"Promise me you won't disappear while I'm gone," Annalisa holds out her pinkie to me. I laugh, realizing everyone knows a pinky promise is serious for me after the similar moment I just had with JP.

I chuckle as I hook my pinkie with hers. "I promise I'll be here when you get back." I hug her tightly before she turns to Samantha.

"I love you, Samantha. Good luck with your new job; I'm going to miss the hell out of you, girl!" Annalisa says as she hugs Samantha.

"I love you too, girl. You know you two will not be rid of me, even if I'm a thousand miles away, friends for life, right?" Samantha looks at us both.

"Right!" Annalisa and I say together, and we share in a group hug.

"If something happens with Melanie, call us, and we'll come back as fast as we can," Joey tells me as he hugs me, too.

I breathe in deeply, hoping it doesn't come to that. "I will. You guys go have fun and be safe."

"We will; between Cristian and JP's guys, we'll be safer than the President!" Joey jokes. He opens the door for Annalisa, and she climbs in, waving and blowing a kiss at me before he gets in. The car pulls away, with them waving at the crowd as everyone shouts out their last goodbye's and I love you's.

"Well, baby girl, I'm off. Please call me if you need anything!" Samantha tells me as she hugs me.

"I will. Good luck with your job; I know you'll do great. I love you, Sam."

"I love you, too, Stella. Please take care of yourself." She cups my face with her hand before she turns and walks away.

I feel an arm come around my shoulders, "Are you ready to go, or do you want to dance it up?" Sean asks me.

"If the kids are ready, then we can go, but I'm okay if they want to stay, too." I look around and find Kai, Lucy, and Miles all talking with Nico, Gabe, and Gianna.

Marco walks by them with JP, and Kai pulls Marco into the group, wrapping an arm around his shoulders, including him in their little group.

I tense up a little as JP approaches us. He glances at Sean briefly and then at his hand around my waist. "I'm sorry if Marco's making Lucy uncomfortable in any way; I told him to back off considering they'll be living together."

"Oh, he doesn't have to back off. I mean, I just told him to take time to be her friend first, but you know how young love is..." I trail off, realizing what I said.

"Yes, I know exactly how it is." JP's dark eyes look back at me intensely. I clear my throat and quickly glance at Sean and see his jaw tense as he glares at JP.

"Capo," Adonis rushes towards us, "It's Giovanni; he sent a video message. He got D'Angelo."

"Don D'Angelo?" I ask, and they both look at me. "He was at the last gathering. Is he okay?"

Adonis hands JP a tablet, and I move closer to watch as he hits play. "Johnny Santiago, we have not had the pleasure of meeting yet. You may have heard of me, but allow me to introduce myself formally. My name is Giovanni Dante.

I'm sure you've heard the rumors defaming my honor, integrity, and character; talk of betrayal, abandoning the old codes, and even an uprising against the head of the Fratellanza in Italy, Cristian Romano. All false."

I scoff, grabbing the tablet out of JP's hands. "This fucking asshole."

I grip the tablet tightly as Gio continues. "I was set up. And as humiliating as it is, it saddens me more than anything to have to say out loud that it was my own blood, my own family. As well as by someone I employed since he was a young kid who I thought of as my son." Gio sighs deeply, appearing to be containing his emotions.

"I don't want to bore you with all the sordid details, but it pains me to say the ones to blame for the mess that's become of our organization is my niece, Stella Bracco, and my former second in command, Cassian James Carminati, he's known by many as 'Jimmy.'"

Cristian, who has now joined us, begins laughing loudly behind me. "Just when I thought he couldn't be any more idiotic, he goes and pulls this shit."

I look back at the tablet as Gio spews out more bullshit. "They've been hard to track as I've been working diligently for nearly four years to find them, while I've gone into hiding after they put a target on my back.

But the shame doesn't end there. They've had some help from the Irish mob; you may want to look into the Malone family, their son, Sunny, was causing a lot of trouble for our families when the rumors about me began, but one of my associates finally took him out about two months ago."

This time Sean, laughs coldly, muttering what a fucking idiot Gio is.

"For years, I had a good working relationship with the Irish until a minor misunderstanding was blown out of proportion with the Malones, and the simple-minded, vengeance-seeking assholes turned on me. I should have known better than to trust the fucking culchie, Irish. And I take full responsibility for their infiltration in some of our businesses."

Sean is breathing heavily and walks away, cursing. I know the memories of what Jessica went through and how she was found came back to him hearing Gio twist everything.

"As far as Stella goes, I recently found out she has been working at a club you bought out from me. After Dark, in Miami. I sent my number two after her, but..." Gio pauses, shaking his head, chuckling, "the bitch is lethal and took him and several of my men out a few weeks ago." I feel JP's dark eyes on me.

I roll my eyes, "It was Enzo, Joey, and Topo. If they hadn't shown up when they did..." I trail off as Gio drones on again.

"Anyway, I have information on where she is staying in Miami; I'd be happy to share that information with you since I know it will only be a matter of time before she begins stirring shit up again.

To be clear, Johnny, I am pledging my allegiance to you. From what I hear and have been following, you have a great talent for the business side of things. In addition, you have a keen ability to stay under the radar from the feds and maintain a significant portion of your business legitimate which that alone is impressive.

I am happy to offer you my knowledge in the other areas and my services and life if you have me. And as a measure of good faith, I wanted you to know I discovered Luca D'Angelo, working with the Feds. I will be happy to dispose of him for you at your command."

The camera pans over to a man tied up in a chair; his mouth gagged. I recognize him as the Don who's little girl I helped save from a sex trafficking ring a few years ago.

"But the betrayal does not end there, I'm afraid. Leone Russo, Franco Mancini, Elio Jilani, and Patrizio Colombo have all been in bed with the feds as well. I have someone on the inside that can give you proof if you care to see for yourself. For now, I'll wait to hear from you on how you want to proceed with D'Angelo. Caio."

I look over at Cristian, and he nods, knowing what I'm thinking. Gio just named all the Dons who survived the last gathering. He's trying to pick each one-off, one by one, and use me as a scapegoat for his failed rebellion.

"When was this sent?" JP tries to take the tablet back from my death grip. He places his hand over mine and gently pulls it away but squeezes my hand before letting go.

"A half-hour ago," Adonis replies.

"Are we able to trace it?" JP questions. Adonis lets him know Mateo and David are working on it.

I can't believe Gio thinks he's getting away with all of his bullshit. All of his lies and manipulation. It makes me sick to think that I'm related to someone so despicable.

I walk over to where JP is talking to Adonis. "JP, he's getting rid of anyone that survived the last gathering. He mentioned D'Angelo and the rest of the Don's are the only ones left, besides Cristian and me. If you're worried if anything he said has any merit, I know someone that can look into it. Well, two people, actually." Thinking of both Ray and Tej.

"Tell Santino to take Isabella and the kids home. Where's Enzo?" JP asks Adonis.

"Right here," Enzo says, walking up to us and stands next to me.

"I need you with me when I meet with Gio; you're getting your chance to settle this once and for all," JP looks at Enzo seriously before he looks at Adonis, "Send a message to Gio that we'll meet with him. Then, call Apollo, Neri, Paulie, and Bosco to meet at the Villa; they'll come with us, too."

"JP, did you hear what I said? You're not meeting him tonight, are you?" I ask, walking towards him.

"If I don't, he will kill Luca D'Angelo. I know what I'm doing, Stella," JP starts walking away, and I have to run to catch up to him. I call out to him, but he keeps walking, so I grab hold of his arm.

"JP, please stop." He finally stops and looks at me, "How do you know this isn't a trap?"

"D'Angelo has a family, Stella."

"So do you, and you can't be responsible for everyone, John Paul. You're only one person."

JP steps closer to me, his intense dark eyes boring into mine as he cups my face with one of his hands. "This is my chance to finish Giovanni, and I'm taking it. It's time he pays for everything he's done, everything he's taken from me, from us. You of all people should know what this means to Enzo, too."

"Take me with you."

His hand leaves my face as he runs his fingers lightly through my hair and plays with the ends of my hair before looking at me again; his eyes move down to my lips briefly before he looks up, "No, I need you with the kids, in case anything happens."

My heart begins to race as he starts to turn away, but I grab his hand; he looks back at me.

"John Paul, please be careful," I tell him, and he squeezes my hand with a slight smile on his face before he walks away, and my hand drops to my side.

"What's going on?"

I turn around and face Sean. "He's going to meet with Gio."

"By himself?"

I shake my head, "He's taking Enzo and some of his men with him. We need to head back to the Villa."

We gather up the kids and make the long drive back to the Villa. The kids notice the tension in the car but keep quiet. I let them know we will be staying in the Villa for the night because it is late rather than driving back to the city.

Once we arrive, they say goodnight and head to the rooms they've stayed at during the recent sleepovers. Sean and I head over to where Enzo is talking quietly with Cristian.

"If you need another hand, I'm happy to join," Sean offers.

Enzo shakes his head, "Thanks, man. But JP's very meticulous with his planning, and he's had something cooked up for a while now for Gio. He just didn't think Gio would be offering himself up the way he is."

I pull Enzo towards me and hug him. I know what this would mean to Enzo. If there's anyone other than me who has more hate for Gio, it's Enzo. After Gio tortured and murdered his mom, I can only imagine what's going through his head right now.

"Are you okay to do this?"

Enzo pulls away, "I've been waiting for this moment since I was thirteen, Stella. I've been ready for a long time." The look of determination and confidence in his eyes is powerful, even disarming. I know he wants this more than anything, but I can't help feeling scared; I don't want anything to happen to him or JP.

"Everything I have ever done has led me to this point, Stella. And I will continue fighting for those who come against you and your family because you are my family."

I blink away the tears in my eyes, "Just promise me you won't die."

"You know I can't promise you that, Stella mia."

"Please," I beg.

"If it's my time, I promise I will take as many of the fuckers down with me." He tells me as he cups my face before he pulls me into a hug.

"You are ready, nipote," Cristian says, clapping his shoulder. "You've come a long way since you came to me as a scared little boy. I know everything that you've been through and done has led you to this moment in time. Katerina is with you, remember that." He squeezes Enzo's shoulder again, referring to Enzo's mom. "I'm proud of you, Lorenzo."

"Thank you, Zio. If anything goes wrong, I want you to know; I wouldn't have made it to where I am without you. Ti amo." Enzo hugs Cristian. I've never seen them interact with so much vulnerability, and it warms my heart to witness it.

Cristian seems to be taken back by his omission, too, but he returns Enzo's hug.

"I love you, too," Cristian pulls away and then smacks Enzo in the face. "Now focus, you've been around Stella too long." He teases, and I hug them both at the same time.

"You know you both love me."

They both laugh.

"Enzo, andiamo," JP calls out to him. (Let's go)

"Cristian," JP address him, "Mateo and David will have a feed coming into the Comm room. If this goes sideways, call Vito." Cristian nods back at him.

JP holds my gaze for a moment as an unspoken conversation passes between us before he turns and walks out the front door.

"Non preoccuparti, Stella, they will be fine," Cristian says and steers me to the comm room. (Don't worry)

I nod. They will be fine.

They have to be.

~~~~~

Who's excited for Enzo to get his revenge besides me???

*Don't forget to vote and comment!