FIONA
Giovanni ordered me to go on a ride with him; it made me nervous. Sharing a limo space with him was sickening.
"Where are we going?" I asked Giovanni.
"I want to show you something important, cara mia." Giovanni spoke.
The black limo pulled at the harbor, darkness covered the skies, street lamps were lit and the entire place was empty except for boats and warehouses.
We got out of the limo and approached an abandoned looking warehouse. "This is where our operation is based. We import special cargo, distribute them to our special clients across the country."
A bodyguard unlocked the gate and we stepped into the dark room. The guard lit a flashlight.
"What kind of special clients?" I asked. "Like selling drugs and stuff to them?"
Giovanni chuckled. "You're remarkably naive. No."
The bodyguard unlocked a crate; it was filled with hay. He pushed it aside, and I spotted wrapped bags. He pulled out a single cigar and gave it to Giovanni.
"Ah, Morano's Blend. Specially made overseas, it's very popular among our partners and makes a lot of profit for the family." Giovanni explained, holding it out to me.
"I've never heard of it." I ran a thumb across the wrapper and glared at Giovanni. "I'm no expert, but I believe untaxed tobacco is pretty illegal."
From the glare of the flashlight, I could see Giovanni roll his eyes. "It's a goldmine; we bring it in, package it, and distribute it through strict networks. It's high in demand; it's not bad being the only supplier either."
"I don't care," I grumbled tightly.
Giovanni led me towards the exit. "Come, cara mia."
As we walked along the docks, I hugged myself, helpless to run away.
"Fiona, you think of your family as criminals, but it's never the case. This harbor is the lifeblood of our operation, and without it, we would be nothing."
They were criminals.
"I'm going to tell you something." Giovanni began, and as we stopped, I stared at the ocean ahead. "Our family built this harbor decades ago, and then those bastard McGregors stole our land."
I turned to give him a curious look. "McGregors?"
He nodded. "You and Kane are lovers, I take it?"
I scoffed, blood rushed to my cheeks. "That's none of your business and why should I care about all of this?"
""This is your legacy, Fiona," Giovanni said firmly "Do you want to make a difference in this world, Fiona, or be forgotten, like a tumbleweed? The McGregor's are corrupt and dishonest, and I refuse to let them control my harbor. It'll be over my dead body."
I clutched my fingers together. "Kane's not like that."
Giovanni stared at me. "He's a spoiled and entitled young man who lacks insight. He's also a weakness that I want to exploit. As a condition for your freedom, you'll make Kane McGregor hand over this harbor to us."
* * * * * * * *
KANE
"I can't believe she lied to me!" Kane hissed in outrage. The memory of kissing Fiona and even having intimate thoughts about her body, burned in his mind as he strolled down the hallway to his father's office.
He wondered how the daughter of Fiona Spinelli ended up working as a lowly waitress or even having average parents in the first place, then it hit him. Giovanni Spinelli probably hired them and the restaurant could be their territory.
He grunted in disbelief, imagining Fiona and Giovanni laughing at his expense. The humiliation was unbearable.
His father was already sitting at his desk when Kane walked in.
"Hi Dad, I got your message." Kane replied in a glum tone. "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes," Carl replied darkly. "Have a seat."
Kane sighed, drew back a chair, and settled down. "What is it?" He asked.
"There are rumors circulating Boston, Kane." Carl began. "That Giovanni may have a daughter."
Kane's gut tightened, but he shrugged. "So? What's that got to do with anything?"
"Under normal circumstances I wouldn't be bothered about the Mafia Boss's children, but I had this girl investigated. I can't find anything on her; it's as if she appeared out of thin air." Carl explained.
Kane looked away. "Maybe."
Shame washed over Kane; his family's rival had gotten the best of him, but it would be the last time.
"She's a potential threat, Kane."
"I don't know; she's just one person. If we haven't heard from her besides Vincenzo and Dante, then there's nothing to worry about."
"Fiona was seen at the harbor earlier today."
"What?"
Carl pulled out a red folder from his drawers and handed it to Kane. Kane flipped it open; there was a glossy photograph of Fiona simply walking down the harbor, flanked by two men.
"Those two are soldados, no doubt." Carl explained and rose to his feet.
Kane stood. "What did she do at the harbor?"
"My sources say she was there to negotiate business with that sailing yacht rental…The Poseidon?" Carl noted.
"The Poseidon's a modest yacht Dad, and its owner is unlikely to consider selling."
"He did. Mr. Henderson is relocating to Florida and has decided to sell. Although he didn't provide details, I believe he was under pressure."
"What the hell?"
"I'm uncomfortable about this situation, Kane, we need to address it. I want you to meet with her."
Kane let out a grunt of disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me, Dad."
"It would be me, but I have to maintain boundaries. You've always had your way with women; find out who she is and a lot more." Carl insisted.
Kane rubbed his face and felt a bead of sweat drop down his forehead. The persona Fiona had presented to him wasn't genuine. He wondered whether to reveal the truth to his father.
Kane stared at Carl deliberating on a choice.
Carl shrugged and spoke up. "What? I thought you would like a challenge, Kane. You're going to be President of the company someday, if you want to get rid of these Mafia roaches, start with her."