Chapter 82
1016words
"Yes," she answered.
"It was William. He was trying to kill me." The more I repeated those words, the more I realised how crazy William was. I did nothing to him.
"What!" Kevin shook his head, "That boy is getting out of hand, we'll need to get a restraining order against him."
Hannah shook her head, "Restraining orders aren't always effective. Norma, a mom who was a regular at the Center, filed one against her ex. He killed her two days after."
My mom tensed in my arms, "He won't get to hurt me again." I assured her.
"How do you know that?" my mother asked.
"Zuria was the one driving the car. Her son was also in the car." Valdo replied, but It wasn't the answer my mom wanted, "Zuria was married to a Don. Her family is the biggest Italian mafia in New York. Her brother-in-law just left. He's going to make William pay for putting his nephew's life in danger."
"The Giovannis'?" Kevin questioned. Valdo responded with a nod. "He's dead meat. The Giovanni family is all about family, and they don't believe in hurting women and children." I looked at Kevin surprised that he would know about a mafia family. His other words started to register a few seconds after.
Giovanni
Protect Woman and Children.
The memory of the night in the park came back to me.
He lifted his gun and pointed it straight at my head as he did with the man in the hoody. It seemed like everything was happening in slow motion.
I started to whimper. "Please.." I begged with my eyes closed. But it was no use. He pushed the hammer down. Before he could pull the trigger, one of the other men spoke.
"She's just a child, and she's pregnant." he sighed. "If Don Giovanni hears about this, he will not be pleased. We don't kill women and children."
"The men who robbed me worked for The Giovannis." I voiced my thought.
"Huh?" Valdo asked with a frown.
"I remember, they only let me go because Don Giovanni doesn't believe in killing woman and children."
"Sounds about right," Kevin said.
Valdo look at me, "So we're together because some of Niccolo's gang members let you go?" Valdo chuckled, "I guess I should thank the bastard after all."
I smile at his words.
"So no more William?" my mother asked.
Valdo smiled at her, "No more William."
"What about his father?" she questioned.
Eric walked into the room, "He was arrested last week for fraud." he gave my mother a strange look before turning to me.
"How are you feeling?"
I smiled, "I'm okay. How did you find out about the attack?"
He looked at my mother, "A very concerned mother called saying you might need a lawyer."
"Not anymore. William caused the accident. Zuria was in the car." Valdo inserted.
Eric raised his brows, "Zuria Giovanni? Gabriele's wife?"
"That's the one."
"Well, your problem is solved. Zuria Giovanni is forbidden territory. Gabriele might be dead, but he's still protecting his wife. She's worth billions. Why do you think she's been single ever since his death? She's the one protecting all his wealth. She's the real criminal mastermind."
I frowned, "What do you mean?" Zuria was sweet and friendly.
"She's one of the best computer programmers in the world," he answered.
"How do you know all that?" Valdo asked.
"She was my foster sister for two years." The whole room went silent, and by the look on Valdo's face, he didn't know about their relationship either. "She was twelve when she moved in with us. We became friends in the two years, but after I left for college she had a massive argument with my parents, and she was transferred to somewhere else. Her new foster parents were dealing with some Russians, and they found out that she could program. She had to run away to protect herself. Too many people found out about her talent, and they wanted to exploit her. She had to be constantly moving until she met Gabriele. His was family was the only one powerful enough to protect her from the Russians."
"Wow, that's a handful," I whispered.
"She's been through a lot," he added.
"You seem close to her." my mother added. I could hear the jealously in her voice.
Eric looked at my mom, "She's my little sister, and I'm Alessandro's godfather."
"Wow, you just opened a whole closet of things I didn't know about Zuria," Hannah mumbled.
Eric turned to her, "She's still the same selfless Zuria. I shared her story because all of you deserve to know what she's gone through. Who she really is. She's no longer involved in the business affairs of the Giovanni Family. She got clean once Gabriele died."
"But they still protect her."
"Of course. She's produced an heir for their emperor. They'll always protect her."
...........................
"All right, on my count. One...Two...Three..."
I smiled into the camera for the tenth time.
Valdo sighed and removed the camera from his face. "She still didn't look or smile."
I took a deep breath and released it, "Well, we can cross model off the list of professions that she'll be interested when she gets older." For the past thirty minutes, Valdo and I have been trying to take a picture of Jamaica. She smiled for the first time this morning when Valdo went to pick her up. I missed her first smile, but Valdo was convinced she smile again soon. So we put on our best clothes and took out the digital camera.
She hasn't smiled once.
"I think I should try. Maybe she likes me more." Valdo joked.
"If she liked you more she wouldn't have been crying for my breast forty-five minutes ago."
Valdo smirked, "Those are some good breasts." he winked, "We both know she isn't the only one who has cried for those breasts."
My face turned a shade of pink, and I laughed, "Can you just take the photo, please?"
