7 • MEMORIES, TERRITORIES & REVENGE

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A L E X

PRESENT DAY

CATALINO WAS ONLY ever good at one thing. Teaching. The one thing I learnt from the bastard was to always embrace my territory.

"Lesson one: Embrace your territory, Alexander, it's yours, and kill anyone who dares take it from you."

I saw him hug her.

I saw him hold her.

I saw him whisper into her ear.

And then I saw her laugh.

Laugh.

The game was going all forms of wrong. And we were all frustrated. Washington was no free meat, they were out for blood. Before the game, Coach Mike said something about some of us restricting ourselves, hence, restricting the team. So I did what I hadn't done in a long while, with an assist of course.

The stadium erupted. The adrenaline, the screams, the spirit of the stadium. Her laugh, her scream, her excitement. Fuel. Pure fuel. The feeling of all my teammates skating towards me in raw happiness and excitement. The yells and screams.

The adrenaline that made me skate to her. And mouth to her. The sheer shock on her face. The whole world saw it, and for the first time, I don't care. She's going to know what I am, one way or another. So it'll be best if she finds out from me.

And after all this time, I'm done living without her.

She ruled my heart, coveted my mind and fixed the shells of my shattered soul.

Our souls were kindred, bound, one to another.

A world without Jodie Alba Henning is a dark place.

And I'm done living in sheer darkness.

The ice is my life, the Mafia is my territory, but Alba, Alba is my fucking existence.

The game ends with a bang, and the Krakens win their home game. We skate into the locker rooms and Coach pats me on the back with an approving nod. As the only man that knows about my history and my life, I can definitely see how proud he is right now. And I appreciate it.

Victory is ours.

"That was some killer shot, man, it's been replaying on ESPN!" Nick hits my shoulder in excitement. "The NHL official Instagram even has a reel for it." He says and I can't contain the smile that breaks free.
"It's our goal guys, don't you forget it," I tell them and our Captain, Aaron West goes on to make his captain's speech. Analyzing our strengths and weaknesses, giving me praise and the usual motivational stuff.

I hit the showers after which I throw some clothes on and head out of the hockey facility. I'm heading out when I see Jo waving Steven as he drives away in his sports car. Jo turns around and her breath hitches in an almost loud gasp and her hand flies to her chest. She tries to ignore me by walking away but I beat her to it.

I stand right in front of her.

"What was that in the arena, Alex?" She asks, her voice unwavering.

"You own me, you know that." I tell her blatantly.

"Yes Alex, yes! But I also know that I'll never be your mistress, never, so whatever plan you-"

I fist my arm around her neck, softly. She used to love that, I wonder if she still does. She doesn't blink, nor quiver- yes, she still loves it. But she fixes her eyes on me with a rather venomous glare.

"Why don't you just let me go, huh? Do both our hearts a favor, Lex." she pants, her eyes glistening.

"No, never," I squeeze her neck just a little tighter and she makes an enticing sound. "Because I'm that selfish."

I set her free and she licks her lips.

"I have something to tell you, and you're not going to like it, I want you to meet me at Fredericio's on Sunday evening, I'll text you an address, please." I last word lodges in my throat.

She nods.

She walks away.

Taking the last piece of my heart with her. And I'm not worried, because I know she'll keep it safe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I HEAR FAMILIAR footsteps behind me and I chuckle. "You in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt," I chuckle and I hear him snort. "I never thought I'd see the day."

"You didn't tell me you had vixens for female friends." He states, he's back to his normal expensive three piece suits and dark looks. "I sent word already, the plane will be here soon to take you to Milan."

"I told Jo to meet me at Fredericio's, I'll tell her everything." I state and he nods. "She deserves to know everything."

"For what it's worth, I love hanging around her, she radiates positivity and insane welcoming energy." He states, his pupils dilating in wonder.

"It's my favorite thing about her." I tell him and he nods, getting into the Maserati with me. Visuals of Jo and I from four years ago flash into my mind.

Jodie wearing my clothes.

Jodie telling me to hurt her as much as I want.

Jodie singing my heart will go on at the Karaoke bar.

Jodie kissing my scars.

Jodie tracing my tattoos with her small fingers.

Jodie loving me.

Jodie shoving her hands at my chest, pushing me away.

Jodie crying because of me.

I shove the last flash away. It haunts me. Everytime I think about it, I'm given yet another reason to hate myself.

Phase one is about to begin, and it will begin in the one place I've come to loathe over the years.

Andreas and I arrive at the airport just one time. My Jet lands as I step out of my car, Andreas hovering behind me.

We take the steps of the jet one after the other, knowing that it's going to take us back to the place we once loved, we now hate.

Home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MEN DRESSED IN suits. Guns in their back pockets. Faces as stoic as the devil's. Young women dressed in revealing apparel. A room enclosed in black and dim lights. This is my life.

In this room I am feared. And I take advantage of it. I thrive on the fear I inflict on men. A quality Catalino instilled in me in my early teens.

Andreas, still hovering behind me, orders the men as I asked to meet with me to sit.

"Capo Bastone." Underboss. They all tip their fingers in a salute and I nod, taking my seat. The three men seated opposite me, the Caporegimes, responsible for managing the core areas of our beloved Milan. By Mafia law, I report to Catalino, the Capofamiglia, Leader; but by my own laws, I answer to no one but myself. I learned that also from him.

Andreas pours me a glass of expensive Bourbon and I take a sip, preparing myself for any ounce of disappointment about to drop. Because that's all they always bring, disappointments.

Vincenzo, the first Caporegime, appointed by my uncle. A man I never liked, because even though I never wanted Catalino to know about my business, he was always the dutiful spy, and I enjoy the fact that he thinks I'm dumb.

"Lesson Two: Always be a step ahead of your enemies."

"There was an invasion last night, a rival gang took over one of our biggest hotels- they've been making quite the demands, and I'm afraid we might have no choice but to give in to them." He says, his free hand reaching out to scratch his ridiculously long beard.

"I give in to no one." I state cooly and his hands shake. He's right to be scared of me.

"Their demands-"

"What was your response, Vincenzo?"

"Capo Bastone-"

"I need an answer to my question." I state cooly, my hand meets the handle of the gun once in my drawers, now in between my thighs.

"That we will see to their demands-"

"Wrong answer."
One trigger, two bullets in his chest.

Vincenzo slumps to the ground, his blood all over my expensive carpet.

"Get rid of that will you?" I call to the closest guard and he nods. "And get me another carpet, one that looks exactly like this one, if you don't see it, don't bother coming back." I turn to the remaining two Caporegimes.

"Anyone else with news to share?"

They shake their heads and I nod, standing to my feet and arranging my suit. "Good." And with that I walk out of the room, Andreas following behind me.

"That was only step one of Phase one, news will soon get to Catalino and you will soon be summoned." Andreas states as our driver starts the car.

"And I will be ready, but first we have to visit Mama, she's expecting us." He nods, swallowing as his jaw tightens. If there's anyone that loves our Mama more than I do, it's him.

"Do you think she would want to see us-"

"Yes Andreas, Mama would be more than happy to see her little fighters." I state, meaning every word.

"My little fighters."

Our mother called us fighters. It was the day our father died, and I'd watched him die, desperately trying to shield Andreas from all the blood. Mama found us covered in his blood, it'd been four hours, and Andreas hadn't said a word. I remember seeing him curled up in a ball and gazing into utter nothingness. I remember hating that I couldn't protect him, that I couldn't shield his eyes. Out Papa lay on the ground, his eyes lifeless and his body cold and white. When Mama found us, she'd muffled her cries in her mouth and held us close as she whispered, calling us her little fighters. Andreas probably doesn't remember it now, but he didn't speak for the next month. We know who killed our father, we just need to prove it. This is only phase one, there are three more phases of our plan. One that we must adhere to, until the very end.

And maybe, this might cost me my humanity.

Mama lives in a mansion, surrounded by green trees and water fountains. Most people think she's having the time of her life being married to the Capofamiglia, but we know better. This mansion is hell disguised by wealth.

Maria, Mama's right hand maiden greets us as we step in, nodding at us as she walks us to the backyard, where Mama goes to paint.

My Mama is a beautiful woman. Long, thick, dark hair, green eyes. She hasn't aged since Papa died. She still looks like she's in her twenties, but we both know she's in her forties. She's painting an abstract piece and even though I don't understand it, I'm all for it when she's done. She drops her paintbrush when she sees us, a huge smile spreading across her face.

"i miei ragazzi!"
My boys.

Andreas rushes towards her first, a boyish grin spreading across his face. She pulls him into her arms and then our eyes meet. She whispers,
"Don't worry you're my favorite." With a wink, I chuckle as Andreas lets go of her.

I rush towards her, throwing my arms around her and lifting her up.

"My little Fighters are so big!" She laughs. "Okay, put Mama down before she gets a heart attack." Andreas snorts, followed by a laugh from him as I set Mama back on her feet.

"How are you doing, Mama?" I ask, my chest tightening at the mere thought of Catalino laying his hands on her yet again.

"Oh please," she laughs, "Mama is doing fine! Mama is fine, do you guys want to have anything?"

"No Mama we just dropped by to see you." Andreas tells her and she makes an "awww" sound. As much as I love that she's only ever this way with us, I really wish she could be this way all the time.

"Well as you can see, Mama's doing okay, better than she's ever been." She shrugs, at the same time she yells for Maria and tells her to get us some beer.

"I drink Bourbon, Mama." I choke on a laugh at the sight of her face.

"Well, I only have beer to give you." She folds her arms. "And you have no choice but to drink it."

"Yes Mama." Andreas and I chorus and she giggles. It's almost like when we were kids again. Except that she's older and were Men. Men with blood on our hands.

When Maria goes for the beer, Mom faces me with a look I know all too well.
"What happened with Vincenzo?" She asks.

I swallow.

"I know he's been giving you trouble ever since you became the Underboss-"

"He's the collateral damage to our mapped out plan Mama." I avoid her gaze.

"Collateral Damage? I thought I raised you better Mateo." She winces as she grabs a seat next to me. She shakes on her feet and I shoot out of my seat to help her. "Jesus, Mateo, Fredericio, Mama's fine." She sits and we both sit, still avoiding her gaze.

"It's only a matter of time before your Uncle finds out, what are you going to do then? I already lost your father, I'm not losing the both of you, not today, not tomorrow, not ever." She gives us a warning look as Maria returns with the beer. We stay silent till she leaves.
"We need to find out what happened to Papa, and while we know who his killer is, we still don't have enough proof and we need to get enough. Now we killed Vincenzo, and Catalino will react and when he does, we get leverage."

"Your Uncle is a smart man, he's not going to react." Mama shakes her head.

"I've worked with him for years-"

"And I've lived with him, he knows his enemies at the palm of his hand, and killing Vincenzo makes you his enemy-"

"Or maybe we're just sending a warning to him, he needs to know that we're not little children anymore." Andreas says.

"Mama I want a world where you won't hide your bruises with make-up, I want a world where we can laugh together as a family without looking over our shoulders and if Vincenzo or anyone else has to die for me to achieve that, then so be it." I state firmly and she goes silent, "They all deserve what's coming for them."

"You've grown so much, sometimes I forget you're not five and ten anymore." She sighs. "How's Seattle? I was able to watch yesterday, you need to see the way I jumped when you got that goal."

Then her eyes widen, and I know what she's about to say, "And who did you give the heart sign? The Latina?" She looks between Andreas and I and Andreas smirks.

"Alexander is head over heels, Mama." Andreas states and I shoot him a glare. "What?" He asks, a sheepish smile spreading across his face as he looks to Mom who is grinning from ear to ear.

"Alba? The one you called for advice for a couple of years back?" Mama asks and I nod shakily. "Awwwwww, how hasn't she moved on? You said she was strikingly gorgeous and I trust your judgment."

"Perhaps I did a number on her." I shrug.

"Or she's moving on already, what's his name again? Oh right, Steven, gym owner, fitness and wellness influencer, Captain America lookali-"

"Shut up, Andreas."

"Okay, now I want to meet her," Mom laughs. "She sounds amazing."

She's more than fucking amazing.

Mama, Andreas and I catch up on everything before and after Papa's death anniversary. Mama laughs a lot, we all do- it's the most I've laughed in months. She doesn't ask questions about Isabella, because she knows it's a topic I'd rather spend the rest of my life loathing, and because she knows that I am madly in love with someone else.

We kiss Mama goodbye and Andreas calls a meeting with the upper ranking members of the Cosa Nostra as planned- Catalino. We head back to my house, my phone beeping with several texts and missed calls from no one order than Catalino himself.

We head straight into the house, everyone already present for the meeting. Andreas hovers behind me as always, standing by my side as I make an announcement that will get me a lot of dirty glares, but most of all, a chance with the woman I love.

"I'm getting a divorce."

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

A/N

It's happening!!!! Our Man is getting a DIVORCE!!!!

Who loves the relationship between Alex, Andreas and their Mom?!!!
I love it!!!

Are y'all curious to see how their revenge plan pans out????
I am!

*I know we're all having mixed feelings about Alex right now, but this is the Mafia life, and he was literally forced into it at the age of ten (not an excuse for murder and all) but Vincenzo had to go, the reasons will show up as the book goes on. Remember this is sports romance with a hint of mafia, if this is upsetting or offending to you, it's okay to quit reading <3

Who loved the steamy conversation between Lex and Jo? Also the way Andreas speaks of Jo and the girls gahhhh, I love him.

Random, I started a podcast yesterday and it would mean the world to me if you could give it a chance *hides* the podcasts Instagram is - the.bookslutpod, the link to the podcast on Spotify is on there!!!!

See you next update!!!
It'll probably be from the past......


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