Page 47 of Running

Or so he thinks. I like when he chases me. I might have to fake a run someday.

To Luca's left sits Massimo and Valentino. Milan was seated beside me but opted to move towards the guys while dessert was being brought out. She has been steadily finding herself. With her mom not hounding her every minute of the day, she has started to relax. Together, we even went shopping so she could teach me how to dress like a Mafia Queen, while I bought her her first pair of Converse Sneakers. She’s finding her style is much more reserved and relaxed than the heels and dresses her mother forced on her.

Shopping was just the tip of the iceberg for Milan and I this week. After I showed my support at her staying and keeping her place in the family, the Council was forced to keep her title as the Don’s second daughter.

After hours of talking and laughing while shopping I asked her to be my maid of honor. I didn’t have many friends. Sadly Luna wouldn’t be able to make an appearance but she promised to watch it live. Milan had thrown herself at me when I asked. She quickly said yes and inserted herself into the final wedding planning decisions with me. We had a ways to go to build our relationship. It would be worth it. I final had the makings of the family I never thought I’d have.

With Milan’s hair both figuratively and literally down, the guys were much more open to her joining them in conversation. Val more than anyone. I think they shared common ground as part of the family while feeling like outsiders for being different. Val was the tech geek in an age when the Mafia was still very old school while Milan was the daughter of an over bearing mother who ruined her relationships before they could get started. Together they were learning to find their place. I’d like to think I was helping. I mean who better than the lost daughter of the Mafia Don who never had friends and didn’t trust anyone.

I had trust now. I trusted Luca. I trusted my father. I even trusted the Council. We didn’t always see eye to eye. That was fine with me. We could disagree from time to time, as long as everyone communicated their concerns and there was no back door wheeling and dealing. To ease my comfort I may or may not still be surveying them to be certain.

Now that Milan is no longer forced to mimic her mother, the guys have found out how smart she is. She also hates heels and hasn’t worn a pair since. The minute she heard her mom's plane was in the air she threw every pair out her window and into the yard. Bosco and Mario were on the patio and laughed when they started raining down on them. She still likes dresses, but not short and tight. She likes flowing tea dresses or maxi dresses.

While I’ve been keeping Milan busy, I convinced Luca and the guys to redo Milan's room. Her mother had it decorated pink with flowers and doilies crowding every surface. When we got back the night of our shopping trip Milan was speechless. The walls were changed to a cream color with a single accent wall by her bed that was maroon. Turns out it’s her favorite color and she hates pink and yellow. The white furniture was replaced with American Walnut. Floor to ceiling bookshelves were installed along the wall surrounding the window that now boasted a built in bench seat with an assortment of pillows.

Milan squealed and ran to the bench when she saw it. Then jumped on the bed before bouncing off and moving to her new desk. “I don't know what to say.” She had said with visible tears in her eyes.

Bosco and Mario walked in at that moment. “It was long overdue.” Admitted Bosco. “This room was never really yours. It was your mothers you just slept in it.”

Milan laughed. “Yeah, she did that with everything.”

“Not anymore.” Said Mario. “This is your room. Don't like it. Change it. Want different furniture? I'll give you my credit card. Want to hang posters on every inch of all? Do it.”

The tears then fell and ran heavily down her cheeks. “Your life is now your own. Enjoy it. Embrace it.” Luca told her.

And here she was. Embracing the new her. Or rather the side of her she always had to hide. Dad stood and clinked his glass. The room quieted down. Speech time.

“First off I want to thank everyone for coming. For some of you the announcement came as a big surprise. In fact it did for all of us. Four weeks ago I never could have imagined my Violet coming back into my life, and I sure shit didn't picture her coming home with an adult daughter in tow.” His gaze roves over to me. A large smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. “My daughter. I wasn't part of her life for the first nineteen years. I'll be damned if I miss another moment.” He pauses, then turns back to the guests. “As Don it was expected of me to have an heir. A male heir. While I wasn't blessed with that. I was blessed with something far greater. Two amazing daughters.” I reached for Milan's hand. Neither of us caring that we were stretching over the three guys. We held hands tightly for a brief moment before I let go and brought my hand back to Luca. “Still, I needed an heir. Our family needs a strong leader at its helm. Years ago I found that in Luca. While not blood he is family.” Everyone here knows Luca was once arranged to marry Milan. Dad doesn’t name her as it is implied. I appreciate the detail to protect her from embarrassment though she has nothing to be embarrassed about. “With the return of my wife and Elena the plans were tweaked. Luca needs to marry my heir. My first born. Elena my dear. I know you weren't on board in the beginning. In fact you hated me. Hated the family for trying to force this marriage on you.”

I smile up at him until a pinch on my thigh has me turning to my almost husband. “You don’t hate me anymore now do you?” Luca says into my ear as he gives it a playful bite.

“Jury’s still out.” I reply with a straight face.

He pinches my thigh again, his hand working his way up my thigh, closer to my apex. Damn him. He’s getting me riled up knowing we agreed there would be no bedroom shenanigans tonight. We were going to follow tradition and spend the last night of our single lives apart.

Luca gives a laugh. Knowing exactly where my frustrations lie. I flick my gaze to his tented pants. I’m not the only one riled up.

Together we turn our attention back to my father’s speech. “Turns out. We didn't need to force a union. Luca and Elena were meant to be. Both of you were too stubborn in the beginning to admit it, but I felt it. It was love at first sight.”

“More like first shot fired.” Shouts Massimo. The room burst out into laughter. The events of the day I made my presence known have become a bit of a legend in the ranks of the soldiers. I give a wink to Massimo and a smile to Luca before pulling him in for a kiss.

Before our lips could meet, a series of pops went off.

Gunfire.

My father falls. “Dad!” I scream his name and try to dive for him. Luca gets to me first and pulls me to the floor. He shelters me with his body. Massimo and Val are quick to jump into action. They knock our table over while pulling out their guns.

A man can be heard laughing as the gunfire pauses. “Bosco, are you dead yet.”

My eyes shoot over to my father. There is blood pouring from his arm which is being tended to by my mom. In record time she had his tie off and was using it to make a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.

“Not yet Ramirez.” Replies my dad. I can tell by his face he had to work hard to keep the pain out of his voice.

“Shame. Why don't you come out from behind the table and surrender to me? I would hate to have to kill more of your family tonight. From what I hear your bloodline is near over. Give yourself up and I'll let your daughters live.”

Behind the cover of our table, we each pull our weapons out. Milan hasn't learned to shoot yet. Massimo will ensure she is covered, but hands her a gun anyway. Worst case she missed. Best case, she hits one of the assholes.

Massimo is quick to show her how to turn the safety off and whispers further instructions to her. My mom has her gun pulled alongside dad and his. A quick scan around the room, or at least as much of it as I can see, shows me that the family is ready to defend themselves. And the Don. It was the way of the Caruso family.

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