This is my Valentine's Day special from my Hearts of Gold series (You don't have to read the previous fics to enjoy this one but it is probably suggested.)
Get ready for both some romance and also hijinks because of course Bruno and Abbacchio cannot expect to take their wives on a romantic getaway without some trouble. That the kids are going to have to try to save them from.
Thanks to waffles_in_winter (on Ao3 & Tumblr) for helping me plot this out and encourage the writing of it ^_^
By the way, I was told I must mention that the baddie's name is pronounced "A-choo-ge" just like a sneeze.
Romantic Getaway
A JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Fanfic
(Hearts of Gold Verse) Bucciarati and Abbacchio take their wives on a much-needed getaway for Valentine's Day weekend but little do they know an enemy is plotting to take them unawares. It's up to Giorno and the others to stop the enemy before it's too late.
"Are you all packed and ready?"
Bruno glanced up at Giorno standing in the doorway to the office as he set his phone down, smiling.
"Yes, I just called the cab. And you're sure all of you will be all right for the weekend? We should be back by Monday night."
"Of course," Giorno replied. "I know how much you've been working lately, you deserve to have some time with Maria."
Bruno sighed, rubbing a crick in his neck. He was…exhausted. He and Maria really hadn't been able to do anything like this since Paolo was born and though he was thrilled with being a father, it would be lovely to have some time alone with his wife. And since it was Valentine's Day weekend, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to do so.
"We really do appreciate you taking care of the babies," he said.
Giorno shrugged. "It's the least we can do. I hope you have a good time."
Bruno settled a hand on Giorno's shoulder as he passed him on the way out. "I'd better go help Maria with the bags."
He hurried upstairs, catching Abbacchio on his way down, two suitcases under his arms as well.
"The cab will be here in about fifteen minutes," Bruno told him.
Abbacchio sighed. "Thank god. I cannot wait to get out of here."
It hadn't taken much convincing at all to have Abbacchio and Carmen join them. With his influence as the Don's right-hand man, Bruno had easily booked the two best suites at the retreat for the weekend with full service. There was no reason it shouldn't be the most relaxing vacation possible.
"Soon," Bruno promised and hurried up the rest of the stairs to his room to find Maria just finishing up with her packing, zipping her suitcase closed.
"Got everything?" Bruno asked her.
She looked up with a smile. "I hope so. And no peeking!"
Bruno wrapped his arms around her from behind, kissing her neck with a chuckle. "I think I can wait a little longer to see the results of your shopping trip."
Maria blushed prettily. "I think you'll like it."
"I'm sure I will," Bruno hummed.
Maria and Carmen had gone out earlier in the week to shop for the weekend and had come back with secretive whispers and hurriedly stowed boxes from fancy boutiques. Bruno had barely resisted the urge to peek into the one he was pretty sure had come from a lingerie shop but he had certainly been thinking about it.
"I packed your black suit for the dance tonight," Maria told him. "It will match my new dress."
"Perfect," Bruno replied, kissing her again before he pulled away and grabbed the suitcases. "We should go make sure Paolo is settled. We'll be leaving soon."
Suitcases were stacked by the door, and after bidding farewell to their children (and their other children) the two couples were off in a cab heading toward a countryside retreat and winery, nestled into mountainous foothills.
Bruno instantly felt a breath of fresh air upon leaving the city. He loved Napoli but he would always be a child of the ocean, and because of that he was a lover of open spaces.
"Oh, Bruno, this is beautiful," Maria said, gazing out the window at the passing scenery.
"It is gorgeous," Carmen agreed.
"I got to scope it out at a capo meeting a couple years ago," Bruno said. "They have wine tastings in the vineyard. We can do that tomorrow if anyone feels like it, the house wine is quite good if I remember. Tonight is dinner and a tango."
"I've been getting Leone to practice," Carmen said with a laugh, taking her husband's hand.
Abbacchio groaned. "You know I'll still just step on your feet."
"You are actually a fantastic dancer, Leone," Maria assured him. "You'll do just fine."
"Carmen knows it's her fault for distracting me," Abbacchio said with a small smirk as he picked up Carmen's hand and kissed it.
The cab pulled up at the retreat and a bellhop hurried out to take their bags as Bruno led the way in, heading toward the concierge.
"We have one suite reserved under Bucciarati and one under Abbacchio," Bruno said.
"Ah, yes, Signore Bucciarati, we've been expecting you," the man said. "If you could all sign the guest book."
Once they had finished, the man handed them their room keys and a brochure. "This is the itinerary for the weekend. Antonio will show you up to your rooms—your bags should be there when you arrive—and if you need anything else, all you have to do is call down to the front desk."
"Lovely, thank you," Maria said with a smile as she took the keys for her and Bruno's room.
They turned to follow the bellhop up the grand staircase in the main entryway when the front doors opened with a flurry of activity.
"Are you really going to do this now, Acciughe?" a woman demanded. "You know how important this weekend is, and you're already screwing it up!"
"Agretti, if you would just listen for one moment…"
"You're telling me to listen? You're the one who has trouble hearing!"
Bruno caught Abbacchio's eye and saw the goth rolling his, shaking his head. Bruno smirked a little and took Maria's hand as they followed the bellhop up the stairs.
"Your suite, Signore, Signora," the bellhop said, bowing slightly as they came to Maria and Bruno's room.
"Thank you so much," Bruno said, slipping several bills into the young man's hand before they went inside.
The room was beautiful, complete with cut flowers—even petals strewn on the bed—a bottle of the house champaign on ice, and the door to the en suite bathroom open, revealing a huge clawfoot tub.
"Oh, Bruno, this is absolutely gorgeous," Maria said as she hurried over to the doors at the back of the room, throwing them open to step out onto the balcony that looked out on the vineyards below. A small table for two sat on one side and the cool breeze off the mountains stirred the curtains gently.
Bruno took Maria around the waist and pulled her in for a kiss.
"I'm glad you like it, amore," he told her. "Perhaps we can go for a walk around the vineyard after getting settled in?"
"That sounds lovely," Maria said, leaning into him.
Abbacchio breathed a sigh of relief as they got into their suite. It was so…quiet. No bickering teenagers, no crying babies, no ambient noise from the city—he wasn't sure the last time he had experienced this much silence.
"I'm so glad we decided to come," Carmen said, locking the door behind them as she came over to run her hand through Abbacchio's hair.
"Me too," he agreed and leaned over to kiss her softly, then more thoroughly as he remembered there was literally no one who was going to interrupt them here, or complain about PDAs.
He wrapped his hands around Carmen's waist and pulled her closer, feeling her fingers tangle in his hair, just enjoying the warmth and feel of her, savoring the taste of her lips.
When they finally pulled away for air, Carmen played with the open collar of his shirt. "We have hours until dinner," she said, looking up at him from under her lashes. "What do you want to do?"
Abbacchio leaned in with another firm kiss. "You," he growled in her ear.
A heated fumble had them most of the way to the bed, leaving a trail of discarded clothes in their wake before Leone's phone went off in the pocket of his pants as Carmen was in the process of yanking them off.
"Dammit, I thought I turned that off," he growled as he yanked the phone out and simply pulled the battery out before throwing it in the vague direction of a table.
"Leone, what if someone needs to get a hold of us," Carmen asked with a giggle.
"If it's an emergency the kids know where we're staying," Leone huffed before he simply picked Carmen up and carried her the rest of the way to the bed. "Right now, I just want you to be my only distraction."
Which turned out not to be a difficult task at all.
Giorno was finishing up some paperwork at the dining room table before dinner, while stealing smiles over to where Trish was coloring with Rose across from him. Every once in a while, Rose would push something toward Giorno with an expectant look and Giorno would turn it into a flower or a butterfly for her, which would cause her to laugh in awe.
He was almost done with his work when the doorbell rang and he looked up with a frown.
"I didn't think we were ordering food tonight?" Giorno said as he stood up.
Mista had beat him to the door and opened it to reveal a man who Giorno didn't instantly recognize.
"Hello, can I help you?" he asked as Mista eyed the man warily, not letting him inside.
"Ah, Signore Giovanna." The man bowed slightly. "I have some important news I need to share. I think you'll want to hear it."
Giorno nodded to Mista and they let the man inside toward the office. Giorno beckoned to Fugo to join them and the four took seats inside the office.
"Now, what is it that you have to tell me?" Giorno asked.
The man sighed. "Signore, you might not know me by name, but I work for one of your capos, Signore Sanguinacchio, I'm his secretary and usually handle all the reports that get sent to you."
"Ah, yes, you would be Signore Fontana then," Giorno said.
"That's right," the man replied with a brief smile.
"Is everything all right with Signore Sanguinacchio then?"
Fontana shifted in his seat. "Not exactly. See, Signore, I hold great respect for Bucciarati—he pulled me off the streets and gave me a job. I've also seen what you've done for the city and so I don't truly understand the people who would want to go against you. People like…my capo."
Giorno furrowed his brow, leaning back in his chair. "I see. Is Signore Sanguinacchio plotting sedition then?"
"It's really his wife who's pushing him into it if I'm being honest," Fontana said. "She only married him for the money, but he's a weak-willed man and liked the idea of even more luxury than he already has. Regardless, he's gotten it into his head that he's going to try to wring more money and territory out of you. I'm afraid word got out about Bucciarati and his party out at the winery retreat this weekend and Sanguinacchio planning to use the opportunity to try and use Bucciarati and the others as leverage to get what he wants."
"And where is he now?" Giorno demanded.
"At the winery," the secretary said. "He and his wife checked in for the weekend as well. I'm afraid I don't know exactly what he has planned, but I would warn Bucciarati if I were you."
"I will do that," Giorno said. "Thank you, Signore Fontana. I will make sure your loyalty is rewarded. And if you hear anything else, please let me know."
"I will," Fontana stood and bowed again before Mista let him out the office.
"This isn't good," Fugo said. "Fontana's right, Sanguinacchio is a bit of a stuffed shirt, but he has capable men who will do whatever he wants for a payout."
Giorno chewed his lip. "I need to try to get through to Bucciarati. I hate for their weekend to be cut short already, but… it might be better if we get all this figured out first."
"Agreed," Mista said.
Giorno picked up the phone and dialed Bucciarati's number, hoping it would go through.
Bruno and Maria returned to their room, feeling refreshed from the walk in the clean country air.
"We should have done this sooner," Bruno said with a smile.
Maria smiled back and squeezed the hand Bruno hadn't yet reclaimed. "I kept telling you a vacation would be nice."
"And I should have listened," Bruno chuckled and pulled her in for a kiss.
When Maria pulled back, she glanced toward the bathroom. "There's still a couple hours before dinner. How would you like to have a nice bath before that?"
"Sounds lovely," Bruno replied.
"I'll go get everything ready," Maria kissed him again and slipped off.
Bruno listened to the water running from the bathroom and went over to their suitcases, pulling out his suit for the night to lay out on the bed. He then undressed and slipped into one of the robes that had been provided with the room.
He was surprised when he heard his phone ring from where he'd left it on the desk when they came in. He thought he had turned it off. He gave a slightly guilty glance toward the bathroom before sneaking over to answer it, sitting down at the desk.
"Hello?"
"Oh, Bucciarati, I'm glad I could get a hold of you," Giorno's voice came over the line. "Look, there might be a bit of a problem that I need to—"
"Bruno," Maria chided gently and Bruno felt her fingers wrap around his wrist, pulling the phone away from his ear. "You promised to turn the phone off."
"Maria, it's Giorno, I just need a moment…"
Maria sighed and leaned over, kissing behind his ear and slipping her hand into the loose collar of his robe. "Bruno, the bath will get cold," she whispered.
Bruno cleared his throat and briefly brought the phone back to his ear. "Giorno, I'm sure whatever it is you'll be able to handle it, and if not it can wait until Monday."
"Buccia—"
Bruno ended the call and turned the phone off as he allowed Maria to pull him toward the bathroom, the huge tub full of steaming water scattered with rose petals, candles lit and sitting on the edge.
"Now, capo, I think you need to let yourself relax," Maria told him as she pulled the ties on his robe free, sliding it easily off of him as she pushed him toward the tub.
Bruno gratefully sank into the hot water, all thoughts about phone calls completely disappearing. He leaned back with a contented sigh before opening his arms to accept Maria as she dropped her robe and joined him, leaning back contentedly in his arms.
This weekend was starting off quite well, he decided.
Giorno tried dialing Bucciarati's number again but to no avail. He slammed the phone back into its cradle and ran his hands over his face as the others all crowded around his desk, anxious.
"He must have turned it off, dammit!" Giorno breathed.
Narancia hurriedly covered Paolo's ears as the baby sat wide-eyed in his arms. "Don't swear in front of the kids!"
"Try Abbacchio again," Trish urged.
Giorno shook his head. "No, his phone is completely out of service."
Fugo snorted. "Yeah, he probably dumped it in a lake the second they got out of town."
"What do we do then?" Narancia asked. "We've been trying to get a hold of Bucciarati for an hour only for him to hang up on us."
"We can call the hotel," Mista suggested.
"They probably wouldn't answer the room phone either," Giorno said, chewing his lip. "Look, they've been planning this getaway for weeks. It would be a shame to interrupt it now if we don't have to."
"So, you're saying we go in and take out the problem before they even know about it?" Mista asked, a gleam in his eye.
Giorno nodded.
"Um, one problem, we have the kids," Trish pointed out.
"I'll stay and watch them," Fugo said quickly.
"Are you sure?" Trish said.
"Yes, I would rather stay here than have to break into a couples' retreat," Fugo told them.
"That works," Mista said.
Giorno glanced at the clock. "It's almost dinner time and it's an hour's drive to the retreat, we really need to get going. If they're going to try anything it will probably be after dinner or later before everyone turns in for the night."
"I'll go grab the gear," Mista said. "Trish, Narancia, help Fugo get the kids settled in."
"Yeah, we gotta go save moms' and dads' romantic weekend!" Narancia said cheekily.
Trish rolled her eyes and handed Rose to Fugo. "Let's do this."
Abbacchio was simply basking, half asleep with Carmen in his arms as they cuddled into the ridiculously soft bed.
Carmen gave a contented sigh, raising her head from his shoulder to glance at the clock. "It's almost dinner time."
Leone made a soft sound. "Rather stay here."
Carmen traced lightly over a scar on his shoulder. "Leone, we can't just stay in bed all weekend."
Leone's eyes opened lazily. "I bet I can convince you."
She giggled as he leaned in to start kissing her again. "That's not going to work on me."
"Won't it?" Leone smirked and rolled her under him. She let out a contented sound and traced her fingers down his back. "I think…we should order in," he said, kissing his way down her neck.
Carmen shivered under him, but wrapped a hand in his hair to pull his head back gently. "But if we do, you won't get to see me in my new dress."
"Hmm," Leone murmured into her shoulder. "You do make a compelling case."
"There will be plenty of time to lay in bed tomorrow morning," Carmen added before she leaned in to whisper, "You'll need it after tonight."
Abbacchio groaned, pulling back to kiss her firmly on the mouth. "Fine, you win."
He released her reluctantly and slid out of bed. At least this place promised to have a good menu. Might even make getting out of bed worth it.
The bath had been so relaxing, Bruno felt he had successfully managed to purge all the usual stress he carried out of his body. So much so, that he almost dozed off, waking to Maria's soft lips as she leaned over the tub.
"We'll need to get ready for dinner soon," she told him. "Besides, the water's getting cold."
Bruno pulled himself out of the bath and released the water before grabbing a towel to dry off as he watched Maria brushing her hair in the mirror before working on putting it up into an intricate up-do for the night.
That was when he finally remembered the phone call he had gotten earlier from Giorno.
"Perhaps I should call the kids before dinner, just to make sure everything's okay," he suggested.
"Bruno you promised no phones," Maria chided as she pushed the last of the pins into her hair. "If you call now you and Giorno will undoubtedly start talking business and I forbid any discussion of business until we set foot back home!"
Bruno held his hands up in acquiescence. "Of course, cara mio."
Maria turned around and kissed his cheek before applying lipstick. "You know they can handle everything."
Bruno wasn't going to mention the chaos that had ensued during the Christmas party.
"Now go get dressed," Maria told him, giving him a firm pat on the backside. "Our reservations are for eight."
Bruno smiled and left the bathroom, going to slip into his suit. He was sure Maria was right and the others were fine.
Now he just wondered whether Leone and Carmen would make their dinner reservation?
Mista pulled up in front of the retreat and they all hopped out, rushing toward the entrance.
"Hold on, we don't even know what rooms they're staying in," Narancia pointed out.
"I looked at the itinerary when Bucciarati booked their stay, they should be at dinner right now," Giorno replied. "If we can get into the dining room, then we should be able to find them."
They pushed their way into the lobby and stopped in front of the desk.
"Excuse me, which way to the dining room?" Giorno asked.
The concierge stared down at them all balefully. "I'm sorry?"
"The dining room," Giorno repeated, starting to feel annoyance spread through him. "We need to get—"
"Do you have a reservation?"
The four looked at each other.
"No…we're not staying for dinner, we just need—"
"If you don't have a reservation or are not here for the dance, then you'll have to go," the man said decisively, already turning away.
"Hold on, you don't understand, we're just looking for someone!" Mista pointed out.
"And I can pay whatever the cost is," Giorno said, already pulling out his wallet.
The man stared down his nose at them, giving them all an up and down look, obviously not impressed with what he was seeing. "And are you…couples?"
Narancia scoffed. "What? No way!"
"Well, then I'm afraid you have no business here at a couples retreat on Valentine's Day," the man said firmly. "If I were you, I would go back home to your parents before they get mad." He firmly picked up a bell and rang it with a sharp clang.
"Okay, but see that's—" Narancia started to say before several men came out of a back room behind the desk and started toward the four teenagers.
"Show them out," the concierge said with obvious pleasure.
"Hold on, this is a matter of life and death!" Narancia protested as one of the security guards grabbed his arm and started hustling them toward the door.
"And I'm the Don of Passione!" Giorno snapped. "You can't—"
They were all shoved firmly though the door and it was closed behind them.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Trish growled as Narancia snapped and kicked the door before Mista pulled him back.
"How are we going to warn them now, we can't even scope out the place to see if we can find the Sanguinacchios!" Narancia shouted.
"Well…." Giorno said, contemplating, an idea forming in his head. "If only couples are allowed in, then…"
"Wait, are you saying disguises?" Mista cut in.
"We'll just need to find some formal wear…"
"Oh! There's a boutique only a few minutes away that will be perfect!" Trish exclaimed, already running for the car. "Come on! I'll give you directions."
They all ran to the car, and sped off, hoping they would be able to get back in time to thwart the Sanguinacchios' plans.
The dining room was crowded, furrowing Abbacchio's brow slightly, but they quickly spotted Bruno and Maria and slipped through the crowd to join them.
"There you are, we just ordered a bottle of wine to start," Maria said with a smile.
"Fantastic," Carmen said happily, allowing Leone to seat her. "How was your afternoon?"
"Lovely," Maria sighed happily, reaching over to take Bruno's hand. "How was yours?"
"Oh, it was great," Carmen said with a pointed look at Leone that he was sure had his face burning. He quickly reached for the menu, ignoring Bruno's knowing smirk.
"Anything good on this menu?" he grumbled.
They were all startled by raised voices coming from a couple tables over.
"Really, Acciughe, now you almost make us miss our dinner reservation?!" an angry female voice demanded.
"My dear, you know we're not here strictly for pleasure…"
"Well, excuse me for enjoying myself when you never treat me otherwise!"
Abbacchio rolled his eyes as he caught sight of the couple who had made a scene earlier. "Looks like even a couples retreat isn't doing anything to fix that marriage," he muttered.
"They still have the weekend, maybe they'll figure it out," Maria said kindly.
"You always think so well of people," Carmen said fondly. "I'm just glad they don't seem to be anywhere near our room."
The waiter came over to take their orders and they all tuned the fussy couple out as they ate dinner and chatted fondly with each other, for once, not about work. Abbacchio was so caught up in it that he didn't actually notice anything until Carmen nudged him and leaned in.
"Don't look now, but I think that loud woman is looking at Bruno."
Abbacchio picked up his glass and took a sip as he glanced carefully over at the table, and did indeed see the woman seemingly staring at Bruno's back as he had his arm around Maria's shoulders, talking quietly into her ear. Abbacchio narrowed his eyes.
"She'd better watch out for Maria then," he muttered back.
One of the hotel staff went over to the stage where a string quartet had been playing through dinner, and announced through a microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, the dance will be starting in a few minutes, so any of you who would like to participate may make your way to the ballroom whenever you're through with your meals."
"Oh, how lovely," Maria said, clasping her hands excitedly. "And we finished just in time."
Leone downed the last of his wine and got up, offering his hand to Carmen.
Someone slammed into his back and he bumped his hip onto the table.
"Oh, Acciughe, look how clumsy you are!" a familiar voice screeched and someone's hands descended on Abbacchio's coat, patting it down. "I'm so sorry about my husband, did he spill anything on you?"
"No, I don't believe so," Carmen said firmly before Abbacchio could reply, pointedly positioning herself between him and the woman as the hands finally left his coat. "Thank you for your concern."
"Come on, darling," the man said, turning his face away swiftly and pulling his wife along.
"What on earth was that about?" Maria asked in surprise.
"I think Mrs. Loud Mouth is in the market for an alternative partner," Carmen grunted.
Leone straightened his suit coat. "Well, she can try but I doubt she'll get any bites," he muttered.
Bruno laughed. "Let's forget it, Leone. I know our beautiful wives have gone through so much work teaching us to dance, it would be a shame to have wasted their time."
"I did promise," Leone sighed, but one look at Carmen and the promise of holding her on the dance floor made him more than eager to get to the ballroom as well, even if he still wasn't entirely confident in his tango.
Giorno and the others dashed into the boutique just as the owner was closing up.
"Ah, I am sorry, but we're…"
"Signore, I usually hate to pull rank like this, but I am the Don of Passione and this is an emergency," Giorno told him firmly and shoved a stack of bills into his hand. "I will pay you for your trouble of course."
The shopkeeper smiled and opened the door for them. "Take all the time you need."
They hurried inside and Trish instantly started tearing through the dresses. "You boys better pick out something good; we can't afford to be kicked out again," she glared pointedly at Mista.
"Why are you looking at me? I have great taste!" Mista demanded before swiftly hiding the leopard print suit coat, he had been eyeing.
Trish rolled her eyes and then gasped as if she had suddenly realized something. "Actually…um, we might have a problem."
"What?" Giorno asked.
"Well, it's a couples retreat, isn't it?" she pointed out. "I'm the only female."
"Nara and I can be your body guards," Mista suggested.
"Yeah," Narancia agreed as he pulled out an orange silk shirt. "The Don does need to travel in style." Trish quickly snatched it away and shoved it back on the rack.
"But what if we have to split up?" Giorno asked. "Trish is right, we need another plan."
Trish pulled out a dress with a thoughtful look and went over to press it against Narancia's back, checking the fit.
"H-hey! What are you doing?" Narancia demanded.
Mista started laughing. "Whoa, wait, you're actually thinking of—"
"Well, you need a date, don't you, Mista?" Trish pointed out with a small smirk.
"No way!" Narancia snapped, shoving the dress back toward Trish. "No way am I wearing a dress!"
"Narancia, come on! You want to save Bucciarati and Maria, right?" Trish demanded.
"Yeah but…"
"Guys, we really don't have a lot of time to argue," Giorno said, pulling the first complete formal suit he'd found off the rack. "Narancia, let Trish dress you up."
Narancia looked at him, gripping his chest. "Giorno, come on! Even you aren't on my side?"
"Well, if he's gonna be my date, you better make him look good," Mista grinned at Trish.
"Oh, don't worry, he'll look fabulous," Trish promised.
The shop was soon filled with Narancia's wails of protest as Trish and Mista practically shoved him into a dress.
"Well," Trish said with a slightly disappointed look. "I don't really know what I expected but…"
"Maybe some make up?" Mista suggested.
"Good idea," Trish pulled her compact out of her purse and went to work as Narancia wailed again.
"You're gonna stab my eyes out!"
"Then stop squirming!"
"Some hair clips?" the shopkeeper offered, along with a comb.
"Ow! Stop!"
"Better," Trish said, standing back. "One last thing…"
She strapped a pair of heels onto Narancia's feet as he sat there dejectedly in a black and silver rhinestone dress, blinking stray mascara out of his eyes.
"This is humiliating. How has my life come to this?" he wailed.
"Come on, bud," Mista said and hauled him to his feet where Narancia tottered, ankles wobbling violently as he grabbed Mista's shoulders.
"Holy crap! How do you walk in these things?" he demanded. "Are you trying to kill me?"
"Please, those are only three-inch heels," Trish scoffed. "Now practice walking in them while I go change." She hurried off toward the dressing rooms before turning around and jabbing a finger at Mista. "And Mista, do NOT grab that zebra shirt, I swear…"
"All right! I'll just wear black, jeez," Mista muttered but grabbed a black leopard print shirt in defiance and a red coat.
"Hold on, does that even go with my outfit?" Narancia demanded.
Mista raised an eyebrow. "You care now?"
"No…"
Giorno hurriedly threw his own outfit on and returned to the others, pulling on his coat as he went.
Trish shot Mista a look as he reappeared from the dressing room as well.
"What?" he demanded.
She rolled her eyes. "Fine, I'll allow it."
Giorno tugged the tailed coat he had grabbed together to button it and straightened his tie. He looked up to see Trish in a soft pink dress, slightly off the shoulder with the skirt longer in the back, almost brushing the floor. He realized it matched the tie the shopkeeper had handed him.
"You look nice," he said before he realized what he was saying.
"Oh, you too," Trish said, her cheeks growing slightly pink.
"What about me?" Narancia demanded.
"Shut up," Mista smacked the back of his head.
Giorno took a breath and nodded. "We need to go." He handed the shopkeeper another handful of cash and they all hurried out to the car.
The dance floor was already pretty packed (who knew that many people knew how to tango?) but Leone allowed Carmen to drag him out there, and he did mostly manage not to make a fool of himself. Although Bruno and Maria seemed to be doing a much better job.
They reconvened after a couple dances, Abbacchio's arm wound around Carmen's waist.
"I didn't expect you to go for the dip," Carmen told him, eyes bright.
"Might as well go all out," Leone replied.
"You both looked wonderful!" Maria assured them, arm looped through Bruno's.
"I don't know, too much of this and I'm afraid to throw my back out," Leone muttered. Which would decidedly ruin the entire weekend.
"We can always…dance again tomorrow night?" Carmen said, looking up at him as she fixed his collar, purposefully sliding her fingers down the open front of his silk shirt. "Turn in early tonight?"
Leone glanced over toward Bruno and Maria who seemed to be on the same track. "Sounds good to me," he said, leaning in to give Carmen a kiss before grasping her hand. "See you two at breakfast."
"Have a good night," Maria told them with a smile.
The couple hurried up to their room, and Abbacchio rummaged through his pockets for the key.
"Did I not bring it?" he grumbled.
"Oh, I brought the spare," Carmen said, pulling it out of her clutch and unlocking the door.
Leone had her in his arms the second they were inside, kicking the door closed and locking it firmly, pulling Carmen in for a kiss they both savored.
Leone shrugged hurriedly out of his suitcoat and felt Carmen tugging his shirt off his shoulders as he pulled back to look at her.
"I love you," he said softly before kissing her gently on the forehead.
"I love you too," she replied, then stood on her toes, pressing her lips to his ear. "Why don't you go get comfortable while I slip into something else?"
Abbacchio groaned and reluctantly let her go.
As Carmen slipped into the bathroom, Leone grabbed one of the robes from the room and sat on the end of the bed as he waited (mostly) patiently. He heard a car screech to a stop outside and frowned as he got up to shut the door to the balcony that they must have left open earlier.
"Leone."
He turned around to the vision of Carmen in a lot of lace and little else, and everything else was suddenly not important at all.
Bruno and Maria didn't wait around much longer to head back to their room either, preferring their own company to all the loud couples in the ballroom.
"It's a beautiful night," Bruno said as he pulled his coat off. "How would you like to open that bottle of champaign and sit out on the balcony to watch the stars?"
"I would love to," Maria told him.
Bruno grabbed the bottle and two glasses and they headed out into the cool night breeze. Maria leaned against the railing as Bruno poured the drinks.
"You can see so many more stars out here than in the city," Maria said.
Bruno hummed as he handed her one glass and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. "Reminds me of our honeymoon on the beach," he said, recalling the night they had gone out on the boat, lying there, the sole humans in the middle of the vast water, just gazing up at the stars.
Maria turned slightly to smile at him, kissing the corner of his jaw. "We'll have to go back someday. When Paolo is a little older."
"When we decide it's time for another vacation," Bruno laughed softly and held her closer, closing his eyes.
"Perhaps we should make it more of a habit," Maria said.
"Perhaps we should," Bruno replied and gazed up at the stars with her.
Agretti and Acciughe Sanguinacchio sat to one side of the ball room, searching through all the dancers.
"Where did they disappear to?" Agretti demanded. "They were just in here, weren't they?!"
"I have no idea, I didn't think I saw them leave," her husband replied.
"We need to call the men in now. Have them search the retreat for them."
"My dear, are you sure it's a good idea to make our move now? There's so many people around. Besides we have the key to the Abbacchios' room, perhaps it would be better later tonight when—"
"That's precisely why now is the best time to strike," Agretti hissed. "Everyone, including most of the staff are working here in the ballroom and the dining room. As you can clearly see, most of the guests are congregated here as well."
"Still, I—"
"Remember the last time you didn't listen to my plan and everything completely fell apart?" the woman demanded.
Acciughe sighed. "Yes, my love, I suppose you're right."
"Then hand me the phone," she said, snatching it from his hand and instantly dialing the head of their security team who should be working at the buffet right now. "Yes, it's me. Gather the others now. It's time to make our move."
Giorno and the others returned to the retreat, Giorno bursting through the door with a flourish, Trish on his arm, trying to exude as much pomp as he could to sell this.
"Signore, I do hope there is still room for a few more for the dance tonight?" he called to the concierge.
The man narrowed his eyes at him. "Didn't you—"
"Excuse me," Trish spoke up. "Don Giovanna is here to meet with an important figure from Napoli. I'm afraid it's my fault a reservation wasn't made earlier."
"That's Giorno Giovanna," Mista added pointedly. "I'm sure you've heard of him."
The man pursed his lips together. "A party of four, Signore Giovanna?"
"Yes," Giorno replied and pulled out his wallet, sliding several bills over. "I apologize for the inconvenience."
"Ah, do not worry about it, Signore," the Concierge babbled, quickly pocketing the money. "Will you be wanting accommodation for tonight? We still have several suites open…"
"Thank you, but that won't be necessary," Giorno said quickly. "If you could point us toward the ballroom..."
"Right over there through those doors," the man said with a motion.
Giorno and the others hurried over to the ballroom and stepped inside.
"Damn, there's a lot of people here," Mista said.
"How are we even going to see them?" Narancia demanded, still wobbling on the heels.
"We have to get on the floor," Trish said, glancing up at Giorno. "So, um…I mean…"
Giorno felt his cheeks tint. "I…don't really know how to do the tango…"
"Fake it," Trish said. "Mista and Narancia can check the perimeter."
Giorno nodded. "Call if you find them." Trish pulled him into the fray before he had a chance to protest and he fought to master the moves as they spun around, getting a complete view of the dance floor.
"Are you seeing them?" Giorno asked.
"No," Trish replied, worriedly.
Giorno almost tripped, but the music stopped so he gratefully pulled Trish to one side, trying to see if he could spot Bucciarati or Abbacchio over the crowds.
He suddenly caught sight of Mista hailing them from one side of the room and they hurried over, dodging the other dancers.
"Did you see them?" Trish asked.
"No, but something's going on," Mista said. "One of the guys at the bar just got a call, and waved a bunch of the other servers off the floor, heading out."
"Change of shift?" Giorno asked hesitantly.
"No way, these guys looked more like enforcers than waitstaff," Narancia said, wincing as he held onto Mista's shoulder, picking up one foot after the other.
"Then the Sanguinacchios might have brought their own men," Giorno commented. "We need to stop them before they get to Bucciarati and Abbacchio."
"They headed out that way," Mista pointed to the back exit from the ballroom that probably was for staff only.
Giorno scanned the room one more time and spotted a familiar face sitting at a table off to one side. "Hold on, that's the Sanguinacchios right there."
Everyone else turned to look at the couple sitting at a table with nothing but a couple coffees, looking impatient.
"Should we grab them now?" Mista asked.
"Not yet," Giorno told him. "Let's take out the goons first, they're the ones we have to worry about. Then we'll come back and pick them up."
Mista nodded and they all hurried out and into the back area of the retreat, dodging several surprised maids and servers before they spotted one of the goons.
"There!" Mista shouted.
Giorno called out his Stand and had vines branch out across the door the man was trying to get through, holding it in place. The goon jumped back with surprise, only to meet Mista's fist, going down instantly.
"Nice shot!" Narancia said.
"The hell…"
They turned to see two more goons standing behind them, looking ready to bolt.
"Stop!" Giorno commanded, but they started running, leaving the others to rush after them.
"Don't let them get away!"
"Agh! Guys, slow down, I'm gonna kill myself!" Narancia wailed.
"Take the shoes off!" Trish snapped.
Another door opened, revealing yet another goon and Narancia instantly stomped on his foot with one of the heels before he could make a move. The goon cried out, staggering backward as Giorno yanked his tie off, throwing it at the man as it turned into a vine and wrapped around the man's ankles and wrists, effectively hogtying him as he crashed to the ground.
"Hell yeah!" Narancia said, finally succeeding in yanking the shoes off. "Let's go!"
They rushed after the other two goons, and burst into a stairwell that led up to the second floor where the rooms were located. Trish turned the door at the waiting at the top into rubber with Spice Girl, leaving the goon who tried to shove it open with his shoulder to be thrown back into his comrade, both of them tumbling down the stairs, to land in a heap at the bottom, unconscious.
"That was easy," Narancia said.
Giorno glanced back over his shoulder and his eyes widened as he saw three more goons coming up the stairs, two with guns drawn. "Mista!"
Mista grabbed his own pistol out of his coat. "I got 'em, you take out Stunt Goon number three!"
One of the men fired and Mista surged in, slamming his arm against the railing until the man was forced to drop his gun.
Giorno had Gold touch the other man's gun, turning his bullet into a root that stopped up the barrel before letting his Stand kick him down the stairwell.
The third man rushed Narancia who sidestepped and slammed one of the shoes he was still carrying into the side of his head.
"Hey, get back here, you bastard!" he snarled, wailing on the man with the high heels as he tried to crawl away. "Take that!"
One final blow and Narancia's foot in his back, and the man was slumped with the others on the stairwell landing.
"Yeah, that's right! That's what you get for trying to ruin Bucciarati and Maria's weekend!" Narancia snarled, taking a breath. "Hey, ya know, Trish, maybe these shoes aren't so bad after all."
Trish rolled her eyes. "Do you think that's all of them?"
Mista looked around, tucking his gun back into his pants. "Don't see any more."
"Let's go find the Sanguinacchios," Giorno said. "See an end to this."
"Agreed," Mista said and they hurried back to the ball room.
Agretti Sanguinacchio checked her watch. "Still nothing! What's taking them so long?"
"Perhaps they forgot the room numbers…" her husband said.
Agretti gave an annoyed huff and snatched the phone up from the table again, calling their head man. It rang and rang, but no one picked up. The same happened when she tried several of the others."
"None of them are picking up!"
Acciughe looked around nervously. "That can only mean something happened. Perhaps we've been found out."
"Nonsense! Neither of them were paying any attention, they didn't even recognize us," Agretti said, standing up. "Come on."
"Where are we going?"
"We're going to have to do this ourselves," Agretti huffed. "You still have your pistol?"
"Yes…"
"Good. Take the key to the Abbacchios' room and deal with them. I'll handle the Bucciaratis."
"But we don't have the key to their room."
"I'll think of something!" the woman said. "We're running out of time. You want the territory, don't you?"
"Of course!"
"Then fight for it!" she snarled and stormed off.
Carmen pushed Abbacchio back on the bed, climbing on top of him as she teased open the silk robe he was wearing. Leone pushed himself up onto his elbows, slipping a hand behind her head so he could kiss her. She brought her hands up and tangled them in his hair before pulling his head back.
"Just let me take care of you, caro. We have all night," she purred.
Leone's hands slipped up to her hips, teasing across the lace that covered her skin. "Sorry, I can't keep my hands off of you," he replied.
Carmen leaned in to kiss along his jaw, pushing him back onto the bed as she took hold of his wrists. "Don't make me tie you up."
A rattle at the door had them both turning in that direction, furious.
It swung open, revealing the man who had bumped into Abbacchio earlier, now holding a gun at them.
"Don't move, I will shoot."
Giorno and the others made their way back into the ball room and looked around.
Giorno cursed. "They're gone."
"They must have realized their goons got taken out," Mista said.
"Well now what?" Narancia demanded. "They must have gone after Bucciarati and Abbacchio!"
"Do you have their room numbers?" Trish asked.
"No," Giorno said.
"Then we're going to have to get them, come on," Trish said, grabbing his arm and pulling him along. "And follow my lead."
Giorno and the others hurried after her back toward the lobby.
"When I give you the signal, go grab the guest book from behind the desk," Trish murmured to Mista and Narancia as they made their way in the direction of the concierge.
"What do you—?" Giorno began before Trish suddenly swooned and collapsed back against him, genuinely startling him as he fought to catch her. "Trish?"
Mista and Narancia hurried away as Giorno caught on and hailed the concierge. "Please, Signore! Some help."
"Oh dear," the man muttered and hurried from behind the desk. "Can I get the young lady something?"
"Help me get her onto that couch," Giorno commanded, effectively putting the man's back to the desk as he helped Giorno pick Trish up and lay her on the nearby couch where she pretended to wake.
"Ooh, I think I got too excited dancing," she murmured, pressing a hand dramatically to her forehead.
"Perhaps some fresh air would do you good?" the concierge suggested.
"Oh, yes, once I'm able to stand again," she said.
"Perhaps a glass of water?" Giorno said.
The man hurried to a refreshment table set to one side and Giorno glanced over his shoulder at Narancia and Mista who were ducked behind the desk, flipping through the book. Narancia pointed to something and Mista turned to give them a thumbs up.
Trish quickly sat just as the man turned back around. "Ah, I am actually feeling much better. I think I will just step outside for a little bit," she said, allowing Giorno to help her stand.
"Of course, Signorina," the man said, looking slightly suspicious as Mista and Narancia joined them, Narancia still carrying the shoes.
They hurried out before any other questions could be asked and made for another entrance.
"We got the room numbers," Mista said, showing them a slip of paper.
"Good," Giorno sighed in relief as they hurried back into the building through the side door. "You and Narancia go after Abbacchio and Carmen, Trish and I will warn Bucciarati and Maria."
They split up at the top of the stairs and raced toward the rooms, hoping they weren't too late.
Bruno loved looking at Maria in the moonlight, the way it shown off her auburn hair and her shoulders, left bare by her dress, was incredibly enhancing, and woke something deep inside of him. They had mostly finished the bottle of champaign out on the balcony, sitting at the small table. He ran his thumb across her knuckles, squeezing her hand.
"It's getting a bit chilly. I think it might be time to get back inside," he said.
Maria smiled at him. "Yes. I could use a warm up."
Bruno brought her knuckles to his lips and kissed them softly before he stood up. "Allow me to set the mood, cara mio?" he asked softly, finally allowing her hand to slip from his.
"I'll wait patiently," Maria promised.
Bruno slipped back into the room, dimming the lights and replacing them with candles, refreshing the cologne Maria loved on him.
When he was done with the finishing touches, he turned back to the open door, seeing Maria's silhouette standing there behind the gently waving curtains.
"Maria, my love, I'm ready for you," he called softly.
There was no answer and Bruno frowned slightly, stepping forward and reaching out to pull back the curtain.
"Bruno, don't."
Maria's hushed voice, came to him the second he saw the dark figure standing behind her, pressing a small pistol to the side of her head.
Fury and protectiveness surged through him and Sticky Fingers rippled under his skin as he took a step forward.
"Don't; unless you want your wife's brains all over the ground," the woman who had Maria held captive snapped.
Bruno stopped. "You're the one from earlier. Do I know you?"
She smirked. "Sanguinacchio. My husband is the capo."
"Of course," Bruno said darkly. "I don't know how I didn't see sooner."
"We have some things we need to discuss," Agretti said. "And if you listen, there's no reason I have to do anything to your pretty wife."
"Bruno…" Maria whispered.
"Maria, it's going to be okay," Bruno told her carefully, holding up his hands. "Signora, I'd be more than happy to talk to you if you just put the gun down."
The door to the room was suddenly broken open and everyone turned to see Giorno and Trish bursting through.
"Bucciarati!" Giorno cried.
Agretti swung the gun in their direction and that gave Bruno the only chance he needed to rush her, slamming her arm against the balcony railing, causing her gun to clatter to the ground at their feet.
Maria was already moving, yanking herself from the woman's grasp and spinning around to slam her fist into Agretti's face.
The woman cried out, staggering backwards before she toppled over the balcony railing, crashing into the topiary below.
Maria shook her hand out as Bruno wrapped her gratefully in his arms, pulling her back into the room. "I don't know who that woman was but I hate her," Maria growled.
"Are you both okay?" Trish asked worriedly as she and Giorno hurried to meet them.
"Yes, but what are you two doing here?" Bruno asked.
"Sanguinacchio's man came to tip me off to what he and his wife were planning. They wanted more territory and thought they could extort it out of me by taking you hostage," Giorno said darkly.
"Leone and Carmen!" Maria said suddenly.
"Mista and Narancia are checking on them, but they might need help," Giorno said.
"Let's go," Bruno urged, and they all ran to the other suite.
"Don't move!"
Abbacchio stared at the man for a long second, fury rising in him as he slowly sat up, easing Carmen off his lap.
"I said don't—!"
Abbacchio lunged forward, grabbing the man's wrist and twisting until he dropped his gun. Abbacchio quickly caught it and slammed the man face-first onto the ground.
"Leone," Carmen said, tossing him a pair of pink, fuzzy handcuffs from the bag.
Abbacchio didn't comment, simply snapped them around the man's wrists and shoved him onto the ground with a foot to his back, gun pointed at his head as Carmen wrapped a blanket around herself.
"Who the hell do you even think you are?" Abbacchio demanded right as their door was kicked in again, revealing Mista and….Narancia? in some ridiculous get up, carrying gun and high heels respectively.
"Abbacchio, Carmen!" Narancia cried, taking in the scene in relief. "We thought you were dead!"
"What the hell, brat?" Abbacchio snapped, and slammed his foot harder into the man's back. "What are you even doing here?"
"Long story short, this guy's a capo who overstepped his boundaries and thought he would get bold," Mista said, staring down at the man under Abbacchio's foot.
"It was all my wife's idea!" the man protested.
"Oh, shut up," Abbacchio snapped, kicking him in the head and making him slump to the ground, unconscious.
"Whoa, funky handcuffs, Abbacchio," Narancia commented. "Are those from when you were a cop?"
"I think I know exactly where those are from," Mista grinned.
Abbacchio was about to chew them both out when Bruno, Maria, and Giorno and Trish on top of it, all rushed into their room.
"Well, it looks like everything's been taken care of here," Bruno said in relief. "Are you both all right?"
"We're fine," Carmen said, tugging the blanket further around herself.
"Just get this trash out of our room," Abbacchio snarled, kicking the unconscious man in the side.
"Don't worry, we'll take care of him," Giorno promised.
"You got his wife?" Mista asked.
"Maria did," Bruno said with a fond look at his wife, who smiled proudly and showed her bruised knuckles.
"Hey! Nice way to show off some of the stuff I taught you!" Mista grinned, giving her a gentle high five.
Bruno's eyes finally fell on Narancia, doing a double take. "Um, Narancia, what are you wearing?"
"Oh, he's wearing the Stella Bellucci sleeveless rhinestone evening dress from the Midwinter Collection, isn't it beautiful?" Trish cut in quickly.
"It's a long story," Mista added.
"And we'll tell it to you, after your weekend is over," Giorno added, thankfully picking up on Abbacchio's pointed glare. "I'll handle everything from here."
"Are you sure?" Bruno asked.
"Yes, he's sure, kid knows what he's doing," Abbacchio snapped, tugging his robe tighter around himself. "Now can all of you get the hell out of our room?"
Mista and Giorno hauled Acciughe off the floor and dragged him out.
"I've already called in backup," Giorno assured Bucciarati as they left. "Everything will be handled shortly. But…one thing. We promise not to call you, but, can you at least leave your phones on for emergencies?"
Maria laughed. "Of course, Giorno."
"Thank you for taking care of this," Bruno replied, pulling Maria back to his side. "Now…if you'll excuse us…"
As they made their way back to their room, Giorno and the others hauled off the Sanguinacchios, having them exiled the next morning.
Luckily, in this case, they had been working alone, so there wasn't a whole underbelly that Giorno would need to dig up. He made plans instead to promote Signore Fontana to the position of Capo in Sanguinacchio's place.
The two couples enjoyed the rest of their weekend at the retreat without any other mishap and came home Monday night, to Mista and Fugo cooking dinner while Giorno, Narancia and Trish played with Paolo and Rose in the living room.
"You're back!" Narancia cried, running to hug Bucciarati and Maria who both winced.
"Ah, careful, Narancia, we both got quite sun-burned while we were sitting by the pool," Bruno said with a cringe, the red skin on his nose crinkling.
"Well, why are you walking funny, Abba?" Narancia asked, noticing the goth was slightly hunched over.
"Threw my damn back out," he growled.
"How'd you do that?"
Fugo's head shot up. "Please do not elaborate."
"It was the damn tango, genius," Abbacchio growled.
Carmen rubbed his shoulder and kissed his cheek before she bent over to pick up Rose who had tottled over to greet them with happy toddler babble. "He got into it a little too much," she said with a grin. "Come on, Rosie, let's go put Papa to bed."
"Did you at least have a nice weekend after the attempted kidnapping?" Mista asked as he came out of the kitchen to help grab bags.
"It was lovely," Maria said. "But…"
"But I think sometimes there's such a thing as too much vacation," Bruno agreed as he took Paolo from Trish and kissed the baby's head. "It's possible relaxation is more dangerous than I thought."
"It's good in small doses," Maria added with a tired smile.
Bruno leaned in to kiss her sunburned cheek. "Indeed."