The Mafia

Chapter 5

Raven gasped in shock, and then shook it off. She rushed to Cris's still form sprawled limply against the tiled wall of the kitchen. He groaned loudly and slowly, inelegantly stood upright with her help. He rubbed his chin and winced when his hand made light contact with it. His dark eyes glinted mischievously when they clashed with his older brother's.

"What did I do this time?" he asked petulantly, like a little child that had just been scolded.

Demetrio looked just as mad as he had been when he stormed into the room. Apparently punching his brother wasn't as soothing as he had thought it would be. Raven surprised them both when she raised the back of her hand and smacked it as hard as possible against Demetrio's beefy arm. Even though it hurt her more than it did him, the mere act spoke volumes. No one had ever laid a hand on him. His father had tried once, after he got his first tattoo when he was sixteen. At the time he was already much larger than his old man. Needless to say, the blow had never landed.

"Why would you do that?" she shrieked, completely unaware that she had committed an act akin to blasphemy in the 'family'.

He momentarily forgot about her smack and glared once more at his brother, who was now watching them as if they were thespians. He took a warning step in Cris's direction, but Raven stepped into his path, successfully blocking him, like a mama bear would. As she barely came up to his shoulder, he simply spat over her head. "If I ever see your lips anywhere near hers again, Cris, not even Raven will be able to help you."

Raven shoved him back... or at least tried to. "Okay, first of all, don't talk about me like I'm not in the room. Secondly, Cris and I have never kissed."

"Don't patronise me, Raven. I go over security cameras every few weeks. I saw it for myself."

Cris's confusion cleared and he let out a warm chuckle. "That's why you're angry? I kiss half of the women I know. Hell, I kissed a lot of them that night in front of their husbands. It was just a peck. I can't believe you tried to break my jaw over this." He scowled and strode closer to Demetrio at an agonisingly slow pace. When Raven stepped closer to him to offer her support he jumped as far away from her as possible. "No offence, sweetheart, but a man can only take so many beatings for a woman, let alone one he isn't even sleeping with. Hell, he almost killed me! I'll talk to you later." He offered her a slight smile and walked out, all the while clutching his jaw.

Raven watched him leave silently and let out a deep breath. She trailed behind him, intent on talking to April, who had left with Cosmo among the fracas.

"Stop."

She ignored him. No way in hell was she going to stop.

Her wrist was firmly gripped in a strong hold after just two steps. It was embarrassing. No, it was unfair. She kept her gaze downcast, determined on avoiding eye contact. She knew her resolve would melt if she met his gaze.

"You know, striking me is punishable by death," he said casually.

Raven's eyes flew up to his. Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Excuse me?"

His mouth suddenly split into an unexpected grin. "You should have seen your face."

"That wasn't funny!" She pouted then smacked his arm again. "I've created a monster". She knew he had practically no sense of humour before he met her.

He finally released her wrist. “I have a meeting with Damian. That man is a stubborn mule."

Raven faked a scowl. "Don't you dare talk about my future father-in-law like that!"

Demetrio's face darkened and his neck flushed with anger. She chuckled. "It's a joke. If you're going to dish one out, make sure you can take it." She just barely held back from sticking her tongue out at him before she left.

***

Raven studied her reflection musingly. The dress she was garbed in was simple, strapless and fell to her feet. Just the slightest hint of cleavage was displayed. She accepted the diamond studded earrings that April pierced in place silently, although her discomfort was clear. She slipped into a pair of black heels that could have fed her for a month back home.

"I wish I didn't have to do this," she muttered to April.

"You don't," April remarked. "I could've gone in your place. Actually, it would save you anl uncomfortable evening. I really don't mind."

"Yeah, well, I told you I don't want you meeting any of these people. It's bad enough we're living with some of them."

"'These people'? Raven they're practically family to us now!"

"God, April, listen to yourself! This is exactly what they want. Whatever happens, remember that we aren't here out of our own free will. I mean it, April. We'll have to leave eventually, and I don't want you being tempted to stay when that time comes."

April rolled her eyes. "Yes, mum. Now go. You look beautiful," she admitted grudgingly. "And since you gave me some advice, I'll extend the same courtesy to you. You'll have to forgive the old man eventually. Whatever grudge you're harbouring isn't healthy."

Ignoring her younger sister steadfastly, Raven picked up her shawl and walked out the room. "I'll see you in a few hours, sis." She leaned heavily against the door after she had shut it closed behind her and let out a sigh of emotional exhaustion. She gathered up what little strength she had left and squared her shoulders before walking down the hall leading to the winding staircase. She wasn't shocked to find her father standing at the bottom waiting oh so patiently for her to show up.

Cesare smiled at her adoringly as she descended the stairs looking as elegant as ever. He was shocked when his daughter placed her hand on the arm he offered. It was the first time she had voluntarily made any contact with him since she found out about his shady past. She smiled at up him and let him lead her outside the front double doors. Angelo held the car door open for them.

Raven really didn't know much about the dinner they had been invited to. All she knew was Cesare had been invited, and was urged to bring either one of his daughters. Ever the protective big sister, she planned on keeping April as far from the 'family' as possible, so she volunteered. She wouldn't admit this last part to anyone, but she also missed spending time with her father. She decided to ease up on her coldness towards him. She did her best to hide her shock when they stopped in front of a busy restaurant.

Her father saw her expression however, and gave her a light smile. "What did you expect? A shady warehouse with armed men everywhere?"

"No! I was just expecting it to be a bit more... isolated."

"Oh, believe me it is. A family member owns this place."

She hated that he said 'family member' so casually, but quietly allowed him to lead her into the building. Raven was pleasantly surprised to see that there were quite a number of people in the restaurant. The table she was being led to had both Damian and Ciro seated at it. She smiled and waved when she saw Zander there too. There was one more seated at the table with them, although she had no idea who he was.

Zander stood to welcome her and placed a light peck on her cheek as he did so. He shook her father's hand firmly, all the while keeping a charming smile on his lips. Both Damian and Ciro smiled at her, just a welcomingly. Introductions were made when she sat down.

"Raven, this is my son Bartolommeo. He's currently managing this place before he moves on to... bigger things," Damian said.

She smiled politely, not knowing what to say in response. What was she supposed to say? Oh cool, I'm being held hostage in what I'm pretty sure is a parallel universe? "It's nice to meet you, Bart. Is it okay if I call you that?"

He let out a slow smile, although it didn't reach his eyes. "Likewise. No one has ever called me that before, but I rather like the sound of it. How do you like Italy so far?"

Raven looked away from the intense blue gaze. "It's beautiful, or at least the little I've seen is."

"I take it you haven't been around much. I'd love to volunteer myself to show you around if you're up for it."

She didn't have to look in his direction to see that her father was annoyed by Bart's obvious flirtation. Raven threw him a noncommittal smile to set her old man at ease.

It was a pleasant meal. Somewhere along the line, though, Raven figured out that it was their fathers' way of figuring out which one of the two she got along better with. She gladly accepted Zander's offer to dance. Once they were on the dance floor, she was grateful for the fact that he didn't take any liberties and press up against her.

"So..." he trailed off.

Raven narrowed her eyes. "You have something to say, don't you? Go ahead," she prompted.

Zander looked uncertain, but picked up where he left off. "I have a... friend. He's going to the States soon, and I thought about you and your sister. I could get you out of here by Friday."

Scowling, Raven tensed and turned away from him. "That's not funny, Zander."

"I'm serious," he whispered and turned her back to face him, keeping up the rouse of dancing. "You can't tell anyone, not even April. Just get her to accompany you on the day. That place is filled with high-tech Intel and we can't take the chance that one of the others will hear you."

"Wait. You're serious?" Hope lit her brown eyes.

"Of course. Why would I play such a cruel joke on you? I love having you here, but you aren't happy and I want to help you."

"My God, Zander!" she gasped, and couldn't stop herself from wrapping her arms around his shoulders in a fierce embrace. A sudden spark of realisation occurred to her, though. "Wait, won't you get in trouble?"

He shrugged. "By the time they find out that I had something to do with your escape you'll already be gone, and I won't know the destination so they can't get it out of me."

"So it's inevitable for them to find out you're the one behind this and yet you still want to go through with it?" she smiled sadly. "As tempting as it is, I can't let you risk your life for our freedom. And we both know that it will be your life. Thank you, though. You're a good friend." Before he could argue with her, she stepped out of the circle of his arms to go to the ladies' room. On her way she caught sight of Demetrio at their table. By the cold glint of his eyes, she knew he had seen everything that had happened on the dance floor. Admittedly, it was stupid of her to think he may have an inkling on what had really happened, but his black eyes never seemed to miss anything. She ignored him as she scuttled right by the table.

She took longer than she usually would have because she was hiding out. Cowardly, she knew, but desperate times called for desperate measures... When she stepped out, she saw all the men at the table having an intense conversation. As she came nearer, she felt like she was intruding. One by one, they all kept quiet and looked up at her as she approached. A tense silence enveloped the table as she sat down.

"Demetrio," she forced herself to say. "What a lovely surprise."

He smirked fiendishly like the devil he was. "Try saying that with a smile and I might believe you, angel."

She raised her brow at the 'angel' title but other than that, ignored it.

"Raven, there is something you must know," her father said, as he leaned forward in his seat.

If it had anything to do with the conversation they'd been having, she really didn't want to know.

Demetrio glared at Cesare. "Now is not the right time."

"Then when? Ciro demanded.

"Yes," Damian chipped in. "She is part of the family now. She must know."

"I said now is not the right time," Demetrio repeated in a hushed tone. Quiet, but deceptive.

Raven smiled inwardly, glad that she wasn't the one on the receiving end of his anger for once. She decided to break the tense silence that followed. "Damian, you're all talk aren't you?"

The older man almost choked on the chocolate mousse he spooned into his mouth. "Excuse me?"

She shrugged. "I seem to recall you bragging to me earlier in the evening about all the dance competitions you've won in your day. If that's true, why haven't you asked me to dance?"

Damian grinned. "That's because you wouldn't be able to keep up."

She snorted. "Sounds like the excuse of an old man to me."

Everyone except Demetrio smiled as Damian led her to dance, but then again, there was no pleasing ol' Lurch. And just like that the cheerful atmosphere returned over their table, or at least what could pass for cheerful with this crowd.

***

Somehow Raven found herself going back home... err... to the mansion with Demetrio. She was resolved to keep the stone cold silence between them, but after five minutes of breathing in his exhaled smoke, that notion flew out the window.

"Do you have to do that?" she spat.

"Do what?" he asked as if he hadn't the faintest idea of what she was talking about.

Without realising what she was doing, she scooted to his side of the leather seats and plucked the cigar from his perfect lips. She put it out in the ash tray behind his. She huffed when she noticed him smiling down at her.

"I'll never understand you," he muttered, staring at her as if she were the most fascinating creature he had ever set his eyes on.

Raven brought her hand up next to his. She stared at the nicotine stained tips in disdain. "You shouldn't do this to yourself," she said in a concerned tone. "Have you ever tried to quit?"

He shook his head. "Never had the incentive." His gaze was trained on her lips as he spoke.

"You said you wouldn't try to kiss me," she reminded him.

Demetrio leaned back in his seat. "So I did."

They both looked up to see the iron gates glide open for them as they reached their destination. As the car crunched to a halt in front of the mansion, Raven surprised them both when she leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss upon his lips lightly. "That should be enough incentive to get you started," she whispered in his ear one second, and then the next... she was gone.