One To Remember - Pt. 1 (Patreon)

"Luciano, for once can you put business aside to spend time with your family?"

I roll my eyes as I load, aim, unload, and reload my gun. My name is inscribed in silver across the top.

Luciano

My father gave it to me years ago, and it's been my best friend, and an extension of myself ever since.

My mother always has this argument with him, but he never can. He's always busy. And now, he even drags me along with him. Halloween is three days away, and my mother has been begging him to take Caterina trick or treating. He insists it isn't safe. Which it may not be, but he has plenty of guards and he's the damn Don. He took out an organization with only him, and his two most trusted men. Romelo and Nicolai. He could make the time. He's always had a soft spot when it comes to Cat. But lately, he's been a little distant. And I have no idea why.

I look up when I see my mother storming out of his office with tears in her eyes, threatening to spill over. Nothing new there. I'll never understand the love she has for that man. But we were born in two separate roles of life. So maybe I never will. I quickly put my gun away as she walks past me, not wanting her to see me messing with it. She hates seeing the violent side of me. She wants me to stay her innocent little boy forever. Which I will always be her little boy. But the innocent part flew out the window years ago.

At the time, I didn't know what it was I was doing. I thought it was good. My father would beam with pride. Especially when it was quick, clean, and right between the eyes. But it was only when I went against his rule, and told my mother about it, not knowing what I was doing was wrong, and I will never forget that look of horror on her face. That heartbreak as she watched her little boys innocence disappear.

I don't miss the clumsy footsteps sprinting up the hallway where I am seated. I look up just in time to see Caterina running towards me with a huge smile on her face. In her hands is a costume. I smile sitting up waiting for her to reach me. My fathers features shine through on her face. While I got my mothers looks, she got our fathers. Which is going to make her intimidating as hell someday.

"Look! Look! It finally came in!" she shouts. I laugh.

"What?" I ask. She holds out the black fabric on the hanger. My smile drops a little when I see the costume she picked out. I look at her in confusion.

"A suit?" I say. She smiles brightly, nodding her head.

"Just like daddy. I'm gonna be a mobster this year!" she says. I nearly choke at the mention of our father's occupation. Cat's known about it for a few years now, but our father is trying his best to shield her from it. I have no idea why when he was all too eager to get started with me. But I guess Cat's different. She was under his desk when he had an interrogation in his office. She saw everything. Lucky for us, he just beat the man, and they realized she was in there before it was too late. But we still had to explain to her why he was doing what he was doing. And he insisted on telling her the truth, but not the whole truth.

"You didn't want to be a princess or something? " I ask. She's thirteen and already has outgrown her girly phase. She despises princesses. She hardly likes boy bands and other things girls her age should be into. She's more into violence and bloodshed.

"Ew no," she says turning on her heels. She makes her way to our father's office and stands in front of the door. She knocks twice, waiting for an answer. I shake my head, standing to go in search of our mother. I first check the practice room, but she isn't there. So I look around some more, and find her in the sitting room, in front of the fireplace. She has a cup of something steaming in her hand, as she stares blankly into the fire.

My mother is a beautiful woman. Her dark hair falls past her waist, and her bright almond eyes are complimented by the flames she's staring into. My sister and I got our father's cold gray eyes. But sometimes I wish more than anything I had gotten hers. They're so kind. And gentle. It would be one less thing of my father I Would have to carry around.

I step into the room, and she still doesn't realize I'm in here. It's something that I've never been able to comprehend. How she can be so oblivious to a body so close to her. I don't have that luxury. My father trained me to be an assassin.

"Mammina?" I say. She looks up, and all her worries disappear when she sees me as a beautiful smile graces her face.

"Luciano, is everything ok?" she asks when she sees my face. She's always able to read me so well. I nod my head though.

"Yeah I'm fine," I say. I sit down next to her, laying my head against her chest. She immediately wraps her arm around me, and soothingly pets my hair. I close my eyes, enjoying the moment. Eighteen years old and I still love cuddles with my mother. My father hates it when I'm like this. He says it makes me soft. But sometimes I just want to enjoy my mother. His mother was killed at a young age. Taken by a rival group to teach him a lesson. And my mother's mother.. well the same thing happened to her. But they never disclose the details of what happened to her specifically. Just that she was killed.

I would do anything to protect my mother. Anything.

"Why were you crying earlier?" I ask.

"Just... a disagreement with your father," she murmurs.

"Nothing to worry about," she adds. I stare into the fire.

"I'm sorry," I say. She looks down at me in confusion.

"What on Earth for?" she asks. I shrug.

"You deserve to be happy. It just makes me angry he's fucking it up," I growl before I can catch myself.

"Luciano!" she hisses in outrage. I sit up.

"I'm sorry. It just makes me so angry.." I try and defend myself but to no avail.

"Luciano, you can't be angry with your father. He's busy. He's protecting his family and doing whatever it takes to make sure it stays that way. Protected." She leans in giving me a kiss on my forehead.

"You'll understand one day," she says giving me a soft smile. But I can still see that sadness there. It must be hard having to watch your child become someone you don't know anymore. I open my mouth to respond, but I hear a door slam followed by frantic footsteps.

I catch a glimpse of Cat running by with tears in her eyes before she disappears in her room across the house. I look down. That bastard. He's making all the women in this house cry. My mother stands next to me and makes her way to Cat's room.

I get up with anger in my heart and make my way to my father's office. I push the door open without even knocking, and even though I am angry, that anger immediately falters when I see who is in his office. Romelo. He's always been quiet, and terrifying his gaze is stuck on me, unblinking, and unmoving.

"I trust you have good reason for coming in here unannounced, Luciano." My father's voice pulls me out of my fear-ridden trance. I walk up to his desk, and he sits back, watching me.

"Why do you have to go and make everyone cry in this house!" I say. He raises a brow at me but doesn't answer.

"You had mom crying, and Cat just went to her room crying, what'd you do! Why can't you be a normal husband and father? Why can't you just have feelings!" I say. He stares me down, and a small smile cracks his lips.

"Leave us for a moment," he says to Romelo. He bows slightly and exits the room, leaving me alone with my father.

"I can't help that my decisions make them upset, Luciano," he says simply. But he's watching me. My reactions. He's testing me. And I have no idea what for.

"What'd you say to Cat?" I snap. He stands, walking around his desk. I have to force my heartbeat to stay calm. My father senses fear. He shrugs.

"I told her I was busy," he says. I narrow my gaze.

"I don't believe you." He only shrugs.

"I can't change what you believe, Luciano," he says.

"Why can't you just take off one day for your family?" I say. His gaze narrows at that. I sound like mom. And he hates it when I sound like her."

"Because my family, is my life. If I take off, I can't protect them," he says. He's standing in front of his desk now, towering over me.

"Anything else, son?" I sense the underlying threat in his tone. I step closer to him, looking up at him making sure I'm looking him straight in the eyes.

"You owe Mother, and Cat an apology," I say before leaving his office. 

* * * * *

I knock twice before pushing open the door. Cat's sitting out on her balcony, staring at the world beyond. I step inside her room and make my way to the balcony. It's chilly outside, but she doesn't seem to notice or care. She has a sweater on and some shorts, and she's sitting in her "cozy chair".

"Hey," I say softly as I step out onto the balcony. She looks up at me and gives me a soft smile.

"Hey." She says. It's never been a secret that Cat admires me. She looks up to me and tried so hard to be like me. In the past, she's tried to fight me for our father's attention, but she doesn't know why he gives me all the attention.

"You ok?" I ask handing her a mug of hot chocolate. She takes it offering me a grateful smile.

"He wouldn't pay attention to me. Not even for a second." She looks at me.

"Is there something wrong with me, Luciano?" she asks. I feel anger towards my father, but push it down.

"No no no.. there is nothing wrong with you, you're perfect," I say.

"Dad's just an idiot. He has his priorities mixed up," I say. I take a sip of my cup, enjoying it as it warms up my body. It's silent.

"Can I tell you something?" I nod my head.

"Of course."

"I know what he does." She says. I don't respond. She looks at me though, and I feel a tinge of uneasiness because I don't see confusion or horror. But a small glimmer of excitement.

"I saw it. All of it. I saw him kill a man. Because he threatened our family." She looks down.

"Is that what you do, too Luciano?" She looks up at me.

"Is that why dad loves you so much?" she says. I blink in shock. I'm at a complete loss on what to say. This is a conversation for mom and dad. Not me.

"I.." I trail off. She laughs a little, taking a sip of her drink.

"He loves us both the same, Cat," I say. She shakes her head.

"He may love us both the same. But you get more attention. I'm tired of him treating me like a weak little girl." I laugh softly.

"Cat, you are a weak little girl," I say. She looks at me in anger, but I only shrug. It's true. She's young. Inexperienced. And a girl.

She gets up from her seat, and walks over to the balcony.

"I suppose your right."

* * * * *

Caterina

I sprint down the stairs, after checking my hair in the mirror. Straight like my mothers, eyes cold like my fathers. My father is one of the world's most notorious mob bosses. And for good reason to. He's a legend. He's done things that seem impossible. Him and his best friends. I walk down the stairs, and head into the dining hall. Mom and Luciano are already at the table, eating. Dad is nowhere to be found.

Me and my Dad used to be real close. But when I started asking questions, he distanced himself. He doesn't want me to be a part of the family business and I don't know why. Last night when I tried to tell him about my costume choice, he cut me off and told me he was too busy to deal with such trivial matters. He's never spoken to me like that. He was always excited in the past about it. Hell, he even took me shopping on occasion. But now, he just acts mean so he can get me out of his face.

"He's out training new recruits," Mom says before I can ask where he is. I nod my head, turning away from her not bothering for breakfast. Every day for the past few years, I sneak out to my father's training grounds and partake in his lessons. Not in front of him of course, I hide somewhere, and practice on my own, listening to his guidance.

He would be pissed if he knew, but he won't know for a long time. Not until I'm ready to show him. I pull on some warm clothes, and head outside. Everything is on the estate. Dad figured out a long time ago it's safer that way. So the training grounds are a few miles out. It takes me a while to get close enough so that I can see. I sit in my usual spot, and begin training.

* * * * *

Sparring sessions. Today is sparring sessions. I want more than anything to be out there with them. I want to show him what I can do. But I know he won't allow it. So I just watch. Picking up on everyone's tendencies. The ages range from at least 7 to 18. These are all the sons that will be taking over for their fathers one day. They will be under Luciano's rule when it's his time.

There's one boy that catches my eye. He's cute. Gorgeous actually. He has black hair, and it's wild from all the fighting. I can't make out his eye color from this distance. He has to be older than me too. I look at my father, and he has a looks of approval on his face as he watches the boy fight. He fights dirty. And I do mean dirty. He's throwing elbows when he gets the chance, and trying to take out his opponent. Even though they're sparring.

I flinch when he grabs his opponent in a headlock, and doesn't let go. Not even when he's tapping out. I look to my father in a panic, but he is just watching him. Looking for... something.

"Enough," he finally says. The boy lets go and my father begins speaking to both of them. That was strange.

I stand, and go ahead and head back to the house. My stomach is growling because I skipped breakfast.

* * * * *

My father finally comes back to the house around lunchtime. My mother is off doing God knows what, and Luciano had business to take care of. So I meet him at the door with a smile. He glances at me, murmuring a greeting and placing a kiss on the top of my head. He walks around me without so much of a second glance.

"Dad!" I call after him. He stops, looking my direction.

"Have you eaten yet?" I ask. He tilts his head slightly at me.

"No," he says.

"Well. I was wondering if you're not busy, if we could.. you know, eat something together," I say. He glares me down for a moment, and I swear he's about to tell me no. But he doesn't. He only shrugs and makes his way towards the kitchen.

"Sounds good," he says.

Somehow lunch got moved from the dining room to his office, so we're sitting and eating in silence. Well he's looking through paperwork of some kind.

"Hey dad, I was just wondering.. Some of my friends are having a Halloween party, and I was wondering if I could go?" I ask. He looks up from his work.

"You're not trick or treating this year?" he says. He sounds genuinely confused. I laugh.

"Of course not. I'm thirteen. Trick or treating is for babies," I say. His face morphs into an expression of amusement followed by sadness.

"I guess it is," he mumbles.

"You can go as long as Luciano accompanies you," he says.

"What? No Dad! Luciano is old, and it would be weird!" I say. His eyes don't move in my direction.

"Well, you're not going anywhere without a guard, Caterina." He says. I let out a huff.

"Dad, I can take care of myself," I say. He laughs.

"It's no secret that our lifestyle is dangerous. So forgive me if I don't jump at the chance to send my defenseless daughter into a crowded place without any kind of protection." He says.

"Dad, but I really can!" I say. He looks up now.

"You're taking Luciano, or you're not going at all," he says. And judging from his tone, there is no room for discussion. But I've never been one to back away from what I want.

"Dad, if you would just listen-"

"Caterina!" he snaps. Normally, I would cry. But today, I don't. I stand from my chair, and make my way to his desk, slamming my hands down.

"I can protect myself Dad. Let me fight one of your guys. I'll show you," I say with all the seriousness in the world.

He glares me down.

"I don't need them to protect me. I can use a gun. I can use a knife. I can use a wire. I can use my fists if need be. You've got to stop treating me like a child!" I say. In all my rambling I completely lose track of what I'm saying, and it isn't until too late that I realize I just gave myself away.

He's glaring at me. Unmoving. Unblinking. He slowly drops his papers. And sits back in his chair. I stand my ground, staring back.

"Ok," he says. 

* * * * *

Luca

My family is my life. I would die to protect them. All of them. My love for my daughter, however, is unlike anything I could have imagined. The moment I held her frail body in my hands, it made me wonder how Elise's father could just toss her aside like that. I swore from that moment on, that I would protect her no matter what. Even if that meant keeping her away from the ugly truth of the world.

I never thought in a million years I would be watching my thirteen-year-old daughter kick the ass of the boys her age. It's as if she knows their every move. I brought her with me to teach her a lesson, and it looks like she's teaching me one. She's growing up.

I don't want her going to a party. I wanted to tell her no. But how can you tell your daughter no? It's hard to do. So I threw Luciano and a guarding party in there knowing she'd refute. Then she popped out with she could fight and handle a gun and so far, she's proved me right.

7 out of 10 perfect shots with a gun.

8 out of 10 with a knife. Her throwing skills are through the roof and even though her hand-to-hand combat with a weapon is a little shaky, it could use some work.

And now that I threw her up against boys her age, well she's knocked out one, and beat two. Make that three.

I watch as she aims for his trachea, and immediately step in. Her palm collides with mine, and I take note of the power behind it. She would have done some damage. She has a smug look on her face. I don't like it. She knows she won. I look over the crowd of shocked faces, my eyes landing on just the right person. If Elise knew I was doing this, she'd have my head for sure.

"Marco," I say. He immediately stands and makes his way over to us. He's currently the top-ranked in here. And he is always improving. His parents are dead. He lives virtually alone. No attachments. No living relatives. He has a natural talent for this. And I'm about to put him up against my daughter.

"Dad." I look up when I see Luciano walking this way. Shit. He's always undermining me. Always trying to do things a different way. He has a look of concern on his face as he takes in Caterina and Marco. He knows Marco. He knows because he's always telling me how much he doesn't like Marco. He lacks empathy. 

"What's going on?" he says. I look to Cat.

"Your sister is proving she can take care of herself," I say. Luciano looks completely shocked, but Catering speaks up.

"Don't get involved," She snaps. He looks in shock from me to her. I face Caterina.

"I'll make you a deal sweetheart. You beat Marco, and you can go alone. Hell, you can even train with the men," I say.

"Dad-" Luciano pipes up behind me

"Ah-ah. Your sister said, Don't get involved," I say. All her life Caterina has challenged me. She'd win some, and I'd win some. But today, is about a lesson. A lesson of thinking you are ready when you're not. Now that I know she's capable, I know she's been doing this behind my back. And I know that I must put an end to her rebellion. Or it will only ever continue to spur her on.

I turn to Marco. He doesn't even flinch. But I can see the uneasiness in his gaze.

"Don't hold back," I say. I step off the mat, and back away from the ring. Luciano is next to me in an instant.

"Are you out of your fucking mind?" he hisses.

"No," I say. A small part of me is hoping she will beat him. But Marco has not only age on her, but height as well as muscle mass. I know he'll win.

Caterina doesn't even look nervous. While I am angry, I'm also proud. She's a natural. I had been trying to shield her from this world, but it looks like she was made for it. Question is, how long can she last. She gets in a fighting stance, and Marco watches her with a steady gaze. He isn't nervous in the least.

"Begin," I say.