07 | Chapter Six

                                    

                                          



FLORENCE,
chapter six.
____
FLORENCE SHELBY stumbled into the family home in the early hours of the morning, slamming the door shut as she winced at the sound as the Shelby family spun on their chairs, all of them glancing worriedly at the girl who was clearly drunk, once again. 
Finn stood up, being the first one to reach her as he wrapped on arm around her shoulder, bringing her into his side as she walked along side him into the kitchen where everyone else was, Ada grabbing her a glass of water as Florence gulped it down. 
Florence thanked them with a small smile before slumping down onto the seat as she rubbed the sides of her head with her hands. "Fuck my life."
"Nice of you to join us, Flo." Thomas announced, quickly getting back to business as he cleared his throat, "This news involved you, Florence, you need to quit getting drunk in the middle of the night and be here, with us."
"Got it." She nodded, giving him a thumbs up before rolling her eyes.
Tommy sighed, shaking his head at Polly as he then continued on with announcing the current situation. "Polly and I have proposed a plan to end the ongoing vendetta between ourselves and the Italians. Now, none of you are going to like it but keep in fucking mind that this is the only way to keep us all alive."
"What is it, Tom?" Arthur grunted in question, furrowing his eyebrows.
"A marriage." Polly spoke, placing a cigarette between her lips as she blew out the smoke. "Between Florence and Luca Changretta."
"Not fuckin' happening." Arthur instantly shook his head, standing from the table as he began pacing around. 
Florence stared at the ground, still hung over as she didn't even bother arguing with Polly and Tommy anymore. She quickly stood up, not wanting to listen to the family discuss her possible wedding as she walked out of the home, her heels clicking against the cobblestone as she didn't even track where she was walking.
Unknown for how much time had passed since she first began her walk, Florence glanced around for any sign of where she was, not noticing the unfamiliar road. The familiar feeling of shivers being sent up her spine caused her to look up as her brown eyes scanned the woods.
A black shadow ran through the woods as Florence stopped walking, taking the gun from her pocket as she raised it, her eyes now focused on the woods as she listened for the sounds of leaved crunching beneath their feet.
Suddenly, a gun shot echoed as she ducked, firing her gun into the air as she hid behind a tree, running away from the gun shots as she stopped for a moment, placing her hands on her knees when she felt a hand wrap around a mouth, stopping a scream from escaping her lips.
Florence's eyes shifted as she bit down onto the hand, the man releasing her as she turned to see Luca holding onto his hand, groaning in pain as Florence took the opportunity to knee him in the balls. Grabbing the man, she pushed him up against the tree, bringing her face closer to his. "I remember telling you that if you spoke to me again, I'd cut your fucking eyes out. Is that what you want, Mr. Changretta?"
Luca glared down at her, his glare not scaring her. "Try it."
Taking out the sharp knife from her pocket, she pressed it against his cheek, "Don't fucking try me."
"Enough!" A loud voice demanded as Audrey Changretta appeared behind the pair. "Enough."
Florence stepped back, letting go of Luca for a moment as she turned around to face her old teacher. "Mrs. Changretta, what are you doing out here?"
"Stopping you two from killing each other." Audrey announced, holding up a white flag in her hands. 
Luca tutted, "Mamma, non dovresti essere qui fuori."
Audrey shook her head, stepping closer towards them. "I want this war to end. No more death. I can't take it anymore, Luca. I already lost my husband and my son. I cannot lose you too."
Florence felt her heart break a little for the woman before reminding herself that the Changretta family was responsible for killing John. "This is a war, Mrs. Changretta. Nothing will stop it."
"A marriage will." She proposed. "Polly Gray informed me about her idea, and I agree with it."
Luca scoffed, shaking his head. "Un fottuto matrimonio."
"Shut it, Changretta." Florence warned him, stepping closer to his mother as she held onto Audrey's hands. "Your son killed my brother. No marriage can fix that."
"Please, Florence. At least consider it." Audrey practically pleaded with the girl.
Florence sighed, running a hand through her hair as she glanced behind her to see Luca watching them both curiously. "It is not only me who needs convincing."
"I'll work on my son." Audrey informed her, pressing a kiss to the girl's forehead as she allowed Florence to step away.
Before Florence could walk away, she stopped before Luca, holding the knife to his cheek again. "Do not forget what I told you, Mr. Changretta."