Part 2

Chapter 1

Joey's POV

10:49 PM July 4th 1987, Florence Italy, Russello Villa

This is the last time I steal a movie from a guard. I can never figure out what is going on half the time. What is the one I'm watching right now? The package says Grand Hotel Excelsior. Maybe I should listen to Armando and wait to watch these movies till I'm older. If I make it that long. Armando says I should watch the Disney movies instead, but I don't like how the words don't always match the characters mouths. Why are American movies like that?

Looking over at the clock on my wall I see it's almost eleven. Pippa told me to go to bed at seven, oh well. She'll never know. Padre and Madre only have her at the villa between eight and six every day to watch me. Nobody watches me at night though, that's why I can stay up so late. Sometimes Armando or another guard will hang out with me, but Padre doesn't like it when they do that. I wish Armando was here, maybe he could explain the movie.

Sighing, I turn off the television and get off the couch. I'm already in my pajamas, so I can just climb into bed. First though, I go into my bathroom to brush my teeth. Pippa always seems to know when I don't do that; she gets angry when I don't. Of course I don't really care if she is angry with me. Pippa doesn't scare me, not like Padre does. When Pippa is angry at me, she makes me sit in the corner or gives me a lecture. Padre's punishments are much worse. The bruise on my stomach is proof of that. That should be gone when I wake up tomorrow though. I brush my teeth to please Pippa, even if she's not scary I don't like upsetting Pippa.

Climbing into my bed, I realize I can't fall asleep. Pippa once told me that if I lay still long enough I will eventually go to sleep, I'll try that. I stay as motionless as possible, but there is no chance I'm falling asleep yet. My mind is too wide awake.

I sense Tito down the hall from my room. Maybe I could go talk to him until I'm tired. No. Tito is one of Padre's suck-up guards. He would tell Pippa, Padre and Madre about me being awake this late. If it were Dante or Christopher I would go and hang out with them. They don't care what I do as long as I don't cause any problems. Armando wouldn't tell Padre, but he would tell Pippa. At least he would sit in here and talk to me as I fall asleep.

Sitting up in bed, I survey my room. I love my room. It isn't as big or extravagant as Padre and Madre's. But it's nice and I have things to do for when I'm bored. Padre told me he has to keep up appearances that I'm his son for the guards and visitors. That is why I have a nice room. I have a television that can play movies, my own bathroom, and bookshelf that holds all my toys, books and movies. Pippa had bought me Basil the mouse detective bedding because it's my favorite movie, but Padre didn't approve. So my top thick blanket is a blue, but my sheets still have Basil on them. Pippa said it is our little secret.

Not falling asleep, I decide to get out of bed. My feet his the cold marble floor, something I don't like. I only have a small rug by the TV, otherwise my floor is all tan marble that matches the walls. Walking over to my big window, I sit down and look out over the river. This is my favorite part of my room, my window. It's huge. It takes up half of the wall and goes from the floor to the ceiling. The view is of what Armando said was the Fiume Arno with city lights of Florence off in the distance. The Villa is right next to the river, so I get to go to the small beach a lot or go on boat rides with guards if they let me. I've only been to the city a couple times when Pippa or Armando has snuck me out. Padre doesn't like it when I leave the villa though, so I don't get to that often.

I tend to stay away from Padre as much as possible. He never likes it when I'm around anyway; he always calls me a disappointment. I'm not sure what he means by that, but I know it's not good. So I try to stay out of Padre's way. He never comes looking for me, so it is pretty easy most of the time. I go about my day with Pippa and the guards and usually never interact with Padre or Madre. Every once in a while Padre will have a business partner over and they always want to talk to me. Sometimes Padre will send me to my room, then other times he will smile and pretend to be nice to me in front of the businessman. Then once they leave, he turns angry and I get punished if I didn't act well enough. That's what my newest bruise is from, stupid Mr. Bereau. I didn't even like talking to him, he talked funny and used weird sounding words. Armando said it is because Mr. Bereau is French. I don't know what that means, I should ask Dr. Vanni, she knows everything. Except last time I saw her she said if I keep sucking my thumb my teeth will come in weird. But Pippa said she used to suck her thumb and her teeth are fine, maybe that's why she always makes me brush my teeth.

A boat is floating down the river. It is smaller than the usual boats I see. The outline of a man is sitting inside of it. The boat travels down the river at a slow pace, not seeming to have anywhere to be soon. I wonder what it would be like to travel like that. Whenever I'm on one of the guard's boats, it's always a quick trip or we sit out in the water for hours. I actually like it when we just sit out in the water, letting the current slowly take us down river before heading back upstream. Armando and Pippa took me on a boat ride last month for my third birthday. It felt so free.

But I'll never get to travel like the man on the river. According to Padre I have to stay in the villa until I'm older. I'm not sure what will happen then. Pippa, Armando, the guards and the men who work with Padre say I will take over Padre's business. But Padre has never told me that. He only tell me that I'm here to do what he says and remain quiet in the meantime.

4:26 PM July 20th 1989, Russello Villa

The singer on the recording doesn't sound like anything on the radio or in the movies I watch. He holds high notes and his voice sounds shaky. Armando says it's supposed to do that, something called vibrato.

"What is this again?"

"Caro mio ben." Dante answers. He is laying back in his chair smiling and listening to the music. "The lovely music of opera. This is how our ancestors got girls in the olden days Joe. Sing them this and they'll fall for you instantly."

I listen more closely to the words of the song. "Do people actually feel this way towards each other? 'Without you my heart languishes.' Isn't that a bit overdramatic?"

"Oh Joey, you wound me" Christopher clutches his heart. He is at the computer watching the screens. Whenever Christopher and Dante are on security camera duty, I like to come down here. They are both some of the younger guards, I think Armando said they are twenty. They are also the most fun.

"Oh no, what has the tyke done now" a voice sounds from the door. Armando walks into the room smirking. He is really tall, as tall as Padre, with big muscles. He has blonde hair with dark eyes that always seem to be smiling even if his mouth isn't.

"Boy insulted the music of our city" Dante exclaims.

"Joey, you don't like opera?" Armando asks teasingly.

I defend myself "I just don't get it. Do people really feel this way about each other."

"Of course" Armando laughs, picking me up. "When you find the right person. For me my beautiful Sophia is my beloved. I sang this to her our second date."

"And she liked it?" I say skeptically, not believing him.

"Completely, that's how I got her to fall in love with me" he winks. "You'll find your caro ben one day."

"I doubt that, and if I do I don't think she would appreciate me singing this."

Armando chuckles "I'll make a romantic out of you one of these days JoJo." He sits down in a chair and lets me sit on his lap. "So where's Pippa, shouldn't she be watching you?"

"I asked if I could come down here while she makes dinner" I explain. "The chef is gone, so Pippa stepped in. Although I don't think she should be spending any more time with food."

"Joey!"

"Her belly is getting huge! Renaldo said that happens when you eat too much."

The three men burst out in a fit laughs, making me blush from embarrassment. What did I say that was so funny? Armando tells me "She can't help that Joey. She's pregnant."

I scrunch my face in confusion, "What is that?"

"It means Pippa is having a baby. The reason her belly is getting bigger is because there is a baby growing inside."

"How did it get in there!" I yell surprised. Did Pippa eat a baby? How is she going to get it out?

"Calm down JoJo" Armando chuckles. "It is okay. Pippa and her husband wanted a baby, so they decided to grow one inside her. That is where all babies come from. You came from your Madre's belly just like your brother or sister will in a few months."

"Madre has a baby in her belly too? Just like Pippa?"

Armando seems surprised by my question. "Yes, did nobody tell you? You should have a sibling in January. Are you excited?"

"Why? It's just a baby."

"Think about it kid, you'll have a playmate closer to your own age" Dante smiles. "You won't have to hang with anziano like us anymore."

"I guess" I sigh. "Why are Madre and Padre having a baby?"

Christopher jokes, "Well their first turned out so perfect. Why not go for a second?"

Frowning at the unsatisfactory answer, I think about the baby. Will the baby be Madre and Padre's child, or will it be like me? Armando said I came from Madre's belly and so will the baby. So if we come from the same place, that means we are the same. Right? So the baby will be treated like me. I wonder where a baby has to come from to be considered a child. Maybe I could ask Pippa. On second thought I don't think Padre would be too happy about me telling her I'm not really his son. Padre got really mad when I almost let it slip last year.

"Just think JoJo, you'll be an older brother in only a few months" Armando happily tells me.

"What does that mean?"

"It means that you will be there to take care of your little sibling" he explains. "You'll play with them, comfort them when their sad, make them laugh…"

Christopher calls out "Bail them out of jail, back them up in fights, check them into rehab…"

"Don't tell the kid that!" Dante smacks Christopher upside the head. "Don't listen to this idiot Joey. I'm sure your little sibling will be an angel."

"What are you three telling him?" Pippa's voice sounds from the door Armando came in through. Turning I see my nanny smirking in the door. She has long brown hair that is pulled into a pony-tail and green eyes. I'm not sure how old she is. Older than Dante and Christopher, but younger than Armando. Instead of wearing a shirt and pants as she usually does, she is wearing a dress with a chef's apron. Her belly looks even bigger than what I remember.

"Just getting the kid excited about the next little Russello" Dante smiles as he hits a button to make the song we were listening to play again. "Did you know this kid doesn't like Opera? What have you been teaching him Pip!?"

"I've been too busy trying to fix your bad influences" Pippa jokes.

I jump out of Armando's lap and run over to Pippa. Placing a hand on her big belly I ask "Armando said you have a baby in there. Is that true, or is he just trying to pull a joke?"

Laughing, Pippa answers "No, he's right. I am having a baby."

"Is Madre?"

"Yes she is."

Dante calls out, "Dang. Kid doesn't believe one word we say. I'm insulted."

"You told me last week that eating too many bananas turns you into a monkey!"

"It does. Didn't you notice the tail you're growing?"

WHAT! Quickly I twist to look at my backside. I frown when I don't see a tail. "No I'm not" I whine as Dante, Christopher and Armando begin laughing. I hate it when they tell me those stupid lies. I wish I could figure out when they are telling the truth or lying.

A hand ruffles my hair. Looking up I see Pippa smiling down at me, "Don't let them get to you Joey. They are all just a bunch of monkeys themselves."

"First Joey now you too Pippa. I'm wounded twice!" Christopher jokes, clutching his heart again.

"You fools get back to watching the cameras. Come Joey, dinner is ready."

"A fool! Pippa, my love! No!" Dante playfully cries. "Don't leave me!"

"I'm married Dante."

"Caro mio ben!" he begins singing. Armando and Christopher join in with "Credimi almen." Pippa and I can hear them continue all the way back upstairs. I ask Pippa

"Do girls really like it when men sing like that?"

Smiling Pippa answers "Absolutely."

"But what if you can't sing?"

"Don't worry Joey. I can tell you'll be a charmer when you grow up. You won't have a problem finding your amore."

"Do I really have a little brother or sister coming?"

"Yes you do. Are you excited? My brother was always my best friend growing up. You can be your siblings when he or she is born. Aren't you happy about that?"

"I guess. Armando said I have to take care of the baby."

"Yes but as their brother. You'll have to protect them, love them, play with them…"

"That's what Armando said."

"Sometimes he can be right" she chuckles. "Are you ready to be an older brother?"

"Yeah. I think so."

2:39 PM November 5th 1989, Russello Villa Basement

"Alright boys, get him upstairs then come back for the other" Armando calls out to the other guards.

Two guards carrying a giant black bag walk past me in the hall. It's my first time down in the basement, so far I don't really care for it. Walking over to Armando, I ask "What was in that bag?"

"Joey! What are you doing down here?" he snaps, not really angry as much annoyed.

I shrug "Decided to go exploring."

"This is not an area you should be exploring until you're older" he raises an eyebrow.

"Why?"

"Because there's a toxic gas that hurts little kids."

I scoff "Don't lie."

"Fine" he mumbles. "Because it's where your father does his grown up work."

"Isn't that what his office is for?"

Another man laughs from behind me "Kid's got you there." Lorenzo appears next to me, smiling. "Well Joey, down here is where your padre likes to do his more dannoso work. Stuff he doesn't want many people outside his business knowing about."

"Ahhhh." That makes sense. "So then what was in the bag?"

"Clothes" Armando says.

"I know when you're lying now, Armando. I figured it out."

"A dead body" Lorenzo states blankly. My heart skips a beat, I wasn't expecting that answer.

"Lorenzo!" Armando chides. "He's only five."

"He'll find out about this stuff eventually. Why not let it all out in the open now?"

Taking a moment to think, Armando rolls his eyes and mutters "I guess." Pulling a white box from out of his pocket, he opens it and asks Lorenzo "Sigaretta?"

"Is the boss around?"

"Haven't seen him for a while."

"Sure" Lorenzo takes a small white stick from out of the box. Armando ignites the end of it and one he pulled out for himself with a lighter. They both put the sticks in their mouths.

"Can I have one?" I ask.

"No, smoking is bad for you" Armando states.

I pout "Then why do you do it?"

"For the satisfaction" Lorenzo chuckles.

I frown, that makes no sense. Rolling my eyes, I ask them "Why is there a dead body down here?"

"There's two actually" Armando corrects. "We brought them down here for an interrogation and we got all the information we needed. So your father didn't see any point in keeping the two alive."

"But why wouldn't he just fire them then?"

Lorenzo answers "They didn't work for us Joey. Well…they used to. But then the two men tried to leave and join a different business without your father's permission. If they had been regular henchmen, it wouldn't have been a big deal. We let lower ranking men leave all the time. But these two knew quite a bit of information about your father, some that he didn't want shared. So he made the men tell him everything they have spilled to other mob bosses. Along the way we also discovered a few of our rival's secrets, which will be helpful later."

"I guess that makes sense" I state, thinking over the explanation. "But I still don't see why they had to die."

"Because your padre doesn't want people with information about him wandering around while not under his control. You see, those men could have done some real damage with the secrets they knew."

"So Padre killed them so they wouldn't tell his secrets to anybody" I reason.

Armando mumbles "That among other reasons."

Two new guards come walking down the hall. One points to a door Armando is standing next to and asks "In here?"

"I thought I told Aldo and Giovanni to come get it?"

"They're having trouble getting the other one in the truck. So we came instead."

Rolling his eyes, Armando snarls "Fine. But tell them I will remember this."

The two new men quickly nod and grab another black bag from inside the room. When they have disappeared down the hall, I ask "Armando? Why are the guards so afraid of you?"

"Because I'm their boss."

"I thought Padre was the boss?"

"He is, but I'm second in command. So all the other guards have to do what I say."

"So Padre is first in command?"

"Esattamente."

"So are you in charge of Madre too?"

Armando explains after inhaling through the cigarette "No. Your mother isn't really part of the business. But since she is married to your father, we all have to do whatever she asks of us."

"What about Pippa?"

"Technically yes, but I don't really exercise too much power over her. There is no need. Pippa's responsibilities don't overlap with my own. It is the same with the maids and other servants around the house Jojo. I mostly just deal with the guards and henchmen."

"But Padre is in charge of everybody."

"Yup, just like you will be when he retires someday." I internally frown at Armando's statement; I highly doubt that will ever happen. "Your father is in charge all the time. When he isn't around, then it is me. And when I am not around, it is Lorenzo who is third in command."

"Not for long" Lorenzo smiles. "I'm getting transferred to Austria next month."

Armando's head snaps towards his comrade. He is hiding it well, but I can feel a great deal of annoyance and anger coming from Armando. He snarls "Seriously?"

"Jealous?" Lorenzo gloats.

Grumbling something I can't hear, Armando blows off the question. Then he frowns and asks "Joey? Where is Pippa? Why isn't she down here with you?"

I shrug, "She was moving around too slow, so I came down here when she went to the bathroom."

"Joey!" Armando scolds. "That woman is nine months pregnant. The last thing she needs to be doing is chasing your ass around the villa."

I whine "It's not like I can't take care of myself. Why does she have to watch me?"

"Joey" he warns.

"Can't I just do a bit more exploring?" I beg.

"I don't think that's…."

"Why not Mando?" Lorenzo blows him off. "Let the kid check out one more room, then send him on his way."

Armando glares at him, "You know what goes on down here."

"Psshh, kid can handle it. Let him check out this one" Lorenzo refers to the room the bodies came out of. I frown; that room isn't necessarily what I had in mind. "We just cleaned it, the bodies were the last thing to go. Besides, everything's locked up. It won't be too scaring."

"Too scaring" Armando grumbles "because apparently that's our new standard. Show the five year old whatever as long as it is only scaring, not too scaring."

"Glad you agree" Lorenzo claps him on the back. "Dai Joey! Come check this out."

I walk into the room while the two adults wait in the hall. It is all white. Floors, walls, ceiling, are all while but for some reason still feel cold and icky. The lighting is dim, giving a gray feeling to the room. A large dark wooden cabinet is in the corner. A part of me is curious to open it, but my instincts are screaming at me not to.

During my examination, a voice echoes in the hallway. A voice that sends a chill through me. Padre yells "Armando! Lorenzo! Put those out! That is a disgusting habit."

I hide against the wall so Padre doesn't see me. I'm assuming he was yelling about the cigarettes, to which I'm sure the two men immediately put out. My heart is racing. Please, don't let Padre find me.

"Is the room finished?"

"Yes sir" Armando answers respectfully. "We were just checking to make sure."

"Good, now grab the brat and get him out of here" Padre snarls. "I don't want him down here until I bring him. Got it?"

There is no reply, Lorenzo and Armando must be nodding. Footsteps make their way down the hall, away from the room I am in. Armando takes a step inside.

I am curled up in a ball on the ground shaking. How did Padre know I was in here? Is he mad? Am I going to get punished? I hope it isn't too bad. Last time it took almost a week for my arm to stop hurting. I shouldn't have come down here.

Sometime during my thoughts, Armando had picked me up and is now currently carrying me up the stairs. When we reach the top, he sets me down. Giving me a sad look he whispers gently "Go find Pippa Joey. Stay out of your father's way for a while, okay?"

I nod unsteadily. Taking in a trembling breath, I ask "Should I hide tonight?"

The look turns more remorseful, "Go find Pippa Joey." Armando goes back downstairs.

6:42 PM January 23rd 1990, Russello Villa

Happiness engulfs me when I hear the tiny click from the door. Pulling out the paper clip from the lock, I check to see if the door will open. When it does, I exclaim "I did it!" to Georgie who is sitting next to the door, leaning back in a chair. His eyes that were closed open as he turns to see my accomplishment.

"Good job kid, only took you five minutes this time." He takes a key from out of his pocket, closes the door and relocks it. "Now try it again" he says, handing me another paperclip.

I quickly begin bending the paper clip to the shape Georgie had taught me. As I'm working, some footsteps approach Georgie and me. They stop when I begin fiddling with the lock

"Joey! What are you doing!?" Dante yells.

Oh no. That's the voice Padre always uses when he's mad at me. I tense up, preparing myself for the slap I know will come. I wait, but Dante never touches me. Instead he continues to yell, except at Georgie instead of me.

"You're teaching a five year old how to pick a lock!"

"I learned when I was three, taught you when you were five" Georgie shrugs. "Figured it was time the kid learned. Besides what else am I supposed to do with him? Armando said I have to keep an eye on the kid till his sister is born. Can't wait until Pippa is back from maternity leave, I hate babysitting. Even when we were kids, I hated looking after your sorry ass."

"Why anyone puts you in charge of children in the first place is beyond me" Dante replies. A pause passes, then a hand is placed on my shoulder. I flinch at first until Dante calmly says "It's okay Joe. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Why don't you show me what Georgie taught you?"

Slowly I open my eyes and turn to Dante who is watching me with a remorseful look. I can sense that he regrets yelling at me. Nodding to him, I turn back to the door and demonstrate the technique I learned. I stick the shaped paper clip into the lock and begin twisting it around. Dante questions Georgie "Why would you teach him with that? A tension wrench is way better."

"What's that?" I ask.

Dante pulls out a key ring with a lot of keys and other objects on it. He takes ahold of a long piece of metal and says "This is a tension wrench. Here watch." Dante sticks the wrench into the lock, in less than a minute the door is open.

"Wow!"

Laughing Dante says "Here." He takes the wrench off the keychain and hands it to me. "You can have it."

"Thank you" I say, clutching onto my gift.

A beeping sounds from Georgie's pocket. He digs around before pulling out a pager. He takes a look at it then says "Well Joey. Time to meet your little sister."

-At Florence Hospital-

I'm sad when the car ride ends. This being the first time I've been outside the villa in months, I love seeing the city. It's fun to look out the window of the car and watch the buildings and people pass by. It's pretty dark outside, but there are a lot of streetlights keeping everything illuminated. When we reach the hospital, Armando is in the street to bring me inside. Georgie isn't coming with, he's going back to the villa.

Armando carries me through the busy hospital, not wanting to lose me in the crowd. Doctors and nurses seem to move out of the way when Armando walks by; maybe it's because of the glare he has on his face. He only has that glare when we're in public, there is a visitor at the villa, or Padre is around. I asked Armando one time why he does that, he told me because Padre wants his Underbosses to be feared. I'm not sure what an Underboss is. But if Armando is one, it must be important if he's second in command. Armando doesn't act scary around me, Pippa and a few of the guards he's cousins with though.

We reach a hallway with a lot of Padre's guards. They seem to be avoiding a door in the middle of the hall, which is the room Armando stops in front of. Armando sets me on the floor and knocks on the door.

"Mr. Russello. It's Armando, I have Joey with me."

"Enter" Padre's big voice sounds from inside the room.

Armando opens the door, I suddenly become super nervous. It's been weeks since I have seen Padre or Madre; which was fine by me. I remind myself; don't look them in the eyes, only speak when spoken to, don't move unless instructed. Slowly I follow Armando into the room.

"Joey my boy, come here" Padre says happily. I see there is a few doctors in the room, which must be why he is being so nice to me. Keeping up appearances.

I play along with the act so Padre won't get angry. Smiling I make my way to the bed Madre is laying in and Padre is standing next to. Padre picks me up, holding me awkwardly. Making sure I don't upset him, I decide to survey the room instead of looking at Padre. There are a couple doctors standing on the other side of Madre. Armando is standing in the door, his face stone. There are some chairs around the room along with a lot of flowers; probably from Padre's business people and the guards. Also next to the doctors is an empty clear basket looking thing.

One of the doctors says cheerfully "So this is the older brother. He looks so much like you Mr. Russello."

"So I've been told" Padre replies. It's true. Padre and I both have black hair and blue eyes, although I think my eyes look more like Madre's blue eyes with Padre's shape.

Madre says in a fake sweet voice, "Joey this is your sister, Jasmine."

Looking over, I see a pink blanket wrapped around something in Madre's arms. I notice a face peeking out a bit on one end; that must be the baby. I can't see her that well, but I do notice a tiny bit of dark hair. She must have gotten Padre's black hair like me, instead of Madre's blonde.

Padre squeezes my leg; I must have been quiet for too long. It hurts, but I don't react. That would only make Padre angry. Instead I muster up a response to Madre "Bello." Padre's pinch lightens.

"Oh, he's so sweet" One of the woman doctors coos.

"The baby is beautiful, just like her mother" Padre says. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Madre smile.

"We'll give you some privacy" one of the doctors says. My heart drops when they do, not wanting to be left alone with Padre and Madre. One doctor takes the baby from Madre and puts her into the basket. Then the doctors walk past Armando and out of the door.

Padre commands "You too Armando."

Armando gives him a short nod before exiting the room. The second the door closes behind Armando, Padre puts me on the ground. I must have performed fine in front of the doctors, because Padre isn't yelling at me and didn't drop me. He just simply placed me on the floor and turned away. I quickly move away from him and go to the corner, hoping not to draw any attention to myself. I sit down in a chair as quietly as possible.

"How are you doing mi bella?" Padre asks Madre. Out of the corner of my eye, I see him lean over her and lovingly rub her cheek.

"I'm fine now" Madre answers giving him a kiss.

"You gave me quite the scare." What does he mean by that? "Still tired?"

"Yes."

"Get some sleep" Padre whispers before kissing Madre's forehead. "You did a good job."

I look down at the floor quickly so they don't see me watching. Padre's footsteps head towards the basket baby Jasmine is in. I don't think he does anything, just stands there watching her. Eventually he stops and walks towards the chairs. I tense as he comes closer; but he doesn't pay me any attention. Padre sits in a chair a ways away from me and lays back. The room stays this way a long time. Being incredibly bored yet not wanting to do anything to upset Padre, I take interest in a vase of flowers next to me. They are red, I believe Pippa told me they are called geraniums. I told Armando that one time; he said I needed to gain back some manhood then taught me how to sharpen a knife with a rock. Neither Pippa nor Armando were happy with each other for days after that.

I hope I get out of here soon. It's awkward sitting in silence with Padre only a couple feet away. But I'm too scared to ask to leave. Speaking in general is out of the question.

Suddenly some gurgling noises come from the baby. Next thing I know Jasmine is crying loudly. Madre goans as Padre stands and walks over to the basket. He stands next to the baby, seemingly at a loss of what to do. Why doesn't he fix the blanket? She's just upset because the one around her is too loose.

A tapping sound begins next to me. Looking over I notice the vase the geraniums are in is shaking. Not a lot, but enough to catch my attention. As quickly as the shaking began, it stops.

Returning my attention to the baby, I see Padre is holding her. He's giving her an irritated look. His eyes shift up and sees me watching. He scowls "What?"

My heart stops at being caught. I snap my head down to stare at my hands which are folded in my lap. It must be my lucky day because Padre doesn't do anything to punish me. Instead he mutters "Thought so." I sense Jasmine settle down, so Padre must have rewrapped the blanket.

Armando doesn't come back for a long time. The entire time I'm too scared to leave the somewhat safety of the chair. For hours I sit and wait, wishing someone would come get me. Padre and Madre don't pay much attention to me. Thankfully my silence is rewarded with no punishments from Padre. Finally after what feels like years, there is a knocking on the door.

Padre gets up from his seat next to Madre and storms to the door. Opening it he growls "What? My wife is sleeping."

"My apologies Mr. Russello" Armando says. "I was only wondering if you would like me to bring Joey back to the villa. It is getting very late."

"Yes, take the boy" Padre hisses. "Quickly, Emily needs rest."

Armando shifts his gaze to me and commands "Joey." His hand gestures for me to approach.

I have to stop myself from leaping out of my chair and dashing to the door. Padre would have yelled at me if I did. Calmly I get out of the chair and speedily make my way to the door. I stare at the floor the entire time, making sure to avoid Padre's glare. When I enter the hallway, the door closes behind me. I release a breath I didn't know I was holding. Looking up at Armando, I give him a grateful smile. Armando doesn't show any emotion and picks me up.

He carries me through the hospital. A few guards join us exiting the hallway and heading towards the lobby. I see a car outside, which Armando walks over to. A guard opens the door and Armando places me in the backseat. Georgie is driving the car. He waits for Armando to climb into the passenger seat before taking off.

"So JoJo, what did you think of your little sister?" Armando asks, now allowed to be nice again.

I shrug, "She's fine I guess. It was annoying when she cried."

Both Georgie and Armando laugh. Georgie tells me "Well get used to it. You're going to be dealing with that for the rest of your life. Dante was the whiniest little thing as a baby, still is if you ask me."

"Don't tell him that" Armando smirks as he lights a cigarette. "Joey promise me you'll be a better older brother than this culo."

"Okay" I mumble.

"That didn't sound very convincing" Georgie calls out.

"Fine, I promise."