Luciano
The police man standing guard at the gate didn’t even bother to check my face, I took it that the warden had done his job and informed them I was on my way, I drove quietly into the compound, packing in front of the administrative building and walking in slowly.
“Good Evening Signori Luciano” The officer standing at the table greeted as soon as he saw me, tipping his hat. His English was broken and heavily accented, but I could understand him enough.
“Good evening,” I reached into my coat, fishing out my cigarette and lighting it. “How is it going?”
He smiled appreciatively, apparently pleased I took any interest in his day to day activities. “It haz been quiet Signore.” He smiled, revealing a row of tobacco stained brown teeth.
I nodded, “Good, I am here for inmate 474.”
“Oh,” he opened up the computer in front of him, “Would you be going out with him?” He asked, peeking at me from over the desktop, “Do you need an escort?”
The look on his face told me he thought I was going to execute him, Cosa Nostra style, made me wonder how many enemies of the Sicilian families sent locked away in prisons “For their own good” were killed this way.
I shook my head, smiling, “No, we are just going to have a little talk, nothing like that.”
He nodded, “Do you need any guard on you?”
I shook my head, “That’s fine, this won’t take time. It’s just a personal visit.”
Something in his eyes told me he didn’t believe me, that it was just a personal visit, I didn’t blame him, nobody approached a prison by this time of the night for “Just a personal visit.”
Well, nobody except me. Nodding though, he gave me an e ID that apparently was supposed to open doors. I nodded at him, smiling before pocketing the key.
As I approached his cell, I saw him for the first time in in a while, and the sight didn’t look good at all.
He sat there, on the floor, staring out of a window but the side that was letting in a lot of moonlight.
“I didn’t expect you here so soon Luciano.” He said as I approached. “Especially not since I heard you fled the country,” he turned around to look at me,”So this is a pleasant surprise.”
He looked terrible, like he hand aged 10 years over the last couple of weeks. He cheeks sunken, a receding and greying hairline and a lot of wrinkles.
“Goddamit Luka.” I muttered, standing outside, hands in my pockets you have always been too cocky for your own good, you know that?
He shrugged, “I take that as a compliment.”
“Of course you do you narcissistic bastard, of course you do.” I said leaning up against the filthy wall behind me. “Dio mio what happened to you?” I asked, scrunching my face in disgust. “You used to be this great dude man, now look at you.” I gestured at him, letting my hands drop to my sides.
“Well, times changed.” He looked away from me, “And so do people.”
I remained there silently, watching him and trying to make myself feel angry, he was so arrogant, so nonchalant, even in captivity.
“Did you send someone to kill me Luka?”
His eyes met mine for the first time that evening, hands placed under his jaw.
“You think I am still making moves? From inside here?”
“Did you?” I asked again, unwilling to entertain anymore of his tricks.
He raised his eyebrows like I was asking the most ridiculous thing in the world, “No.”
“That’s bullshit”
“Well, tell that to judge pretty boy”
I stood there fuming, “If I ever find out you are lying, and that you did try o send a hitman to kill me, that’s the day you die.”
He threw back his head, laughing out loud, so hysterically he slid down the wall. “Oh you think?”
“Did you hear me?” I growled
“And what are you going to do? Kill me?” He casually walked up to the cage, “You are not just not built me, not after all we have been through?
“You are right.” A voice said from behind us.”
I turned around shocked to see Raven, walking in.
“Raven?”
She ignored me, walking up to Luka, “You hopeless son of a bitch, he might be holding back because he still considers you his brother”
Luka raised his eyebrow, “Who the hell do you think you are?”
She shrugged, “Someone you sure as hell don’t want to begin fight with”
He fell silent, looking at the both of us as Raven smirked at him.
“What gave you the audacity to interfere? Are you his fuckin boss?”
“No.” She said casually “I am his queen.
* * *
Raven
As soon as we drove home, he led me into his office, closing the door behind us. He looked at me with a serious expression on his face, and I could tell that something was bothering him.
“Okay, I know you would have wanted me to stay back… ” I started but he held up his hand, cutting me off
“Raven,” he began, “I need to ask you something. Are you sure you want to remain with me at the mafia?”
I was taken aback by the question. Why would he ask me that? He had been the one who had convinced me to join him in the first place. Now, it seemed like he was having second thoughts.
“What do you mean?” I asked, my voice tinged with annoyance. “You were the one who wanted me to join you. Why are you asking me this now?”
Luciano sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. “I’m asking because I want you to understand the risks involved,” he said. “Being a part of the mafia is dangerous. You would be a target, and there are people who would do anything to take us down.”
I rolled my eyes, my frustration evident. “You think I don’t know that,” she asked. “That’s why I joined in the first place. I’m not afraid of a little danger.”
Luciano shook his head, his expression grave. “It’s not just a little danger, Raven,” he said. “It’s a constant threat. You have to be prepared for anything.”
I could tell that he was genuinely concerned for my well-being, but I couldn’t help feeling annoyed by his sudden change of heart. Had he only just realized how dangerous this life was?
“I appreciate your concern, Luciano,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm. “But I knew what I was getting into when I joined the mafia. I’m not going to back out now.”
Luciano nodded slowly, his eyes fixed on mine. “I understand,” he said. “But I want you to know that if you ever feel like it’s too much, you can leave. I won’t hold it against you.”
“Yeah, well.” I turned to face him, “I don’t have much time.” I flashed him. My best smile.
He groaned, pulling me deep into a hug, “God I love you so much.”
That was it, the L word, this was the first time he was using it, ever. I felt my heart start beating uncomfortably.
“When you first walked into my office, I would have never guessed we would be here now.” He said slowly, “And yet here we are, you are the most beautiful soul in the world, and I will forever be grateful for you.”
I could feel tears welling in my eyes, why now?
I shoved him away, “You are just being silly.”
He, instead of arguing with me, chuckled. “That’s funny, you very clearly do love me, but your stuck up ass won’t let you admit it.”
“Oh shut up Luciano.” I giggled, walking out of the room to our bedrooms, him right behind as I tried or hide myself tears.
He grabbed me again, twirling me into his arms.
“I love you, Raven.”
I looked up at him, and surprisingly, I didn’t feel anything. No rushing heart rate, no sweat, no clamminess.
Just peace.
And in that moment, I knew there was no going back.
“I love you too, Luciano.”