to keep up with my writing and editing so I have new content for you guys♡  just know I'll be coming in every so often and work on the previous chapters. Enjoy! ALSO bare with me on the story, it gets really good... I promise!
Xoxo Rayakuz!