Zhang: Kid... (He noticed her beautiful and very particular eyes.) Did you come here alone? (She nodded.) Do you know Smith? (She shook her head, but the businessman was sure that she was lying.) Really?

Club owner: Zhang, I'm sorry about that. I will make her leave quickly. (He nodded to his man who grabbed the little girl's arm.)

Zhang: Hold on. (He noticed her frown.) You're hurting her. (He came closer and bent to her eyes level.) I am sure that Smith will not be happy to hear that you are here alone.

Zhang assistant understood the situation and stepped back to call Salvatore, and to inform him of the presence of that child in the club.

The club owner was a bit embarrassed by the situation, no knowing what to do with that kid. Zhang was sure that this little girl was a relative of Smith and he couldn't let her leave alone. He made her sit in one of the couch of the VIP corner, freshly renovated.

The two men sat too, and they continued their conversation in Chinese. Suki looked around to see if she could run away but there was guards near the entry door.

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

30 minutes earlier, Dante parked his car in front of Suki's school.

His father and Gabriel were, once again, stuck with a meeting and Dante was requested to pick-up the new family member from school.

He was waiting outside of his car, smoking a cigarette when the first children came out. He recognized some that were bullying Suki the other day, so he crushed his cigarette on the ground.

All students had now left the school, but Suki was not there. The group of what he thought was in her class was still there. Dante approached them and asked about the little girl.

Dante: Eh... You know Suki Tanaka?

Girl 1: Euh... yeah, she is in our class, why? You know her?

Dante: Do you know where she is? She didn't come out.

Girl2 : Why do you care?

Boy: He must be her sugar daddy... I heard her mother works in a club.

Girl 2: Ahhh... it's disgusting... (She stared at Dante from head to toe.)

Girl 1: I'm not surprise... like mother like daughter... (She laughed.)

Dante was not the most patient guy usually but hearing those kids talking like that pissed him off even more and his mafia side was taking the lead.. His tone and facial expression became darker.

Boy: That little bi***... she is playing the innocent type... but I should have tried my chance...

Dante: (He slapped the boy very hardly, making him fall.) Shut the fu** off! Pervert! (He glared at the two girls.) I have no time to lose, where is she? Where is Suki?

Girl 1: We... we don't know... she left at lunch time...

Boy: (He touched his red cheek.) Are you crazy?! I will sue you!! (He stood up.) How dare you hit a minor?

Dante was towering the boy. The two girls stepped back, scared.

Dante: A kid should not speak like that... I only corrected your bad manners... but do it... try to sue me...

Girl 2: We don't know where she is... you should go!

Girl: (She grabbed the boy's arm.) Let's go... that guy is crazy...

The three kids quickly left. Dante didn't know why he reacted like that. He could have not care about the way those kids were talking but, no, he couldn't let them talk like that. He reacted instinctively.

Dante: Where did that idiot go? Fu**! (He took out his phone and called Gabriel while getting in his car.) Gabriel, that kid left her school earlier! Call her and ask her where the fu** she is!

Gabriel: Damn it! Try their apartment, she mustn't have gone far!

Dante: I'm heading there and warn her that I'm in a very bad mood now! (He cut the call and started his car.)

Gabriel tried to call Suki several times, but her phone was off. No way to track her. The young man was blaming himself; he should have thought that she will try again to run away even after their discussion.

Dante was fast to reach the old building. He crossed the old lady but didn't stop and headed to the last floor quickly. Unfortunately, the apartment was empty. He didn't waste time and went downstairs. The old woman was now talking with another resident.

Dante: Sorry to interrupt you but, did you see the little girl from the last floor today?

Old Woman: The little Suki? Yes, she came earlier but she already left a little while ago. She didn't look well, is everything okay? I didn't see her mother since few days too. Do you know where she is? (Dante left without answering the old lady.) Eh... what's going on here?

While entering his car, Dante called back his brother to check if he was able to contact Suki, but he couldn't. Gabriel had already left the meeting to find her, his father too in another car.

Gabriel: She mustn't have gone far; I'm sending some of our men to check the bus and train stations. Make a round in her neighborhood.

Dante: Pfff... if she wanted to leave, she just had to say it.

Gabriel: Dante, she is our little sister, we are not going to send her anywhere and her reaction is the consequence of what happened to her mother and the way she was treated in our house! Any kid of her age would have run away in front of people that hate them.

Dante: If I found her first, I will teach her to not make me waste my time unnecessarily!

Gabriel: Dante, please... don't scare her more than she already is. We should help her go through... (He received a second call.)... hold on a second, I have another call. (He put Dante on hold.) Hello?

Zhang's assistant: Mr Smith, It's Lee, Mr Zhang's assistant.

Gabriel: Mr Lee, I'm a bit busy right now, I will call you later!

Zhang's assistant: Mr Smith, hold on, we are at the club right now and there is Fumiko Tanaka's daughter here, Mr Zhang asked me to call you as you seemed interested in that woman.

Gabriel: Suki is at that club? Please keep her safe, we're coming!

Gabriel cut the call with Lee and took back his brother on the phone. He dialed his father to add him to the conversation and told them where Suki was. The three men took the way to the club, and Salvatore was the first one to arrive.

Zhang: Smith... (Salvatore spotted Zhang then Suki.)

Salvatore: Suki... what the hell are you doing here?!

Suki didn't dare to look at her father. His tone was clearly showing that he was displeased by the situation. Salvatore bent down in front of her and forced her to look at him.

Salvatore: Suki Tanaka, look at me!

Zhang: Smith, you and that little girl are relatives? It's not safe for a little girl to hang out in a club, even in the middle of the day.

Salvatore: Thanks, for calling us. Suki, why did you come here?

Suki: ...

Salvatore: Suki? (His tone was a bit stricter.)

Club Owner: She came to retrieve her mother's belongings apparently. Fumiko Tanaka is still recovering?

Salvatore: (He stood up.) Fumiko passed away... and Suki is my daughter. We just found out.

Dante: Eh you! (He just entered the club, furious.) Are you completely stupid! (Suki stood up, afraid.)

Salvatore: Dante, calm down! (He put himself in front of Suki.)

Dante: If you want to disappear, don't do it when I have to pick you up!

Suki was hiding behind the tall figure of her father, but she could still feel the dark glare of Dante on her.

Zhang: Smith, it seems that you have family matters to handle. I'm sorry for your loss and know that we are doing our best to find out the responsible of the attack.

Salvatore: Thank you. Suki, take your bag, we are leaving.

Suki took her bag, and she was about to follow her father when the powerful hand of Dante grabbed the back of her sweater.

Dante: Don't try to run away under my nose! (He walked to the exit, dragging the little girl with him.)

Gabriel: Dante! Let her go!

Gabriel was outside the Club. At his words, Salvatore turned himself.

Salvatore: Dante! She is not an animal!

Dante: You want to let her a chance to run away once again? I'm good with that solution too!

Dante let go of Suki sweater at his father's insistent gaze. Gabriel came closer and bent to her eyes level. He was worried.

Gabriel: Suki, are you alright? (She nodded.) Are you sure? You scared me... don't disappear like that!

Salvatore: Suki, get in the car. Gabriel, we will talk at home.

Suki exchanged a gaze with Gabriel, her eyes were tearful. The young man stood up and let her enter the car. His father's tone seemed a bit cold, but Gabriel knew that it was only because Suki was missing, and it had made him freak out.

The three cars left and reached the house in silence, even in the one where Suki and her father were. The head of the family was not use to that kind of behavior and he didn't how to deal with a little girl gently in that type of situation. He preferred the tough way, easier for him and more efficient with his boys. They entered the house and stopped in the living room. Only Vito was there, his classes were over. At the tension coming from his father, he knew something happened.

Vito: If the three of you are here at this hour, it means that thing did something bad, right?

Salvatore: Vito, it's not the good time for your nasty comments! Suki, sit. (She sat and looked down.) What you did today was stupid! Do you know which type of crazy dude you could have met?

Salvatore's tone was loud and cold, and Suki flinched. The image of her calm and attentive father was very different of the man in front of her. He looked like more to Dante or Davide right now, and she was afraid. Gabriel felt sorry for her, and he really hesitated to intervene, but he didn't want to disrespect his father's authority.

Salvatore: Answer me!

Suki: I... I don't want to... stay here... (She managed to confess it, and it surprised everyone.)

Salvatore: So, what? You want to live alone? Or with strangers? I am your father; I will never let you leave this house! (He left to the kitchen, he needed to calm down.)

Dante: You screwed! If you want to leave this house so badly, you shouldn't have said the contrary to your social worker!

Gabriel: Dante, enough! Suki, things are difficult for now but in few days, you will find your place in the family. Your mother asked Father to take care of you. She did that because she trusted him with your safety and wellbeing.

Davide arrived from the university and his relaxed attitude immediately changed at the view of the little girl.

Suki felt exhausted, she wanted to be alone. She asked the permission to go upstairs, and Gabriel agreed, knowing that she was not in a good state of mind to talk. When she left, he went to see his father.

Davide: Another drama because of that bit***'s kid?! (Dante left, not in the mood.)

Vito: I think that she tried to run away... too bad, they found her.

Davide: (He smirked.) I should give her some help... right? (Vito laughed.)

Few hours passed and it was now dinner time. Suki didn't want to go downstairs but Gabriel didn't let her a choice. He texted her and asked her to join everyone to the dining table. Gianni and Enzo were back, and Salvatore had calm down after a discussion with Gabriel. Suki was near the stairs when Davide's voice resonated on her back. She froze and turned herself to face him.

Davide: Why are you still in our house? I warned you to leave, no?

Suki: I.. I... tried...

Davide: (He scoffed.) You tried? You didn't try hard enough! (He lightly pushed her shoulder.) I could kill you right now and everyone would think that it is an accident... you want to see your moth...

Davide couldn't finish his sentence, a dark shadow was now standing behind the little girl, in the stairs... Gabriel. The eldest son came to take his little sister to the dining room, not sure that his message was enough to make her coming down. What he just heard made his blood boiling and his killing will, rising.

Gabriel: So, it's because of you? (He climbed the last stair; Suki didn't dare to move.) Little piece of shit, how dare you threaten her? (He pushed Davide with enough force to make him step back.) Since when are you so stupid? Did you hear the bullshits coming from your mouth?

Davide: I don't give a damn shit about her!

Gabriel was losing his patience and tonight, his little brother would taste his fists. He passed in front of his little sister and grabbed Davide by his collar, making him step back once again. The young man tried to make Gabriel let go of his grip, but he was not as strong as his elder brother.

Suki was staring at the two men ready to fight, with a shocked expression. Her legs refused to move. She didn't know what to do, the scene in front of her was scary.

The loud exchange between the two brothers alerted the rest of the family and soon, Gianni, Dante and Vito were there.

The two oldest tried to separate Gabriel and Davide. Vito was standing near Suki, angry that his two brothers were fighting because of her.

Gianni: Gabriel, stop, let him go.

Davide: Fu** you! You want to fight with me because of that bit**!!

Gabriel: Shut up!

The two brothers didn't want to calm down. Vito glared at Suki who still had her gaze stuck on the four men. He grabbed her by her neck and stood at the top of the stairs. Suki put her hands on his forearm and tried to free herself in vain. Vito's eyes were dark, like possessed by a demon. He attracted everyone's attention.

Vito: Let go of my brother or I kill her! (Gabriel loosen his grip and looked at Vito.)

Gabriel: Vito, let her go! Don't do something stupid! (He stepped back.)

Vito: Something stupid? Our family is messed up since she arrived!

Suki was crying, afraid and the catch of Vito on her neck was painful too. Those guys hated her so much that they were ready to kill her. Salvatore and Enzo were also there now, at the bottom of the stairs, observing the crazy scene upstairs.

Salvatore: Vito... (He climbed the first stairs.)

Vito: Look, useless thing... your dear newly found father is here... you must be happy...

Suki: ... please... I'm sorry... (She murmured in tears.)

Vito: Me too!

Vito was about to let go of his grip and by consequence, letting Suki falling from the top of the stairs but Dante intervened just in time. He pushed back Vito and grabbed the little girl's arm, pulling her far from the stairs. Suki fell on her knees when Dante let go of her arm. Salvatore quickly climbed the last stairs, Enzo followed him.

Salvatore: Suki... are you alright? (He kneeled and put his hand on her head, but she flinched and crawled further.) Suki...

Enzo: Vito, did you lose your mind?!

Vito: Everything is her fault!

The sound of the slap on Vito's face silenced everyone. Gabriel couldn't control his anger. His little brother tried to hurt his own sister.

Salvatore: All of you leave! (Disappointment was heard in his tone.)

Gabriel: Move! (He pushed Davide and kneeled near Suki too.) Suki...

The boys left the corridor one by one to go downstairs. The little girl was still hugging her knees, her back against the wall, hiding her face on her arms. She was panicking. She wanted to run far away from that hell. She wanted her mom. When she felt that everyone left except her father and Gabriel, she tried to stand up and run. Salvatore reacted quickly and caught her and kept her in his embrace.

Salvatore: Eh eh... Suki... it's okay... it's over... I'm sorry... calm down...

He let his body fall on the floor with his daughter, trying to calm her with a soft tone. Gabriel's anger was hardly contained. They stayed like that for long minutes.

Downstairs, everyone gathered in the living room; the dinner was no longer relevant. Gianni had an ice pack in a tissue for Vito's red cheek. Davide was staring at him with fuming eyes. His twin brother talked first.

Enzo: Vito, were you really ready to hurt that poor kid? If she fell in the stairs, she could have died! (The youngest stayed silent.)

Dante: Davide, why were you and Gabriel fighting?

Davide: I asked her to leave our house. (He replied with no emotions.)

Dante: So, it's because of you that I had to search for her everywhere today? The reason she said she didn't want to live here?

Davide: Why did you look for her in the first place? I thought that you didn't want her here too!

Dante: Because even if I despise the fact that she exists, she is your father's daughter, and he wants her by his side! I can't erase her!

They stayed silent after Dante's words. They wanted Suki to leave, even if they had to hurt her but they never thought that they were hurting their father in the process. The man that raised them alone for the past 12 years.

Enzo: Guys... even if you don't want to accept Suki as your sister, Dante is right, she is Dad's daughter, just like Gabriel is his first son. We should at least give him a chance to be there for her... even more since now, she only has him as a parent.

Upstairs, Suki had calm down and she was still safely kept in his father's arms. Salvatore managed to take her to the bedroom and sat her on the bed. He needed to check her neck and he noticed the red mark of Vito's hand on it. Gabriel left to his bedroom and came back with ointment.

Gabriel: Suki, I need to put this on your neck. (He showed her the tube.)

Suki: No... I want to leave... I don't want to die... please...

Salvatore: Suki... I'm sorry, I didn't protect you as I should have... but I swear on my life, that won't happen ever again... trust me, I will fix this. I will not let anyone hurt you. Give me a chance.

Gabriel: Please, let me treat your neck.

Suki let Gabriel put the pomade and he frowned when he saw the redness and the fear in her eyes. Salvatore stayed near her and observed his children. They had the exact same eyes and both black hair. She could easily be taken for Gabriel's child.

Salvatore: I'm going downstairs for a moment and will bring food for you.

When Salvatore entered the living room, no one dare to look at him in the eyes. His aura was enough to explain his state of mind.

Salvatore: Dante... Thank you. Davide, Vito, follow me! (He left first to his office.)

Gianni: Guys, try to not make it worse, talk to him calmy and with respect. You already showed enough disrespect for today.

Davide and Vito followed their father steps and crossed the garden. They entered Salvatore's office and stayed stood in front of his desk.

Salvatore: What do you expect me to do? (His dark eyes were on his sons and his tone was cold.) Do I have to chose between my grown men sons and the daughter that I just found out? That's it? That's what you want? Tell me!

Vito: You will choose her instead of us, right?

Salvatore: No, it never was my intention. You are all adult in accordance with the law. You are able to make your own choices and the one you have to do now is living with your family or alone!

Davide: Our family means with her, right?

Salvatore: Yes, it's nonnegotiable. If you decided that it is not possible, I will provide a house for you and money to live by your own. But it will be your decision. (He sighed.) I never asked you to play the good brothers with her, I only want her to live here with us. She will not bother you, so give her a chance. (He closed his eyes few seconds.) You know, I'm taking a lot on myself right now because, my first thought was to kick both of your asses, but I know that it is not the good way to deal with this situation, even if, frankly speaking, you deserve a good beating for trying to hurt her.

Davide and Vito listened carefully their father. It was true that his cold but calm tone surprised them. They were ready to be beaten to death, but Salvatore was showing mercy to them. And the reason was that the head of the family refused to oppose his children against each others. They will be punished, for sure, but he will find another way. For now, the urgent matter was to find a compromise.

Salvatore: So, what is your decision?

Vito: You don't give us a choice to do! You take her side!

Salvatore: Vito... you're 18, she is 11. It's my duty to protect her, to give her a good life and I promised that to her mother and to her... just like I promised to my wife to protect our boys.

Davide: Don't put Mom in that discussion!

Salvatore: Why not? Your mother was the only woman I ever loved. She was an incredible woman, that took care of my eldest son like he was hers. She had a pure heart that never treated anyone badly. I wish you all took more from her than from me!

The two boys saw in the gaze of their father the love he still had for their mother. That look that he never had for another woman, not even the one that was considered his current fiancée by most people. It was more a business relationship between two powerful family than a love relationship.

Davide was about to answer his father's question when the door opened. Gabriel was there... holding Suki's hand, that was looking down, half hidden behind the tall man, trembling to be here.