After her talk with Gabriel, Suki took a long shower. Then, she cleaned her uniform and started her homework. She tried to focus on it, but her mind was wondering if what happened with Amanda would bring more troubles for her with Vito or at school with the teenage girl and her friends.

Later in the evening, she was called for dinner. No one mentioned the incident at school but before going upstairs, Salvatore asked his daughter to stay with him for a cup of tea.

Salvatore: Suki, I will not ask you why you kept what happened at school for you, but in the future, please, don't hide things like that from us, from me. As a parent, not knowing that his own child is suffering, is torturous. I have already missed a lot in your life, I want to be a good father for you and part of this job is to protect you.

Suki: (She was looking down, embarrassed.) I am sorry...

Salvatore: Suki, look at me. (She looked up.) You are not at fault. Can you promise me to tell me or your brothers if something happens now? (She nodded.) Good. Do you want to share something to me?

Suki: Haru, my friend was hurt while protecting me...

Salvatore: Gabriel told me that and also that he spoke with your friend's mother. I guess that you feel guilty but just like a parent take care of his child, a good person take care of his friends.

Suki: It's the first time that I have a friend... it's a bit awkward sometimes. I don't want to bother him.

Salvatore: I am sure that Haru values your friendship just as much as you.

They continued to talk, and Salvatore was glad that the day ended by that quiet discussion with his daughter. It was a nice moment, just the two of them. If only Fumiko didn't hide that they had a child together, he could have been part of her life, he could have protected her, and his daughter wouldn't wear that sad look most of the time.

Salvatore checked his watch, and it was already 10.00pm. Pretty early for a man like him but not for his little girl, but he didn't want to stop their conversation.

Suki: In the library, I saw books in Italian and French, you can speak that too?

Salvatore: Yes, Italian without issue, it's our heritage and a bit of French, my wife loved to speak French. Are you interested by learning another language? I know that you speak Japanese fluently already, but maybe you know other ones?

Suki: Just few words in Korean, but I thought... that I could learn a new one... one that you... speak...

She was too shy to express clearly to Salvatore that she was interested about him, his culture, his life. He noticed her pinky cheeks and he felt proud to have a daughter like Suki. She was a gift to him.

Salvatore: I will be honored to teach you Italian personally or to find a good teacher for you. And in exchange, you can teach me few words in Japanese, deal? (She nodded with a little smile.) Great! It's pretty late now, you should go rest and we can talk more tomorrow.

Suki stood up and grabbed the empty cup of tea on the table to take it to the kitchen.

Salvatore: Don't bother yourself with that.

Suki: Have a good night... Otô-san...

Suki quickly left the living room, a bit embarrassed to name Salvatore father for the first time.

The head of the family saw his little girl disappeared quickly after and he chuckled, with a happy face. Sharing a beer with his sons after a though day was pleasant but having a simple tea with his daughter was a new and calming experience.

The house was quiet tonight and after a quick stop by the kitchen, Suki went to rest. She didn't take time to fall asleep. Salvatore didn't go to his bedroom immediately. When he was sure that Suki was upstairs, he called one of his men to have the report about Haru's family and that girl's one too, Amanda. He needed a secure environment for his unique daughter.

*****************************************************

The 2 next days passed without issues. Suki tried her best to avoid her brother Vito, his ex-girlfriend or his new girlfriend. She was also trying to ignore the murmur of the students every time that she had to cross the corridors.

The situation at home felt less tensed too. After her discussion with her father, Suki hadn't saw him much because he was busy with work. They were all pretty busy these days.

Dante found a clue about Fumiko's murderers, so with Gabriel they left for Los Angeles. Gianni focused his full attention to the opening of his new fighting club.

Regarding the twins, Davide was true to himself by ignoring the little girl, just like Vito. Only Enzo took some time to spent with her. He helped her to install an App to help her to learn Italian.

He told her that it could help for the basic understanding of the language, but that practice with a real person was the best way. She thanked him and was surprised when he patted her head with a small smile. Enzo was definitively nice with her.

On Thursday afternoon, Suki was waiting in front of the school when Gianni's car parked. The little girl saw the passenger window coming down.

Gianni: Get inside. (He closed down the window and Suki entered the car with cautious.) School went well?

Suki: (She was surprised that he asked her that.) Ah... yes, nothing special... and you? (She asked with a little voice.)

Gianni: I don't go to school... (She looked at him.)... I'm an adult, I work... a lot...

Suki stayed silent, sure that Gianni had to stop his work to pick her up from school and should be in a bad mood because of that. After 10 minutes, she noticed that they were not going home.

Suki: Are we not going home?

Gianni: No, I still have a thing to finish at my club.

Suki: (She stared at him.) Can... you take me home first?

Gianni took a look at the little girl on the passenger seat.

Gianni: Don't freak out, nothing will happen... and it will not be long.

Suki: You... you will not let me there alone?

Gianni: No! Of course, no! I told you; it will not be long; I just need to finalize something before the opening this weekend. Nothing will happen, no one will harm you with me around... trust me.

Suki's trust in Gianni was limited, and decreased as they were approaching the old building. When the young man parked in front of the sports' club, the little girl couldn't prevent her hands to tremble. She didn't want to go inside.

Suki: Mr Gianni, can I...

Gianni: Stop. First, no Mister. People are going to misunderstand the situation if they hear you calling me like that. I don't want to be seen as a weirdo because a kid in uniform call me Mister, with fear in her voice. Understood?

Suki: Okay... but... can I stay in the car?

Gianni: No,you stay near me all the time, that's all!

They got inside and Gianni exchanged with a worker. Suki was glued to him, she even grabbed her brother's jacket.

Gianni: The opening event is in two days, are you sure to be ready?

Worker: Sure, we are going to do everything to finish on time.

The worker left and Gianni turned himself to face the little girl.

Gianni: What the hell are you doing?!

Suki: I'm sorry...

Gianni: I told you to not freak out! (She flinched.) Sorry..., but don't be like a scared abandon kitten... you are not alone... I am here and even if I don't really like you... I will not put you in danger. (She looked down.) Fu**... let's go upstairs!

As soon as he saw Suki looking down, Gianni knew that his words were too harsh to hear. He didn't know how to interact with her. After what happened, he felt guilty and not being at ease with kids didn't help.

He grabbed Suki's wrist and dragged her, as gently as he could, to the upper floor. When he pushed the door of his office, Suki stiffened few seconds. Then, she noticed that her brother's office was way different than the other day, more brighter.

Gianni: Sit a minute... (He sat behind his desk.) If you want something to drink, pick something in the fridge. (She sat in silence and observed around her.) Stop staring at me like that!

Suki: Ah... sorry... (She stood up to take water.) Gianni... (He hummed without looking at her.) Do... do you want to drink something?

Gianni: (He looked up.) Hum... anything is good.

Suki took a bottle of sparkling water and a lemon with two glasses. She cut it in 4 and put 2 in each glasses then added the sparkling water. She hadn't notice that Gianni was observing her the entire time. When she took the glass to him, she felt his intense gaze on her and blushed a little.

Gianni: Thanks... (She shyly smiled.) Give me 5 minutes to read and sign this, then after a last round, we can go home.

Suki sat back on the sofa and patiently waited. The 5 minutes became 15 minutes with 2 calls from Gianni to contractors, punctuated of yells emphasizing their incompetence.

Observing Gianni working was a good distraction for Suki. She saw his serious about his business and even if he yelled on the men over the phone, he was clearly doing efforts to talk to her more gently. The little girl was taken back from her thoughts by a man who barged in the office after a quick knock without waiting for an answer to enter. She startled and quickly stood up.

Man: Boss, we have...

Gianni: What the fu**!! (He stood up too, angry.) Who gave you permission to enter?!

Man: (He looked at Suki then down.) Sorry Boss. An emergency.

Gianni: You stay here, I'm just in the corridor!

Gianni went outside with his man, sure that the emergency was about their mafia business, and it was not something that he wanted to talk about in front of a 11 years old kid.

Gianni: Spit it out!

Man: The Russian are trying to fix the match of the opening event!

Gianni clenched his fists, angry. There was a lot of money at stake and his reputation as a fights' organizer.

Gianni: Find them and killed them. I will personally contact Vladimir to be sure that he keeps his men in order!

Man: Got it Boss... and sorry if I frightened that kid.

Gianni: Hum... that kid is my father's child, keep that in mind!

Very few of the Smith's men knew that Suki had joined their family and even those who knew had no idea of what she looked like. Salvatore was cautious, knowing that a little girl like Suki would be the perfect target to threaten him. Only his trust men were in the confidence.

Gianni: Kid, let's go. After checking the other rooms, we can leave.

Suki: Your work is done?

Gianni: Work never ends... but I guess that you don't want to spend the evening here with me... (She shook her head by reflex.)... what a surprise... the scared little kitten is still a scared little kitten...

Gianni chuckled then got out of his office, followed closely by the little girl. They started their tour by the meeting room adjoining his office. Everything was in place and clean.

Then Gianni checked the VIP boxes and as planned, the view on the octagon was perfect. He was sure that his clients would like them. Suki was following Gianni like a puppy follows his mother.

After the upper floor, they went downstairs. Gianni opened the men changing room and after being sure that no one was inside, he let Suki enter. The young man tested the water pression and even the dryers. Everything should work correctly.

He did the same with the women changing room before checking the main room to finish by the lobby and the security room. Gianni noticed Suki's interest in the last room.

Gianni: Eh... you're still with me?

Suki: (She looked at him.) Hum... You can see everywhere from here?

Gianni: Yeah, that the point of that very expensive equipment!

Suki: Even outside? (Two monitors were showing the streets around.)

Gianni: It's a must to know what is going on outside to keep the inside safe. (He zoomed to the side alley and frowned.) What the fu** are they doing here?!

The young man spotted 2 men and at their behaviors, he was sure that they were dealing. Gianni was a Mafia man but no way he would let a little dealer doing his business near his business. He left the security room with a serious expression and crossed the main room before abruptly opening the back door.

Suki had followed him in silence, but she stopped near the door when her brother walked out. She stayed inside, half hidden behind the wall, a bit afraid of what was going on. The two men in the alley startled when the door opened, and that an unknown tall and pretty scary man showed up.

Dealer: Damn dude, you scared me!

Gianni: If you are scared by that, you should find a new place to deal!

Dealer: (He scoffed.) And according who? You?

Gianni: (He stepped ahead.) Don't play the bad boy with me, we are not playing in the same court.

Dealer 2: (He spotted Suki and smirked.) You should go back inside and play the nanny with that kid instead of putting your nose in our business! It is the best for the two of you...

Gianni chuckled and stepped back to push the door.

Gianni: Kid, you stay inside... it won't be long...

Suki: It's dangerous... please come back inside... (She had teary eyes, scared that they fight.)

Gianni: (He looked at her and smirked.) Scared little kitten should quietly stays inside while the real bad guy owner takes care of those useless jerks! (He closed the door and turned to face the two men.) Let's have some fun...

As expected by Gianni, it was a no game. The first drug dealer tried to punch him first but received in answer a strong kick in his leg and fell on the ground. The second man was put KO in one hit.

Gianni called his men when the second man was knocked out to deal with the rest, then he get back inside. When he opened the back door, Gianni found Suki sat in the corridor, her back resting again the wall, eyes closed. He kneeled down in front of her.

Gianni: Eh! You are not crying, right? (She looked at him and shook her head.) You're freaking out once again because of those two idiots? It's stupid! You really think that I can't handle two little shits like them? What do you take me for?!

Suki: They are two... and you are alone...

Gianni: They could have been 5 it would not have change anything! I own a fight club, you've got it?

Suki: They didn't... hurt you?

Gianni: What? You are worried about me? (He chuckled.) Really stupid! Stand up, I'm taking you home!

Gianni walked back to the main entry. Suki quickly stood up and followed him. She couldn't understand her brother's way of thinking.

Gianni opened the passenger door of his car and Suki entered. It was already dark outside, and the ride back home was silent. After few minutes, the little girl felt asleep. Gianni noticed it and unintentionally smiled.

When he parked in the garage of their propriety, he couldn't resist to act like a brat and lightly put a tap on the little girl's forehead.

Suki: Ahh!!! (She woke up, startled and touched her forehead.)

Gianni: My car is so comfortable that the scared little kitten forgot about her fear and sleeps like a baby...

Suki: Sorry...

Gianni smirked and got out of the car. Suki didn't waste time, she grabbed her school bag and got out too.

In the house, it was strangely quiet even if it was almost dinner time. She went upstairs to shower then came back downstairs. Gianni had also refresh himself and had opened a can of beer. A minute earlier, Davide, Enzo and Vito had come back.

And they didn't come back empty hands. They bought pizzas and beers. They knew that Salvatore and their older brothers would not be there tonight, and Davide wanted to chill at home. Not having classes on Friday was the best thing possible for him. The weekend started on Thursday evening every week.

Suki entered the living room, not sure if she was bothering them or not and when Enzo told her to sit next to him, she did with a little smile.

Enzo: We grabbed pizzas for tonight, which one do you want?

Suki: Ah... euh, anything is good... thank you.

Enzo: (He took two different pieces of pizzas and put them in a plate.) We only bought beers, so go take something to drink in the kitchen.

Suki stood up and went to the kitchen. When she came back, she sat on the floor. She was comfortable like that; the pizzas boxes were on the coffee table. She tasted the first piece, and it was tasty, with a lot of cheese. Her attention was on her food. The little girl was discreet during the meal, just as usual.

The boys were relaxed too. Davide still glared darkly at Suki every times that their gazes crossed but he didn't try anything against her lately. Vito avoided her at school, at home too, as much as possible. It was part of the deal they had with their father. Gianni finished his second can of beer and his 6th piece of pizza.

Enzo: You skipped lunch today again?

Gianni: Too busy at work and I had to do the driver too... Because a certain someone refused to take that kid in his car! (He gave a fake smile to Vito who shrugged.)

Vito: Only girls with big boobs can sit in my car!

Enzo: Dude!

Enzo frowned and nodded in direction of Suki who was staring at her plate, doing her best to ignore Vito's remark. Gianni shook his head at his little brother's words. Davide laughed; he opened his 3rd can of beer, alcohol starting to do its effect on him.

Suki was done eating and when she understood that her brothers were done too, she naturally started to clean everything.

Enzo: You don't have to do that!

Suki: It's nothing... you bought the pizzas; I can help to clean that...

Davide: Let her do... at least that useless thing can do something useful for once... (He pushed the empty cans of beer with his foot.)... don't forget that!

Suki was about to take the empty cans when Gianni stopped her by grabbing her forearm.

Gianni: Don't touch that! (Suki stared at him.) Kids are not allowed to touch alcohol, even if it's empty cans!

Suki: Sorry... (He let go of her arm and she brought the pizzas boxes to the kitchen.)

Davide: You too, you changed your mind about her?!

Gianni: It has nothing to do with what I think about her. I'm not going to chill and watch a little girl cleaning my mess!

Davide: What happened? You spent few hours with her today and she's got you in the palm of her hand too?!

Enzo: Bro', Suki is a nice kid... if you take the time to know her...

Vito: Did you forget that she is just a bastard?! A one-night's mistake? A troublemaker since she put a foot in our house?!

Enzo: And what did she do? What did she do to you since Dad found her? Nothing! I get that you were angry at Dad, or disappointed by his behavior, but get over this. Being an asshole won't change anything and one day, both of you will regret every fucking things you did to her! (He stood up and left to his bedroom.)

Gianni: Enzo is not wrong... having to live with guilty feeling is not pleasant... at all...

Suki had brought bottles of water for everyone. She was in the corridor when she heard her brothers' discussion, and she didn't want to interrupt them and give another excuse to Davide and Vito to hate her. She entered in the living room when she was sure that they were done talking. The little girl felt the tension in the room. She put the bottles on the table and kept one with her.

Suki: Good night... (She bowed and left without looking at the boys.)

Gianni: That stupid kid...

Gianni knew that she heard their conversation. He had felt her presence in the corridor, his mafia instinct alerted him.

When she headed upstairs, Suki didn't go directly to her bedroom. She took the opposite corridor and knocked at Enzo's door bedroom.

Suki: (She entered when he told her to.) Enzo... (He looked at her.) I brought you water...

Enzo: (She handed him the bottle.) Thanks... are you going to sleep?

Suki: Hum... thank you for the pizzas... it was delicious.

Enzo: Next time, I will take you out to eat something else.

Suki: Thank you for tonight... (She blushed.) Good night Onii-chan...

She quickly left and Enzo smiled, knowing exactly what that word meant.