•Arabella DiStefano•
"Where would you like to go?" I asked Viktor as the take off of the plane brought me a pulling force that weighed on my shoulders.
He smiled weakly "I don't know but I would like to be in touch with you; you're different and that's odd these days."
My lips curved into a smile "Well, I know how to read a vibe, besides you came unarmed so it would've been dishonorable of me to have done so."
"A woman of honor at the top of the food chain," he said with a smile "it would be great if you stayed in charge after Apollo is back home."
A deep sigh left my mouth "Once I longed for this seat at the table and don't misunderstand me, I love being in charge but my parents didn't give me a nice upbringing so I want to make sure that my little babe has that. Sometimes I feel guilty for being such an advocate of how women should be in charge and now I'm one of those women but wish to step down to be a mother for now," my eyes fell down to my bump. "I'm not saying that women who do so are weak, quite the opposite but it makes me feel so stupid to have wished to be the King for so long and as soon as the crown is on my head, I wish to abdicate to dedicate myself to motherhood."
"You shouldn't feel ashamed. I'm sure Apollo will support you no matter what you choose, I've been told he deeply adores you," he said softly.
"Oh come on, don't pretend to know Apollo," Mariano scoffed and I gazed up at him, he was sitting across from me "What? It's the truth," he took a sip of his champagne.
"Mariano, I'm sure you're fully capable of delivering the truth in a tender way, Viktor is not our enemy, he is helping us find your beloved friend, my husband and the father of the heir so stop this quarrel or jump off the plane," I stated with a smile.
Mariano groaned "Fine but don't expect us to become friends."
"I don't have such high hopes for mafia men or men in general," I chuckled, glancing between the two, they had the same expression of surprise on their faces. "This flight is 6 hours and 35 minutes long so please stop your catfight and let's get to know each other," I took a sip of my orange juice "could you answer my initial question, Viktor?"
Viktor took his jacket off "Matteo loves Iceland and I've seen little cottages there, my looks wouldn't raise much suspicions since blue-eyed white boys are abundant over there and I could work at a restaurant or something; I don't care much for material things, just want to be happy once and for all."
"Then Iceland will be your residence, do you have a picture of Matteo?" I put my glass down and took a bite of my toast.
He nodded reaching for his phone in his pocket and as I waited my eyes diverted to Mariano who was staring at his watch but I doubt he's reading the time; he must be thinking about Allegra. I hope they get married soon, they were made for each other.
"Here," Viktor handed me his phone "that is Matteo Geremia. I went to meet their family and his sister, who is a photographer, took pictures of him for me...they were happy to see Matteo happy which is such a strange feeling for me; my mother has worked her ass off since my father died to make my life a living hell."
"Sounds like familiar feeling," I chuckled. "Matteo is really handsome, how old is he?" I handed him back his phone.
"Twenty-four, he is eager to start a family and so am I; as soon as we tie the knot we will file for adoption," he said with such yearning in his voice, it made me so sad to imagine what his life has been like.
"Who do you have to marry, Viktor?"
The man let out a deep sigh "Her name is Anna, she's the daughter of my mother's best friend."
My life wasn't a meadow but I never kept such a big secret knowing that if I ever spoke it might lead to my death orchestrated by my own mother "Anything you desire, I'll make it happen."
For the rest of the flight we talked, the three of us, as adults which is really surprising considering Mariano is as hard-headed as Apollo. My breakfast was delicious, I had some snacks here and there but by the time we were going to have lunch, the Captain announced the landing so the cravings went away; I'm closer to my husband that I've been in months.
When the door was opened, Viktor was the first one to step out, I was in the middle and Mariano behind me; there was more security in front of me than I've ever seen in my life but I understand, this is a foreign and enemy country for my person/family.
Once in the car —which I shared with the two men—I texted the girls to let them know I had landed safely. I thought we were going straight to where my husband is but they took me to a house, a cottage which seemed to be pulled out of a fairy tale. They gave me a room with bullet-proof glass windows, a king-sized bed, a mirror, and a decent-sized bathroom; I didn't want to lose time so I changed into a pair of leggings, a black turtleneck sweater, leather knee boots and a fur coat which will protect me from the hellish cold of this country.
As I walked downstairs, I heard Mariano and Viktor chatting like civilized people "Ready?" I asked, gathering my hair at the nape of my neck in a low ponytail.
"Where do you think you're going?" Mariano tilted his head.
I raised an eyebrow "With you guys."
Viktor shook his head "Not until we are sure the place is safe, so have your lunch," he looked at a girl, standing under the arch that separates the living room from the kitchen. "Salad, chicken, mint tea and a big slice cheesecake as dessert," the man smiled.
"You're not leaving me out of t–"
"Yes we are, understand that you're pregnant," Mariano scolded.
I rolled my eyes, sitting down on the loveseat "Whatever."
"We'll send for you once we know it's safe, all right?" Mariano leaned down to peck my temple "Eat for my nephew."
I pushed his face away "The longer you stay, the longer I have to wait so shoo!"
Viktor left behind Mariano, he ruffled my hair as a goodbye and I stayed eating off plates on a silver platter; the food was good but not amazing, pregnancy has made me a big fan of food so I know the good stuff. I've been watching this show about a task force in Hawai'i and I can't wait to go there with Apollo and the baby so I can taste those delicious-looking malasadas.
I stayed in the room for an hour until a man told me I could finally get into the car but I didn't want a car, if I was going to get my husband, I wanted to make a big entrance so I told him to get me the helicopter and 15 minutes later I was on my way to the location in style, besides, sitting down for too long makes my back ache a lot more than it already does.
The view of the place from above was of an abandoned-looking manor with four wings but three of them were falling to pieces, the garden where I saw people seemed to be decorated for a wedding but I could spot a white sheet with carmine stains.
The helicopter landed and Andrea helped me off "Thank you," I pecked his cheek and met Mariano and Viktor in the middle of the backyard "Where is he?"
"Not here," Mariano sighed. "But we found this," he handed me a white jacket that looks just about his size, I unfolded it and on the back, there was a message written with the paste grass turns into when you mush it "how was this found?"
"In a ball, I guess so no one could read the message," Viktor said before wiping his tears away which lead me to believe the body under the sheet is his sister.
I nodded "We have her, she can't run away," my gaze moved to Andrea. "30 million dollars to bring her alive to me and seven for information on her location."
On the jacket, he wrote the name of a soon-to-be-dead woman: Gaia.
•Apollo DiStefano•
"Where are we now?" I asked as someone blindfolded me before they opened the plane's door.
Her voice bothers me a lot "Somewhere in Scotland."
Someone pinched my neck once again with a needle and I didn't fight it because there's no sense in fighting that battle, I actually thanked it because I needed the rest.
Anyway, when I woke up it was to icy water, surprise? I don't think so but this time there was a floor-to-ceiling window in front of me, it was big and with green views you can only find in Scotland or Ireland "Welcome home, darling."
"I'm tired, can you bring the man with the syringe so he can put me to sleep?" I yawned.
Gaia stood in front of me, blocking the gorgeous view. She's wearing a baby blue knitted midi dress and knee high boots with her hair resting on her shoulders.
"Of course not silly, we have an important meeting to attend and all your questions will be answered. I'm your true wife, my dear," she tried to kiss me but I looked away, she still kissed my cheek which I'll have to rinse with bleach when I get back home.
The chair has wheels so Adrian pushed me down the hall "How old are you?" I cleared my throat.
"Why should you care? You're one of them."
"One of who? A legitimate son? Woah, what a crime," I rolled my eyes.
"You get all the stardom it doesn't matter if we were born before you."
"That's how the mafia works," I yawned and looked around the place, by the looks of the stairs I assumed the place was once of a noble family. I was left in a dark room for 10 minutes, didn't know what to do to entertain myself so I made up a song about what I'm gonna do as soon as I see Arabella "In the back of the car, gonna kiss every inch of you," I sang quietly "gonna make love to youuu-u-uuuuuu." Then I was rudely interrupted by a door being opened behind me and then the lights blinded me for a couple of seconds "Who is it? The bastard or the crazy girl?"
"A business partner," a voice I haven't heard in a long time echoed the room.
Some people are just born with death wishes.
"You feeble bitch, of course you're behind all of this," I chuckled bitterly. "How could I be so stupid?"
"You are stupid enough to love Arabella," he stated which is such a dumb statement.
"You're stupid enough to say her name," I let out a deep sigh.
Then I heard a set of heels "Don't fight with him."
"Ew, please tell me you're not fucking," I gagged.
Gaia stood in front of me, she was wearing another dress which is pathetic because she can't hide an ugly personality behind an expensive dress "That would be illegal."
"Why?" I raised an eyebrow and after a second everything made sense. How she has been talking about how she should be my wife, her tantrums about me not loving her like I love Arabella "Oh my god," I laughed "I don't believe it."
The man who was trying to play mysterious stood in front of me "Hello, Apollo."
"You're not Don Corleone, what is this little show about stepping out of the shadows? Stop trying so hard and just kidnap me with some dignity," I sighed "Mr. Bianchi."
The trashy man spoke: "I assume you've met my beautiful daughter."
"Yeah, I'm married to her," I replied with a cheeky grin.
"You will finally marry the right one," he said looking at Gaia "isn't that right, princess?"
"Yes, daddy," Gaia giggled. "Thank you for always spoiling me."
"So Gaia is a bastard too, huh? Not surprised but I guess coming from the man who killed his youngest daughter and tortured his heiress her entire life is not a surprise, at least not one worthy of an Oscar."
"They're my greatest mistake."
I shook my head "Messing with your daughter after you trained her to be a walking lethal weapon has been and will always be your greatest mistake."