The Black Sparrow

BERLIN, July 2013 The new Hennessey Venom GT rushed to the finish line, sending waves of heat through the air. It had wire wheels that glowed with a thousand pinpoints of light, chrome fins that glinted in the heat, and dark blue paint that gleamed in the sunlight. “Who is that?” Lucian asked Roberto, a fellow half-Italian and his classmate in Engineering at Stanford University. They graduated last month, and Don Lucio, his father, attended the ceremony but immediately left using their private plane. He was supposed to go home to Italy with him, but there were still things he needed to sort out. He asked his father for a little more time. It was clear his father was displeased, but he agreed. And now Lucian and his friends are in Berlin—enjoying a street race. It’s illegal, of course. It has been an issue in Cologne as well, but it’s still being held away from crowded urban areas. “George Dela Garza. I’ve seen her race a few times.” Lucian furrowed his brow. “Did you just say her?” “Yes. George is short for Georgina.” She has dark hair pulled back in a ponytail, and she wears diamond ear-studs. Though Lucian has been seeing women since he turned 18, she is the first to make him feel this way. Lucian is almost positive they haven’t met previously, but that doesn’t make the strange sense of déjà vu any better. Her red, f*****g stilettos are all it takes to get his heart aflutter. Dela Garza. Now, why does that seem familiar? No way. Ruthie? He hadn’t seen her since she was six, and she was a handful then. How much more now? “You know her?” Lucian’s brow seemed permanently furrowed. “You’ve been staring at her, man. If I didn’t know you, I’d say you'd been whipped,” his friend laughed. Lucian found himself walking toward the woman who'd been messing with his head since she stepped out of that race car. She was busy talking to a few guys, and as Lucian got closer, he confirmed that she was indeed his childhood friend. Who would have guessed she’d be such a stunning woman with her dark eyes, long lashes, pointy nose, and sultry lips? Back then, her hair was always messy and dirty because she was always playing outside. Lucian had to clear his throat for Georgina to look his way. “Well, take a look at what the cat has dragged in,” she said. Her previous conversation had ended, leaving just the two of them. “You know who I am?” Lucian asked the girl, amused. “Of course! You were the wimpy eight-year-old who didn’t want to chase the piglet with me because it was muddy.” She folded her arms across her chest and clucked her tongue. Lucian’s jaw dropped open. She basically labeled him a wimp and a coward in the same sentence. Damn the woman and her smart mouth. Too smart. I wonder how it would feel when that mouth—Lucian had to stop his wicked musings. Georgina is not like those women he dated. She’s far from that. “How are you, Lucian Profaci?” Georgina smiled, and Lucian felt like he had died and went to heaven. He is pretty sure he’s bound for hell, so why is he hearing trumpets and angels singing? “I’m… good.” They had hit a dead end. s**t. “Does your father know you’re into this?” She laughed. “I am into a lot of things. Of course, my father doesn’t know about it. Are you crazy? Don’t tell me you’re going to rat me out?” Georgina raised an eyebrow, showing no sign of fear. Lucian smirked. Instead of answering her, he glanced at his friends who were signaling him to leave. He nodded to Roberto before turning his gaze back to her. “Tsk. Do you have time to hang out or—” “Are you asking me out?” Georgina smiled, and Lucian wanted to regret inviting her. He felt a sense of embarrassment. Women usually invite him out on dates, and if he waited for Georgina to invite him, he might be waiting forever. “I’m not forcing you if—” “It’s not my habit to say no to free food.” Their conversation was interrupted when the person who raced over handed her a bundle of cash. “Danke, Gerhard.” After a few exchanges of words, he left. Lucian estimated that Georgina had been racing for a long time. “Where to?” “Free?" He chuckled. "You’re going to treat me. You won a big prize.” Lucian didn’t answer where they were going and instead said for her to treat him. He doesn’t know much about Berlin. He only goes out with Roberto when his group invites him. Georgina looked at the money. “This? It’s not much. I actually need more.” She waved the money in front of his face. Now he noticed she wasn’t wearing any makeup. Not even lipstick. “You should have seen my winnings last year. Triple the amount of this.” Lucian shook his head. Aside from women, he didn’t have much else he was focused on. His studies were his top priority. He wanted to prove to his father that he deserved a normal life. He didn’t want to join the organization his father was part of. Chaos. Endless chaos that it brought to their lives. Even if his mother didn’t die from a bullet or a knife, Lucian believed his father’s crimes contributed to her early demise. Who wouldn’t have a heart attack if they worried every hour? His sister, Pietra, was only six, and his youngest brother, Lorenzo, was five. They were left in the care of their aunt because their father was almost never around. When their mother passed away, Don Lucio poured even more of his time into the organization. But he would never miss his children’s birthdays, graduations, and any special events. He makes time no matter how impossible it is. For that, Lucian has a high regard for his father—but not enough to take his place when the time comes. “Where do you suggest we go?” Lucian asked. “First time in Berlin? Wow. Why didn’t that surprise me?” Georgina laughed. “Okay, you know what? Since it’s your first time in Berlin, I’ll treat you. Let’s go to Lemke am Schloss. I’ll drive us too, princess,” Georgina teased. She had been teasing him for a while, but he didn’t engage. Patience, Lucian. You wanted this, so stand by it. The need to have her and make her his is greater than any desire he has ever had. Lucian would stop at nothing.