The Diavoli Forti

Chapter 22: The last night

"Jonathan!" Tony yells up the hill.

Jonathan hops up and runs down to us.

"What's going on?" I ask Tony.

"I have decided that if I fight you, I won't really be able to give it my all. The thought of hitting you makes me uneasy. So, therefore I thought of someone who has hit you before. Someone I know won't show mercy. Someone you also might want a little revenge on for hitting you." He pats Jonathan on the back.

Jonathan laughs, "Bring it on! I show no mercy as you might have learned little Royce."

"Are you sure about this?" Max whispers to Tony.

"Absolutely." Tony smiles.

I get into a fighters stance. Jonathan cracks his neck and then does the same. His face suddenly goes serious. He runs at me throwing the first punch which I manage to dodge ducking under his arm. Before I could turn around he punches the back of my head and I'm flat on the ground. I slowly get up feeling the wind knocked out of me. I can feel my head throbbing.

"Come on, you gotta do better than that!" Jonathan smirks.

I run at him taking my first swing and connecting with his cheek. I could feel my wrist throbbing. I pushed back the pain and struck again. This time he caught my arm and flipped me on my stomach.

"Alright, hold on a minute." Tony says as he picks me up.

"Oh come on, Tony. You said don't take it easy on her!" Jonathan is jumping around.

Tony grabs my face and brings it to his.

"You have to stop thinking so hard. Feel. It's not about strength or size. It's about will power and skill. Remember the first time he slapped you. How defenseless you felt? Not anymore. Remember Curtis?"

My eyes scowl at him.

"Imagine that's him and you now have the skill to defend yourself. Stop thinking. Let your emotions flow."

I push Tony away and shake myself off a bit. I get back in my stance and face Jonathan.

"Come on, princess." He jokes.

I run full speed at him and wrap my arms around his neck and pull him to the ground. I get on top of him and start wailing punches. He grabs me and flips me on my back, pinning my arms above my head.

"You know if you weren't sleeping with Tony this would make for a cute Mr. and Mrs. Smith moment." He laughs.

I knee him in the crotch and he falls off into a ball.

"Okay. You're done. You're done." Tony is laughing hysterically as he pulls me away.

"Well, we could work on the punching a bit but that wasn't too bad." Max rubs his neck trying not to laugh at a crumbled Jonathan.

The next few hours we work on weaponry usage. They had me practice DT with knifes and weapons. As well as had me practice throwing and shooting at targets. Which I wasn't a bad shot at all. Of course, I wasn't going to be an expert in a day. I had gotten most of the basics down and felt confident I could defend myself.

Before we know it days turn into weeks and weeks turn into the day before the drop.
Everyday I practiced my DT and training with a grumpy Max or Jonathan. When I wasn't practicing I was consumed in Tony. We only had sex a few more times after the car incident. Instead, we mostly spent nights talking or he read to me. We got to know each other more and more. Doing little things around the house. He taught me the daily functions. Our presence around the house together was more recognized by everyone. We had become a pair that moved together.

After a long day of work, JR calls a meeting for everyone to attend. We all crowd in the dining room. Tony sits next to me and grabs my face. I had some dried blood on my lip he wipes away.

"Alright everyone, settle down. I assume you all know why we are here." JR sits at the head of the table. His eyes teamed with seriousness.

"The biggest drop of our lives is set for tomorrow night. You guys, we need all hands on deck and all hands ready. I know we had a meeting earlier in the day but this is my final speech. I don't know what will happen tomorrow. Anything could go down. It could be the easiest drop or the bloodiest. I want each and every one of you to know that I love you like my children. If you die, you die in honor. Spend the rest of the evening getting your preparations in order, and your affairs." Tony tightens his grip on me.

"It has been an honor to serve with all of you. We leave at 18:00 hours tomorrow." He stands and nods his head in dismissal.

Mine and Tony's eyes meet. He smiles at me reassuringly but I can see the worry in his eyes.

"I'm going to go shower. I stink and can feel the dried blood on me."

He laughs, "Okay, come find me when you're done."

I make my way to my room and take the most exhilarating shower of my life. I let the hot water warm my muscles. I stood there for a moment contemplating everything. I was about to be apart of a great moment in history for the Diavoli Forti. What are the consequences if it was ever found out? At this point, will I ever see home again? I hadn't even thought to ask JR if he was ever going to let me go home. I had school I needed to finish. I needed to let Leon and Rachel know I was okay. There were so many things I was fighting myself on. Could I leave Tony? Could I leave and go back to a normal life knowing I would never see him again? My heart ached at the thought. Tony had a hold on my heart. The man I despised the most when I arrived became the man I... loved. It felt wrong to admit it to myself, because I know I shouldn't.

I rinse off and get out of the shower. I throw on some of my comfy gray sweatpants and red long sleeve shirt. I throw my soft, winter boots on and make my way out. I knock on Tony's door. Nothing. I make my way downstairs and see some of the guys crowded in the kitchen. They all look suspicious. They start smiling when I walk in.

"Have any of you seen Tony?"

"I think I saw him out by the lake." Jonathan smiles.

I look outside. It's dark. Why would he be out there this late?

"You should go down there. Oh, and take this. It's cold out." Steve smiles and hands me my jacket.

"Okay, weirdos. This is some kind of DT ambush to test my skills is it?" I laugh as I walk by.

I walk out on to the porch and see Max smoking a cigarette and drinking a beer. I could tell he was a little drunk already.

"Are you okay?" I lean over and ask him.

"I'm fine. Just preparing myself for tomorrow. Your Prince Charming is waiting for you by the lake." He spats sarcastically.

"Max..."

"Go. I'm just stressed about tomorrow. I'm not trying to be a dick." He says before I can finish.

"You've been this way the past few weeks..."
I walk past him off the porch and make my way down the little dirt walkway leading to the lake.
I can see lights glowing in the distance. As I get closer I see Tony standing there staring at the lake. He turns around once he hears me coming and smiles.

The ground was covered in battery powered candles forming a path to the lake where there lay a blanket with foods and wine. Sprinkled on the ground was rose petals.

Tony rubs the back of his neck awkwardly, "The guys helped. Along with the maids. I think this shows too much of a softer side for two people that are only supposed to be having a sexual relationship. But for you, I'll let it slide."

He had taken my breath away. I couldn't even get out a word.