{ Tori's POV }

After resting and thinking over my entire life, I hear a knock on my door. I go to open it for it to reveal Lorenzo also known as Enzo.

"Can I come in?" Lorenzo asks

I nod and let him in moving out of the way then shutting the door behind him.

"I told Luca that you got the information that we needed. I didn't tell him about you. I should have but I didn't. I think you should but it's your decision. I just told him Pietro traded sides because your father killed his." Lorenzo tells me

"Just so you know I'm planning on telling him that the Russians are after me..but then I'm going to leave. Thank you for not telling Luca, and for giving me the chance." I tell Lorenzo

Lorenzo give me a simple nod then asks "Why are they after you?"

"It's personal." I reply

"Fair enough. Are you ready to go see Luca?" Lorenzo questions

"Yeah. Wouldn't want to keep the boss waiting now would we?" I try to joke to lighten the mood so it doesn't get awkward

"No he can be very impatient." Lorenzo jokes back

Lorenzo leads me down stairs to an office on the first floor. He knocks on the door and we here a "come in" so Lorenzo opens the door and I see Luca sitting behind a big wooden desk while looking serious as usual.

Lorenzo gently pushes me in the door but whispers in my ear "He'll understand." Then he shuts the door behind me, leaving himself in the hall outside the door. Leaving Luca and I alone. I go and sit in the chair that's in front of his desk.

"Tori, you should know that you've passed the test. The only thing left is a tattoo sealing you to omertà for life." Luca tells me

"That doesn't really matter now. I need to talk to you about something." I say seriously but calmly

"What is it that you wish to talk about?" Luca asks seeming interested

"Pietro turned on you because my father killed his but that's not the only reason. The Russians singled him out and were willing to work with him because they thought the girl they were looking for would come here." I tell him

"Did he say the girls name?" He questions

"Victoria." I answer

Luca just stares at me as an emotion that mirrors concern flashes through his eyes.

"They were looking for you." Luca says telling me he understands what I'm trying to say

"I didn't know that they were the mafia until today. If I did I wouldn't have come here, for many reasons. They probably already know that I'm here, and if they don't already they will within the next few days. Because of that I thought you and your family deserved to know. I'm leaving tonight and hopefully the Russians will find out that I've left." I tell Luca

His eyes show a flood of emotions, the only one I can single out now is anger.

"Why are they after you?" He asks with a different tone as if he's commanding the truth.

"I don't even know you and you want me to share my darkest secret with you?" I ask

He looks as if he's deep in thought.

"Tell me the version that doesn't fully invade your privacy then. I need something so I can understand what's going on.." Luca says

I give him a nod and take a deep breath.

"When my mother was sick I went out to a new club in New York with a few of my coworkers. That's where I met him. I was at a tough time in my life and needed an escape. He watched me and it made me uncomfortable, but eventually I was to tipsy to even care. That's when he came up to me and introduced himself. I just told him my name was Victoria, and he brought me a drink, only I didn't know then that he owned the club, and he had the bar tender spike it. I don't remember much after that. I just woke up the next morning naked and in his bed. I didn't know he would continue to search for me, but I tried to be careful and cover my tracks just in case. I had actually thought he'd eventually let me go and move onto the next but I guess he never did. His name is Adrian, and if he's still trying to find me, he will." I say as truthfully as possible

I see Luca clenching his jaw, his anger and frustration was clear.

"His father was obsessed with your mother, he saw her at a mafia ball. He started a war to get her, and he did. Your father managed to get your mother back, before any actual harm was done to her. I was a young boy, so I don't really remember it.. but I remember the dark cloud on us since that day." Luca says

"What do you mean?" I ask him

"Everyone blamed themselves for what happened to your mother. Your father said when he found her, even though no physical pain was done to her that he could tell that whatever it was that she saw while she was there, stole the light out of her eyes." Luca explains

I just look down and slightly shake my head only imagining what she probably witnessed. That's why they choose me. That's why they still want me. That's how they knew I would come to Italy.

I suddenly stand up and go to walk out the door ready to make a run for it not as much for my sake but for theirs.. but Luca stands and gently yet strongly grabs my arm and turns me around to face him.

"Tori, you won't fight this fight alone.." Luca says

"Luca, I'm leaving." I tell him

"That is your choice, but you should know that regardless if you leave or not.. we're still going to fight this fight with you." Luca says

"I'm not going to let all of you to risk your lives for me." I tell Luca seriously

"I'll be starting a war with them, if they don't start one first, because of what they've done." Luca informs me

"Family above all?" I question

Luca nods with a smile

"Family above all. A family you are apart of." Luca tells me

I give a small smile and a nod to show that I understand.

"I'd like to swear you into the mafia tomorrow, if you stay, and then I'd like to take you with me to deal with Pietro, if you want too." Luca tells me

"I'm assuming by deal with you mean kill.." I say

"I'm glad you understand." He replies back giving me a smirk I just playfully shake my head in amusement.

"Well I'm in." I say and Luca gives me an actual smile this time I start to head back over to the door and as I touch the door he stops me by saying "And Tori, I'll do everything in my power to make sure he never lays a hand on you again."

I just nod in acknowledgement then I say "Bye Luca." then I walk out of his office door and I shut it behind me.

Lorenzo leads me up to my room. I know he wants to ask how it went but he doesn't instead he makes jokes the whole way to lighten my mood. About forty minutes later after being in my room for a bit. Elena and Angelina came in with some maids that bring in a ton of food.

"Tonight we are going to have a girls dinner. I think we can all use it." Elena says

I send both of them a smile which they return. The maids leave. Elena, Angelina, and I all sit on the couch and chair that's in my room as we eat our pasta and chicken.

"Did Luca send you two up here?" I ask them

Elena gives me a smile and a nod.

"He wouldn't tell us anything though, just that we needed to come bring you dinner." Elena says

"We heard you're going to be sworn in tomorrow though, and we are happy for you." Angelina says changing the subject

"Thank you!" I reply with a slight smile

"We are going to be here in the morning to help you get ready." Elena informs me

"I can't just wear what I'm wearing now?" I ask them

"Neither of us have actually been to a ceremony, as we've never been sworn in. Luca did tell us all of the men wear black suits. He said you would need to wear a black dress, so we are buying you one in the morning. Then we'll be here to help you get ready and to make sure everything on the girl side is perfect." Angelina explains

"Okay I guess that's fine." I reply

"We know you won't be able to tell us much after tomorrow but we want you to understand that we are here for you in whatever way you need us to be. Us girls have to stick together." Angelina says

"If you need a shoulder to cry on, someone to be on your side, someone to talk to, someone to listen, or even someone who will stand by you as you have a break down. We will be here." Elena says

"Thank you both!" Both of them give me genuine warm smiles.

"Even though you are already blood related to me and we consider you family, tomorrow it'll be official for everyone." Angelina says

"I'm new to all of this so it might take me sometime to adjust to having other family members." I tell them

"We understand. However I think you are going to be amazing. I think you already fit in more than you realize." Angelina says

"What do you mean?" I ask

"I've never seen any of them act the way they do about you. Everything you do seems to surprise them and somehow they always seem to end up impressed and proud." Angelina says

"I don't know how to take any of that.." I admit not being use to all of this

"Just know they'll risk their lives to save yours without question or hesitation. I can already tell that you are going to be highly protected and loved around here." Elena adds

I just nod and we finish up our pasta then they take the bowels themselves down to the kitchen. I offered to help but they declined and said I needed my beauty rest. Not sure if I should be grateful or offended. So I brush it off.

I get myself ready for bed and I fall asleep thinking about how strange it is feeling safe in the very place I know I should be scared of....

Such an odd world I live in...