Valentina Rossi: Where is my father, what did you do to him?

Gabriel: He is dead. (She stepped back, shocked by the news.) Don't worry, you will join him soon! (He knocked her with the butt of his gun.) Put her in the trunk and explain to her friend that she must keep her mouth shut if she wants to stay alive.

Man: Yes, Sir. (He nodded and two men grabbed Valentina.) The warehouse at Brooklyn is ready.

Gabriel:Good, let's bring our guest over there.

Gabriel was glad to have put his hands on his prey. He checked his phone, and it was almost dinner's time. He texted his Father to inform him that Valentina's case was resolved and that he will come back home late.

Salvatore only replied with a "Thank you", sure that his son had taken care of the problem diligently. But the head of the family didn't know that Gabriel hadn't killed Valentina but kept that woman alive for now, with the ultimate goal to kill her, of course.

Valentina had woken up in the trunk of the car on the way to Brooklyn. She had a panic attack when she opened her eyes in that tiny space and with a heavy headache. She couldn't see anything except the thin light of the rear lights when the car made stops. She hit few times on the cabin, in vain.

Then, the car parked and after few seconds that seemed an eternity for her, someone opened the trunk. She wanted to jump and run away but she was dragged unceremoniously by one of Gabriel's men.

Valentina Rossi: Gabriel... Gabriel... (The man dragged her in the building.) Gabriel!!!

The mafia man entered with Valentina in the old building and walked through the main room to take the stairs for the underground floor. He pushed a heavy door of a room that looked like a cell. Valentina hit the man, but it didn't change anything. A second one entered the room just behind them and he handcuffed the young woman to a chain of the wall.

Valentina Rossi: (She saw Gabriel near the door.) Gabriel... you can't do that to me! Let me go and I will disappear of your father's life.

Gabriel: You will disappear, for sure, but not the way you think.

Valentina Rossi: I made a mistake, okay, but I was desperate about loosing your father! (She began to cry to seem pitiful.)

Gabriel: You made more than one mistake. I warned you twice to never touch my sister and you dared hit her, make her experience fear... (He approached slowly with a menacing aura.)... and drug my Father to sleep with him?! You're worse than I thought, and you don't deserve a quick death.

Valentina Rossi: What... what will you do with me?

Gabriel: (He grabbed her chin.) Make you suffer and dispose of you, as the useless bit** you are! (He bumped her head against the wall, making her faint once again.) Just give her water and keep an eye on her to make sure to keep her alive.

Man: Yes, Sir. (Gabriel left and the guard locked the door.)

Gabriel got in the car and the driver took the road to Manhattan. The young man lighted a cigarette with the window half opened. He didn't want to go home with that murder will and frustration. He asked his driver to take him the bar of a famous hotel where he will be able to have a drink and company for the night. He was not an aficionado of that type of entertainment, but he was a man, and sometimes, it was necessary. And tonight, it was one of those nights.

As a handsome man, it was not difficult for him to conclude with a gorgeous woman and after few hours, he was driven home. After a quick shower, he allowed himself to take a quick look at Suki. Just a glimpse of his little sister asleep was the gage of a peaceful rest.

Few hours later, Gabriel stood up as if he had a 7 hours night of sleep and went to the morning jog with his two brothers. Salvatore woke up at his usual time and enjoyed his breakfast alone in the kitchen. It was Aldo and Maria's day off, so he prepared some pancakes for his youngest children.

Suki woke up around 9.30am, took a shower and wore comfortable outfits. She came downstairs after a stop by her Father's bedroom. She didn't find him there, and she was hoping that he wasn't already working, as he usually did.

She entered the living room and Salvatore was there, reading on his tablet, comfortably sitting on the couch. He smiled when he saw her and put his tablet on the small table. He stood up and kissed the top of his daughter's head.

Salvatore: Good morning, Suki. Did you sleep well?

Suki: Good morning, yes, and you? Do you feel better? Are you not tired? Do you have strange symptoms?

Salvatore: I am perfectly fine. I think that you can stop worrying about me now. Breakfast is waiting for you.

Suki headed to the kitchen and found the pancakes prepared by Salvatore. She opened the fridge to grab a bottle of juice. She ate peacefully and cleaned everything when she was done.

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

On the three oldest brothers' side, after one hour of jogging, they extended their morning training with one hour of workout at the gym room. And this morning, they were joined by Vito and Davide.

Suki was about to join her Father when Enzo entered the kitchen. He seemed still tired and sat loudly on the highchair of the kitchen counter. He put his arm on it to serve as a pillow for his head.

Enzo: Hi...

Suki: Good morning. You seem exhausted, why didn't you sleep more? You're hungry? (He nodded.) Father prepared pancakes. What do you want with it? Coffee? Tea? Milk? Juice?

Enzo: A double coffee please... thank you. (He grabbed one pancake and finished it in one bite.) Dad is better at cooking now.

Suki: He prepared a lot and must have woken up early instead of resting... he is stubborn.

Enzo: He is not that weak, trust him, if he says he is fine, he is.

The boys entered all together, just coming from the gym room. As usual, they were all sweaty and only Gabriel was still wearing his t-shirt. The others didn't have changed their habits of walking out of the gym room shirtless.

Suki: Good morning. (She waved to everyone with a little smile.)

Gabriel: Good morning, Suki, Enzo.

Enzo: You are really motivated to do workout even on Sunday... (He sniffed.)... but you should have taken a shower before coming here...

Gianni: And you should have joined us to train...

Enzo: I don't need to do that, I'm naturally well fit... and please... move a little, I'm eating... (Suki put the coffee in front of him and Gianni stole it.) Hey! She prepared it for me!

Gianni: Delicious... you're good at making coffee, Kitten...

Suki: Ah... thank you. Onii-chan, I'm going to make another cup for you... one of you wants one too?

Davide/Vito: Me! (Davide added.) With cream in mine!

Suki: Okay... (She was surprised by their positive answers.)

Gabriel hesitated to stop her, thinking that his brothers were old enough to prepare their coffee themselves, but he decided to let her do it. If doing something like that could help them to become closer, it was a little thing to try.

Suki took extra care in the preparation. She decided to also prepare one for Gabriel, even if he didn't ask, because she knew that he liked coffee a lot. She took the initiative to add cream in his too because she wanted to do something she saw online one day, using the cream to do a drawing.

Vito and Davide had started to eat the pancakes and some fruits. Dante was looking in the fridge to find something to eat and opted for a steak to do a sandwich with bread.

Suki: Here, I hope you will like it. (She put a cup in front of Gabriel.) Onii-san, I tried something... it's just cream but...

Gabriel: Thank you, It's adorable... (The 3 youngest looked at his cup.)

Vito: It's nothing extraordinary...

Gabriel: Shouldn't you thank her for preparing your coffee?

Vito: Hum... thanks... happy? She is the youngest and a girl, isn't it a bit normal that she does things like that for us?

Gabriel: Vito, seriously?

Davide: I agree with Vito... (Gabriel glared at him.)

Dante: (He put down the pan.) I don't remember having Vito or one of the two of you, doing everything for us... when you were the youngest of the family...

Gabriel: Clearly not!

Suki: Euh... if I can help... I'm happy to be useful, it doesn't bother me at all... (She said that with a little voice and was now blushing as everyone was now staring at her.)... really...

Gabriel: You don't have to be "useful". You are a child, not their servant, so don't let them boss you around.

Enzo: I am not bossy with her... but it's nice when someone is caring with you, no?

Gianni: Gab, don't be overprotective with her, if she likes to do that, let her do it... girls like cooking and so on... and she is good at it.

Suki looked at Gianni and he winked. Gabriel stayed silent few seconds. It was like the young man had the final decision.

Gabriel: If Suki wants to bake cake or do things like that, I won't forbid her to do it, but if I hear one of you ordering her as if she was your maid, you will have to deal with me, understood?

Davide: If you threaten us like this, your little princess will not see you as the perfect brother anymore...

Vito: She is the only one thinking that he is perfect...

Gabriel: Shut up, both of you.

Enzo: And I thought I would have a quiet breakfast this morning...

Davide: Bro'... (He put his arm around Enzo's shoulders.)... you should go out more, have fun and forget your computer for few days... you look terrible lately, you're spending too much time behind your screens!

Enzo: Hum... clubbing is fun, but I still prefer my computers!

Gianni: Thanks for the coffee, Kitten! I will take you eat a burger next time! See you guys!

The chaotic breakfast ended with Gianni's leaving to his bedroom. Dante finished to prepare his giant sandwich and threw out of the kitchen the three youngest brothers, to quietly enjoy his food.

Dante: You didn't lock Dad in his room today?

Suki: I didn't lock him... but he needed to rest and now he feels better, so I'm happy.

Gabriel: It's thanks to your special attention that Father is in such a good condition this morning.

Suki: Father is strong and healthy, so he recovered fast.

Dante: Yes, just like everyone in that family... well except you. You lack stamina, strength... And you're too short too.

Dante had looked at her from head to toe and she frowned, not agreeing with his statement. She was standing up between him and Gabriel, and she was at the same eyes level as them, sitting.

Suki: I... am not too short, I'm normal... you're too tall and big!

Gabriel smiled, proud, that his little sister was expressing herself. She talked back to him because she didn't like what he said, then she left showing him that she was angry. Dante stared at her leaving, surprised.

Dante: What the... what's wrong with her?!

Gabriel: Dante, you pointed at what she thinks is her weaknesses, so, of course, she was not going to happily smile to you.

Dante: I was not mean; I only stated the truth!

Gabriel: Suki is a young child, don't forget that fact, please, when you talk to her, or don't be surprised if she sends you off!

Dante: That kid... (He shook his head.)

Gabriel: Everyday, she gains strength and affirms herself, I like it.

Dante mumbled that she should respect him as her elder, but he was also proud, just like Gabriel, that she dared to speak up. Suki went directly to the library to play piano. She was angry against Dante, and she only thought about playing piano alone to calm down.

Gabriel was the first one to leave the kitchen. He quickly took a shower and had a call, to exchange with the man in charge of guarding Valentina.

On his side, Dante also headed upstairs to shower and wear comfortable clothes. Then, before heading downstairs, he stopped by Suki's room. He entered but she was not there. He spotted the wooden sculptures on her desk and smiled. He closed the door and went downstairs. He joined his Father and Gabriel in the living room, and they brought back the subject of the Rossi's family.

Dante was surprised when Salvatore said that he knew that she was still alive. Gabriel kept a straight expression.

Dante: You really spared her life?!

Gabriel: It is just temporary. (Dante frowned.) I was not giving her a peaceful death after what she's done.

Dante: How did you know that our dear eldest, had his little business in our back?

Salvatore: I am still the head of that family, Dante.

Dante: So, what do you want to do with her? When will she be dead?

Gabriel: Soon. First, make her pay for her sins, then kill her.

Salvatore: I want to see her tomorrow morning, after the children leave for school.

Dante: Great! I will be able to explain to her what I think of her!

They continued to talk for 30 minutes, and Salvatore left to his office. Dante questioned his brother to know why he didn't inform him of his plan regarding Valentina and Gabriel only answered that his choices were not questionable.

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

The rest of the day passed quietly for the family and the next day, everyone started the week with their usual activities, as school and work.

Salvatore and his two eldest sons dropped Suki at school before heading to Brooklyn. In front of the warehouse, Gabriel's men aligned to greet Salvatore when the car stopped in front of it. They entered inside and followed one of the guard in silence.

They stopped in front of the cell where Valentina was locked. There was a hole in the door that served as a window and Salvatore looked inside before entering. He saw the woman who was his fiancée for years, who was now looking like a homeless woman. He exchanged a gaze with Gabriel and entered. The young woman looked at the person coming in and she stood up in a haste to go to his encounter, but was restrain by the chains.

Valentina Rossi: Salvatore... please, help me, tell him to let me go...

Salvatore: Valentina, you played a dirty game...

Valentina Rossi: I'm sorry... I was desperate because I love you... and you abandon me... so, please, think about what we had together...

Salvatore: Valentina, we only had a business partnership. It's not because I slept with you few times, that it meant that I had more than sympathy for you. Stop being delusional, for once!

Dante: I'm glad she is still alive just to hear you say that! (He came closer.) So? You're done begging for your life now? Reality sucks, right?!

Valentina Rossi: Salvatore...

Salvatore: Don't misunderstand my presence here... I didn't come to save you, barely to say goodbye and see you in hell! (He left the room without a last glance for her.)

Valentina Rossi: Salvatore... Salvatore Smith!!! You can't do that to me!!! I love you!!! Salvatore!!!

Dante: (He slapped her.) Shut up! Your voice is a nightmare!

Gabriel: I'm heading upstairs with Father, don't kill her.

Dante: I will do my best.

Gabriel closed the door behind him and followed his father to the main room of the warehouse. He let a guard in stand in the corridor of the underground floor. When Dante was done playing with Valentina, he joined the two men outside. Gabriel was smoking a cigarette while waiting. Salvatore was patiently waiting in the car. They headed to their company; they had to work on their joint businesses with Zhang and his brother.

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

At home, Chef Aldo and Maria were discussing about the dinner's preparation when one of the guard entered with his hands full of bags and an unexpected guest.

Maria: Mrs Smith...

Mrs Smith: Good afternoon, Maria, Aldo. I see that, fortunately, some things don't change in this house!

Guard: Madam, where do I put all of this?

Mrs Smith: In the living room, thank you. It's gifts for the children.

Chef Aldo: Madam, we didn't know that you were coming. (He prepared a glass of water.) Please, you must be tired by your travel.

Maria: Mr Smith didn't inform us, otherwise, we would have prepared everything for your arrival. I am sorry to not welcome you as we should.

Mrs Smith: Relax, both of you. Salvatore doesn't know that I am here. I just landed this morning from my trip in Europe.

Chelf Aldo: This morning? Did you have lunch at least?

Mrs Smith: Yes, I had lunch with one of my friend before coming here. (She checked her watch.) The children are still at school? They should arrive soon, right?

Maria: In fact,...

Maria and Aldo exchanged a look. They were not sure if Mrs Smith was aware of Suki's existence and if she was, how she had reacted when she found out. The situation was delicate for them.

Mrs Smith: I guess that you are worried because of that little girl? (Maria nodded and Mrs Smith smiled.) Don't be. If that child is of my blood, there is no reason for me to not accept her.

Maria: Really? I am so relieved.

Mrs Smith: Maria, your reaction is a bit excessive. Why did you believe that I would reject that child if she is my son's daughter?

Maria: Well...

Chef Aldo: Miss Suki's arrival in the family was not easy, but she is a wonderful little girl. I am sure that you will adore her, Madam.

Mrs Smith: I heard from Salvatore that she lost her mother at the same time that she learned about her father's existence. It must have been difficult for her, for sure. But with the boys around, she was not alone.

Maria: To be honest, Madam, all the boys didn't accept Miss Suki at first... that poor children is an angel, I still don't understand why they were so cold with her.

Chef Aldo: Fortunately, most of them changed their mind. Our little Miss deserves to be loved!

Mrs Smith understood that they were already fond off that little girl, that she didn't meet yet. She was curious to hear more about what they mentioned, but Suki entered in the kitchen, back from school.

Suki: Mrs Maria, Mr Aldo, I'm... (She was surprised to see someone else.)... sorry, I interrupt you, I didn't know that you had a guest. (She politely bowed.) Hello, Madam. (She was about to leave the kitchen, but Maria stopped her.)

Maria: Miss Suki, hold on. You should... (She was interrupted by the loudly entry of Vito.)

Vito: Eh, idiot! I almost tripped on your bag! You don't... (He felt that something was unusual and looked at his right.)... Damn...

Mrs Smith: Vito Smith! What kind of behavior is this?!

Vito: Grandma, what are you doing here?! It's been so long!

He changed his cold face for a big smile and went to embrace his grandmother. She hugged him back for few seconds, then quickly, she grabbed his ear with force, making him whining. Suki was chocked to hear that that woman was Vito's grandmother.

Vito: Aie, aie, aie.... Wait... (She freed him.) It hurts!

Mrs Smith: Hearing you talking like that is unpleasant too! (She turned herself to face Suki.) Hi, Suki, my name is Giorgina Accardo-Smith, Salvatore's mother. (Suki stared at her with her beautiful eyes.) Indeed, you are really Salvatore's daughter... my granddaughter. Maria, please bring that child usual snack to the living room. Let's have a little chat.