Owning the Mafia Don

Proserpina

The large windows were open and the sunlight was now streaming in, gradually. Drapes in rich yellow hues danced in the gentle breeze coming in.

The rays of the sun fell on my children as they stood, side by side and it played on their golden curls. They stood like two golden angels in their overcoats and pyjamas, observing Paddy. The young fellow was looking away, lowering his head, focusing on a tiny piece of thread he had picked from his cardigan.

I felt my heart swell with pride. My son never failed to make me feel humbled. He was gentle and loving.

But Ria, ever the dictator, had to have the last word. Now she tapped her chin importantly and announced,

“Alright. He can play with us.’

“Off to the bathroom, kids,’ I stated in a no-nonsense tone and they raced away, hell-bent on exploring the house. Sophie followed them out, holding Paddy’s hand. Claude let out an ear-splitting wail, struggling wildly, clamouring, demanding to be taken to them but I soothed him wearily.

Schwartz had entered and stood, watching us.

“Your rooms are upstairs’ he said, coming to me, “and Sophie can have the room on the ground floor.’

I sighed. The coat I had been handed over on the flight by an attentive stewardess was heavy and warm.

“My clothes,’ I murmured, avoiding his searching eyes. I wanted to ask if I could speak to Lucien.

Gripping my upper arms lightly, Schwartz said softly,

“You understand, he had to do this, right?’ And as I looked at him, my eyes swimming with tears, he went on gruffly,

“Damn it, Proserpina. That man lives for you and the kids. But right now, you would be unsafe if you were with him.

‘I know, ‘I whispered, ‘but I miss him so much! And I worry about him, James, I miss him and I am scared, so very scared!!!’

He tipped my chin up and said, gruffly,

“Anyone can see that.’

Claude gave up trying to bring the house down with his screams and turned instead, to stare at the man beside me curiously.

Just then, the sound of Sophie clearing her throat awkwardly startled us. We moved apart, almost like guilty lovers.

Schwartz frowned at her and snapped,

“What is it?’ tiredness lacing his voice.

Sophie’s face was a mask set in stone but she said clearly,

“The kids’ clothes are in the large bedroom on the right. Is that where they are to sleep?’

I shook my head and said firmly,

‘My children will sleep with me. But the clothes can be kept in the large room.

As she turned to leave, I added,

“Thank you, Sophie.’

She turned, her expression softening and smiled.

Turning to Schwartz, who was looking at his phone, I asked,

“James, about break…’

He stopped me,

“All arranged. We’re getting pastries from a local bakery now but the others will be here in a few minutes. ‘

By others, he meant the rest of the staff.

Despite his tiredness, he grinned at me, eyes twinkling as he said,

“Proserpina, you are going to love the kitchen. ‘

I forced myself to smile in return. But my thoughts were with my man. I wished with all my heart for him to join us, as soon as he could…

***

Sophie

The house was magnificent. Crawling with bodyguards and all that but, that was meant to be. I mean, the family had just emerged safely from a situation where the kids had almost been kidnapped.

I had never been inside a house like this before, forget staying in one this huge!

Paddy seemed equally entranced. His mouth was set in a perfect O as he looked at the ceiling, the garden and the thick carpet.

Everything fascinated him.

I followed the twins to the first floor. There were three bedrooms on the floor. All the rooms overlooked the gardens. The kids had already chosen the room they wanted. It was by far the biggest and had been prepared for the children. A set of bunk beds were placed against one wall. Desks and chairs for the two of them were already in place.

The power of money and muscle, I thought, marvelling at the swiftness with which things had been put in place.

Ria was staring at me, her grey-blue eyes as cold and thoughtful as Lucien Delano’s

“Are you here instead of Shah?’ she asked her eyes narrowing in a familiar manner.

It was so similar to her father that I felt myself stiffen in fear.

“No,’ I replied, trying to wrap my head around the fact that this chit of a child, could make me feel so disconcerted.

“But I am here to help your Mum.’

“My Mumma,’ said Ria proudly, ‘is an excellent ( she said it as att-lent) cook. She works for the kwawledg [ I think she meant college!’] In Japan. She is the best Mumma ever.’

And then, “My Pappa loves her. But not as much as he loves me, of course.’

You bet, I thought, unable to hide my smile as I could see she was putting me in my place.

“That’s great!’ I said brightly

“Can you go to the kitchen and help my Mumma? See if she can make pancakes? ‘ said Ria, her manner that of a grand lady addressing the hired help.

Obviously, I thought, her mother’s niceness had not seeped down to her.

The boy, Piers, stood, watching me.

“Paddy can play with us. We will take care of him.’ He announced solemnly and I immediately took a liking to him.

Paddy had come up and stood, hiding behind me.

“Right then! Let me check with your Mumma.’ I said, turning. Ria was informing a bemused looking Paddy that her Mumma made the best pancakes it the world as I left the room.

I went down the stairs and stopped short at the door.

Schwartz was standing next to Proserpina, her chin in his long fingers. They looked like a pair of lovers, I thought suddenly, jealousy swirling in my heart,

She looked so lovely, achingly lovely. Her brown hair was in a long braid that hung down to her hips and had tendrils hanging untidily around her face, after the journey, She was wrapped in a heavy brown coat and the cranky baby was in her arms.

Another replica of the damned Mafia Don, I thought as the baby turned to glare at me, his blue-grey eyes icy with disdain. The adults in the room were oblivious to my presence. Schwartz was talking to her in a low, intense voice, his heart in his eyes as he spoke.

I need to break up this lovey-dovey scene; I thought fiercely , jealousy spearing my heart and cleared my throat loudly.

Schwartz’s head spun around and he dropped his hand. Proserpina turned to me, her eyes brimming with tears.

What was happening? I thought foolishly, an insane stab of jealousy coursing through me.

Were they in love with each other?