Welcome to the third part of my mafia series. If you haven't read the first two, I would advise that they be read first.

Disclaimer: E L James owns everything fifty. All other characters belong in my head.

Like all my other stories, this one is UN-bettered so any mistakes are my own.

CPOV

The bullets flew over head in their desperate attempt to stay alive. It was fruitless though as they were surrounded and their numbers quickly diminishing. It wouldn't be long until this job was done and I was back with my girls.

I crouched down, reloading my gun and felt the air from a bullet over head. That was close, too fucking close as I turned to fire again. My first bullet hit its intended target as the coward tried to run. He was on the floor, trying to crawl now so I hit him again and again, until he was finally still.

"Shooter in the trees, north of the building" Theo called out through the earpiece, before the firing started up again in that direction.

The building before us was burning, the screams from inside had long since silenced. There was a small tower just behind it that was occupied, although the shooter up there had been quiet for sometime. Quiet, since our last rally of bullets had been aimed his way. He could be dead but I wouldn't take any chances until I knew for certain. It was supposed to be a look out post to stop the enemy approaching although a fat lot of good it did them tonight. Someone had dropped the ball, much to our advantage.

Using the trees for cover, I moved closer to the tower. I could hear movement above me, letting me know what I had suspected. Standing underneath, I emptied my remaining bullets into the wooden floor above, screams piercing the air. Reloading again, I made sure he was silenced for good.

I moved back further from the building, the flames licking up the outside walls. Add to that, the Italian heat and the temperature was rising quickly. I looked over to Mac who was taking cover near the garage. From my position, I could see him signal two.

There were two guy's left out here, unless they had run back into the building for cover. A drugs factory or it used to be anyway.

"Two left, if our information is correct. Keep your eyes open everyone and spread out" Mac said, through the earpiece.

An explosion shook the whole compound then as we all hit the floor. A giant fireball lit the air as debris flew everywhere.

"The large farm shed in the back has just gone up, seemed to be full of gas canisters" Luca said, from his position.

A gunshot rang out then, followed by a scream.

"Theo, Matteo check in."

"I have one more as well as the shooter from before, one dead, one very mouthy" Theo said before we heard a grunt. "Tape him, that will shut him the fuck up."

"Matteo" I said, hearing nothing. "MATTEO CHECK IN."

This was a large area we were in, nothing else for miles and we still had one unaccounted for. Remain detached when you're on one of these jobs was what I was always told when I was younger. It's not as easy as it sounds, when it's your children out here.

"What was Matteo's last position" I said, moving through the trees, not knowing which way he had gone. Only when he spoke, did my steps falter and I finally took a breath.

"I'm here Dad" he said, in between coughs. "Near, what was a shed."

We slowly moved around the building, using the large trees as cover. My son was on the floor, half buried under debris and what looked like one of the shed sides that he was trying to push off. He had obviously used it for cover and with that now gone, he was out in the open.

"Eyes, pealed everyone, we have one left to find. Those closest to the site of the explosion, cover Luca and Matteo. Everyone else, spread out. I don't want him getting away." Mac said, through the earpiece.

We watched Luca, who was already on his way to his brother before Mac had even spoke. He pulled the piece of metal off Matteo's legs before helping him back to the treeline.

I continued slowly towards where my boys were crouched down, gun armed and ready. Any sudden movement would get someone shot at the moment, especially if they got in my way.

"Matteo."

"I'm fine Dad, I was a bit to close to the shed when it went up. I singed my favourite jacket though."

"That's easily replaced, you're not."

I patted him on the shoulder, looking at all the carnage around. Mac had made his way over to where Theo was. His gun aimed at the guy's head as he held his blood soaked leg. This was his operation so we moved out to cover him, still looking for the other man.

We had been to Caccamo hundreds of times over the years and it wasn't the first time we had helped Mac while we were here.

I mentally checked my boys over again. A scratch on any of them and I was in deep shit with my wife. This was our vacation, one I was looking forward to getting back to but when someone tries to mess with our family, they're dealt with.

All the family's that worked in Sicily had gotten together against a gang that had come from the mainland. Money laundering, trafficking and drugs. They had tried to push it all through the island. I don't think they had expected the resistance after being run off the mainland by other families and groups but they obviously hadn't done their research because anyone they met in Italy, was nothing when it came to the Mancini's.

Mac had been brutal, especially when they had targeted Sofia. You don't touch a Princess and having two who were hopefully sleeping and not fretting for our return, I knew how precious they were.

"Dad, where's Granddad?" Luca asked me as we had done a full circle of the compound and this guy still had not been found.

Come to think of it, I hadn't seen Frankie since we had arrived and now with all the noise gone, I realised he was the only one who hadn't checked in.

"Frankie, check in" I said, not hearing anything but static.

Mac looked over to us, ignoring the bleeding man at his feet for a second as he looked around the area for his best friend.

"Boys spread out further, guns drawn" I told them as Theo came with me around one side of the burning building and Luca and Matteo went around the other.

"Leo, have you seen Frankie" I asked. He had taken over the Costa family when his father had passed away.

"Last time I saw him was just after we arrived."

"GRANDDAD" Theo shouted into his earpiece, looking around.

"I'm coming, don't rush me" I finally breathed a sigh of relief, when he came into sight.

"Fuck Granddad, don't scare us like that. God you stink."

"I'm fine, and don't swear" he said lightly flicking my sons ear, before dropping the man at our feet. "He decided to hide in a drain just at the edge of the compound. You try dragging a soaked man up the hill when you're my age."

"Never mind Theo swearing, wait until mum or Isabella see you" Matteo said, as he came to join us.

"All in a day's work, although I'm getting too old for this shit and I'm in desperate need of a shower." His shirt was ripped and he had a bruise coming on his cheek but by god did he smell.

"Yes, old man. Time to retire" Luca patted his grandfather on his back.

"Old man. Would you Youngstown do me a favour then and get rid of this trash" he said, kicking the man with his boot.

"Our pleasure" my twins said, picking the man up, who soon joined the others in the fire.

The look out tower was climbed by one of Mac's men who threw the body into what was left of the building. If the bodies weren't riddled with bullets, the gas explosion could be put down to the cause of the fire. We will be out of Italy long before anyone sifts through this mess though.

We stood back, watching the building burn, making sure it was ash before we left. We were so far out that it would take hours for any fire service to get here but we needed to make sure that only the building burnt and not the surrounded trees.

"Come on, let's go home" Mac said as the sun was starting to come up and the new day dawned.

We were on our way to where we had parked the cars hours earlier, when I turned my phone back on. Ana knew I had to have silence out here and seeing no message's or alerts from my wife, meant everything was fine back home.

Morning Princess, we're on our way home. I love you xx – Christian

We were in the car, when my wife's message came through.

I love you too, Christian. Are you all ok, I missed you this morning xx – Ana

I miss you too Ana, I thought. There is nothing better than waking up in the morning with my wife's naked body wrapped around mine. Even after 21 years of marriage, I still cannot get enough of her.

The boys are fine. Your Dad has a few scrapes but nothing he will need to see a doctor for, although a shower is essential. I miss you too Ana. How's my little Princess xx – Christian

At the moment, she's watching the dogs run around the garden. I think the dogs think the hill was made for them to roll down xx – Ana.

They're Hugo's descendants after all – they've all inherited the crazy gene xx – Christian.

You're not wrong there. I will prepare Isabella and let her know she has an incoming patient. Have a safe flight home. Love you xx - Ana

Love you too Princess, see you soon xx – Christian

We pulled up to the small airfield, our jet already waiting for us. There wasn't a seat free, just like when we had arrived here which was a relief as we were determined that everyone would get back safely.

The flight took off and we could all finally take a breath of relief. Frankie was soon into the bathroom, thankfully taking the smell with him.

Looking to my sons who were all laughing together, I smiled. They were all given the choice, like I was to join the family business and neither of them hesitated to say yes. Ana wasn't sad that they had chosen this life. She had known like I, a long time ago, that this is what they would choose. Theo turns 21 this year. Like always he has shown great leadership skills so I think once his birthday has passed, he can have his own crew. He has friends that have been with him since kindergarten, friends that he brought into the business so I know they will be his first choice. With the twins at 19, they're not that far behind.

My baby girl on the other hand, gives me the grey hairs that seem more prominent as the days go on. At fifteen, she's a double of her mother and seems to be a magnet for the boys. She just brushes them off, thankfully more interested in her studies as she wants to follow in her mother's footsteps and one day become a doctor. Like her mother also, she doesn't realise how beautiful she is.

"Hey Granddad, are you babysitting this weekend" Luca teased Frankie.

"Of course I am, do you think I would leave my little Princess with you. Theo yes, as he is responsible. You two on the other hand, would have her nose pierced and tattooed before your parents came back."

"Over my dead body" I heard Theo say from his seat.

He is still very protective of his sister, that has not changed since the day she was born. Sometime, I feel as if we have two sets of twins in the house as they're all incredibly close.

Feeling the wheels touchdown was such a relief. I was in desperate need of a shower and in desperate need of my wife.

"Thanks for your help" Leo said, shaking my hand.

"Anytime, hopefully people will think twice about coming onto the island."

"There will always be someone, just like Seattle."

"Tell me about it."

I said goodbye to his men, before we made our way to the cars.

The families were split as we went our separate ways. Sofia and Isabella were staying with my wife and daughter as it was easier to guard all the girls together.

"I hope Ori is awake" Luca smiled.

"In that house, once Lucy is awake, everyone is awake" Theo told him.

I smiled, watching my youngest son, thinking how funny things turned out. When a ten-year-old comes to his parents and tells them that he had met his wife and was just waiting until he was old enough to marry her, most would laugh and brush it off. Not in this family, we marry for life and even at that age, we knew Luca was serious. Funny how Oriella was the same girl who had tried to kiss him in preschool and he chased her away with his bogies. It was soon him chasing her as they got older. Friendship came first until the summer between 6th and 7th grade when he had made his intentions clear. She had kissed him on the cheek and told him that he should ask her to be his girlfriend first before he proposes and they have been inseparable ever since. Her father although Italian is a complete bastard, causing a bruise to her face when she was fifteen. I don't think he appreciated a visit from my son and I very much but having one from my wife, would have been much, much worse. Oriella is part of our family, she's protected just like my girls and I will not stand for anyone touching her, even her own father.

Pulling up through the guarded gates, we were finally home. As we got out of the cars, the sound of barking greeted us. I don't think there will ever be a time when this family doesn't have dogs as they are not just for security, they are a companion, a friend. The ones that pass are never forgotten over the years, our family just gets bigger.

"Daddy" Lucy comes running out the door and into my arms.

"Hey baby girl, are you ok."

"I'm fine, are you" she grabbed my face, moving it this way and that, to check for any injury's.

"I'm fine Luciana, not a scratch on me" I smiled as she let go, kissing my cheek.

"Good."

She was soon hugging her brothers as I made my way over to my wife.

"You're late for breakfast" she said, smiling.

"I know but I did send a message."

I crashed my lips down onto hers, wrapping my arms around her tight. Ana was my home, my safe haven and the one who I know will always be here waiting for me.

"Love you" I mumbled against her lips, in-between kisses.

"Love you so much" she whispered, stroking my face.

I finally relinquished Ana so she could check on the boys. I watched her hug Luca and Theo, before she turned to Matteo

"What happened" she asked, seeing his singed jacket.

"Mum, I'm fine" he said, hugging her.

Like my wife though, fine isn't enough.

"Really fine" she said, slowly pulling his sleeve up to reveal a burn on his arm. "Matteo" she whispered, looking to our son.

"Mum."

"No, inside now."

We all followed them into the house as my tiny wife pulled our six foot son.

"Why didn't you tell your Dad or your brothers. I know for a fact that you didn't say anything otherwise this would have at least been cleaned by now and your Dad would've told me as soon as you arrived" she said, pushing him into a seat at the table.

"Mum, Dad it's a small burn. I'm fine. I know you're both overprotective and don't even deny that. If I had said I had a burn out there, I would have felt like a wining pussy. Don't show the enemy weakness is what you always told me Dad."

He realised what he had said, when his mother got in his face.

"I don't want to hear that word from you. Getting hurt is not showing weakness. We have all been hurt at one time or another. We fight to survive and then we deal with the injury. You don't sit on a plane ride and let it fester. If you had got an infection in it, you would lose a lot more than your stupid pride. Yes, your father and I are protective, even in this world. Get used to it."

"She's right son" Frankie said, walking back into the room with Isabella. I don't think she was happy with the state he was in either.

"What the hell happened to you Dad, Christian said a few scratches."

"Hey focus on your son, not me" he said, trying to divert the attention back to Matteo.

She turned back to our son, removing his jacket which she threw angrily to the floor.

"Mum."

Ana ignored him, slowly cleaning his burn and made sure that there were no bits of the material on his skin.

"Mum, please."

She looked up to his face, tears swimming in her eyes.

"I'm sorry mum, I'm sorry" he wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tight. "I'm sorry, I Love you mum."

"I Love you too son, now let me sort this arm out."

Ana wiped her eyes before she dressed the wound as Rocco settled down on his owners discarded jacket.

It took less than five minutes then for Ana to finish his arm and even less time than that for him to open a can of beer from the fridge.

"I needed that" he said making his mother smile.

"If you get an infection, you will be on antibiotics so there will be no more of that. Do I need to sort anyone else out while I have my bag out?"

"I'm fine sweetheart, although I could do with a nap" Frankie told her.

I made my way over to the fridge, taking a can of beer from it too.

"To a successful mission" Matteo said, tapping his can against mine.

"Yes and to sons who will start telling their parents when they get hurt" I told him. He sighed, nodding before taking a drink.

The boys disappeared to their bedrooms, all tired now they were home and could relax. I said hello to Oriella before she disappeared with Luca to their room.

Mac and Sofia, followed by Frankie and Isabella left for home shortly after that. We were all exhausted, knowing none of us had slept for the past few days and even though Ana and Lucy were here, I doubt that Ana would have slept much either.

I was sat finishing off my beer on the terrace, knowing that a shower and bed was beckoning soon, when I felt a furry head rubbing against my leg.

I looked down to see Milo, wanting his ear rubbed. I knew another dog who did that. Hugo.

Stroking his ear, I thought about Milo's great grandfather Hugo. The dogs we have now are the third generation from my wife's best friend, being nearly 13 years since we lost the old man. He passed where he had started his life with our family, by my wife's side. He had brought his rabbit outside on a warm summer evening, passing it to Ana before settling at her feet. He left us as he fell into an eternal sleep, leaving Ana his rabbit to cherish. I don't think I could ever forget Ana's cries as she pleaded with him to wake up. We could see it coming as he had gotten slower in the weeks before, sleeping instead of running around like he always did. It didn't make it any easier though when we finally had to say goodbye.

"Have you been on guard" I asked Milo as he turned over, stomach showing.

"Yes, he has. Sprout on the other hand has been gassing us out" Lucy said, coming out to join her mother and I on the terrace.

"What do you expect when your brother named him Sprout."

"He should've named him skunk, we had to open all the windows. My grandma was here and even she had to sit outside" Ana laughed as I joined her.

I loved being home again and I could breathe easily knowing my family was under one roof.

"Do you have to go off again Dad" Lucy said sadly as she lay on the sun bed. Gizmo, Luca's dog sleeping on her feet, now he had been locked out of their bedroom.

"No sweetheart, well apart from when I take your mother away this weekend. We will all be here together" I smiled down, kissing Ana's head, who was cuddled into my side.

"Good. I don't like it when we separate, it makes me nervous."

"If you're worried about something, speak to us" Ana told her.

"I'm fine mum, I just like to know my family is safe."

She got up from the chair, Gizmo getting comfortable now he had more room and walked towards the door.

"I'm going to speak to Gabriella."

"Ok, keep it down. Your brothers have probably gone to bed" Ana told her, before she disappeared into the house.

"Come shower with me Princess" I asked, getting up from the chair and held my hand for hers.

She immediately took it as we made our way up the stairs, leaving the dogs behind to guard the house.

Ana started the shower as I stripped away my clothes. Once naked, I removed my wife's clothes and stepped under the spray.

Ana picked up the shampoo, washing my hair before I put it back under the water. She washed my body, doing her mental checks that I was ok. Something she does every time I have been away with work.

"You're ok" she whispered, kissing her name over my heart.

"I'm fine Ana" she looked back at me hating that word. "I am Ana."

"What happened to Matteo."

"There was a shed out the back that we didn't realise until it went up, had gas canisters in. Matteo was too close when it exploded."

"Oh god, I told him off" she said, putting her hand over her mouth.

"Princess if you hadn't, I would've. He should've told me he was hurt. Taking the boys with me, I trust them to tell me if something is wrong. Matteo messed up today and he had to deal with you instead of me."

"No matter how old they are or tower over me, they're still our little boys. The same as Lucy is our baby girl."

"I know Princess."

It was my turn to wash Ana then, running my fingers through her long hair as she closed her eyes. I brought my hands up to cradle her face, bringing her lips to mine.

"I love you Ana" I whispered, lifting her up as she wrapped her legs around my waist.

Pushing inside Ana, I groaned at being joined with her again. Slowly moving inside my wife, I knew it would drive her crazy before long.

"Christian move" she demanded, urging me to go faster and harder.

"Your wish is my command Princess."

Pulling almost all the way out, I thrust inside her. I made love to my wife, bringing each other the pleasure we had missed for the past few days. There was no better feeling in the world than having my wife, wrapped around me.

Together we pushed each other further and further to our peak, falling over the edge together.

"I love you Christian."

"Love you Princess, I need to wash you now. I got you all dirty."

She giggled as I washed her body, making sure every inch of her was clean.

I kissed the back of her shoulder, where her only tattoo lay. It was a small circle with our children's names around and mine in the middle.

"Do you ever think they will realise what that is" Ana asked, as she turned to face me.

"One day maybe, especially now they're in the family business."

Ana's tattoo covered the bullet wound that she received as a child. She has wanted to spare them the horror of her childhood, especially as they grew up. The day will come when they find out and I know with how protective the children are of their mother, the fallout will be huge.

"I just want to protect them."

"I know Ana. They're a lot older now, they will understand more."

We got out of the shower. Taking the towel from the rack, I dried Ana before she did the same to me.

"Come to bed for a bit Ana, Lucy will let us know if she needs something. She's let the whole island know."

Climbing into bed, I pulled Ana into my side. It was my turn to rest my head on her chest, her heartbeat sending me to sleep.

I woke just after 4pm alone, relaxing for a few minutes. I could hear the dogs barking and my daughter's laughter so I knew she was ok. This place was like a fortress, with high walls on all sides. The security dramatically upgraded over the years but it has been needed.

I could smell it as soon as I hit the bottom of the stairs. Tiramisu. After all these year, I still cannot get enough of it. Ana still ran the bakery as well as her job as a doctor, settling into both more as the children grew. She still loved both jobs, refusing to choose between them and she shouldn't have too.

I heard another voice as I walked into the kitchen.

"He's awake."

"Ciao Antonio."

"How did it go" he asked me.

"Well apart from Matteo getting hurt, very well."

"Stubborn that one but I'm surprise they're all not like that. They do have Grey, Mancini, Lambert and Trevelyan blood running through their veins. Stubbornness in ingrained."

"Thank god, I don't have the Grey part then as I missed the stubbornness gene" Ana said as Antonio and I looked at each other before laughing. "Hey, shush unless you don't want feeding tonight."

"Princess, you're the most stubborn person I know when you don't want to do something."

"Aren't you glad of that" she smiled, kissing my lips.

"Definitely."

"Hey no smooching in the kitchen, I'm trying to make a masterpiece here" Lucy told us as she finished off the tiramisu she was making.

"Granddad are you staying for dinner."

"No, your grandmother said she was making us something. No matter how long we have been married or how old we get, she still wants to fatten me up" he smiled.

"Take some dessert then."

"And that's not going to fatten him up more" Lucy laughed.

"Rule number one in this family. You never say no to dessert."

"I love this family" Lucy smiled.

"Me too sweetheart" Antonio told her, kissing her forehead.

Ana packed some dessert for him before we watched him leave. He still has a lot of problems with the leg to which he was shot but he still won't stay still no matter how tired he get. He takes a walk up to Carlotta's grave every morning to spend some time with his daughter and I can't see him stopping doing that anytime soon.

Oriella came in through the front door, carrying bags of groceries. I released her of the burden, placing them on the counter.

"Princess are we having a party" I asked, seeing all the food in the bags.

"No, but we're leaving three hungry boys in the house and I'm not having Lucy or Oriella cook for them while we're gone."

"I get that, but we are going for a couple of day, not a couple of months."

She laughed, moving me out of the way so she could put the food in their respective places.

"I need to take you grocery shopping more often Christian, you will find out then that this is enough food for just a couple of days."

I suppose with four men in the house, the food disappears. Lucy, thank god has a healthy appetite too and doesn't want to be one of those dressed stick insects that she sees in magazines.

Having my family all around for our very loud dinner, laughter was aplenty. We were sat on the terrace eating spaghetti as the sun started to fade.

"What are we doing tomorrow" Lucy asked.

"Whatever you want Lucy as long as a beach is involved, along with some swimming."

"Sound perfect Dad" she said, turning to me laughing.

"Yes, I can continue to teach Oriella how to stand on that board."

"Luca as long as that board is on the sand, I'm an expert. Put it in the water and you have no chance" Oriella told him, laughing.

"Sound familiar" I smiled, kissing Ana's lips.

We toasted to another meal where we were all safely together. I was looking forward to some alone time with my wife but for now, I was content to be here surrounded by my children.

Thank you for reading.

It's good to be back writing this family again. As you've read, I couldn't lose the grandparents. Hugo was hard enough.

Until next time, take care.

Caroline.