Page 1 of Ludovico's Vengeance

“Nothing can prepare you for the moment you find your fiancé in bed with your grandfather. To see the man who you have spent your entire life emulating, balls deep in the woman you have sworn your life, heart, and allegiance to.” I take a breath, getting lost in the awful and chaotic memory. “My entire future came to a crashing halt at that moment. And, if you had asked my mother at the time; that was a problem.”

The older man before me is hunched over and groaning as he tries to catch his breath. His olive toned skin appears to be aged from sun damage, more so than one would expect from the type of life he’s lived. The metal chair he’s tied to is strong enough to keep his large frame in place while I explain myself. At least, until I’m ready to be finished with him.

“Why is it a problem, you ask?” Not that he did ask, but I can’t help the smirk that pulls at the corner of my mouth.

His dark hair has begun to turn silver at his temples giving him a Josh Duhamel look, granted, not attractive like Mr. Duhamel. What? I’m comfortable enough with my sexuality to be able to admit when another man is good looking.

“That would be, because my entire life had already been planned out before I was even conceived.” I chuckle as his eyes dart up to my face, shooting daggers. Hmm, if looks could kill. Lucky for me, they can’t.

“You see, I was born Giovanni Ludovico into a family that would give Don Corleone a reason to pause. Although, I’ll admit, the horse head was a bit much for me to stomach.” A powerful shudder rolls through my body. “You just don’t fuck with women, children, or animals - that’s just basic human fucking decency after all. Not that you’d understand anything about that, right?”

I lean against the cold concrete wall behind me. My arms crossed tightly at my chest as I wait for some type of acknowledgement. Of course, the piece of shit would never give me the satisfaction of admitting what a terrible excuse of a human being he is.

“After the ultimate betrayal from my grandfather and the woman who I thought was the love of my life, I just couldn’t remain in the family business. That's why I left and changed my name to the English translation.” A deep rumble of laughter reverberates through my chest, “It wasn’t a clever change, I know. I’m also aware that my family has likely been tracking me from the moment they realized I had left, but I needed to get away. I’ve been known as Johnny Lewis for fifteen years now.”

An exasperated sigh leaves my lips before I continue.

“It’s been my time as Johnny that has brought me back home.” The man remains motionless as his eyes bore into me. I may keep my mask of indifference in place, but internally I’m reveling in his visible rage.

“I had befriended a few people when I started my own law firm eight years ago in a fairly small city, Central Falls.” I lift my shoulders in a shrug, “One of those people just so happened to be married to a goddess of a woman. I may have developed a bit of a crush, so I avoided her.” A genuine smile tugs at my lips as I remember Hadley, a beautiful woman who has a fuck ton of strength to overcome what she has been through. I had befriended her husband not long after I moved to Central Falls, that was until he became my client and I transitioned the relationship to strictly professional. Granted, that was mostly because I had such a strong attraction to his wife, and I was thankful as hell that I had an excuse to remove myself from the friendship. “After what I experienced with Lucia, I couldn’t bring myself to be around any woman I found attractive. Until he confided in me that he had been cheating on her and beaten her to within an inch of her life. That wasn’t how I expected to be brought back into the fold. But, alas, here we are.”

I lift my hand in front of my face to inspect my nails, as if I care about how dirty my hands are right now. I’ll wash them later; it’s just about the theatrics right now.

“My best friend, Milo, is the one who organized his death for me at my mother's request.” I roll my eyes, “A request she only made after I agreed to return to the family business. The deal being, I get to end Frederico Ludovico myself upon my return.”

Pride fills me when the memory of the man I once longed to be lay bloody and dead in a heap at my feet flashes in my mind.

“I may have been a bit overzealous in the way I handled that, if I'm honest. I've never been a huge fan of the bloody side of the business. Don't get me wrong,” I wink at him, “I can make a motherfucker bleed alongside the best of my men; I just choose not to most of the time. I'm sure you already understand that though.”

We spend a few moments in silence, disappointment rushes through me as I still get no reaction. What a shame.

“Frederico was my first in such a long time, as you can tell, I only dust off these skills for special occasions. Or well, special pieces of shit; such as yourself.”

I drag my blood stained fingers through my hair as I think about everything that’s happened since I killed the head of the Ludovico family.

“Well, damn I'm getting ahead of myself. Allow me to begin from when I arrived at the Ludovico mansion.”

Six months ago

Anger and tension radiate through my body as I take in the surroundings along the driveway to my childhood home. Memories I had once been so fond of, are now tainted by what Frederico had done to me fifteen years ago. Not much has changed on the exterior of the Ludovico estate. Let's be honest, it’s a fucking mansion, whoever says otherwise is trying to be humble when they are likely unable to even define the word.

Bright green grass makes up the expansive acreage apart from the circular drive. Large Princesse Charlene de Monaco rose bushes line the right side —my Nonna had insisted upon it for privacy. She had told me once the pastel peach color of flowers that bloom from these bushes were her favorite and wanted to be surrounded by them. It wasn’t until years later that she admitted that she heard the specific type of rose signified elegance. Nonna Ludovico was the embodiment of elegance within the world she belonged to. No one, not even Frederico, would question her. He didn’t become the filth I know today until well after she passed away. At least, not outwardly. If Nonna could see what he’s done, she would roll over in her grave.

My car slows as I press my right foot down on the brake when I get closer to the front steps. When I finally shift into park, I sit for several minutes on my own. As I take in the last moments of what little solace I've had since I made the decision to come home, I realize, this is it. This is the beginning of his end. Strangely enough, that fact gives me more peace than I would expect.

A gust of wind picks up the moment I pull the door handle to step out of my car. The heavy metal barrier nearly drags me out of the car as it’s forced open so wide by the gusts that it tests the hinges. Shit, I have not missed this place. My fingers grip around the handle of my duffle bag on the passenger seat and I pull it out of the car behind me as I step outside. Straightening my spine, I begin walking toward the front door, my steps are full of more confidence than I feel.

As I approach the oversized dark-oak wood and glass panel arched door, both sides fly open. My mother, the ever-flawless Giovanna Ludovico – yes, she had a Gilmore Girls moment when I was born and named me after herself – stands before me with her arms wide. Her long dark hair cascades in soft waves over her shoulders. Soft wrinkles at the corner of her light brown eyes, which match mine, is the only thing that shows her age.

“Vita mio!” She rushes, wrapping herself around me.

My heart crumbles into a thousand pieces. I hadn’t realized just how much I’ve missed this woman until I feel her warmth against me. And her heart beating alongside mine.

“Madre,” I whisper into her hair as I squeeze her tight against my chest.

A throat clears from the doorway, I glance up to find Milo, my best friend since high school, standing there with a shit eating grin spread across his face. My own excitement over seeing him is matched in my expression. Her arm loosens its hold as my mother releases me and steps aside so Milo and I can pull one another into an embrace.

“Man, is it good to see you, Gio!” His voice is more gruff than usual as he speaks into my shoulder.

---