The Mafia

Chapter 3

Raven walked into the kitchen without a care in the world for the first time since she'd gotten there. When she noticed Celia leaning by the far end of the kitchen counter she felt her good mood melt away. Grimacing, she tried to force back the carefree smile onto her face and failed miserably. She settled for a friendly greeting and went by her business when Celia returned it. She noticed the other woman's outfit. She was one of those people who always looked like they had stepped right out of a glossy fashion magazine. Even to an untrained eye like hers, she knew those jeans were designer and would have cost more than she used to earn back home. The low cut brown cashmere sweater accentuated both her slender figure and her enhanced cleavage. Already tall, the black four inch heels that graced her feet brought her far closer to Demetrio's height than she could ever hope to be. Darn it, there she went again thinking of the man at the most inconvenient of times!

She pulled out a clear bowl and filled it almost to the brim with cornflakes. As she pulled a carton of milk out of the fridge a burly man walked in. He wasn't as tall as most of the men she had come across while she was there, but he definitely didn't lack any of the danger they all oozed. He was older than most, too. Her father's age, no doubt, judging by the greying strands of hair at his temples. He said something to Celia when he approached her in their language. A heated discussion took place, and since she couldn't understand a thing, Raven shrugged and sat on one of the adjustable stools at the island and began munching on her cereal. By the time the man noticed Raven she was halfway done with her breakfast.

He approached her with a big smile on his face. Usually Raven was a crummy judge of character, but even she could see the greed in this man's eyes. She'd have to stay as far away from him as possible.

"You must be Raven," he greeted cordially, offering his hand.

She took it with a smile of her own. "That's right, but I'm afraid I have no idea who you are," Raven replied, embarrassed.

"Ciro Andolinna. I am Celia's father."

"I never would have guessed," she commented, meaning it. They looked nothing alike. She must have gotten her looks from her mother then.

"Celia was planning on going to Etnapolis for the day. I suggested you tag along with her. You must be tired of being cooped up in one place for so long."

She was already shaking her head by the time he had finished talking. Over her dead body would she spend any time with that woman! "I'm sorry, but the last time I left the mansion I got it a heap of trouble with Demetrio. I'm not ready to go through it again."

He waved away her explanation like it held no value. "Demetrio has flown to London for two days. It's about an hour long drive from here, but if you aren't up to driving back you can stay at the hotel there for the night."

"Mr. Andolinna-"

"Call me Uncle Ciro," he encouraged.

Raven felt a bit weird about that, having never had any uncles at all. "I really don't think it will end well if I go."

He sighed resignedly. "Oh, that's too bad then. I was hoping you two would get to know each other. My Zander will be tagging along, too." Ah, so that way his game. A matchmaker! Well, he could count her out. "I suppose April will have to do."

"April?" she repeated hollowly. A sinking feeling washed over her. She knew what he was going to say before he even said it.

"Yes, I asked her if she wanted to join and she gladly accepted. I was hoping you would, too.

No, no, no, no, no. What the hell was wrong with that girl? She hardly knew these people! They could be planning to kill them at a conveniently isolated place for all they knew. Oh, she knew that Demetrio and his brothers would never do something like that, but if it were up to Celia... she shuddered at the thought. There was no way in hell she would let her baby sister go off on an overnight trip with a woman who hated her guts.

Said woman was currently smiling, no doubt relieved that Raven wasn't tagging along. "Oh, pooh," Celia said in a tone that didn't fool anyone. "I was so looking forward to spending some time with you."

"Hold on," Raven interrupted her thoughtfully. "Maybe I spoke too rashly. After all, who misses an opportunity to shop it Italy? And Demetrio never has to know. Why not?" She got up, cereal forgotten and headed towards the door. "What time are we leaving?"

***

Raven almost collapsed in relief when she found out that Cosmo was going with them. Cris definitely would have if he hadn't accompanied Demetrio to London. They decided to take Demetrio's Range Rover, apparently his most prized possession. Men! She had considered giving April a stern reprimand, but she knew there would be no point. She was already convinced no harm would come to them since Cosmo and Angelo would be with them the whole time. What she was really grateful for however was the fact that Celia would be making the drive with her younger brother, Zander. She was almost shaking with relief.

Over the whole time she had been there, Cosmo had constantly told her about him. Apparently he had grown up with Zander and they were as close as he was with his older brothers. The way she saw it, they were even more so since mere months separated them in age. With such a great age difference between them, Raven was surprised the three Lombardi brothers were close at all. Nevertheless, she was looking forward to meeting him. She almost felt like she already knew the guy as much as Cosmo told her about him. At a point she almost thought Cosmo had made him up since she never saw him, but Cris had assured her he was very much real. He told her time and time again he loved them both, but when they came together they annoyed the hell out of him.

During the drive Raven blocked out April's chatter most of the way there, so awed by the beauty of the scenery that they passed. She was quite dismayed when they got there faster than she had expected. Just then she realised how much she was really dreading spending any time with Celia. As much as she tried to relate to the woman, she couldn't bring herself to like her when she was the object of Demetrio's affections. The fact that she was as mean as a snake just helped things.

They checked in with one room for each of them, even though Raven thought it was a waste, and found out that the Andolinnas had arrived just a few minutes before them. Raven only stayed in her room long enough to use the bathroom and throw her overnight bag on the bed. Once she was out she crossed the hallway to Cosmo's room which was conveniently right opposite hers. She knocked to let him know she was outside, but received a surprise when the door swung open to reveal a man who was definitely not Cosmo. He was shorter, but only slightly, and seemed to sport the same dark good looks everyone she had come across did. Unlike everyone else, though, his eyes were an extremely dark shade of blue. They were so dark one might have thought them black, unless they looked closely enough, which she belatedly realised she was doing. When she snapped out of it she slapped her hand to her forehead in exasperation.

"I was staring, wasn't I?" she asked, completely mortified. A smile tugged at his lips. "I swear to you I don't make a habit out of doing this. I was just expecting someone else."

He laughed a deep, joyful, melodious sound. "Relax, gorgeous. I'd have to be nuts not to have liked that. It's a chore, but someone has to be this attractive."

Raven chortled with laughter. "I'm sure your ego must be blocking you from the view of reality. You aren't that hot."

"But I am hot?"

"Break it up!" a familiar voice called out from behind the door a split second before the tall, dark and handsome man was rudely shoved out of the way. "I see you've met my best friend," Cosmo said with a scowl in Zander's direction.

Never one to engage in witty banter with someone she didn't even know, Raven smiled easily. "Yeah, I had no idea he'd be such a charmer," she said dryly.

Zander straightened himself, glaring haughtily at his best friend. "So you're Raven, huh? Good. We're supposed to be getting married."

Raven smiled. She wasn't surprised. "Oh, I know. Your father was kinda transparent. Too bad it's not going to happen. So are we getting this thing over with or what? Two seconds from now April will burst out from that door and we're going to need all the muscle we can get."

"Is it that bad?" Cosmo asked, fear widening his eyes.

"It was bad when we were dirt poor. Now she has a credit card that can't be maxed out. It'll be apocalyptic."

Right on cue, April bounded out of her room and practically skipped to them.

"Well, hello there!" she smiled and linked arms Zander, dragging him to the elevators.

"I think he's just met his match," Cosmo murmured in awe, taking in his friend's speechless face.

And so it began...

***

Later that evening, Raven collapsed on her bed, too tired to even think about taking a shower. All she had to show for almost an entire day of store hopping was two bags, and the second's contents were practically shoved her way. If she never saw Celia Andolinna's face again it would be too soon! The woman was a spiteful venomous cow! During lunch her chocolate milkshake had just happened to 'accidentally spill' on her snow white shirt in a crowded restaurant. This event was followed by a series of her tripping Raven as she walked and snide remarks on everything she tried on.

What must have really riled the woman up was the fact that Raven refused to retaliate, or even tell her off. April, on the other hand, had to be held back every time Celia's foot found itself in her path or her mouth opened. A day of playing referee is all it was. She smiled tiredly. She wasn't the only one who had had a terrible day. The guys couldn't get away fast enough by the end of it. She was fairly sure none of them had ever had a workout as intense as the bag lifting and speed walking from store to store.

Her door swung open as did her eyelids and Angelo strode in with an open laptop in his hands. He set it in front of her silently. Raven was about to close her eyes again when his voice rang out in the room.

"Raven? Are you sick?" he sounded worried.

She lifted her head again and looked directly into Demetrio's brooding black ones. "Demetrio?" She bit her tongue before she said something dim. "What – ah, that is – what's wrong?"

"You tell me. Are you feeling ill?"

She was still, perplexed over the fact that he was actually worried. Demetrio Lombardi didn't have emotions. Judging by Angelo's amused look, he was thinking the same.

"I'm perfect, just tired after today." She realised her slip as soon as the words were out.

"What did you do that made you tired enough to fall asleep at eight-thirty?"

"I – uh went swimming! Yes, swimming and – and horse riding."

She mentally cursed at her stupidity. The whole house knew of her unnatural fear of horses after an incident two weeks earlier during her first and last trip to the stables.

He leaned back against a headboard; it looked like he was in a hotel room as well. She vaguely wondered if he'd realise by her surroundings that she wasn't where she was supposed to be. "Who got you to get on a horse without screaming bloody murder?" he asked. His hand lifted to scratch his chin where light stubble had formed.

"I did it on my own. It wasn't that difficult, really. I'll probably do it every day from now on, too."

"In that case you wouldn't mind me going along with when I get back." He made it a statement.

"I'm not sure that's such a good idea. I mean I did it all on my own today. I think I was only nervous that first time because of all those people."

Demetrio snorted and Raven knew what he was thinking. She hadn't been scared... she'd been terrified.

"So you expect me to believe you managed to saddle and ride one of my horses on your first try when before you couldn't even look at one without screaming."

Raven frowned. "Don't you think you're exaggerating a teensy bit?"

Demetrio laughed, prompting a smile out of her. She couldn't help it, it was infectious. "Has anyone ever told you what a terrible liar you are?" he asked with a flawless grin. "I know you went to Etnapolis."

"How embarrassing! And you let me go on?" she fumed.

"I was curious to see how you'd handle it. Not very well obviously." He said it with a gentle smile that had her letting go of her frown to return it.

"And you're not angry?" she asked cautiously.

He looked at her disbelievingly. "If I had a problem with it you never would have left the gates at all." She decided not to remind him about successfully leaving the first time. Raven realised she liked looking at his easy-going smile. She had a hunch it didn't come by as often as he would have liked.

"Out of curiosity, why did you let April and I go? I would have thought it would snow on the sun before that ever happened.

"Thank Zander. I trust him enough to make sure nothing would happen to you when I'm not around. She instinctively knew that when he said 'you' he was referring to her, instead of adding April to the mix. After over an hour of idle chitchat he said goodnight and logged off. Raven did the same. Drowsiness gone, she found the strength to go for that shower. By the time she had finished, she was still thinking about him. She knew it wasn't necessary for him to personally tell her about the trip. That meant he had called simply because he wanted to. The knowledge gave her a warm glow inside. She shook the thoughts out of her head and jumped into bed. As she fell under duress of calming sleep she chanted something over and over in her head, something she couldn't let herself forget. Just friends, just friends, just friends...