CHAPTER FIFTEEN

IGNAZIO

"You know that Camilla is going to hit all three of us with her shoe when she finds out what has been going on, right?" Ignazio asks as everyone stands before the front door of the huge yet old-fashioned house.

"Yeah." Alberto answers.

"She is going to hit both of you, and murder me." Alonso says as he takes a deep breath causing Leora to laugh at him.

"Oh, please stop being such babies. Are you seriously afraid of that old lady?" Mila's annoying voice almost makes Ignazio's ears bleed.

"Mila, this old woman is my mother. So, I suggest you show some respect." Ignazio can tell that Alonso holds back from yelling at Alberto's wife. As for Leora, she glares at Mila before she knocks on her parents' door.

As they wait for the door to be answered, Ignazio rubs his hands in nervousness. He hasn't seen neither Camilla nor Lorenzo in almost a year even though they are the ones who practically raised him. In addition, he knows how much Camilla hates it when they lose contact. His heart almost bursts when the door opens to show Camilla with her wide smile.

"Nice of you for you to remember us." The lady in her early fifties says as she lets them in. Ignazio walks into the living room to find Lorenzo, Alonso's father, waiting for them with a small smile of his own. His eyes turn cold, however, when they land on their Brazilian company. Nicholas seems to notice it.

"I'm sorry to come into your home unannounced. I'm Nicholas Moreno, and this is my right man Ignazio Aldini, and my little sister Crystal." Nicholas offers his hand to the former Italian mafia boss.

"You're the Brazilian mafia." It is not a question.

"Yes we are." Ignazio smiles at the proud look Lucas has while watching his friend shake hands with Lorenzo.

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you." Ignazio almost chokes on air at His best friend's father's words.

"Yeah, Alonso has told us so much about you." Camilla enters the living room with the supplies needed to tend to the wounds some of them have.

"You sit." Camilla points at Lucas ordering him to sit on the couch. Reluctantly, the Brazilian man obeys.

"Luckily for you, I am a nurse. So, I know what I am doing."

"Not to sound rude, but shouldn't you tend to your son first?" Lucas asks innocently not knowing the consequences of questioning Camilla.

"Alonso wound is bleeding, but his stitches are still intact. If they weren't his bleeding would be way worse. He will be okay. And you never question me boy." Camilla pinches Lucas' chest causing him to almost wince. Ignazio shakes his head at his friend in warning, letting out a sound will make things worse for him.

"Alonso you should sit so you don't get dizzy." Lorenzo says causing his son to sit beside him on the couch.

"Why don't you tell us what have you kids gotten yourselves into while your mother tends to your friend." Lorenzo places his hand on Alonso's son.

"Well, as much as I am sure the story is fantastic I am going to have to skip it to go and get cleaned up." Mila says leaving the living room, not giving a chance to anyone to say a thing.

"I should hit you with my shoe, every single one of you." Camilla yells in exaggeration as she covers Alonso's injury. Alberto chuckles as Camilla throws her hands in the air for dramatic effect. Ignazio copies his friend's action.

"Relax mom, you know how men are; they like to convince themselves that they don't need help and that they take care of their problems themselves." Leora smirks as she sits beside her father wrapping her hands around him; the older man hugs her in return.

"Tell me about it."

"Amen." Both Camilla and Crystal say at the same time causing Ignazio and Alberto to burst out laughing.

"You just lost the bet." Ignazio says between laughs.

"I don't even care about that, I care about how the next few days will go with these two women under the same roof." Alberto replies as he hands Ignazio three hundred Euros.

"Oh, God, help us all." Alonso runs his hand roughly through his hair.

"Okay, I am super confused." Nicholas declares.

"I second that." Lucas pulls his unharmed hand in the air.

"Well, time will explain." Ignazio looks between the two women in both worry and anticipation.

"Are you sure you don't want me to look at that sweetheart?" Camilla asks Crystal softly pointing at her shoulder.

"Yeah, I am okay. I made sure not to use my injured arm when I took down all four men." Ignazio has notices Camilla looking between Alonso and Crystal. From the smile she has on her face and the way she talks to her, Ignazio suspects that her son has claimed her.

"So she gets to choose whether you check her wound or not, and you call her sweetheart? Damn I feel loved mom." Alonso says sarcastically as he looks at Crystal with warmth in his eyes.

"Alright kids, why don't we show you to your rooms, and tomorrow we can discuss Ivan and the Russian mafia?" Lorenzo gets off the couch and makes his way to the stairs.

The next morning after having breakfast, Ignazio sits on the grass of the back yard as he waits for Lorenzo to tell them what happened during the mafia war since he lived through it. Alberto sits beside him as does Lucas. Nicholas and Crystal sit on the old bench that is literally rooted in soil. Alonso sits on a chair that he brought from the kitchen. And Lorenzo takes a seat n the edge of the water fountain. Leora and Mila announced their disinterest in hearing what the old man has to say by offering to make lunch.

"As you know, the last mafia war happened twenty years ago." Lorenzo goes back with his memory to his late-twenties.

"It all started with a deal that was planned between the Russian and the Brazilian mafia. It would take place in Brazil. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. While the exchange was taking place, both sides get ambushed. In the middle of the crossfire Ivan's uncle was killed. Ivan's father was furious; he didn't only lose his brother -who happened to be the Russian mafia's best assassin at the time-, but also a great amount of his mafia's money and property in South America. Naturally, the Brazilian mafia was held responsible for the Russian Mafia's losses. Thus, a war was declared." Lorenzo sighs as he looks at his son and then at Nicholas. Ignazio can see the older man silently begging them to not allow history to repeat itself. Ignazio finds himself wondering what could have happened that was so bad that would cause the strongest human he knows to have such an expression on his face. Immediately, he rolls his eyes at his stupidity. They are talking about a mafia war, it must have been as bad as the world war; both of them combined.

"At first, it was an actual war. The things I saw during the first few months are things that would make most people go insane. Blood, violence, murder, and torture were the only things that were known during that time period.

Almost a year later, a group of kids none of them older than eight years old were playing in the wrong place at the wrong time. They were killed during a car chase between the two rivals, accidentally of course. Still, I believed that something must be done. We may kill and torture, but children are the red line." Alonso's father says the last part with pride.

"So, the Italian mafia got involved and played the role of 'peace maker.' At the time your uncle was the one in charge." Lorenzo directs his words to Nicholas and Crystal.

"Wait, uncle? Since when do we have an uncle?" Crystal asks as she turns to Nicholas. Ignazio can tell that despite her brother's many lies, Nicholas didn't know about this either. He looks more confused than Crystal.

"Your father, Dante, had an older brother. His name was Milo, he was my best friend. When I had convinced Milo to declare peace if the Russian agrees to do so as well, Dante didn't like that. Thus, he killed his brother."

"How do I not know this? There isn't even a mention of a Milo Moreno in our archive. Hell, none of my men know about him." Nicholas seems to be both lost and angry at the same time.

"That kid, is because your father is a bustard." Lorenzo's tone was filled with hatred towards the former Brazilian Mafia.

"His plan was to resume the war once he had taken over. What he didn't foresee, however, was for the men in the Brazilian mafia not to accept him. Everyone knew of Dante's jealousy and spite towards his older brother. Therefore, they all knew that he was responsible for his death even though the killer was never officially found. But Dante…"

"I know what happened next…" Crystal whispers to herself cutting Lorenzo off. Normally the older man doesn't take it well when he is interrupted, but he only gives Crystal a puzzled look mixed with a pitiful one.

"What are you talking about Crys?" Alonso is the one who asks her. Ignazio can see his best friend's hand twitching as if he is yearning to hold her hand and comfort her.

"When I was about nine years old I heard them talking about it." When all she receives are even more confused looks she clarifies.

"Let's just say that I wanted to get something from dad… Dante's office. So, I snuck in. while I was inside, both he and Angelica entered the room…"

"You eavesdropped into our parents' conversation?" Nicholas almost launches at Crystal, but he composes himself before something can be done that cannot be undone. His sister gives him a cold look.

"Anyway, mum was telling him that he needs to find a way to make the mafia completely devoted to him, that even though they have the title of king and queen of the Brazilian mafia, they still don't have it because their people despise them." Crystal looks over the faces that are studying her as she rubs her shaky hands together. Ignazio feels his soul abandon his body for a few seconds. If something is making Crystal nervous, then it must be really bad.

"Dante then started yelling claiming that he had everything he can. He bragged how her murdered Milo's' wife. At the time, I didn't know who Milo was, but now that I do, everything makes a little more sense. I also didn't understand what he said that by killing her he had also killed Milo's heir so that Nicholas can be the one to inherit the title."

"He killed a pregnant woman." Alberto seems disgusted to the point that Ignazio is sure that his friend would have killed Dante if he was here.

"Yes he did." Lorenzo's voice says with sadness in his eyes.

"I was there. After Milo's murder, I offered Allegra –that was her name- to stay with us for a while, at least until she gives birth since she was only a few weeks away from her due day. Alonso was five years old at the time. Dante threatened me to hand him Allegra or he would kill Alonso. He had you in his tight grip." Lorenzo informs his son.

"When I had refused to do what he asked, he shot Alonso. That is where you got that scar on your chest, the one you always used to ask us about when you were younger. Dante exploited the fact that I ran to you leaving Allegra defenseless, and he shot her, twice. The first target was her forehead; the second was the baby that she was carrying." Ignazio fights off his tears as he watches Lorenzo and Crystal do the same thing. The rest were containing their cold façade, but Ignazio can somehow see through them, even if not entirely.

"She died on the spot, so did the baby. As for Alonso, he was so close to dying. In fact his heart stopped for a few seconds, Camilla almost had a heart attack. Even though we were beyond relieved and ecstatic that our son had made it, we couldn't help but feel a little guilty that Milo Allegra and their child didn't have Alonso's luck. It still hunts us to this day." Lorenzo lets out a shaky breath.

"But that doesn't explain why Ivan would want vengeance; why he would come after Crystal." Ignazio voices out his thoughts after everyone takes a few minutes to digest all that has been said.

"I have a theory, but I have to learn more before I tell you." Lorenzo says before he gets up and starts to make his way towards the house.

"Tell me father, what is it? Maybe I can help." Alonso stops his father putting his hand on his shoulder.

"Just because I am retired doesn't mean I can't help you son. And I want to help you, not only because you are my son but also because if Dante is involved I want to be the one to kill him.

"If Dante and Angelica were so power thirsty, then why did they give the title and the power to Nicholas on a silver platter?" Lucas asks Lorenzo before he leaves.

"I don't know, but I will find out." Lorenzo along with his son walk into the house.

Ignazio sits on a stool in the kitchen as he devours the vanilla ice-cream before him. His mind creates endless number of ways Lorenzo's story went down; he creates images and screams in his head to make these scenarios more horrifying.

He has committed many unspeakable things, and yet, he can't imagine standing before a pregnant woman while pointing a gun at her; let alone shoot her. He suddenly loses his appetite when he out of thin air imaging being the one to kill Allegra. He drops his spoon on the stool with a shudder.

"Took you long enough to come back to reality." Camilla startles him. Ignazio looks at her in disbelief.

"How long have you been standing there staring at me like an over-bearing mother?" He gives her a soft smile. Even though Camilla is not his mother, she is the closest thing he ever had to one.

"Yeah well, when a mother sees her child in distress, she would want to help in any way she can." She walks over and sits on the stool next to his.

"So, what are you thinking about?" She patiently waits for him to organize his thoughts and form his words.

"Many things." Is all that comes out despite all the things he desperately wants to share.

"Such as?"

"I have never had a sister, and although you know that I care dearly about Leora, we never really were that close. But Crystal, she is my sister. Up until the attack on the house, I didn't think that lying to her about pretty much everything was a problem. I mean, if her brother did it, then it must be the right to do in some aspects. But now, especially after hearing how Allegra got burned in the mafia's fire, I cannot help but think that if anything happened to her when she came face to face with Ivan then it would have been my fault. It would have been my punishment. Actually it would be a punishment for all of us for keeping her in the dark, even if she already knew the lies we were hiding.

I want to apologize to her; it is the right thing to do. But I cannot look her in the eye; I can't face the betrayal that will be in her eyes. I don't know what to do." Ignazio leans his elbows onto his thighs as he rubs his face with his hands.

"You already mentioned what you have to do Ignazio, you just have to be brave enough to do to it; to look her in the eye and face what you have done. It is the only way she will forgive you. And to be frank with you, I believe that the ones who have a serious crisis are Nicholas and Lucas. Crystal has known them for years, but she only knew you for a few months. No one would anyone to tell them such things only after knowing them for such a short amount of time." Camilla gives him a soft smile, Ignazio returns it.

"Now, tell me about Alonso and Crystal, what is going on there?" Her smile turns into a huge grin. Camilla has always wanted her son to find the love of his life. Even though she is a little too excited about what she noticed between Alonso and Crystal, Ignazio knows that she will not be one of these mothers who will impose herself on them, or try to speed up the process of them getting together.

'Love is a flower that must take its time to bloom, rushing it to do so will only cause it to wither away.' She used to tell them as children.

"I don't know much, but what I do know is that Alonso has claimed and Crystal has no idea that he did. I never have seen them together in the same room, so I don't know if Crystal feels the same way. She did sleep in Alonso's bed, however, just two days ago." Camilla giggles at that. Ignazio yearning for a distraction told her about the day her son got ambushed and Crystal saved him, and how she took a bullet while doing so.

"Maybe she is hesitant because she got hurt when she got close to him." Camilla guesses.

"Well, none of us talked to her about it, so only Crystal knows." Ignazio sighs, he hopes everything that is going on does not affect Crystal's decision when Alonso proposes to her.

"Camilla, how long does he have before his claim is no longer valid?" Ignazio has never thought about settling down. So, he never cared to know the mafia's rules for women and marriage.

"Well, he has five months and eleven days. If he doesn't propose, or if she says no, then anybody else in the mafia is free to make on move on her."

"Mafia rules are stupid. Why the eleven days?" Ignazio chuckles.

"I don't know. But you know that we stand by the rules, no matter what. This is a one way ticket." Camilla points at the Ometra's tattoo on her right wrist causing Ignazio to look at his left ankle where his tattoo is. After all these years, he still doesn't know why he chose to get it there. Perhaps it is because it is easier to hide; he glares at the covered tattoo under his pants before turning back to Camilla.

"Yeah well, knowing Crystal, she will either say no, or she will literally drive him to the grave and back before she says yes. Either way, she will keep him busy." Ignazio chuckles as he recalls all the times Crystal has literally made him believe his sanity has forsaken him.

"Yeah, you boys hinted many times of how similar our personalities are." Camilla smiles, a sign that she is actually looking forward for some mischief with the younger woman.

"If she doesn't get involved with any other men after the five months and eleven days, will Alonso still be able to marry her?"

"Well, it has never happened before. You know how mafia men are protective of their pride." Camilla gives him an unimpressed look. He places his hand on his heart with fake hurt on his face.

"That cuts deep, but it's true." Ignazio says in a dramatic tone.

"So I suppose, we will see what happens." Camilla sighs

"Well, no matter what happens, I know for a fact that what is about to come will be bloody and brutal, but it will be amusing to watch." Ignazio and Camilla chuckle. Ignazio does it because of Crystal's peculiar personality and Camilla does so because of her son's stubbornness and his need to get what he wants.