Letizia had spent the past hour teaching Vincenzo the easiest and simplest dances she could think of that she knew he could master in one night. Now it seemed like he was ok with a slow tango that could help him next friday night at Tristan's house. Vincenzo had been so hopeless at the beginning. He stood stiffly and treated dancing like a military march. He could stand straight which was good but he was not moving any muscle in his body. Now at least the slow tango could get him somewhere.

As they were dancing, Letizia spoke "You know you could try harder. You don't even try. You look like you are not enjoying yourself at all and you keep your muscles stiff. Its not a question of ability. You are not even trying."

Vincenzo shrugged "I hate dancing.... But who says I am not enjoying myself. I am holding you. That's the best part of it that makes this dance bearable."

Letizia sighed "Why do you hate dancing?"

Vincenzo asked "Why should I like dancing? Its pointless."

Letizia spoke "So if it is pointless, why does it bother you that you cant dance?"

Vincenzo spoke "Because there is a dance themed party next week at the O'Neil house. The first one I am attending. I don't want to look like a cactus standing there while everyone take their turn to dance."

Letizia spoke "Well, its not such a big deal. You are good at everything else. I think you don't want Tristan to look better than you in dancing."

Vincenzo narrowed his eyes "Don't mention his name. Its bad enough that he fancies my baby sister and I have to hear his name brought up by Viggo every chance he gets talking about how much he is wrong for Vienna..."

Letizia questioned "What do you think?"

Vincenzo stated "About what?"

Letizia stated "About Tristan..."

Vincenzo spoke "Tristan?... I have no problem with him for now... But he is pushing it.... As you can tell, he is too dangerous to become an enemy to anyone. So I have to keep peace with him for as long as I can... But I have nearly lost it with him recently. First when he said he loves my sister, I saw blood but I put up with it because I trust him not to hurt my sister. He keeps his word, always and besides, ... he wouldn't dare. But if he messes around with Vienna, I would kill him for sure ...... Then he threatened you.... I didn't like that... When I went up there to confront him, what stopped me from smashing his brains out was how he spoke about you. He has not taken anything personal at all. He just thinks you are new and don't know your place.... so we could settle it. But if you do something that he takes personal, we cant settle it peacefully. I would gladly take him on for you no matter the consequences. I decided to let it go for now. But if you still feel at unease by what happened, all you have to do is ask me and I will go after him. For you, I will do anything Letizia...."

Letizia shook her head "I don't need you to do anything. I don't want to cause trouble. I am fine now.... But of course it would give me satisfaction right now to be on your side.... It feels like I am standing my ground when I am with you...."

Vincenzo didn't know why he bothered asking but he did "So, what do you say you dance with me at his party. You help me learn to dance and be my partner. Does it give you satisfaction?"

Letizia laughed "You are an opportunist. Of course, I will help you. I would love to give you a dance... my hero..." She then leaned close and gave him a kiss on the cheek taking Vincenzo's breath away.

Vincenzo froze in shock and stopped dancing looking at Letizia with surprise "I thought you hated me..."

Letizia shrugged "I feel like .... I am starting to like you..... You set your dogs on me the first time I met you... I don't hate you. I just don't know why you are so nice sometimes and sometimes so crazy. But I like you... You are willing to take on Tristan for me and risk so much.... You mean it. I can tell. Its very nice of you... I don't want him to top you on anything.... especially dance that is a piece of cake for me... But that's all you get for now. I am still not giving you my first kiss..."

Vincenzo smirked "You will... one day..." He was looking at Letizia with intensity and his guards had come down. His eyes had some more emotion in them.... He leaned slightly closer to her as his breath brushed against her lips.

Letizia gulped. She was sure, if she stayed this close to him for any longer, she might have given in. Vincenzo was making it harder and harder for her to save her first kiss. He respected her. He didn't make fun of her. He had declared he cared so much for her enough to make an enemy out of someone he was meant to be at peace with. That was valuable for her. He was sincere enough... She found him to have many flaws. He was arrogant, cruel and dangerous. But he did genuinely care for her....

Suddenly there was a knock on the door and they both split up as their moment was interrupted. Vincenzo let go of her and took a few steps away from her. Letizia also took steps back leaning to a window.

Vincenzo sounded annoyed "Come in..."

The door opened and it was Adele who came in. She smiled "Is everything alright Letizia? Do you need anything?"

Letizia smiled back "I am fine Mrs Rosario. I am about to leave actually. Its getting late."

Adele nodded "Darling you are welcome to come any time. I hope to see you again."

Letizia shook her head "Thank you Mrs Rosario."

After Adele left the room, Vincenzo sighed "Do you really have to go?"

Letizia nodded "Yes."

Vincenzo spoke "Wait here for a minute. I need to get you something before you go."

Letizia nodded "Fine."

As Vincenzo walked out of the room, Letizia sighed and looked around as she was waiting. While they were dancing, she hadn't had time to look closely at his massive room but now he was gone she was noticing more details. He had so many books, both academic and non academic. He had a telephone and a gramophone in his room with some Italian music records laying around it. He had a television too. On the wall, he had enlarged maps of the world, the United States and Italy. He also had a separate map of Sicily that was enlarged the same size of the other three maps. Obviously, he had great interest in Sicily. Also on the wall, there was a large family portrait of his parents and siblings. He was quite young in the photo. He couldn't be older than seven. He smiled. He was much happier in the portrait and didn't have the hard look in his eyes that he had now.

Now, the look in Vincenzo's eyes was one that made you feel like he knew something you didn't. He looked at everyone like he was judging them. He stared at you and kept on staring silently as though he was analysing you, your strengths and weaknesses. He was quite thoughtful and did not talk much. He either liked you or he didn't. If he liked you, you could breathe out in relief since you knew that in his mind, he wasn't plotting to kill you while he was looking at you with those piercing eyes.

Vincenzo had no weaknesses by the looks of it. He just couldn't dance. That was it. She had no idea why Vincenzo's father had let him get away with not learning to dance when his siblings had taken lessons at the dance club in school. It was most likely because dance did not have a report card or grade attached to it since Vincenzo wasn't doing it in school or maybe Mr Rosario had decided to let Vincenzo make his own mistakes and learn from it. Dance was not crucial but it was a good communication skill. In parties you wouldn't have been feeling isolated if you weren't the only one not dancing.

Letizia didn't blame the school that much when it came to Vincenzo skipping dance. There was an imbalance of girls and boys. Boys dominated the school in numbers. According to Clarisa her mother was trying hard to recruit more girls from other schools and reach a 50:50 ratio of boys and girls. But she said either way, the end of year prom was going to be a joint one between the school branch in New york and the one in Milan. It was going to be fun catching up with her old classmates for sure.

Just then Vincenzo entered the room with a bag in his hand. He saw her towering over his desk "Are you seeing anything interesting on my desk?"

Letizia nodded and pointed to a frame on the desk "I was just looking at that picture."

Vincenzo walked to her "Yeah, that picture.... All the Rosario kids in one place. We just have to show a united front so we have one on our desk. Not that I care about some of them. That picture was at Vienna and Viggo's 11th Birthday party. There is me, Viggo, Vienna, Stefano, Alexander, Andreas, Vitale and his sister Tiziana...."

Letizia bit her lip "I know them all. They haven't changed much...."

Vincenzo raised an eyebrow "Of course, Marcianos are allies of the Agostinis. I didn't know your father got along with Pietro Rosario..."

Letizia looked up at Vincenzo " They are allies now after the treaty was signed with your father. But I know them both from school. I went to the same school as them in Milan. Alton and Azurine were there too for a while..."

Vincenzo spoke "So you see them at the end of year prom this year..."

Letizia spoke "Do you know them well? Your cousins in Milan?"

Vincenzo shrugged "I don't know them well. We see them on occasions... maybe .... in weddings, funerals, some birthdays and holidays at times. Some of us at school are betting which one of us Vitale and Andreas kill first when they take over from their fathers..."

Letizia was shocked "Why would you say that? They are your cousins."

Vincenzo spoke " I know... That's why the likelihood of them killing me is not that high.... They are dangerous. Especially Andreas. He is a silent assassin. Assassination is his area of expertise because of his grandpa Roberto. The man has taught him so much. Also Arturo Agostini likes overthrowing people. But never mind. For now they are at peace with my father.. Now... before you go, I wanted to give you this to carry all the time.. This is for you...." He then took out a box with a ribbon wrapped around it from his bag and handed it to Letizia "I hope you like it."

Letizia took the box from Vincenzo's hand "What is it? Is it a gift for me? Thank you. I hope its not going to hurt when I open it".

Vincenzo sighed "Why would I do that? You are my girl, my future wife and the mother of my children..."

Letizia was really speechless. She did not expect him to get her a gift at all.

When Letizia opened the box, she gasped "An umbrella with a golden ... head of a dog. Wow. You have different colour heads included in this box in case the head breaks so I can replace it.... You shouldn't have.."

Vincenzo spoke "Its not just an umbrella. Its a taser gun too. You just turn the dog head and the tip of the umbrella would be doing a good job on whoever you want tasered. When the battery runs out you can change the head that has a new battery in it."

Letizia couldn't help laugh "And how would I know when it runs out of battery?"

Vincenzo explained "When the battery runs out, the top of umbrella gives out pepper spray. So that should keep the attacker busy long enough for you to reach into your bag and replace the head to taser whoever you want to get rid of... If pepper spray runs out and you still need to buy time, there is a knife embedded inside it."

Letizia shook her head "Where did you find such .... interesting gadget?"

Vincenzo sighed " Stop insulting my intelligence. I told you, I am an engineer. I am capable of designing and building a simple gadget like this.... I designed and built it. Its not that good since I had to make it into a size that fits into a hand bag. But I can make one for your back pack too with live rounds so you can shoot and a pocket knife disguised as the handle maybe for easier access. I will work on it."

Letizia laughed. This was the sweetest thing any boy had done for her. Vincenzo had made a weapon for her personalised for her use. He cared about her safety. Even though the gift looked disturbing, it was nice of him and was quite thoughtful. She looked up "Thank you."

Vincenzo looked up "You are welcome.... I will now go and let your guards know to come to the front of the house from the garage so you are not waiting for them. I will be back in a minute. He then left.

Letizia sighed. Vincenzo was so nice that day. She really wished he was like that all the time with everyone.

Suddenly the phone rang. She contemplated answering the phone or not. She thought it might be important so she picked up. She then heard Tristan's voice at the other end "Hey, Vincenzo."

Letizia cleared her throat "Sorry. This is Letizia. Vincenzo will be back in a minute."

Tristan retorted "You are in his room, alone? Seriously?... When he comes back, pass on a message for me. Tell him I am calling a team meeting tomorrow morning before school. Tell him to be there at 7.30. Its about our next game. Good night."

Tristan the put down the phone. He felt annoyed. How could she be in his room? He wished he could have Vienna in his room one day and they could hang out.

Tristan sighed deeply in frustration as he started getting ready for bed. Just then he heard a knock on his door. He muttered " Come in."

Trent came inside the room and closed the door behind him. He leaned against the door " Can I talk to you?"

Tristan took off his shirt and glanced at his brother " Go ahead. Since when do you ask for permission? It's not like you are about to beat up Vienna's brother in front of her that needs any approval from me. Is it?" He then walked slowly to his brother

Trent looked down as he put his hands in his pockets " I am so sorry...."

Tristan stood towering over his brother" Save it. I am not interested.... What do you want to talk about?"

Trent looked up nervously at his brother " I need a favour."

Tristan responded " Are you real?"

Trent stated " I am desperate."

Tristan sighed " Go on."

Trent ran his hand in his hair " I need you to convince mother not to take me to the Giovanni mansion after school tomorrow. I promised Azurine, I would stay behind after school tomorrow and help her with the drama production paper work. Mother didn't listen to me when I asked. I really don't want to go back on my promise. She just told me now I have to be there with you and Clarisa. She said I have to report to her office after basketball practice or she will sanction me. I really need your help. I cant go to father. She doesn't like it when father gets involved. She would get mad at me. I really want to get Azurine to try to like me..."

Tristan looked at him with surprise " What? So you saw some sense and stopped pursuing that trouble some girl Angelia then? Are you telling me you are back to obsessing for Azurine? You didn't do anything about her before. I thought you got over her."

Trent spoke " I was never over Azurine. I was trying to make her jealous when I pretended to be friendly with Angelia. It didn't work obviously..... I am only friends with Angelia. Nothing was going on. I really like Azurine. Just Azurine. We have around 6 weeks until the end of school year and the prom. Please, you have to help me."

Tristan stated in a hard tone " I don't have to help you." He was going to help him but he was going to say no at first, so he could watch his brother look desperate and make him sweat abit. He was still annoyed with how he had ignored Vienna watching him when he had been throwing punches at Viggo in kick boxing.

Trent pleaded " Tristan, please... I will do anything."

Tristan asked " You like Azurine that bad huh?"

Trent nodded " I really like her. I want to impress her. She really needs help tomorrow. If I don't go to mother after school tomorrow, she would ground me. She said she would. Even if father disagrees, she would find another excuse and get me grounded until the end of the term. She has done it before. If I am grounded, I would even miss the prom.... Please Tristan. I am really sorry for what I did, in front if your girl. You made it clear you didn't want Vienna to see violence after what happened with Edward Blake... I am sorry I defied you. It won't happen again. Do this for me... I beg you..."

Tristan had seen his brother's desperate tone. He was satisfied, his brother was sorry enough and desperate enough for his help " Fine. I go to her and will convince her. Leave before I change my mind."

////////

Vitale and Tiziana and Andreas are in A Mob Boss's Alliance (Book 4). That happens in Italy.

Book 5 is a mob boss's legacy when all these kids grow up. That would be posted after I finish book 3 and 4.

Just a reminder of who's who

List of Characters so far

Francesco + Adele = Vincenzo (15) and Viggo and Vienna (14 twins)

Costanzo + ??? = Stefano (14) and Cain (15) who is adopted (His parents are away

( Costanzo is Francesco's brother)
( Maria and Paulo are Francesco's and costanzo's parents)

Antonio + Georgina Cannavaro = Alexander (15)

( Antonio is Francesco's cousin. He is son of Martha ( sister of maria, Francisco's mother) and Piero who is brother of Paulo who is Francesco's father....

Georgina Canavaro has a brother called Georgio.)

Georgio Canavaro + Flora = Vanessa (15)

Vanessa and Alexander are Cousins

Sergio Giovanni + ??? = Sebastiano (15)

( Sergio is Sancia's brother)

Sancia + Emanuelle O'Neil = Tristan (15) and Trent (14) and Clarisa (14 twins)

(Senastiano and Tristan, Trent, Clarisa are cousins)

Azurine McNamara (14) and Alton McNamara (15) are a brother and sister. Who are close to O'Neils because they are Irish-American. Their mother is a close friend of Sancia O'Neil.

Letizia Marciano is a daughter of a criminal family from Italy

Joshua, nick and Tanya are minor characters.

?

If you have read mob bosses alliance you will know

Anna + Arturo = Andreas

( Anna is Francesco's cousin, daughter of Patricia Rosario)

Pietro + Sofia = Vitale +

( Pietro is Francesco's uncle, brother of Paulo and Piero)