His Donna. (Under Revision)

Chapter Nineteen

To everyone's astonishment Valentino and Luca made pasta with meatballs for dinner.
Yeah I'm sure it must have been a sight to see the two in the kitchen. Interesting enough they actually saved me a plate. Of course it was a waste if you consider the fact that I don't eat beef. But it wasn't entirely a waste since one of the men was only too happy to eat it in my stead. Anyways,I made pasta with eggs for myself and settled in the living room with the others.

Xander sat between me and Dad as we talked about his latest project which had taken him to Europe. Dad was so happy you could see the happiness rolling off him in spades. I had seen him tear up a bit when Xander and I were embracing,he looked so relieved and actually much calmer than usually is.

Valentino was taking a call outside while Luca played with the kids and Phoenix on the floor. The whole thing was amusing really, Luca in his suit and dress shoes sprawled across the living room floor playing with Angel's Dolls. Ares sat near them playing with his own toys while Phoenix chewed at some toy.

"For mafia men these guys are pretty chill,never would I have imagined this set up in my life" said Xander looking at Luca who looked animated with whatever Angel was saying to him.

"Yeah....that's cute" Dad answered quietly. Of course Xander and I shared a stunned glance.

"Eh yeah...cute" Xander cleared his throat as he looked at me.

Dad seemed to realise what he just let slip and nervously glanced at Luca who seemed oblivious to us altogether.

Was dad developing interest in another human being other than mum?

"I mean its nice that they ..." Luckily my poor father was saved from his rambling when Valentino came in the room wearing a murderous aura.

"Great the day hasn't even finished yet and there's still more drama" I thought

"Xander,can you please take the kids to the other lounge I need to have a word with Alvin and Leon"

"Oh um yeah sure" Despite the curiosity in his eyes Xander seems to understand the urgency and importance of the matter at hand from Valentino's tone of voice.

Reluctantly he coaxes an oblivious Ares and Angel into going with him. Of course my kids are only too willing to go with there uncle. And with an added promise to have ice cream and more fun they quickly forgot their toys and made it out the room.

Luca doesn't need to be told,he gets up from the floor and makes his way behind Valentino's seat as he takes his place to stand over his boss.

"Now what?" I ask

"Aurial just called, Don Giordano has been found dead south of the city with his throat cut out and his men slaughtered" says Valentino

To say I was stunned would be an understatement.

"What do you mean?" Dad was the one to break the silence.

"Well i mean just that,someone got to him before we did. And that's not all ..."he trails while curling and uncurling his fists,a clear sign his trying to hold on to the last of his control.

We have a silent player in the game.

"What more is there?" I ask thoughtfully as my brain starts thinking a mile a minute.

"There was a note attached to his body that said .... "Just taking out the trash"

A threat to the Valerius crime family means a threat to the Italian mafia. Not just the leading family but all,internal conflicts are quite common in organized crime but with the way things have been playing out it seems more of an external source than anything. Whoever this person is knows the ins and outs of the mafia,someone who had to have inside Intel to know of the conflict that the families were facing and found a perfect opportunity to strike.

The way i see it,the internal conflict was simply a diversion from the real enemy. To keep the mafia from focusing on the real threat. Make them run around like headless chickens,while the enemy implements division and fear. Undermine Valentino's rule.

I bet this whole thing has never been about Valentino's heir,that was simply a cover up to something much bigger in this case.

"You said two of the families were loyal to you while one rebelled and the other didn't say anything right?" I asked

"Yes the Marcelino crime family actually still hasn't been heard from of yet. The last time we got in contact with them Don Marcelino wasn't available"Luca answered with a tilt of his head wondering what i was driving at.

"What if this whole thing isn't about an heir,what if its actually about an entirely different thing. From where I stand it seems whoever killed Giordano didn't need his help anymore. You're only an alley if you can actually bring something to the table. Giordano exhausted his use,his use was obviously simply to undermine your leadership and influence the others to rebel,he simply had to plant a seed of rebellion in the other families to shake the whole thing and allow for the real players to infiltrate. In war we seek out the ones thirst for power or money. Who is greedy enough to betray their country whilst gaining something in exchange for that help. Someone most willing to act as a puppet behind the true mastermind." I shrugged
Most political leaders are merely puppets on strings anyway.

"Giordano was the scapegoat, most likely promised a seat or the seat of power in the family. Like Judas, give him a few coins and he betrays his master. The real issue you should be concerned about is finding out who Giordano was reporting to. Who stands to gain the most from your death?" This time Dad pitched in.

"Its not about the kids,its never being about the kids. Their just pawns that can be used to force your hand if you don't comply. I mean first they wanted an heir and now that you have an heir you are a threat. Either You are the real target Valentino or someone is simply trying to bring down the entire Italian American mafia."

__

After our little chat Valentino and I took the kids up to bed while Dad and Luca entertained Xander in the sitting room.

"Papa,can we please buy Jasper?" Ares of course asked an oblivious Valentino. One thing about our kids which by the looks of it their father hasn't come to notice yet is that they are smarter and cunning than they let on. Take for instance Angel somehow managed to get Val to buy her a million dollar doll by guilt tripping him.

Yes. I know what he did,I know everything.

"Okay fine Ares snitched on them" I thought with an eye roll.

Back to the topic Ares isn't far behind.

"You know what? Si. We will buy Jasper,anything for my little Prince right?" Or maybe he doesn't even need to be manipulated into buying them whatever they want after all.

Ares just nods with the biggest grin I have ever seen as he crushed into Valentino. wonder if all that grinning isn't hurting his face.

"Angel,did you hear that Jasper is coming home!" An excited Ares crushes into an oblivious Angel whose hair I'm busy braiding and we both tumble to the floor in an excited adorable giggle mess.

Val just looks on with pure love and adoration in his eyes.

Wow. They really have him wrapped around their little fingers huh?

Afterwards Val and I manage to somehow get the excited double to fall asleep and we head to my room.