Here you go! Another chapter! Enjoy!


The guests greeted, dinner was declared served. People rushed into the huge adjacent dining room and to their respective seats. There were all kinds of people there, that evening. Entire families had been invited: people who owned small businesses, movie stars, musicians, politicians, judges, CEOs and so on. Robin was surprised he had recognised a few of his idols among the guests. But it was time to eat, and to Italians, meal time is sacred. The roundtables were cracking up with trays filled with food. As aperitif, the richest minestrone, dried meats like prosciutto and salame, Italian cheeses and portions of freshly baked bread to go with it. Of course, there was also focaccia. Various salads seasoned with the best olive oil and pasta entrées were also on the menu. First course contained all sorts of sea food and fish with various kinds of vegetables on the side. The lasagne was exquisite. The piccata was excellent. The pesto was devine. And, by God, that had to be the best Tuscan soup in the world! All this, was, of course, accompanied by the best red and white wines. For desserts, an awful lot of absolute sins: tiramisu, stracciatella gelato, cannoli, panna cota, double chocolate biscotti, Limoncello cake, strawberry cheesecake and a very curious, very regular apple pie.

Robin though he had died and gone to Heaven. He ate with satisfaction and glee. He hadn't ate like this for ages! Gluttony wasn't as high of a sin as the act of leaving something on his plate, he thought. Regina observed him from her place at the head of the table. She was sipping on her glass of wine and smiling; Mal, who was sated at her right side, was certainly telling her a funny story. They really looked nice together. He wondered how their relationship was before they parted. They were both tempestuous women, strong and independent. Regina always looked tender around Malva, as if the blond woman's presence would soothe the raging ocean inside her chest. Even so, the capo woman wasn't different from her friend and boss.

He held his glass after wiping his lips to the napkin to take a sip when he saw her staring right back at him. He smiled back, holding his glass in a toast to her which she reciprocated.

Later in the evening, when all had ate their share and the music began to play, Robin left the table and walked a few metres until he got to Regina Mills' side.

"Milady?"

She eyed him, smile upon her lips as her perfume snaked its way into his nostrils, bewitching him even more. It was inebriating, Robin would agree. He could make up the scents of jasmine and cinnamon.

"Came to collect, Mr Locksley?" she asked.

"Indeed, Madam. After all, I honoured my part of the agreement. Being the honourable woman you are, I take it you won't leave me empty handed, will you?"

"You'd be surprised", she grinned maliciously.

"Come on, Regina! The poor man has been waiting the whole evening for a dance. I wouldn't have been half as patient."

"That's because you're a hot head, Malva. And Mr Locksley is a proper gentleman."

"You flatter me, Ms Mills."

"Not at all. I'm a good judge of character. I think you more than deserve a dance."

"Shall we?" Robin asked, offering his hand to her. Regina Mills took his hand and let him guide her to the dance floor. Once there, Robin put his hand on her waist and held her close.

The band started to play and on the first chords, they took off. They danced to Don't Sit under the Apple Tree. Robin started cautiously but then tried some bold moves. He spun Regina around and tried his best to make her have a good time. To be completely honest, his dance partner was enjoying herself and forgot the whole purpose of the big party for a few instants. Everything that existed, everything that mattered was Robin and the music, although they were surrounded by other couples. She had to keep focused; she'd be mortified if she were to step on his toes. Suddenly something less upbeat came up. The first chords of The Nearness of You made Robin tighten his hold on her. Swaying across the room, he allowed himself to press his cheek against her temple.

"That's a second dance, apple thief."

"I was hoping you didn't notice."

"Foul play, Mr Locksley. Taking advantage of me… Shame on you" she teased, smiled into his shoulder.

"Not as foul as yours, Milady. You could have made this easier on me by not putting such beautiful dress."

"Oh, you like it?"

"If you allow me, Milady, it suits you like a glove."

"Does it really?" Regina smiled.

"It does, you look very pretty, as my son would say."

"Roland says that?" her voice let transpired surprise.

"Oh, he remembered you as the lady with the pretty eyes." Robin smiled, his chin still glued to her temple.

"How sweet."

"I'm sure he meant every word. As do I."

"Thank you" she whispered.

"My pleasure."

"It really is a mystery how you ended up in misery. A man like you, educated and polite, shouldn't be here, messing with the likes of us."

"You overestimate me, Madam. I, too, have some inner darkness that I'm not proud of."

"And even that way you strive to make others feel better, why is that?"

"My departed wife used to say I had the Robin Hood syndrome. She always said I was too kind for my own good. I have to say that she was right and that nearly ruined me, hence the darkness. It's quite the story."

"You should tell it sometime."

"I will… One day. And in exchange, you'll tell me yours." The song was coming to an end, the rhythm was slowing by the second. "Would you consider a third dance, Ms Mills?"

"I would, Mr Locksley; but it will have to be moved to some other time. It's time we talk businesses now that other people are entertained. They won't notice the hosts' absence. Come with me. They are waiting for us."

Robin followed her to the office adjacent to the salon. When they got there Malva, Carola, Ursula, Jefferson and the man he knew to be Walsh Sallozzo where already waiting. Regina went in first and Robin went in after, staying behind to close the door.

"Signore Sallozzo, benvenuto! You won't mind if we continue our discussion in English, do you? Som of my associates are not as fluent as we are." Regina asked all smiles.

"No, of course not."

"So, how can I help you, Sallozzo?"

"Well, I need a woman who has powerful friends. I need a million dollars in cash. I need, Miss Mills, those politicians you're carrying in your pocket."

Regina listened, looking the man straight in the eyes, her expression unreadable.

"What is the entrance for my family?"

"Thirty percent. In the first year your profit should be three, four million dollars. And then it would go up." Sallozzo promptly replied.

Robin saw Regina smile.

"What is the entrance for the Green family?"

Walsh let out a tiny, knowing smile and looked in Jefferson's direction.

"My compliments" he said. Jefferson nodded his head in thanks. "I'll take care of the Greens. Out of my share." Sallozzo answered.

"So I receive thirty percent for finance, political influence and legal protection… That's what you're telling me."

It wasn't a question but rather a request for confirmation.

"That's right" the man answered.

"Why did you come to me? What have I done to deserve such generosity?" Regina asked, a sincere smile upon her lips.

"If you just consider one million dollars in cash, ti saluto, bella donna." he answered, raising his glass towards her.

Regina's smile grew.

"I agreed to see you because I heard you were a serious man and you have treated me with respect. Unfortunately, I have to say no to you. And I'll give you my reasons." Regina paused. "It's true, I have a lot of friends in politics. But they wouldn't be friendly for very long if they knew my business was drugs instead of gambling which they regard as a harmless vice, but drugs… it's a rather dirty business."

"Miss Mills –"

Regina wouldn't have it.

"It doesn't make any difference to me what a man does for living. But your business is… a little dangerous", she reasoned.

"If you're worried about security, the Greens will guarantee it." Sallozzo tried.

Surprisingly, Malva's voice came between Regina's and Sallozzo's.

"You're telling me that the Green's will –"

"Malva."

The simple utterance of her name made Malva retreat.

"I'm sorry, Signore Sallozzo. My no is final. But I wish to congratulate you on your new business and I hope you do well, as long as your interests don't conflict with mine. Good luck to you."

Walsh Sallozzo got up and kissed Regina's hand. Then, he nodded his head right and left, in a silent goodbye to other people in the room. But Robin saw the man's scowl when he left the room. He knew he wasn't happy.

Regina remained seated. And didn't seem happy.

"Malva Augurio, what a hell is wrong with you?"

"You have to admit, Regina it was a good proposition."

"Never tell anybody outside the family what you are thinking!"

"It was a nice offer." Carola reasoned. "But I understand why you said no."

"They're going to use the drug money to buy our dirty judges, cops and politicians, pull them into their pockets and then they'll destroy us. We're doomed" said Jefferson.

"We'd been doomed now if we had accepted." Regina said.

"But Regina, you have to consider…"

"I have to consider shit! Don't you all see? Those bastards are pushing us towards clan war. I won't be the one breaking the peace that has lasted for ten years! I have too much to lose and so do you!" Regina shouted, losing her composure. "Now go and have fun. And call Hunter, I saw him lurking somewhere."

Jefferson, Carola, Ursula and Malva went away. But Robin remained seated, looking up at her. Regina didn't seem to notice him for a few moments.

"You're afraid for your son." He said.

She didn't even bother to turn to him. She was too busy pouring a drink and hiding her shaking hands from him.

"Why are you still here?" Regina asked, her voice trying to sound annoyed.

"Because I want to know if you are alright."

He went towards her and stroke her arms tenderly from behind.

"To be honest, I don't even know. But now I need you to go with the others. I have to talk to Hunter alone." she said trying to hurry him out of the room. She turned to him, holding a glass with a generous pour of whiskey.

Robin sighed and nodded his head in agreement.

"Okay, I'll go. But I'll be back for our dance after you're done."

"Very well, if that's the price to pay to get you out of my hair for a few moments, I'll gladly pay it."

"Well, it was your idea to bring me here in the first place, so…"

"I'm beginning to regret that." Regina said, narrowing her eyes.

"Deep down you are glad I came."

"Very deep down."

They shared a chuckle. And then not really thinking what her reaction would be, Robin kissed her forehead lingering on for a good handful of seconds, his hands stoking her jawline, his nose buried in her black soft hair. She let herself be held. It felt good; she felt human.

"You're a good man, Mr Locksley; and I still don't understand how the hell you came to be here…"

"But it feels right."

"Now you're just being a sentimental sap."

"It's all very well, but I didn't hear you disagree, Milady." Robin smiled, hopeful.

"But I didn't agree either."

"True. I'll go now. I'll see you later. Right?"

"Right."

Robin let go of her and walked out of the office. Regina was left alone but she knew it wouldn't be long before Hunter came in and told her all he knew about Neal Tremotino's whereabouts.