Velvet Lullabies

“Yeah, pa. She gets it, I think she’s just scared.”

“That’s understandable. A girl in her situation should be.” Carlo paused for a moment. “You still sure this is what you want, son. I want you to get married, I’m more than ready to retire and hand this whole damn thing over to you.” He waved his hand gesturing to New York. “But, you’re my son, and I want you to be happy. You don’t have to do this.”

“I know, pa.”

“But you still want too?”

“Yeah, there’s something about her.”

“Yeah son, some women just have something about them. Gets under our skin.” He chucked, patting Lucian on the shoulder. “She’ll come around soon, son.”

“I know.”

???

The Luchese’s attended Sunday mass religiously to atone for their sins and find a sense of spiritual belonging. Lucian abided by his families requests every Sunday since he was a boy, but his spiritually was found somewhere else entirely. He trained hard at a Martial Arts gym a block from his condo in Manhattan. He had been immersed in Martial Arts since he was 12 years old and now he made sure to come here 3-5 times a week.

Lucian had practiced various styles of Martial Arts over the years, but lately he’d been practicing taekwondo, a Korean version of Martial Arts that emphasized the spiritual development of the practitioner. He started his practice with ten minutes of meditation before heading out to the gym.

Most of the men he worked with would say mediation is for girls, but Lucian debunked that type of thought. A man of his stature should have a clear head. You wouldn’t want your leader running his empire with emotions, right? So, you don’t want your streets run that way either.

His practice helped his clear is mind and focus the negative energy into something productive. And with it, came strength. Lucian had never been weak, not in his mind or body, but taekwondo strengthens everything. By the end of his session he was dripping in sweat, muscles sore from the training, and stronger than the day before. He was lean, but his muscles were tough.

“Thought I’d find you here.” Enzo’s voice invaded Lucian’s inner thoughts.

He slammed his hands into the punching bag he was working with. “What do you want, Enz?”

Enzo sighed. “I just haven’t seen you in a while, wanted to make sure everything was okay.”

Lucian sighed, chugging water from his bottle. He loved his little brother, he really did. Enzo had been his best friend and right-hand man since the day he was born. But sometimes, Lucian just wanted a few minutes away from everything la famiglia related. “I’ve been in Providence.”

“I know.” Enzo smiled. “Tell me about her.”

“Not much to tell.”

Enzo chuckled. “Come on! Is she hot? Do you like her? Let me in, bro!”

“She’s beautiful.” Lucian finally told him. “Even without the makeup, hair un-done, she’s gorgeous.”

“I feel a “but” coming on.”

Lucian shrugged. “I don’t know if she wants me, or if she feels obligated.”

“Does she have a choice?”

“I gave her an out.” Lucian tapped his leg nervously.

“But you don’t want her to take it?” Enzo asked.

“I don’t know. I mean no, but…”

“But?”

“Say she says yes, I move her out here and then what? She’s not the type of girl who is going to be happy sitting in my penthouse cooking dinner and washing dishes. I don’t know if I can give her everything she wants, or deserves.”

Enzo smiled. “That’s sweet bro.”

“Shut up.” Lucian growled, throwing a light punch into his shoulder.