Athena
The meeting went without much of a hitch. I sat at one end, quietly watching the proceedings as they argued over everything. It was mind of amusing, seeing these grown, powerful men squabble like children.
Curses flew across the table like missiles, mothers were cursed, fathers were cursed, wives were cursed, calling it a mad house would be a massive understatement. Luciano for the most part, looked like he was tired of their shit, as at some point he just leaned back on his chair and let them threaten all they wanted without trying to interfere or even mediate.
“Everything in Queens and the North of Brooklyn is mine, don’t be a fool.” Antonio spat, crossing his arms like a child who had just been refused candy and was planning to throw the biggest fit anyone had ever seen.
“Damn right it is,” Francesco countered, slamming his fat, heavily ringed fingers on the table, “All of the best markets for our good stuff all go to you yeah? And what is there for the rest of us yeah? What are you leaving behind you for us to get? Fucking peanuts?”
“You are none of my concern” Antonio said, waving his hand nonchalantly…
And so they went on, for what felt like hours. By the time the entire thing ended, I was more than happy to follow Luciano out of they, accepting only a few handshakes and some halfhearted “Congratulations.” from the men around. I was grateful, at least, to those who didn’t try to kiss my ass and show fake love at my presence, reminding myself to watch the others carefully.
Luciano held me by the waist as we left the building, heading to the car park behind. I couldn’t help but notice the contrast between when we walked in, me trailing behind him, nervous as to what was going to happen, whether or not these old guard Mafia underbosses who had no respect for me, knew next to nothing about my background, personality or abilities would accept me.
Now it was different, I wasn’t trailing behind anymore, my head wasn’t down, trying to hide from the crowd, and all the nervousness was gone.
This was who I was now, this was what my life was. I glanced at Luciano who had had a small, mischievous smile on his face since we left the building. He was my King, and whether it not I admitted it, I was also his queen.
“If you keep looking at me that way, we might not make it to the bar Cara.” He said, without even glancing at me.
“What? Oh, sorry.. ” I stuttered, shaking my head and staring right ahead, blushing furiously, “I hadn’t realized I was staring.”
“Understandable,” he smirked, “There was a lot to admire, you are forgiven.”
“Oh shut the hell up Luciano.” I retorted, rolling my eyes. He was right though, there was a lot to stare at.
We got to the car held the door open for me, bowing slightly, “Your highness?”
“Okay, I will need you to tone down the royalty thing a little but okay?” I said getting into the car, “It’s starting to get a little creepy.”
“Of course my queen.” Slamming the door, he walked back to his seat, “Anything for you at all.” He raised my hand, kissing the back slowly, his eyes on me.
“You are a weird little man Luciano.” I said, even though I couldn’t help but smile, “I hope you know that.”
“Weird yes.” He shrugged, “Little? You and I both know that’s not true.”
“Pervert.”
“Only for you,” he said winking.
As he backed away from the parking lot pulling into the road, but instead of going back to the hotel, he headed in the opposite direction.
“Hey lover boy, are you trying to get me kidnapped?” I asked, glancing at him.
“Whatever are you talking about?”
“This isn’t the way to the hotel.”
“Oh that?” He stepped on the gas, speeding a but faster now, “We aren’t going back now, we are going to celebrate you coronation.”
I rolled my eyes,”Are you ever going to stop with the royalty jokes?”
“Never.” He replied, a smirk playing on his face,”Better get used to it Cara.”
* * *
The restaurant stood in a tight little corner of Manhattan and immediately we pulled into the parking lot, the first thing I noticed was that the owner seemed to want to announce it’s Italian origins as much as possible. Even the architecture was Renaissance, pictures of every Italian person of significance, from Lorenzo Di Medici to Dante lined the walls, a sonata playing softly in the background.
“What do you think?” Luciano asked as we stepped inside.
“It’s… Nice.”
It was, even with it’s extravagance, from the quality of service (Waiters appearing everytime a glass went empty to top it with more wine) to the clientele , it was very obviously supposed to show wealth.
We sat at a table facing the large windows and Luciano took care of the orders while we sipped wine.
“This is where most of the men you saw back at the headquarters come to cool off after a day’s hard work.”
“Oh really?” I asked, looking around, I didn’t seem to recognize anybody from the mansion there.
“Don’t bother.” Luciano said, his eyes on me, “I had the place cleared out for us today, it’s just me, you and regular every day people. None of those snakes who would sell me out at the slightest opportunity.”
I smiled at him, “They won’t dare, not after the whole thing with Luka”
He shrugged, letting out a deep breath, “I hope saw, hunger for power can make people do things they wouldn’t normally consider Raven, I have seen it happen more than a few times.”
“And if they do, Luciano, well… You will give them a front-row seat to their own demise. They won’t know what hit them would they?”
Luciano nodded, a glint of admiration in his eyes “You have already a mind for this kind of thing don’t you?”
I shrugged, taking a sip of my wine and smiling at him over the bottle,”What can I say? I am exceptionally good at everything I attempt, you shouldn’t be surprised.”
He threw back his head, chuckling “That you are, and I am not surprised. Just impressed.”
The waiter appeared from nowhere, refilling the glass and when Luciano looked up at him quizzically, he smiled, “From the couple across the room.”
We turned to see Antonio, apparently deciding to dine with us at the same restaurant, he raised a glass smiling at Luciano and giving him a little wink.
“That’s odd.” Luciano looked at me as the waiter left.
“What?” I asked, “You said it’s where most of the underbosses come to spend their money, shouldn’t he be here?”
“Yeah,” He said, frowning slightly, “But now? While we are here?” He shrugged, “Maybe it’s just a coincidence.”
Raven: (smirking) Legends indeed, Luciano. The kind that fuels nightmares and sends shivers down spines. With you by my side, I have no doubt we’ll create a legacy that will be whispered in hushed tones for generations to come.
Luciano: (leaning back, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes) And let us not forget, Raven, the lucrative empire we’ll build. Money, power, and the intoxicating scent of success. The world will be at our fingertips.
Raven: (raising an eyebrow, a wicked smile playing on her lips) Oh, Luciano, the world will be our playground. From the darkest alleys to the highest echelons, we’ll leave our mark, a testament to our dominance.
Luciano: (his voice low and seductive) Together, Raven, we’ll rule this empire with an iron fist. No one will challenge our authority or question our supremacy. Our enemies will regret ever crossing our path.
I leaned in, lowering my voice a mere whisper “Oh, Luciano, they won’t just regret it. They’ll rue the day they dared to defy us.”
“Hey, calm down, you are starting to sound like a fucking comic book villain.”
“Is there anything wrong with that?”
He looked at me, a smile on his face,”No actually. In fact, I find it quite sexy.”
We clinked out glasses again, a toast to our shared vision and the path they are about to embark on. I hadn’t felt this happy, or fulfilled in a while.
Luciano was right, it was kind of intoxicating.
“Waiter?” Luciano called looking up, “how about the cheque-”
The whole world seemed to slow down as a shit rang out, piercing the silence of the restaurant like a rude knock. I saw it all happen in slow motion, Luciano’s left shoulder blowing open in a burst of blood, him falling backward from the impact of the bullet, toppling out table with food and wine spilling everywhere. The screams of the patrons.
All of them in an instant.
I sat frozen, unsure of what was going on, willing my body to move as I sat rooted in place.