The Beginning (The Life 1)

Shit, I thought those two would be more of a challenge, but I can deal with them and take care of my business with Ricci at the same time. My plans for him are more long-distance at this stage, while her shit is right next door. That’s the excuse I’m giving myself tonight for my involvement in her mess. Though my hands are tied because she still must live with them, I can work around that.

I found the twins in their room, lying across their beds, reading and talking to each other. “Pop’s taking us to New York this weekend.” I plugged my ears from the deafening screams and waited for them to calm down. “There’s a showing at The Met.” Cue the groans. “Suck it up; there’s a reason behind that.” They looked at me with confusion.

I hadn’t told them anything about what went down in the Fontane home though they’d been dying to ask, but at least they had the good sense not to mention it in front of Lance, who was still going on about his new car when we left. Which, come to think of it, is a good thing. Otherwise, he’d have been sticking his nose in my shit too.

“What reason? What’s going on?”

“You really want to stick it to Victoria?” That’s a rhetorical question. If I know anything about the Russo twins, it’s that they can hold a grudge. And they like nothing better than sticking it to anyone they perceive as the enemy.

“Is that a question? I think I know what you’re thinking.” They both said the last part of that together with growing excitement.

“Yes, you should invite Gianna to come along for the weekend.” They looked at each other and then at me wide-eyed.

“And, you’re doing this because you just want to help her.”

“That’s what I said, Anna, but if you don’t want to...” I pretended to walk away, knowing that it was already in the bag.

“No-no-no, we want to.” They rushed me in the doorway and dragged me back into the room.

“Okay tell, us, what do you have planned?”

Of course, they would know I have one because, at the same time, I was teaching them not to be bullies; I was also teaching them how to fuck people over without spilling blood.

The human psyche is a fragile thing, and it’s usually those who think they’re the strongest who have the weakest minds, or they’re mental as fuck. Victoria, I’m not sure which of those categories she falls into; I do know she isn’t worth even half an hour of my time, but she pissed me off, so now I’m going to let the twins have some fun because I’m not about to get in the middle of a teenage girl fight unless I have to of course!

“I’ll tell you the rest of the plan tomorrow. Invite her when she comes over after school.” That should give Ma or Pop time to call Felix Fontane and get the okay once the girls let it be known that they want her along.

“Why can’t you invite her?” I gave Rosa a quelling look for her question, but she wasn’t fazed.

“You wanna do this or not?”

“Yeah, we like her, she’s nice and smart, but she’s too quiet, almost like she’s afraid to speak sometimes.”

“Well, Anna, I expect you two to cure her of that in no time. By the way, Victoria plans to tag along tomorrow; no doubt she’s gonna want to go to the city as well.”

“Oh, hell no, where’s Ma?” Rosa looked pissed as they both climbed down off their beds in high dudgeon.

“I think it would be better to let Pop handle this one. Go tell him what you want.” They left the room holding hands like they do when they’re up to some shit. It’s a crossover from childhood, and though I’m usually the one at the other end of their shit, this time, their focus was on someone else.

Victoria, Victoria, you should’ve heeded my warning. It’s been a while since I’ve seen my sisters suppress an enemy; this ought to be good.

Victoria is child’s play compared to the twins; they read the art of war when I was thirteen, and they eleven because, of course, whatever big brother was into, they had to follow. So, for now, I plan just to stand back and watch them work. I’ll only step in when needed, but my money is on the girls. I need Gianna to learn from them so I can go about my life and get my shit back on track without the distraction of her.

GABRIEL

“Are you meditating? We don’t have time for that; we need to leave earlier than usual today, no?” I finished my breathing exercise before opening my eyes. My gaze fell on the vast expanse of manicured lawn and the garden in the distance before turning to look at them in the doorway.