As Cha-young skipped down the last few stairs she could already see Vincenzo through the window. He was standing with his back to her, by the large 4x4, twirling the keys around his index finger. She stopped for a moment just to watch him, a smile involuntarily spreading across her lips. He had dressed casually for a change, and she took a moment to appreciate him whilst unobserved, or so she thought until she noticed a movement out of the corner of her eye. Swivelling her head around she locked gazes with Isadora and her mother. They were glaring at her with a level of venom that she would not have thought possible. Cha-young returned their scowls jutting her chin just once, daring them to tangle with her. Reluctantly, the daughter looked away first, followed by the parent. 'That's what I thought.' Cha-young said triumphantly under her breath as she flicked back her hair and skipped outside where Vincenzo already had the door open for her.


The island was beautiful and Vincenzo was proud to show it off as he chauffeured her around. They talked about this and that, general entertaining small talk. Eventually, he pulled over at the top of a cliff overlooking the ocean and took a picnic basket from the trunk of the car. Soon a blanket had been set out on the grass and they ate a lunch packed by Mrs Accardi.

'What are you working on at the moment?' Vincenzo asked, leaning back on a raised elbow.

'I have a few cases, not to mention thwarting Mr Kim's political ambitions every chance I get.' Cha-young laughed.

'That I would like to see. It's keeping you busy?' Vincenzo pried. 'It's interesting?'

'Meh. It's ok. Not as busy as you're about to be though.' She smirked and leant forward conspiratorially. 'With fat babies.'

Vincenzo visibly paled and stared open-mouthed. 'But… but we haven't even…' He spluttered.

'Not with me you fool.' She laughed, slapping his arm. 'A little bird tells me it's your duty to produce an heir or seven.'

His look of shock now turned to horror. 'You mean you want…'

'Again! Not me!' Cha-young teased. 'The two ladies who arrived with me on the boat. Apparently, you are having those fat babies with one of them.' She said triumphantly.

'I sincerely hope it's the younger one.' He said blowing out his cheeks, earning another slap for his trouble.

'I can't believe you.' She said with a snort.

'I have no intention of having babies, fat or otherwise with anyone at the moment. I have a vacancy for a consigliere to fill first.' Vincenzo said, sitting up fully.

'Any candidates?' Cha-young asked.

'There is one. Extremely capable, legally minded, very strong emotionally, I would trust them with my life.' He said, counting each quality on his fingers.

'They sound perfect, so it seems like you can stop looking.' Cha-young said with a smile.

'I've just got to ask them if they want to do it.' Vincenzo replied. He turned and fixed his gaze on her.

It took a little while for Cha-young to realise what he was suggesting, her realisation turned to surprise and then to shock. 'You can't mean me?'

'Why not? You fit the criteria, we work well together, and you did say you were going to follow me to Italy and become a consigliere?' Vincenzo said reasonably.

'Yes, I know, but… technically this isn't Italy, I'm only licenced to practice law in Korea.'

'We use proxy lawyers in all manner of countries, we just tell them what to do, I used to do it all the time.' Vincenzo said with a shrug.

'Would I have to move here permanently?' Cha-young asked.

Vincenzo paused. 'Only if you wanted to, there's a bit of travelling involved but, with the web, you could remain in Korea for some of the time too.' He said.

Cha-young was quiet for a few moments, considering. 'What about…' She began and paused. 'What about the other stuff, would I need to get involved with that?'

Vincenzo looked down at his hands. 'You would technically be an adviser, and ideally the cleaner the better. You wouldn't have to get your hands dirty… And I wouldn't want you to do anything you were uncomfortable with.'

'And wouldn't it make other things… weird?' Cha-young waggled a finger between the two of them.

'I don't see why, we seem to make a great team?' Vincenzo replied.

Cha-young nodded slowly. 'Can I think about it?' She asked.

'Of course. Take all the time you need.' He replied with a smile. 'Now, what's left to eat?

They ate in silence for a while, enjoying the quiet and the scenery. Eventually, Cha-young's curiosity got the better of her. 'What's the deal with your cousin, Antonia?' She asked.

'Why, what has she been saying?'

Cha-young snorted. 'She really doesn't like you very much.'

Vincenzo smirked. 'She doesn't like the whole family very much. Like me, she was adopted, obviously, and we were close growing up, being the two kids that looked different it gave us something in common.' He sighed, 'But somewhere along the way we grew up and took different paths. I embraced the family life and she despised everything about it.'

'So why is she here? Something about human trafficking?' Cha-young probed.

'She told you that?' Vincenzo said, a little surprised.

'She thought I was being trafficked.'

The surprise turned to amazement. 'You were?'

'It was the trousers.' She replied with a giggle.

He smiled. 'They did have that kind of vibe around them.'

'And she thought you were keeping me close to get information.' She said.

'Perhaps I just wanted you to myself for a while?' Vincenzo said, clearing his throat.

Cha-young smiled and nudged him with her shoulder. 'Anyway, why is she here if she hates you so much?'

'From what I've found out, the Luciano family are involved in trafficking people through our territory.' His face hardened. 'Women and children mostly.'

'That's terrible.' Cha-young said, her hand coming to her mouth.

'It is.' He agreed, his face hardening. 'Yesterday was a result of that, or so I've been told. They were being moved, escaped and managed to jump overboard. Apparently, they felt drowning was a better option than where they were heading.'

Cha young brought her hand to her mouth. 'That poor little boy. I feel so guilty.'

'There was no way you could have known what was happening.' Vincenzo shook away the image. 'Don't worry, those responsible will pay.'

She nodded slowly, understanding. 'So, what does that have to do with Antonia?' She asked.

'She is a human rights activist, a very laudable calling, but it does mean that she has painted a giant target on her back. She has been receiving death threats, very credible ones. Understandably they frightened her, and, as much as she despises familia Cassano, she came here.'

'For your protection?' Cha-young finished for him.

'Yes, and she hates it.' He said, lying back on the grass, his arm behind his head.

Cha-young joined him, resting her head on her hand. 'I can see why that would make her angry. What are you going to do?'

'I'm going to stop them, it's not enough to get them to move elsewhere, their whole operation is going to be completely destroyed.' He said.

'Can I help? Cha-young asked, brightening.

'Maybe, but for now enough business.' Vincenzo said firmly. He crooked a finger.

Cha-young pointed at herself.

He nodded and beckoned once more.

Rolling her eyes as she scooted across until she was right next to Vincenzo.

He smirked slightly at her eagerness before gently placing his lips against hers. She returned the kiss, which gradually became more passionate. Finally, they broke apart, with Cha-young resting her head against his shoulder, with Vincenzo's arm around her. He sighed and closed his eyes, contented.

'Did you have any plans for tomorrow? Vincenzo asked. Cha-young shook her head. 'Are you still up for helping?' This time she nodded. 'Good.' He replied. 'We're going to Rome.'


The next morning, Cha-young was very relieved to see a helicopter instead of enduring another boat ride. It took the two of them to the airport in Malta where they picked up a private plane and were soon on their way to the Italian capital.

'This is certainly the way to travel.' Cha-young said, nestling into her seat.

Vincenzo smiled at her enthusiasm.

Suddenly Cha-young's expression changed and she leaned forward conspiratorially. 'By the way, I have a question.'

'Only one?' Vincenzo asked, his amusement only lasting long enough to register her suddenly serious expression. 'What is it?'

'When I was talking to Antonia…' Cha-young began.

'Antonia è proprio una cagacazzo.' Vincenzo growled but did not elaborate further.

'Translation?' She asked.

Vincenzo dismissed it with a wave. 'Doesn't matter. What did she say?'

'I'm guessing that wasn't complimentary.' Cha-young said with a wry smirk. 'Anyway, she said that you don't ever get involved with anyone, emotionally, and that in the mafia it can be a weakness?' She peered up at him coyly as if afraid of what she would see. The mob boss was simply looking at her with a poker face. When he did not respond she ploughed on. 'I mean, I understand that it could be used against you, that I could be used against you, I mean look what happened with Jang Han Seok and he did say that villains do that. I don't want to put you in any danger, so I don't want you to worry about me, ok? I don't ever want to be the reason to stop you doing what needs to be done, to save me, I want you to promise me.' She said, suddenly intense.

Finally blinking, Vincenzo adjusted his cuffs and crossed his legs. 'Ms Hong, you know that I do not make promises often, except when they relate to business.' He said calmly.

'This is business, Mr Cassano.' She said, emphasising the Mr.

'I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe.' He said.

'We keep each other safe.' She retorted.

'Then I will agree to that.' He replied amiably.

'That's not what I'm saying and you know it.' Cha-young said, exasperated.

'I know what you're saying.' He said, brushing an imaginary piece of fluff from his trousers.

Cha-young opened her mouth to speak, but before she could Vincenzo interrupted her. 'The world of villains is small and word gets around. Yes, Jang Han Seok made the mistake of trying to weaponize you, he paid dearly for that mistake.'

'That wasn't the only reason things ended for him the way they did?' Cha-young said.

'No, but it is a factor, and there is no limit to what fear and spin can achieve. It's my speciality.' He cleared his throat and took a manila envelope from his briefcase. 'Now, if we can move on. The man we are going to see is, Franco Luciano.'

Realising she was fighting a losing battle, Cha-young took the envelope, and with a final look that suggested this conversation wasn't over, began to read.