( Tori in outfit above ) { Tori's POV }

Everyone is just starring at me looking stunned.. Greta fake coughs making everyone snaps out of whatever trance they were in. I don't know if I should blush or walk back up to my room. I hate that kind of attention. Luca offers his hand to help me take the last step..which I accept. Although I've already walked down all the other stairs without an issue. I guess it's a thing that gentlemen do.

Angelina and Elena quickly come up to me and walk around me before coming back to face me.

"You look drop dead gorgeous!" Angelina says

"Stunning as always." Elena adds in

"Thank you both! Greta was a big help." I say

As I gesture for a very nervous looking Greta to come down the steps and stand beside me. Which she hesitantly does.

"Greta, you did a phenomenal job." Elena compliments

Greta slightly bows her head and says "Thank you ma'am." with a smile even though they are around the same age.

"Tori I know you are probably excited about the party, and your first taste of the mafia outside of this house..but it is dangerous." Riccardo warns

I wanted to laugh and say duh but I didn't want to be disrespectful so I nod in understanding.

"We want you to have fun but also know that it isn't a Cinderella type of ball.. you'll have to be on guard at all times." Francesco says

I see Lorenzo raising an eyebrow at me almost expecting me to say something, but to his surprise.. I just nod in understanding again.

"Every little thing is to be taken seriously. It isn't a relaxing dinner or a party to get drunk at. It's business." Valente adds in

I can see Diego smirk from where I'm standing, and Luca gently squeezes my hand that I didn't even know he was still holding, almost as to get me to say something.

"I understand and appreciate all of your concern. I'll take what you said under advisement." I say simply and calmly

"Now that all of you are done with your warnings..we should be going now." Luca says as he lets go of my hand and puts his on my back and starts leading me to the door.

He leads me out to a fancier black suv and Marco jumps in the passenger seat, because they have a driver tonight. Luca opens the door to the backseat and lets me climb across first before he gets in beside me. We start riding and at first it was like dead silence. It wasn't awkward just dreadfully quiet.

<•>

"Is there anything else I should know? Like who is attending or hosting this party?" I ask

"Stefan Lombardi, and his wife Vera are hosting. They are in charge of the gangs across Italy, their work is smaller, but we like to call them our business partners." Luca informs me

"Good to know." I say

"Stefan is from Italy and a few of his family members have been in the mafia. The Italian mafia actually goes way back within his bloodline as well. However he is not in the mafia himself. He chose a business path for his life. Vera, is actually Russian, and Adrian is her step brother. They are the same age but Vera's mother was forced into marrying Anatoly despite him killing her late husband, Vera's father. A few years ago Adrian killed her mother, and Vera escaped and seeked refuge in Italy." Marco explains their back story

"What was her mother's name?" I ask

"Nadia." Luca answers although watching me closely to see why I asked that question, I won't be telling him but he can wonder.

"Okay and why are they randomly having a party?" I ask because it seems odd to me

"A few of their gang members have been leaking information to the Russians. So we are going to help Stefan deal with that, while they are also making a surprise announcement." Marco answers

"Do you two know what the surprise is?" I ask

Both of the men shake there heads no.

Oh great. Surprises..gotta love them. Not!

<>

We arrive to this white mansion, it's more modern than ours, and a smaller..but still gorgeous regardless.

<>

As we walk through the mansion I have Luca on my left side, and Marco on my right. When we walk into the party entrance everyone stares, and I can hear them all talking and whispering about us.

"I'm assuming you guys are like famous around here..." I say quietly so only the guys can hear

"Sì, but it's not us they are talking about.." Luca replies

"Then who or what would they be talking about?" I ask curiously

"You. Principessa" Marco answers

"Haven't you two ever brought dates before? Like girlfriends? Wives? Whores?" I question

Marco and Luca both let out deep yet quiet and breathy laughs.

"First neither of us have ever been married or engaged. Second we wouldn't bring whores to parties, we do have an image to uphold." Luca says

"As far as girlfriends go, we don't do that." Marco adds

"Oh okay. It makes sense now." I say

They both look at me and Luca asks "What does?"

" Everyone is just shocked that the two of you aren't gay." I jokingly say

Both of them slightly turn their heads towards me and give me death glares.

"Oh my bad are you?" I ask trying not to laugh

"No." Both of them answer and I can tell they are annoyed so I keep playing with them

"Oh such a shame I think some of the men where checking you out..and they are pretty good looking." I say still jokingly

Marco just shakes his head looking overly annoyed now. However Luca tensed beside me.

Luca grabs my hand and pulls me closer to him and says "I can show you just how straight.. I am... later." under his breath so only I could hear. Then we went back to normal walking.

I didn't blush but I did give him a teasing smirk in return. Making him smirk back.

Looks like I'm playing with fire when it comes to a certain Italian...

<>

After all the gay and straight jokes we went to the bar where I got champagne, and the two guys got bourbon. It was a lovely evening.

Until...

This bleach blonde haired girl in a red short dress that barley covers her butt comes almost stomping over here in her red heels that she can't even walk in. Her face was covered in makeup, and I'm not one to judge, but it did bother me that it wasn't blended in..

Like if you are going to use all of that makeup, and put in all of that effort to look nice...finish it. Don't leave the makeup half done but that's just my opinion, to each their own. I guess.

She makes it over to us only for her to end up climbing up on Luca to sit on his lap. She would have succeeded but he pushed her off and it took everything in me not to laugh. I literally had to bite my lip.

"piccola, mi sei mancato" She says (baby I've missed you.)

She said it with what I'm sure she thought was a sexy pout, but it only showed lipstick on her teeth. Whatever it is that she is trying to do doesn't seem to be working because Luca looks so disgusted that I actually want to laugh. He looks borderline disturbed. This time I send a smirk to Marco who returns it. We sit back, sip our drinks and watch the show unfold.

"non mi sei mancato" Luca says coldly (I haven't missed you)

His tone was so cold the poor girls gonna need a jacket.. She seemed shocked as her eyes widened but she continued to pout.

"si tratta di lei?" The girl asks as looks at me almost as if she's throwing daggers with her eyes. (Is this about her?)

Luca doesn't answer but looks at me.

"lei è un vagabondo!" She says angrily (She's a tramp)

I don't even know who this girl is. But I'm about to throw some real daggers in her eyes. Luca seems to get angry by her statement as does Marco because I can feel him tense up beside me.

"Gabriella, you will show some respect or I will have Stefan throw you out." Luca says

"Over her?! An American. A stupid slut of America." Gabriella says like I'm dirt

Now I'm going to play with her.

"Excuse me?" I ask with a little sass showing, and I swear I see Luca smirk as if he were waiting for me to jump in.

"You heard me slut. I bet you can't even understand what we were talking about..because your just a stupid American. So plain vanilla." Gabriella finishes smiling like she won ; I just smirk back which makes her smile falter.

"I know enough, puttana.." (whore) I say in an almost bored tone as I pretend to mess with my nails not even looking at her knowing it would piss her off.

The girl named Gabrielle or Gabriella lets out a little high pitch frustrated squeal, and actually stomps away in a tantrum.

Marco lets out a laugh and says "From now on you are coming with us to every social event.."

"To fend off whores and give you entrainment?" I say in more of a question

"Exactly." Marco says

Luca looks at me with a smirk playing on his face and he says "You really are something."

"Let me know when you figure out what that something stands for.." I say with a light laugh

Luca just nods and offers a smile.

"One question. Why didn't you look at her?" Marco questions

"Who?" I ask

"Gabriella." Marco answers

"Oh. A few reasons actually. It was a small way of disrespecting her, to show her that she doesn't matter to me...and her makeup was disturbing me the more I looked at it." I say with a shrug

Marco gives a nod.

I don't get a chance to say anything else before a woman, and man with dirty blonde hair come over to us. The woman didn't look Italian and her eyes seem to be green, she has fair skin. The man has strong Italian features and his eyes are actually a hazel color and he is tanner. They are both attractive, and have dirty blonde hair. So they make a nice looking couple. He's wearing a black suit like Luca and Marco but she's wearing a sliver dress with sleeves that fall off her shoulders. If I had to guess ; I'd guess that they are Vera and Stefan.

"Luca, Marco, so glad you two could make it. Now who is this lovely woman in between you?" The man asks smiling

"Tori Ferrari." I answer for myself

"As in Valente's daughter?" The man asks

I simply nod

"I've heard rumors about him having a long lost secret daughter, but I didn't believe it to be true." The man says seeming stunned

"My husband seems to have forgotten how to be polite. I'm Vera, and this is my husband Stefan." Vera says to me with a genuine smile

She seems to be genuine and graceful. Also my guess was correct.

"Nice to meet both of you." I say with a slight warm smile of my own

"It's nice to meet you too." Vera says

"Stefan do you have everything ready?" Luca asks suddenly

"Yes it's all set up in the basement. I just don't want to leave Vera up here by herself, but she doesn't like going down there." Stefan answers

"Why don't we make the announcement first and then I'm sure our men will be able to help keep me safe..we already have high security." Vera says calmly and simply

Stefan seemed a little hesitant, and I understand especially if they have men betraying them. It makes sense he'd be worried about his wife.

"Make the announcement. Marco can stay with Vera to make sure she stays out of harms way." Luca says

Vera seems a little guarded by Marco staying with her, and I can tell that it makes her uncomfortable ; I can also tell Stefan knows she seems to be uncomfortable with it by the way he's looking at her.

"That might look wrong to other people, it could make them talk, and it could alarm other people about the issues you're having. I'll stay back with Vera, and Marco can go with you two while you handle business." I offer

Luca looks at me as if to ask me if I'm sure, and I just give him a slight nod.

"Tori will stay with Vera." Luca says

Instantly Vera calms but Stefan looks hesitant.

"Didn't she just get into this world?" Stefan asks

"Technically yes" Marco says

"However she is more than capable of handling herself and protecting Vera while we deal with things." Luca says

Stefan still looks unsure but not seeing another way he nods. Despite him underestimating me I can find it in me to respect him. He doesn't know me personally nor has he actually seen what I can do plus it involves the safety of his wife.

Being they are already married and seem happy, and he seems protective ; like the careful protectiveness like she's a fragile little butterfly, makes me think that she's pregnant with his child. I'm assuming their first.

Vera and Stefan walk away to go to the stage platform to make the surprise announcement.

"Let me start off by welcoming you to our home, thank you for coming. We ultimately wanted to have this party to talk with all of our business partners, but also to announce that we're expecting our first child that will be an heir to my business." Stefan announces

I knew it..

<>

The men have already gone to the basement to handle business. I'm sitting near the bar in the corner on high top chairs with Vera.

Vera and I have been making small talk about our likes and dislikes.

She told me they are waiting until the baby is born to find out the gender. Which I find slightly irritating, and I told her so. She laughed and said Stefan said the same thing.

Like why wait? Then you don't really know what to buy for the baby except a bunch of white or cream stuff. How boring.

"Luca and Marco seem to trust you." Vera says

"Yeah I guess." I say with a slight shrug

"I know about the mafia. I just don't know exactly how it works. Are you their equal?" Vera asks seeming interested

"It's all very strange. In my eyes their my equal but because of technical titles I'm not in theirs. At least not yet." I tell her

"Where were you from originally?" Vera asks

"New York." I say

"I love New York." Vera says

"Me too. I do think I like Italy better though." I say

"Agreed." Vera says

"I hope you don't mind but Marco told me your history, and I was just wondering how you ended up with Stefan..you two seem so in love." I wonder out loud not being able to help myself

Vera smiles and says "I always wanted a fairytale kind of love. I was the girl who wanted to be a princess, and meet her charming and handsome prince. I never thought I would. I had never even had a boyfriend, but after my mother was killed I ran from New York, and ended up here in Italy. I knew it was a place they couldn't easily track me. I went searching for the Don and found Luca, he had just taken over as Don for your father. Luca agreed to keep me safe in exchange for information. I gave him as much as I knew as fast as I could. Luca upheld his promise. After about a month in Italy and being under the protection of Luca ; I met Stefan. Stefan came to their mansion to make a deal with them to become business partners. Stefan said he knew I was gorgeous, and he was attracted to me, but that he never really understood love..but for me I knew it was love at first sight. Like my mother had with my real father. Maybe it sounds childish but that doesn't make it unreal because here we are...and it hasn't been easy but I wouldn't trade a single moment."

"That sounds beautiful." I say

"It is. Love is a beautiful thing." Vera says

"Listen I don't know if you have anyone to talk to around here but I lost my mother a little bit ago. So if you ever want to talk to someone who understands, then I'm here. Just find a way to get in touch with me." I tell Vera

"Thank you! That means a lot. It's so much better than the usual I'm sorry for your loss pity party." Vera says with a light yet sad laugh

"That's exactly how I feel." I reply

"Do you know about the Russian and the Italian war?" Vera asks carefully

"Yeah of course." I reply

"I overheard Stefan while I was pretending to be asleep that the Russians are starting another war. Only they are after someone else. They've had spies hidden within our men, and I'm assuming inside the mafia as well." Vera says

I give her a nod to confirm what she just said.

"You're a curious thing. I like it and I respect it." I say with a smile because my mom would've loved her

"Can you answer a question for me?" Vera asks

"I can try." I reply honestly

"Are they after me? Stefan won't tell me because he's afraid if I get scared or stressed it'll harm the baby, and I won't be able to sleep." Vera says honestly

"They aren't after you. While you were with them did you ever hear of a girl named Victoria? It probably would have been while you were in New York instead of Russia." I say

"I'm not sure. The name sound familiar." Vera says

"If you remember find a way to contact me." I say

Vera nods but before she can say anything else Gabriella stomps over to us. She trips and almost falls. I hold back a laugh, and I can see Vera trying to do the same.

"Where's Luca and Marco?" Gabriella asks

"Who's asking?" I ask in a bored tone

"Gabriella. My brother works with them, and I need to speak with them." She says

"What do you need to speak with them about?" I question to get on her nerves

"That's none of your business." She says

"I guess you don't need to speak with them then." I say with an added sweet smile

"I need a word with one of them in private." Gabriella says squinting her eyes at me

Good. I'm getting under her skin.

"Meaning you want to have sex with whichever one will take you up on the offer.." I say

Gabriella lets out a frustrated squeal. I almost have to cover my ear because of how high pitch it is. However to appear unfazed I just raise an eyebrow at her.

"Are you done now?" I question

I promise I see flames coming out of her ears, as she squeals again.

"What's wrong? Did I say something to upset you?" I question her but clearly not meaning it

"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!" Gabriella yells at me

I'm still considering throwing daggers in her eyes.

"It doesn't matter who I am. All you need to know is that if you squeal like that one more time, I'm going to cut your vocal chords out. You are damaging my hearing, and probably scaring Vera's unborn child. So I'm sure the others will look the other way if you accidentally bleed out in the process." I say

She's about to squeal again so I raise a eyebrow at her as if to dare her, while silently threatening her. She shuts her mouth quickly and stomps away.

I hear Vera laugh and she says "I've been waiting for someone to put her in her place since I first met her."

"Who exactly is she?" I ask

"Gabriella. Her father is in jail. Her mother was a stripper, but then she married a rich man who in my opinion is a coward. Her step brother is in the mafia, I'm sure you've met him even though he is nothing like any of his family members, if that's even what you call them..his name is Lorenzo Conti." Vera explains

Oh shit. Mother of all Italians.

"Poor Enzo." I say shaking my head

Vera lightly laughs

"She's also obsessed with Marco and Luca. Especially Luca. She had one night stands with both of them while I was living there. Only neither of them knew until after the fact. To my surprise they were grossed out but in her head that means she's irresistible and a somebody now. Just because they gave her two nights in the mansion. She's really just a gold digger and has a delusion of having a relationship with Luca. When he probably dislikes her the most." Vera explains more

I laugh not being able to hold it in anymore and that makes Vera laugh again.

Soon the guys come back. Everything is fine but I see blood on Luca's hand, so I grab the napkin on the table and grab his hand and quickly wipe it off. Luckily it cleaned up easy because it wasn't his. Luca looks at me raising an eyebrow.

"Bloody hands at a black tie event might just be a pet peeve of mine." I say making him smirk

"Along with squealing.." Vera says quietly making me laugh again and she joins in

The guys look at us closely and seem curious.

"You two seem to have become close." Marco says

"Basically bestfriends." I say jokingly and Vera laughs and nods in agreement

"Vera sweetheart, you normally don't make friends at parties.." Stefan says confused

"That's because of them are stuck up and backstabbing bitches.." Vera says with a shrug

"She's right. I'm still a b!tch, but I'm a loyal one." I say with a smirk as I take another sip of champagne

Vera jokes saying "If I wasn't married, pregnant, and straight...I would marry you."

Making both of us lightly laugh.

"Should I be worried?" Stefan says appearing to be half concerned and half joking

"No of course not...but if you did have anyone to worry about it would be Tori." Vera says

Stefan laughs a little with us.

"What made you two become so close?" Marco questions

"Girl talk." Vera answers

"What was said during this girl talk?" Luca asks seeming interested

"If we told you it wouldn't classify under girl talk..Now would it?" I reply with a teasing smile

"No I guess not." Luca says smirking

"I know one thing though if she can physically fight half as good as she can verbally, then I want her to be the godmother, and bodyguard of our child." Vera says

Marco laughs, Luca smirks, and Stefan seems confused.

"What do you mean?" Stefan asks

"The way she handled Gabriella, was nothing short of amazing." Vera says

"You really hate her don't you?" Stefan asks

"She's annoying, and thinks to highly of herself." Vera says

Stefan seems amused at his wife's reaction.

"How exactly did you handle her?" Luca asks raising an eyebrow

<>

Vera went into story telling mode and told the guys what happened when Gabriella walked over. Luca continued to smirk. Stefan seemed amused, and Marco smiled.

"Your comebacks get better by every second." Marco says

"I know they're the best in Italy." I say joking

"You aren't wrong there.." Marco says

"It's time we leave." Luca says putting his hand on my back.

Vera surprises me by hugging me and at first I feel myself tense but then I hug her back.

"Don't be a stranger. Come visit as much as you can." Vera says

"Yes. We'll have to find ways for all of us to meet up being my wife seems to be near in love with you." Stefan jokes

"Sounds like a plan." I reply with a wink

"We'll be in touch." Luca says shaking Stefan's hand and then Marco shakes Stefan's hand.

I let Luca and Marco lead me out of the party and back home.

What an interesting party that turned out to be......