Sea of Honor

With a relaxed feeling, I sat in the patio reading my Guida al Diritto magazine. Italian laws are so complex and confusing that you need to know every possible legal route just to close a business deal. My brother Salvatore, on the other hand, has everyone in this criminal underworld in his back pocket.

While I'm studying law and trying to grow as a woman

in this male-dominated world fighting to be treated as an equal he's already sealed countless deals. He's a ruthless don, known as Il Diavolo because of his merciless and brutal approach as a mafia boss.

He's my brother, but that doesn't mean I agree with everything he does. We have our differences, and I'm fully aware that as a woman or as his little sister I don't get much of a say. Still, I dream of a normal life, far away from Italy, without all this luxury that surrounds me... because none of it brings me true happiness.

After the tragic accident that took our parents ten years ago, Salvatore took over our father's empire. I was fifteen when he stepped in and became the young Don ruling over the Mediterranean region. The age of 23, and I remember it all. That was the day he stopped being just my brother and became something like a father too. He took on the responsibility of looking after me.

Most people fear him, but for Salvatore, family is everything. That's why I try to convince him not to make decisions that could harm us. But it's useless like I said, as a woman, you're expected to know your place. And how I hate that... I have a big heart, and I fight against injustice, which is why I stand up for everything that goes against my values. So yes... I'm sometimes a challenge for Salvatore. Then again, even the devil needs a little challenge now and then, right?

At that thought, a smile crept onto my face.

"Sorellina, I didn't know law articles were this entertaining?"

I looked up from my magazine and saw Salvatore leaning against the side door.

He flashed a bright white smile and walked toward me.

"How's my ghnometto doing?"

"You know that if you call me a gnome again, I won't be responsible for what happens next, brother," I replied, without even lifting my eyes from the magazine.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him settle into the lounge chair next to mine.

"You'll always be my ghnometto."

He looked at me teasingly.

I closed my magazine and set it down next to my Negroni cocktail. I knew there was no point trying to focus on articles with Salvatore sitting next to me.

"What's going on, Salvatore?" I finally asked.

He turned his head toward me, looking amused.

"Nothing's going on. Why, should there be?"

Grinning, he kept staring at me.

"Well... when you spend time with your sorellina, it usually means you need something from her. So go ahead, spit it out."

I crossed my arms and gave him a teasing look.

He chuckled and shook his head.

"Ghnometto, I just came to check if everything's okay. I saw you relaxing out here in the patio. I came home a bit later than expected last night and didn't see you. That's all."

I raised an eyebrow and looked at him with disbelief.

"Let's just say everything's fine, fratello."

He smiled and finally nodded. Then he got up from his lounge chair and, with his hands in his pockets, looked at me seriously.

"Tonight I have a meeting with the capos. I want you to be there to entertain the women."

There it was! I knew damn well he wanted something from me! I stood up and walked over to him.

"I knew it!!" I said, pointing my finger at him.

"You know I hate entertaining those women. Their way of thinking is straight out of the Stone Age, Salvatore! You know damn well I have to take extra calming pills and end up with a blue tongue from biting it all night!"

He threw his head back laughing and shook it.

"I know my little sister knows exactly how to handle those women. That's why I love you, mia cara."

He gave me a kiss on the cheek and left the patio.

He knew damn well I couldn't escape him because if there's a meeting with the capos, it's usually something serious. With a sigh, I dropped back into my lounge chair and stared ahead.

"Signora Giulia, shall I lay out your evening dress for tonight?"

Romina, our maid, stood at the entrance to the patio.

Clearly, Salvatore had already given the order.

I nodded and thanked her politely. Here we go again, I thought, letting out a deep sigh.

Hopefully, I'll survive this evening with those bickering women and their never-ending luxury stories.