It was the afternoon. The prom was about half and hour away. The boys and girls had free time until then. Most of the boys and girls were at the lobby attending the cocktail and chocolate tasting reception or watching football and drinking soda in the common room. But Vincenzo and Vitale werent most boys. They were making the most of the time they had for communication and hanging out.

Vitale was standing in the kitchen of Vincenzo's hotel room, hanging out with Vincenzo. He was roasting green peppers and tomatoes in olive oil with salt and pepper for makng his favourite snack before the prom. He didnt like American food very much so he liked to have some food he enjoyed before going to enjoy himself. Vitale had made no secret of not liking American food and went into effort of shopping to make himself some Italian lunch.

Vincenzo was sitting behind the table of the kitchen looking at his cousin. Vincenzo looked at the massive piece chorizo on the table "I cant believe you eat this stuff. This is too much. I would just stick with hot dogs."

Vitale turned to him "This is not just any chorizo. This is my favourite. Its better than the hotdogs and burgers you eat here." He then walked to Vincenzo and grabbed it off him. He put it on the chopping board and started chopping up the chorizo.

Vincenzo sighed as he put his hands under his chin staring at his cousin asking the question he ahd avoided asking " Vitale... Have you heard from my grandpa? What is he upto?"

Vitale looked up "Uncle Paulo is fine." He then took the chopped up chorizos to the hob and placed them in the pan as he stirred the mixture with a wooden spoon on low heat.

Vincenzo shook his head "You know what I mean... The last time we talked, you said he has plans. Big plans..."

Vitale sighed "I honestly dont know. Its not like he tells me anything. I am not on his good side. He has his meetings with my father. Sometimes he does talk in front of me but he is mad at me."

Vincenzo asked "Why?"

Vitale replied "I am not his ideal nephew. Am I? You know how I told you, Juliano Luciano threatened Tiziana... Well, lets say uncle Paulo wasnt happy with me challenging Juliano to a fist fight for it. Juliano is his perfect image for anyone associating with Tiziana. He told me off for beating the guy up. I didnt even get the chance to beat him properly. It was a pretty even fight and the adults almost caught us so that stopped us that night before we went for it properly. I dont get it. The Luciano men treat women like they are objects. They don't treat women equallly. Our familly is traditional sicilian. We dont involve women in business but we respect women. Lucianos dont do that. Just look at how Juliano approached my sister. He demanded her to go to the prom with him. He didnt ask her out... So uncle Paulo  wants me to keep out of it and let Juliano and Scorpious fight it out... My father thinks like him too. They think its a fight between Scorpious and Juliano. How can I not get involved. The guy comes in broad daylight and threatens my sister..."

Vincenzo declared " I agree with grandpa. Dont get involved. Let the Voltilini fight it out. His kind are used to fighting for women who isnt theirs..."

Vitale turned around " Are you saying you approve of Juliano? Come on... You cant garee with uncle paulo on this."

Vincenzo shrugged "I don't think anything good can come out of a Voltolini coming onto your sister."

Vitale sighed as he left the pan to heat up the ingredients as he walked to the table and put his hands on the edges lenaing over the chair towering over Vincenzo "Come on Vicnnezo... The Voltolinis are not as bad as you think... Ambrogio Voltolini made a mistake.. He messed with your father... He is now no longer a threat... Scorpious also shouldn't be judged because of who he is related to...."

Vincenzo was staring at Vitale with dissaproval " You cant call that a mistake. He had eyes for my mother. He shouldnt have been left alive but my father made the decision. I can't trust any Voltolini. Scorpious is a special case but he still needs to prove his worth for your sister. Let him fight it out with Juliano and let's see who wins."

Vitale replied as he walked back to the pan " I think. my father would agree with you. She is a Rosario woman... She deserves the best fighter and not the best gentleman" He got on with stirring the contents of the pan with the wooden spoon " Vincenzo... Do you know what I think of all this?"

Vincenzo asked "What?"

Vitale kept on stirring the contents of the pan as he spoke "None of this matters... I think something big is coming... I have some hints but I cant put it together. Uncle Paulo talks like you in riddles..."

Vincenzo asked "Tell me the hints... What has he said to you?"

Vitale chuckled "He hasnt said anything to me... I have been spying on him talking to my father and uncle Piero the last time we went to Sicily after you people took off to return here. On our way we had a touch down... I think you know, the Don is quite sick. Right? He doesnt have long left. They have gathered the best doctors and now that he is bed bound, its uncle Paulo who is the head of family. I know my father is the oldest but uncle paulo is the one who qualifies for leadership. My father does the action. Uncle Piero does the paper work and diplomacy. Of course uncle Paulo does the leadesrhip."

Vincezno narrowed his eyes "So much for retirement..."

Vitale turned off the heat under the pan and started placing the contents ono pices of bread on plates as he carried on "Tell me about it. There is no retirement. That was just a front so enemies think the three brothers are not active. Uncle Paulo is hardly 60. He got married at 18. Like the others in the family... So there is alot going to happen in coming years. Uncle Piero doesnt do peaceful work." He then carried the plates to the table.

Vincenzo leaned back in his chair as he put his hands on the table "So what is the plan. What does grandpa want to do?"

Vitale looked around and sighed "Your father would kill me fo telling you this... But he is coming for you..."

Vincenzo raised an eyebrow "Me? Why?"

Vitale sighed "He wants you to come to him.... He wants to mentor you. He has ... sent a letter to your father about it many times... But your father has refused... Uncle Paulo, wants to expand the territoroes in Italy and even in America... He still has assets in las Vegas and Nevada. Uncle Piero also owns some businesses in Texas... He is expanding them all. I have no idea how... He makes no sense when he talks business... But it sounds like he is gaining power. Now that the Don is unwell and not fit to lead, uncle is taking risks and invading businesses that the Don didnt approve of. The Casino business for instance is something the Don could never stand...."

Vincenzo asked "He told you all this? He trusts you with this information?"

Vitale laughed as he took a bite from his sandwhich shaking his head. He took a sip of water and then spoke "Hell no. I ... spied on him when he was holding a meeting. No kids were allowed. It was top secret meeting. I nearly got caught so I ran for my life and didnt go back to find out what was said... I begged to go in but they said, I need to be older... I cant be initiated into the business yet..."

Vincenzo asked "Anything else you heard?"

Vitale shook his head "Not really. Nothing useful. I just know he is coming for you... So watch out... If you get more security around you dont be surprised. Your father is taking the threat seriously. He has talked to my father about it... My father is the only Rosario your father can actually have a conversation with without the risk of shooting him dead."

Vincenzo replied " Grandpa cant do anything... My father has banned him from coming to the United States. He wont get through the customs without my father finding out... My father would block whatever attempts he makes..."

Vitale stated "Dont udnerstimate the Don and his sons... They are not what they seem. There is alot you dont know Vincenzo... They have power... they choose to show it when it counts.. So be careful..."

Vincenzo was eating his sandwhich as he was listening intently. He thought about Vitale's words and then asked "Vitale.. Who's side are you on?"

Vitale took a deep breath as he drank some water. He looked into Vincenzo's eyes " My loyalty is to my father. Whichever side he picks I would too... But it doesnt mean I agree with all my father's decisions... I have to do what my father tells me to Vincenzo. I have no power or authority over my father... Neither do you. Not yet. We are both controlled by our fathers ... Personally, I dont like being in the dark... But I dont have a choice. I want to be out there and know the threats... These family feuds are the least of our worries and you know it. FBI trying to intercept our activities is the big problem... So I try to put it all to the back of my mind... Dont mention my girl problem too. So I have alot to think about...My girl is wanted. She is on a hit list. I have to train hard like you do... But you can count on me Vincenzo on anything. I cant stop uncle Paulo but can do anything thats within my powers. At the moment I cant do anything but wait.. Like you..."

Vincenzo replied "I dont want anything from you in return... Just dont add to my problems... I can see you are close to coming out with the secret.. A word of advice.. Don't...You are cutting it too close... You maybe caught if you are not careful... You go into the prom single but you better find some girl to dance with to not raise suspicion if any one catches you talking to letizia..."

Vitale replied "No one in their right mind would suspect me liking a girl who's name is associated with you. Come on... Even if I kissed her, people would be rubbing their eyes thinking they are hallucinating..."

Vincenzo replied "It wont be for long. We will find a way... You should be able to be with letizia openly... But be careful brother. She has many enemies..."

Vitale sighed "I know brother..."

The boys ate their food and then it wa stime to make their way down to the lobby. They reached the lobby and joined the boys. Minutes later the place was full and filled with noise and laughter.

It was prom night finally. The girls were all dressed up in the lobby of the hotel enjoying a reception of chocolate tasting and fruit cocktail drinks. If they were older, they could have cheese and wine. But for now, they wre not legal. The boys were mostly outside in the terrace of hotel drinking soda and snacks while watching football on the to screen.

The girls and boys were chatting and laughing talking about the experiences of the day from fitting dresses to the events of the war path challenge. But of course many of the talks were a front. On the inside they had their own battles and thoughts.

One of the conflicted minds was Tiziana. She was going to start a feud between Juliano and Scorpious that night. She knew that. She had a talk with Scorpious that day. She had an honest friendship with him. She didn't keep any secrets. And of course Scorpious had acted how she expected him to. He had laughed it off. He had said if Juliano was his match and she believed Juliano could top him then what was the point of calling him her boyfriend? She either called Scorpious her mam or she didn't. If she doubted he could handle Juliano then there was one way to find out. They could attend this prom and see what happened next. Of course that was the typical male attitude. They believed if they were weak enough to be topped then maybe their girl was better off with another man.

Tiziana didn't doubt Scorpious. He could hold his own. His family was also powerful. His father was a Voltolini, Alessio who was brother of one of the top most dangerou men in Italy, Ambrogio. Scorpious's mother was Arturo Agostini's sister, Alicia. The issue was, Lucianos didn't exactly fight fair. She knew Juliano was going to find every possible way to break up the couple. She could handle him. But she thought Scorpious didn't deserve to be caught in the middle. He endured enough in his own life. His uncle Ambrogio made all his decisions since his own father was a priest and not in the family business. On the other hand he had to live upto his uncle Arturo' expectations. He was a Voltolini heir and an Agostini heir. He was destined to be Andreas' closest ally and also his second in command while becoming the boss of the Voltolini empire. He didn't need her to throw hurdles in her way but the way she had said to her that she was all worth it, warmed her heart.

Scorpious was her protector and saviour. She couldn't imagine herself with Juliano Luciano. His sister was alright. They got along but Juliano was not someone she could get along with. He was beyond reason and didn't treat women like equals. He hadn't asked her to the prom. He had demanded from her to attend the prom. She was lucky she was a Rosario. She had her family protection. She also already had a boyfriend who her parents approved of. If she was dating a weakling then her parents would have forced her to give Juliano a chance. You didn't say no to a Luciano who were close allies to the Rosarios for no reason.

Letizia brought her out of her thoughts " Are you alright Tiziana? You don't seem well..."

Tiziana smiled at her " I am fine..."

Letizia sighed. Tiziana wasn't fine. She could tell.

Letizia sipped from her fruit cocktail and glanced across the lobby through the windows at the boys in the terrace. She looked at Vitale laughing and joking with Vincenzo. She was so confused about her emotions. She had thought she was done with her life in Italy. But her life had followed her. She never thought Vitale still cared for her. She thought he was going to give up on her. Why didn't he hate her? She didn't understand why? There was a prize on her head. She was as good as dead. Why didn't Vitale get the message. And then there was Vincenzo. He never understood why he put up with her either. Why did they have compassion. She didn't know what she would have done if she was in Vincenzo's or Vitale's position. Would she be protecting a dead person walking? She felt like she was selfish for causing so much trouble but she couldn't go back to change the past. She felt like she was selfish for keeping an heir from his first love. She owed her life to Vincenzo and of course Vitale for appearing in her life.

Letizia could not describe how she felt. When she had arrived in America she had thought Vitale never wanted to see her again. She was more trouble than she was worth. She had been building a wall between herself and others too. She had to keep away. She was dead. It was only a matter of time before the Luciano's sent someone over to kill her to make an example out of her. But of course she had gained a lifeline when Vincenzo had claimed her as his girl. Why did he bother? She didn't know. He was so peculiar and complex. After his confessions she had become so baffled why he put up with her for the sake of her blood relative.

One minute, Letizia was counting the days to die and suddenly she was saved. She never could understand Vincenzo. Maybe that was why she feared getting close to him. He was too complicated to read. His actions gave a her a headache sometimes. He was not destinted to be her man. But he was destined to be her friend. She was going to repay him for keeping her alive at a cost to himself. She understood what he was doing for her. She was selfish to accpet his help but she was grateful. She wasnt sure how descibe her relationship with Vincenzo. It had just happened. It was a second chance relationship. She had thought she had lost Vitale and was hoping she could make it work with Vincenzo. But now that vitale was back and Vincenzo had confessed to her why he had done what he had done, everything changed. There was hope of one day returning to Italy. She missed home. She missed being with Vitale.

The time for dancing finally came. All girls made their way to the dancing hall that was nicely decorated and live music was playing. The girls got on with dancing as boys slowly entered the room.

It was moment of truth. As Letizia walked to Vincenzo automatically she could feel eyes on her. She knew how jealous the single girls were. He was a dream to them. He was mean, offensive and hostile but he was respected and loved like a roman emperor. He was the most attractive boy in the whole school and an honourable Rosario. She knew she had competition right that moment without her realising it since Emperor Rosario was well loved.

As she was dancing she looked at Vitale who was drinking water in the corner watching them dance imagining himself with her and remembering the dance they had in their room.

Then Letizia looked at Tristan approaching his girl, Vienna who was dancing next to Clarisa.

Vienna was the queen of almost the entire Italian-American and Irish-American population in New York and beyond. She had no idea how many boys had their hearts broken over her. She heard them talk about her in whispers. She had no idea how much the girls admired her and wanted to be her. She never made msitakes. She was always perfect. The king of school had claimed his queen and this was a dance to remember. They were the most perfect couple in the room. Did she envy Vienna? Perhaps she did. She was more popular, more beautiful and more loved. But she was Vincenzo's sister. She couldnt hate her for being so perfect. She was in awe of her, she admired her and knew she could never be like her. Such perfection was impossible. Just then as she was watching Tristan approching Vienna, the music stopped and lights were focused to the stage. It was Juliano on the stage.

Juliano announced "Why dont we pay attention? I am here to reveal a secret for you. A secret that is quite damning to the Rosario household." He then gestured with his hand to no where in particular and lighs went off and like a cinema screen, images were reflected on the wall of the satge. There were moving pictures of Viggo and Angelia. Luciano announced "Well, this shows how messed up Rosarios can be... Viggo is upstairson the rooftop kissing a forbidden girl... Well, Good luck Rosarios..."

Even Letizia knew he had done it because of anger since Tiziana was dancing with Scorpious. Lucianos never fought fair. She enevr regreted anything in her life but she wished that gun actually killed their bride that day so she could kill one of them.