Defender

The smell of smoke hits the back of my throat. Holding the cough that threatens to slice the intense silence. I mustered the courage to look up only to see eyes darker than the abyss stare me down.

I knew I was in trouble the moment I walked in his office. No matter how angry and intimidating his stare was I had to hold my ground and defend my decision on helping out these defenseless boys. I look to my side and both boys didn't dare to look up from the ground. They trembled at the suffocating feeling of the dangerous man that sat in front of us. Smashing his cigar to the ash stray he leaned forward and placed his hand on his desk as he released a cloud of swirling smoke.

"Explain this situation to me". He waved his hand in a circular motion. I figured the news would reach my father before I even had the chance to explain. I parted my lips to speak but my fathers voice boomed over mine making my mouth snap closed.

"Why are you here with them? He leaned back in his chair looking between the frightened boys and then to my face.

"Papa, I don't have…."

"You are damn right you don't have the right nor the authority to command my men and disrespect Rick like you did! Have I not taught you to respect your elders". His authoritative voice made me freeze in place. I have officially pissed off the Don.

"Papa, I did not mean to disrespect Ricky. I just had a realization after seeing the boys fight for their lives. I didn't want to see them die". My statement was true and I felt that I was in the right to try to help them.

He slammed his fists on the desk making the boys and I jump. "You make it seem like these boys hold more value than Rick. And you're telling me it's simply because you felt bad for them?

With every word my papa became angrier. I simply did not understand what the big deal was and why the situation was being blown out of proportion. But I knew if I retaliated I would risk putting Alessandro and Giovanni in danger. So I stared to the abyss waiting to see what he would do next.

"Angelo"! Papa yelled at the closed door. Angelo stepped in and nodded to papa.

"Take these boys back where we retrieved them. You know what to do".

My heart rate increased. I made the wrong decision. I should have said something to appease his anger. I had to fix this one way or another. My stupid decision of staying silent just sentenced these boys to death.

I acted on a whim, angering my father even more. I jumped up out of my chair pulling both boys behind me. Stretching my arms to the side and raising my chin in defiance. I looked at Angelo.

"If you touch them, i'm going to kick your ass and you know that I can take you". I was dead serious. I can take at least one Ace down but if the other two decided to join in I might not be so lucky. I was not about to let these boys be murdered because of me.

Angelo hesitated and looked at papa. Papa had both hands fisted. Clearly annoyed with this situation. I turned to look at papa. One of two things was about to happen. I was either going to get dragged out fighting for the lives of two strangers or I was going to make Papa reason with me. I prayed for the latter.

"Papa, you always said that if I had a solid reason to defend my decision, I would never be wrong. All I ask is for you to hear me out and let me explain my decision".

He looked up at me exasperated. He swept his hand to the side allowing me to continue. A breath I did not know I was holding slowly made its way out.

I gathered my thoughts as I thought of how to keep the boys here without endangering them.

"Papa, you know that Ricky has been training me since I was five. Eleven years later I have become this strong independent woman. I can compete with your best men and have shown my strength and growth through my continuous victories.

Papa shook his head with acknowledgment.

"Would it not be embarrassing for someone as trained as me to go against these boys in the state that they are in? Look at them they are literally skin and bones. They have no fighting chance against me and personally I think if I fought these boys today it would be like a slap to my face and a humiliation to Ricky's reputation. I propose to continue the fight but only when their bodies have been nourished and trained to be worthy to fight me".

He stared at me as I spoke never moving his eyes. I was scared that he would escalate this matter even more. This was the best explanation I could come up with that might have a fighting chance to change a Dons mind. Taking a stab at Ricky's reputation would make my papa dwell into his final decision. If Ricky's reputation was at stake that would also mean papa's reputation would be as well. I just hope it's enough time to get by.

I couldn't help them retain a permanent home but I could at least give them food and strength temporarily. In the end the fight was inevitable.

Papa stood up from his chair and walked towards us. His height and the darkness that enveloped him intimidating all three of us. He stopped only inches away. Tilting my head up to look at him. Clearly demonstrating that I was not going to back down. Hoping that somehow my statement changed his mind. He reached out his hand engulfing my slim shoulder. My heartbeat audible to every person in the room. A bead of sweat started to form on the nape of my neck. If papa decided to hit me I had no choice but to take it. If I even raised my hand to defend myself, with his strength and stature I would be in the ground in less than a second with nothing left but broken bones. This is what a Don was. A mass of murderous flesh capable of making the strongest of men kneel with just a stare. A shiver ran up as goosebumps covered my arms.

He lowered his head to my ear and whispered.

"I am proud to be your father". He backed up as my eyes grew like saucers as his statement made its way to my brain.

" Your willingness to defend those who are weaker than you showed the compassion that many heirs do not have. Your fast ability to find a way around a situation shows a higher level of intelligence worthy of the heir of the Castelli famiglia. Just as these are good attributes they can also become your weakness. Distinguish between those who are worthy of your kindness and those who deserve your wrath".

My heart sank as my anxiousness melted off my shoulders and replaced with awe and accomplishment.

I gave him the biggest grin and hugged him tightly.

"I love you papa. Don't worry this made sense to me the most. I know these boys will become even better than your three Ace's".

"I don't know Elisa, it's hard to beat the three Ace's. The day someone defeats the three Ace's is the day our family is doomed".

"Not if they're on our side. That just means we'll be unstoppable". I grinned at him.

"Stay with that innocent mindset as long as you can because reality is full of unfortunate surprises".

I didn't have the slightest clue of what he meant by that but I didn't have to worry about that anytime soon.

He cleared his throat after hugging me tightly obviously aware that he made himself look like a normal father rather than the dangerous man he represented.

He looked at the trembling boys obviously still shocked by my intimidating father.

"Look at me and stand up straight". I felt their bodies freeze. I dared not to turn around, this was survival of the fittest. The rest was up to them.

"Today you leave your weaknesses at the doors and train to be the men you were made to be. I provide you with necessities while you give me your strength, loyalty and intelligence. If you are chosen to be part of my famiglia you will be showered with endless riches. Your training starts today and Angelo will show you to your rooms".

They noded and thank my dad as they approached Angelo.

The room suddenly turned ice cold and the energy became so suffocating .

"Oh and one more thing. Both boys took several steps back as my fathers killing aura seeped out of his pores. "If I ever hear that you saw, talked or even thought of my daughters in any perverse way expect your heads to roll".

They both gulped, yes sir'ed and ran out of the room like if the room was on fire. I couldn't blame them my papa was pretty damn scary.

I was left with my papa. I stared at my papa to see if he had anything else to say. He sat back down on his seat and started gathering the stacks of papers that were neatly organized. I started to walk towards the door thinking that we were done.

"Elisa, I believe Ricky wants to see you". I gulped, and groaned. I knew that the upcoming days were going to be pure torture. I wasn't going to be able to move for a couple of days. I turned and walked towards my father.

"I'll see you at home". I walked up and kissed his cheak. I walked out before he had the chance to lecture me again or worse call my mom. Now that was a scary thought.

Instead of heading straight to Ricky's training ground I went to the dormitories. I knew that with papas word no harm would come to Giovanni or Alessandro but because I decided to take the responsibility of taking care of them I wanted to make sure the other men wouldn't give them a hard time.

I sneaked up to one of the windows that allowed me to see inside. The dormitories resembled the ones you would find in boot camp. There are 20 bunkers in the center of the room. At the ends of the room there are entrances to the bathroom and showers. At the foot of each bunker there are chests to put uniforms and shoes.

The dormitories not only resembles a boot camp it acts as one too. Papa was very strict and demanded punctuality, respect and loyalty. All new "recruits" would sleep in these style of bunkers until they became worthy and showed their loyalty and respect to papa. How they ranked up has not been said nor would I know until I become the heir. Once the newbies ranked up they would receive a salary and were able to live in their own homes.

I raised myself up to my tippy toes to get a better view. I finally saw Angelo speaking to both of the boys. They both were standing straight with their arms to the side acknowledging Angelo. Angelo was already drilling them into submission.

"What do we have here"? One of the three Aces had caught me snooping around.

"Looks to me like we have a peeping tom Aurelio". Antonio answered Aurelios question.

I roll my eyes and turn to see them. I cross my arms and raise my eyebrow.

"Geez, do you have to make it sound so weird"?

They both laughed. Aurelio snuck up on me and caught me by surprise as his arm snaked around my shoulder. He thought it would be funny to try and grab me into a headlock as Antonio digged his fingers to my sides at an attempt to tickle me.

I started to convulse as my body lost control in a fit of laughter. My eyes welled up with tears as my lungs gasped for air.

"Stop! Stop!! No more I give". I wipe the tears that rolled down my cheeks as Aurelio's vice released my head. Both of them chuckled as I turned and smacked both of their arms. I'm sure it felt more like a tickle than a slap.

"That was payback for earlier with your mama. You left us to clean up your mess". They sounded like kids tattling on a sibling.

"It's not even my fault. How was I supposed to know mama was behind me"? I shrugged my shoulders at them.

"That's something you're going to have to refine Elisa. You know our world is dangerous an enemy can be anyone". Antonio bent over to meet me at eye level. His face was relaxed but his eyes were serious.

"I could even be the enemy". His seriousness making it seem believable.

I knew the world I was born into was dangerous and death was always knocking at our door. A friend turned enemy could happen at any moment. War would always be eminent, death was always guaranteed. It was never a matter of "if" it would happen it was a matter of "when" it would occur. I had an idea of what my future would entail but at the moment I was free from making decisions about death and wars. I wanted to live life to the fullest praying the day that I die would be a happy ending with no regrets.

"That just gives me another opportunity to kick your ass". I stuck my tongue out to him. The seriousness of our conversation gone as well as our playful banter . They both shook their head at my childish gesture.

One thing I was sure of was that the three Ace's would never become the enemy.