For 1i2h3a4t5e6m7e. Please note that I am not a catholic, in fact I am not religious at all; so, if I get any of the ceremony of the church wrong, I hope you will forgive me.

Maroni made his way through the doors of the holy building; dipping his fingerings in the blessed water in the font and crossing himself, before making his way down the nave towards the alter at the far end of the church. There weren't many places he didn't feel as though he needed to be on constant look out. Not many places that he didn't feel as though he had to be constantly looking over his shoulder. But here, in the great cathedral, was one of them. One place that he didn't feel like he needed his boys. One place he believed that not even the likes of Carmine Falcone would sully. The big man lowering his body by bending one knee, before taking his place in one of the pews. Sal intertwining his fingers, before lowering his head in a quick prayer.

Even though it had been a while since he had been able to get there, the place was as quiet as it always was at this time of day; a nun or two busying themselves with whatever they needed to do, and probably a priest getting himself ready to make his way into the confessional; Sal sure that he should perhaps take this opportunity to confess some of his own sins as he was there, the head of the Maroni crime family having to admit that he couldn't remember the last time that he had sat and spoke to a priest in such a way. Though sure that if he did, he would be doing penance from now until doomsday.

"Ah, Salvatore............" A soft voice suddenly said. Sal opening his eyes and raising his head to see the priest looking down at him.

"Father Bianci............" Sal greeted in reply, moving over so that the older man with neatly cut salt and pepper hair, could sit next to him.

"We haven't seen you in a while............"

"No, father. You know how it is........business.............."

"And business keeps you from God...................." The priest interrupted; his soft gaze focused on the man next to him. Sal nodding apologetically, knowing that there was no excuse that he could come up with that would persuade the older man that he hadn't had the time to get there.

"You're right father, I..............." Sal began to reply; the rest of his apology drifting off into cool air of the cathedral as something caught his eye, a woman seeming to appear from nowhere; her arms filled with a large flower arrangement. Father Bianci following Sal's gaze; a small smile pulling at his lips as he saw who had stopped the conversation.

"Her name is (Y/n). About six months ago, Sister Sebastian found her sleeping in one of the aisles. She explained that her parents had been killed because her father had refused to pay protection money to one of the gangs in the area. The men destroyed the store, the home that they owned, before murdering her parents, and then setting fire to the building. (Y/n) was lucky to get away; she was on the streets for a month, before she came here, and she has been here ever since. In exchange for a roof over her head and food, she helps out around here, fixes things that need fixing; in fact, I would say that she was quite the godsend..........." The father explained, as the two men watched the woman place the flowers on a plinth at the centre of the crossing.

Sal couldn't help but watch her, as she adjusted some of the blooms. She was beautiful, there was no doubting that; a lost angel that had somehow found her way to the wickedest of cities. Her story at once saddening him, but also angering him; the big man feeling the need to find the men that had taken everything she knew and everyone she loved from her, and show them what it was like to suffer. Show them the true meaning of pain.

"Why don't you go and speak to her.........she could use a friend............" Father Bianci continued, his smile getting broader as Sal finally turned his attention from the woman.

"Its not that the sister's don't like having her at the convent; but I believe that she was meant for something else.........something beyond the confines of this building.............." The older man added. Sal nodding. The crime boss not sure why the older man would think that he was the kind of friend that she might need; but he wasn't about to argue. Both men getting to their feet and moving out into the nave.

"Oh, and Salvatore.................." The priest called out, Sal turning to look at him.

"Make sure to come to the next mass................"

                                                         >>--------------------------------<<

"Beautiful.........." A voice said, (Y/n) turning on her heels to see a big man smiling down at her.

"I.........I beg your pardon........?" She enquired, watching as he moved around her and took one of the blooms between his fingers before smelling it.

"The flowers........they're beautiful..............."

"Oh......yes..........I wish that I could claim that I did it; but it was Sister Benedict. She has a good eye for such things..............." (Y/n) explained, feeling a smile pull at the corners of her lips, as the man looked at her. The woman having thought, until this moment that is, that she had forgotten how to smile. That there were no more things in the world to smile at. But for some reason, this man had proved her wrong.

"My name is Salvatore Maroni, by the way.............." The big man said, holding out his hand for her to shake.

"But you can call me Sal.................."