Love Under The Gun

Aurora

“I’m just saying Rory…” Emily leaned back into the plush couch, running her fingers over the soft upholstery before crossing one of her legs over the other. “…I don’t see why you should be with a laptop in the middle of a fucking club when you should be celebrating your new role as the senior art curator,” she said bringing her glass to her lips.

Emily had insisted we go to the club tonight to celebrate my promotion and no matter how many times I declined, she didn’t take no for an answer.

I sipped my Pinot Grigio, nursing the cool glass between my fingers before dropping it on the stool beside me, “I already agreed to come to this place with you.” I lifted my gaze, meeting hers. “Isn’t that enough for you?”

My eyes wandered to the unfinished work on my laptop as she spoke, the screen glowing softly in the dim light. My gallery, Bella Vita, was always a whirlwind of activity. Tonight, I needed to finalize the catalog for our upcoming exhibition.

“Well…I tried.” She lifted her shoulders in a small shrug. “Don’t come running to me when you realize you’ve missed out on your life and it’s too late to do it all over again.”

“Noted.” I flashed her a wry smile, my fingers flying across the keyboard as I alternated between researching art market trends, updating the website and coordinating with artists.

“Oh come on…you’re not even going to have a little fun?” She nudged me, her voice rising over the pulsating music and chaotic energy of the main club that had faded into the background. I wasn’t exactly a fan of crowded places so I always ended up treating myself to the VIP lounge or renting a private room whenever Emily dragged me here. Tonight we went for the VIP lounge since Emily insisted we be around people this time.

“I am having fun…” I said setting my MacBook aside before picking up my glass again. “Just not the way you do it.”

“That’s an interesting way to put it,” a smile crept up her lips as the multiple colored light cast a soft glow on her face as she leaned back on the plush again.

I slowly shook my head taking another sip of my drink, letting its crisp acidity dance on my tongue. The flavors of green apple,pear and citrus all combined together in perfect harmony. The hint of floral notes also lingered long after I drank it, leaving a clean, citrusy finish. Nothing was more perfect in a wine than the impeccable balance of the subtle bitterness and its fruity sweetness.

“So…” Emily began dropping her empty goblet on the glass table before shifting closer and I didn’t need anyone to tell me to know that she had entered into gossip chatterbox mode. Sometimes I wonder how we became and were still friends. “…what did you say to your father?”

A scowl formed on my lips as I looked away from her gaze. “What else was I supposed to say to him?” I asked my eyes, drifting around, taking in the eclectic decor. The vintage Italian posters and the rich wood accents created a somewhat cozy ambiance.

When Emily didn’t speak up after a long pause, I turned to find her staring at me with a half-surprised half-disappointed look on her face. “I don’t have a choice,” I said with an impassive look as I poured myself another glass of wine. I always made sure I had nothing more than three glasses whenever I was out…but tonight? Well…let’s just say I made an exception.

“Yes you do, Rory,” she rolled her eyes letting out an exasperated sigh. “It’s your life not his…”

“And he wouldn’t suggest it if he knows it’s not the best for me…” I swirled my glass slowly watching the hay-gold liquid dance around in my glass. “Besides I’m his only child which automatically makes me his successor,”

“Yeah right…” she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “Like I haven’t heard where the Don hands down leadership to his trusted advisor or second in command and stuff like that…”

“Yes there are cases like that…” I waved my hand in midair. “…but stuff like that only happens when he doesn’t have a child or doesn’t want his child to take over…that doesn’t apply to my situation.”

“Ugh…” she let out a low groan. “I forgot how impossible it was to change your mind.” She lightly hit her forehead eliciting a grin out of me. Emily had been trying to talk me out of going ahead with my father’s proposal to make me the Mafia Princess of the De Luca Empire but just as she said, it was almost impossible to change my mind after I made my decision. Almost

I was about to say something when a notification popped up on my phone. It was an email from a reputable art dealer. My heart skipped a beat as I scanned the message. A rare Caravaggio painting had resurfaced, and the dealer wanted me to authenticate it.

My mind whirled. This could be the opportunity of a lifetime for Bella Vita. I quickly typed a response, scheduling a meeting for the next day.

As I hit send, a shiver ran down my spine. The club's noise receded, replaced by the thrill of the hunt. That thrill immediately vanished when I heard Emily’s words. “Doesn’t being Mafia Princess mean having to drop everything else including your Bella Vita?” She asked casually lifting one of her brows as she poured herself another glass.

“I’ll find some way to fix that.” I threw an exasperated look at the bottle of wine in front of me. Even though Emily had asked the question so innocently I knew she was still trying to change my mind. She knew how much I loved art and making my own money so she probably wasn’t happy when she heard I was going to become the Mafia Princess…but like I said, I’ll find a way to fix that. Maybe talk to my father or something…I just hope he listens.

I turned to find her eyeing me doubtfully before taking a sip from her glass. “I’m surprised you weren’t even mad at your Dad for hiding the fact that he was the Don of one of the most notorious crime empires.”

My jaw tightened. “He was doing it to protect me.”

“Okay…if you say so.” She raised her shoulders.

“You don’t like my father do you?” A smile threatened to form on my lips.

“Not one bit.” She said without meeting my gaze. “But it’s okay…as long as you’re cool with everything.” She said with a sigh.

I let out a small laugh as I shook my head leaning back on the couch. Emily and I kept the conversation going and when I say we kept the conversation going I mean I just sat there listening while Emily kept blabbing about her favorite Italian films and food and basically everything she loved about Italy. Despite our contrasting personalities, I was going to admit that I liked having her around even though she did get on my nerves sometimes.

Besides our dislike for annoying men and love for sweet treats the only thing we had in common was that we were both half Italian and we both spent more than half of our lives in a different country which was why the Italian culture was still new to us…well Emily and not me.

Unlike Emily who was born in England and spent literally her whole life there before moving to Italy with her mum after her parents got divorced - though she keeps saying she’s over it , I know deep down that she’s not - I on the other hand spent my childhood in Italy before father sent me to New York to study. Even though I ended up losing my accent in the process, it was still a wonderful experience. Although now I’m older I suspect he only did that to protect me from the dangerous Mafia world.

“And what makes you think you have a chance with me?” Emily arched her brow eyeing the man who sat opposite her with disgust. While we were both talking earlier he had interrupted us saying he wanted to talk to Emily. I was surprised she didn’t decline…I was guessing she wanted to toy with him a little bit, turns out I was correct.

Mr. Smooth talker wanna-be also had a friend with him who also sat beside me…but as usual I acted like he wasn’t even there and when he introduced himself and saw this was definitely not going to go anywhere, he left. Now I just had to wait for Emily to be done with this asshole and then we can leave.

“I’m sorry Antonio…” Emily said with a long drawl as she got up. “But my baby is waiting for me so I have to go,” She said, picking up her purse as I did the same following her outside. I glanced at the half-embarrassed half-angry guy sitting on the couch. He’s lucky I didn’t interfere…if not he was probably going to leave this club with one of his cheeks scarred.

“How do you even talk to people like that?” I asked as I got into my car putting on my seatbelt before grabbing the wheel. Even though Emily was allowed to drive here now and had her own license she still insisted I do the driving every single time. I would have complained…that is, if I had a problem with it.

“I was bored I guess,” Her shoulders lifted in a subtle shrug as she let out a small giggle.

“You know I’ll never understand how people like you derive joy from pretending to like a guy you know that you don’t,” I muttered to myself as I kept my eyes on the path but it was loud enough for her to hear.

“Because it’s fun.” She playfully nudged my shoulder and I glared at her. “Don’t worry you’ll get it very soon.” I was literally getting sick of hearing her annoying giggles over and over again. If we weren’t friends, I would have tossed her out of the car myself. Thank goodness I had reached her stop.

“Bye,” she blew me a kiss as she stepped out of my car. “Try not to miss me too much.” She wiggled her brows.

“Oh no…” my hands flew to my face as I faked a gasp. “…how will I ever survive without you?”

“You can always call.” She suggested playing dumb. I let out an exasperated sigh before driving off. My eyes drifted to the dashboard clock before shifting back to the road. 8:52

I always tried my best to get home before 9pm whenever I went out at night. It wasn’t like my father wouldn’t let me stay out that long…I was 24 for fucks sake and making my own money of course his rules didn’t apply to me anymore…but I was still living in his house…reasons best known to him…and I was still going to give him that respect since he was my father. Besides…there wasn’t….

“Hey! Look out!!” A loud scream pulled me out of my thoughts and without thinking I swerved around another car, my hands tightening around the steering wheel. When my car had finally come to a stop, I stared at the other car, narrowing my eyes as I tried to see through the tinted glass.

Suddenly the back window on the passenger side rolled down. “Watch where you’re going…” A cold voice rang out. “If you’re trying to kill your self there’s a cliff down that path…just don’t damage my car while you’re at it.”

I blinked rapidly, taken aback by his words. What the hell was wrong with this guy?!