FEDERICO

"Fuck me, Rico!"

"Harder!"

Elenora's moans turn into screams of pleasure as I thrust into her, at a merciless pace. The sound of flesh slapping against flesh is turning me on even more. Her arousal drips down her legs as my hands dig into her hips pulling her to me as I continue to slam into her from behind.

My grunts are growing lowder, more so when she clenches around my cock. I growl trying to keep from blowing my fucking wad.

"You feel so good, baby." My voice is low and husky.

I pull out and flip her onto her back and begin devouring her. And when I groan against her pussy, she falls apart.

I snake my arm behind her back, loving the moan she lets out when I lift her further up on the bed and raise her legs over my shoulders. I grip the top of the headboard before I plunge into her, and she bows off the bed.

She writhes under me and her hands grasp at the sheets as I ram into her to the point where her head hits the headboard a couple of times.

But just as I reach my climax, we hear a loud groan and a snapping sound as the headboard or bed frame—or maybe it's both—snap. Elenora holds on to me as the bed slants forward and to the side.

I look down at her and we burst out in laughter.

"Damn, that's the fourth one in two months." I blow out air, trying to catch my breath, but I notice goosebumps erupting over Elenora's damp skin and the small shiver that runs through her body.

She shifts under me to lift her arms over my shoulders and her hardened nipples rub against my chest. They're practically begging for my attention so I dip my head down to nip and suck on them gently.

"It's the third." Elenora kisses and bites down on my shoulder.

"Fourth, patatina," I groan, fucking loving how she gives my cock a squeeze that's still inside of her. "The first was the same night I punched Ciccio."

I roll my hips into her. "The second was on your birthday."

I change directions, but this time, I draw out slowly before I slam into her. A loud seductive moan rips out of Elenora.

I pull out again, and take my time, pushing into her. She arches her back in response.

"The third was last weekend, when I came home from the California trip and now..."

I watch as she looks back at me with hooded eyes and exhales in a sensual sigh.

"Fuck, you drive me crazy, Elenora." I pump in her slowly a few more times, but decide on a better idea.

I pull away and she whimpers with an adorable pout. But I pull her up as I stand, lifting her over my shoulder, smacking her ass hard. "I can't fuck your brains out on a broken bed, amore."

I grab the baby monitor as I head to the bathroom.

I set the monitor down before turning on the shower and set Elenora down inside the large stall and pull her against me. I snake my hand through her hair pulling her head back as I gaze into her soft brown eyes. Her face is flushed, her lips swollen and pink. I realize I will never stop falling in love with her.

"Ardo di amore per te, Elenora." (I burn with love for you)

I kiss her hungrily and her tongue dances with mine as I walk us back until we hit the wall. I break the kiss, moving my lips over her body; leave love bites all over her chest.

She's never asked but, I know she knows I like suckling her breasts to taste the milk, but more than anything, I love how intimate it feels between us.

My hands trail down her back squeezing her ass before I kneel down, hooking his hand behind her knee lifting it over my shoulder. I give her soft bites and kisses on her inner thigh until my tongue traces over her. I use one hand to open her more and suck on her swollen clit as I also slide two fingers inside of her. She screams my name when I curl them.

I stand again and lift her leg around me when I thrust into her rough and deep. "Fuck," I groan. She kisses my chest and my neck moaning my name. Her legs begin to tremble.

"Not yet!" I growl, turning her abruptly. My knee pushes her legs apart and I bend her over, right before I plunge into her.

I hold on to her as she pushes against me, meeting me thrust for thrust.

My hand roams over her breasts, kneading them roughly before I tease and rub her clit. She presses herself against me more and straightens herself up.

"Fuck me hard, Rico." She demands as she looks over her shoulder meeting my heated gaze.

I collar her throat as I slow down my pace but use more force to drive into her. She hisses and moans as I continue driving into her.

Running my hands down her arms and I lift her hands against the shower wall, interlacing my fingers with hers and pump into her harder.

She lays her head against the wall and rides out the orgasm that ripples through her as I continue to thrust into her until I come; leaning on her heavily.

"You've ruined me, Elenora," I whisper. "In a way I never thought possible."

I brush her hair to the side and skim my nose up and then down her neck, placing soft kisses on her shoulder before I move to the other side.

Elenora turns around, smiling back at me. She pulls my head down to kiss her. "Good, then we are even, because I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up with brain damage from how many times my head hits the headboard lately."

I laugh and kiss her head, then her nose and lips.

"I'll buy you a helmet." I tease.

She snorts. "Right, because that's romantic and sexy to wear during sex."

I laugh again and she grins at me. "You can make anything look sexy, mia patatina."

I bring her close to me as the water falls down over us for a moment before I reach for the shampoo and begin washing her hair.

Afterward, as we are getting dressed, I look over at her when she chuckles.

"Seriously, at this point we might as well ask if we can get on a subscription or something, with the furniture store."

I smirk as I slip on my boxer briefs. "It's your fault, you know?"

She snaps up from rubbing lotion on her legs. "Mine?"

I make my voice high pitch to imitate her. "Harder, Rico! More, Rico! Fuck me, Rico!"

Her lips twitch before she turns away, pretending to be upset.

I pull my lips in to hide my smile as she turns to face me, appearing to be composed.

She purses her lips. "Fine. I'll be mute from now on." She turns slightly and busies herself by slipping on her panties and then begins putting on her bra, but I pull it out of her hands, turning her around in my arms.

"Mute?"

She nods in response and I bite my lip to keep from smiling.

But I take on her silent challenge. "We'll see about that."

She yelps when I pick her up and toss her onto the broken bed. Her head hangs lower than her legs and I hook my fingers under the band of her panties, pulling them down and off her.

I push her legs apart and because of the slant of the bed, she only has to shift her gaze down to watch me as I use the pad of my thumb to circle her clit. But she doesn't react.

Impressive, but I know she's struggling when her chest rises and falls quickly.

"You're a screamer, amore. There's nothing wrong with that," I say, smirking at her.

She keeps her eyes on me as I keep working her nub. She begins panting as I slide my finger down her slick folds. I slip my middle finger inside of her and her eyes roll back as she bites her lip and writhes against my hand.

"That's right, baby, ride my finger."

But I can't help myself as I trade my finger for my tongue and begin thrusting my tongue inside of her. She can't keep quiet any longer as she lets out a deep, guttural moan.

Her fingers rake through my damp hair and pulls me into her more as I flick my tongue quickly inside of her.

I move up to start nibbling and sucking her folds before I do the same on her clit. She's breathing in short pants and screams my name as she climaxes.

I pull my boxer briefs down as I climb over her and thrust into her a few times before we hear Matty through the monitor.

"Saved by the baby, amore," I kiss her, chuckling at the dazed look on her face.

"I'll go get Mateo while you finish getting dressed." I peck her lips three times before I climb off and pull my boxer briefs up to rush out of the room.

I walk in Matty's room and smile when I see the top of his head wobbling over the rail of the crib.

"Buongiorno, piccolo mio. How did you sleep? I'm so proud of you for sleeping almost eight hours. Mamma got some rest, too, but I woke her up a little early today. Couldn't help it. You know how irresistible she is, right?" (good morning, my little one)

Matty coos in response. I pick him up and kiss his head as he pats my chest. I walk to his dresser, pulling open a drawer.

"What should we dress you in today, hm? Is it a printed dinosaur kind of day or handsome like dad, onesie day?"

Matty babbles.

"I agree. Handsome like dad it is."

When we walk into mine and Elenora's bedroom, Matty starts waving his little arms and smiling wide when he sees her.

"Oh sure, where was this excitement when I came and got you?" I turn Matty to face me, but he cranes his neck to find Elenora again and smirks at her.

She laughs. "He's so your mini you, Federico."

She takes him and grabs the boppy to sit in the large chair in our room. Matty gets really antsy. He whimpers and cries in frustration, but he immediately settles down when she positions him to nurse and he latches on quickly.

"See? Just like daddy," She teases and I chuckle.

"So we're both boob men," I shrug; She laughs as I walk to her and hold her face to kiss her.

"I'll go make sure everything is ready for the ceremony. Do you need anything? Water?".

She gives me a beautiful smile. "Water would be great, thanks, love."

I smile back and rub Matty's head before bending down and kissing him, we both chuckle as that makes Matty eat more vigorously for some reason.

I walk into the kitchen and ask Jimena to take a small breakfast up to Elenora before I head to my office.

After I review a few business emails. I set up meetings over the next few weeks as I make the transition to step down. I haven't told Elenora yet, and I don't know how she'll react that I made a decision like this without talking to her.

But in the long run it's what's best for us, and for Matty. I head back to the kitchen to eat something small before we have to leave. The guys walk in with a few other men talking about a basketball game that they watched last night.

They stop their bickering when Elenora walks in with Matty. Ciccio and Mostro push and shove each other trying to beat the other to get to them first, which is comical considering how big the two of them are.

"You got to hold him last night," Mostro points out. "It's my turn."

"You snooze, you lose bitch." Ciccio says as he reaches Elenora first and grabs Matty.

"How's my favorite lil' man this morning?" Matty pats Ciccio's face happily but I chuckle when he turns and reaches for Mostro and Mostro sticks his tongue out at Ciccio.

"Truth hurts like a bitch, bitch." Mostro smirks as he grabs Matty from him and kisses his head. He turns to Elenora. "I thought he was going to wear that tiny little suit we got him?"

"He is, we just wanted him comfortable for now. I'll change him when we get to the church." She responds and we all look over when Domani and Clara walk in.

Clara hugs Elenora. "Are you sure you want to have me as Matty's Godmother?"

"Damn sure."

"Okay, but I don't know the first thing about raising a kid," She states.

"You'd only have to raise Matty if something happened to us. And don't forget he's going to eventually grow out of diapers. He's three months old today and before you know it he'll be one. And you have these three happy helpers to guide you along the way should anything happen." She points out Domani, Ciccio and Mostro as the other Godparents.

"Nothing is going to happen to us, amore," I pull her towards me, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"I know, but our baby is going to be in the best hands if something did happen," She smiles when I give her an exasperated look.

"Let's head out then," I address the men in the room and we start making our way out.

__________________

https://youtu.be/_q6GJ-MkFsg

The ceremony for Matty's baptism was simple and short. Elenora was nervous Matty would be fussy and not want to be held but he was surprisingly calm and seemed to enjoy the water being poured over his little head.

Once we got back, Elenora took several pictures of Matty in his baptismal outfit and everyone wanted to be in the pictures with him.

I meet her at the top of the stairs on her way back from putting him down for his nap.

"Did he go down okay?"

"Totally, he's wiped out. He fell asleep on the boob. I ended up having to pump." She holds out the bags of breast milk.

"Mmm, sounds like a great way to fall asleep." I smirk and wrap my arms around her and start walking us back further into the hallway; away from prying eyes.

"Want to put me to bed, too?"

She laughs and her long curly hair sways when she throws her head back. She leans forward and hugs me back tight. I love how her body feels pressed against me.

"Later, we have a house full of guests downstairs. I doubt you want them to hear us getting it on in the middle of the day."

"You know me by now; I don't give a damn who hears, baby." I start placing wet kisses along her throat. A sensual sigh floats out of her and she closes her eyes as my lips continue moving, teasingly across her skin.

"Mr. Di Maggio—oh excuse me, Mr. —Mrs." Jimena blushes, lowering her head when I turn to look at her.

"What is Jemina?"

"Someone's here to see you, sir, they insisted on speaking with you, right away," Jimena explains. "They came with a group of men; I took them to your office, sir. I didn't want to hinder the festivities."

Elenora tenses in my arms but I rub her back to comfort her. "Thank you Jimena, please offer them something to drink while they wait."

"Right away, sir. Also, the caterers are cleaning up and packing their equipment," Jimena informs us.

"I'll go handle the caterers and pay them," Elenora offers. She turns my face to look at her. "Please be careful."

I kiss her forehead and interlace my hand with hers and we head down the stairs. I bring her hand to my lips and place a soft kiss on her hand before we split at the bottom of the stairs.

I sense her watching me for a moment as I meet up with Domani, Ciccio, Mostro and Smiley before we head to my office.

"It's Rosetta," Domani informs me as we walk down the long hallway. "You can't blame Jimena, she doesn't know Rosetta and Rosetta took advantage of the fact. She smiled as she walked past us, knowing we wouldn't cause a scene while everyone is still here."

I roll my head on my shoulders feeling the tension build. And the simmering anger begins to boil within me. She's got some fucking nerve.

"Someone told her about Mateo's baptism." I state with bitterness.

"Everyone knows you didn't want her to come and they all knew to respect your wishes and not let her know," Domani replies.

"How many are with her?"

"Four."

I stop before continuing. "Get Mickey and Rafe."

"You don't think she'd try something, do you?" Domani questions as he pulls his phone out and sends a text.

"I wouldn't put anything past her, Dom. But I'd rather have the numbers in our favor as it is." I turn toward the sound of shoes echoing in the hallway and Mickey, Rafe and Gianny come around the corner. I wasn't expecting Gianny to come, but he's new and eager to show his loyalty.

"Boss," Mickey nods and I return the gesture before I continue towards the office and open the door. Rosetta sets down the framed picture of Mateo back on my desk as she looks back at me.

"Federico, you have a lovely home, nipote. I hope I'm not intruding," She gives me a tight smile. (nephew)

"It's what you do best." I walk in further, while her men eye me, more so after most of my guys stay back by the door blocking everyone in. Domain and Mostro follow me to my desk.

The tension is palpable as I face her. She looks around the room before facing me again. "I suppose I shouldn't be offended that you didn't invite me to whatever festivities you have going on."

"What do you want?" I question keeping my tone indifferent.

"While things may be strained between us, Federico. You mustn't forget we have a lot of business collaborations that need attention—"

"I've severed most of the business contracts." I gesture to Domani who moves to a shelf behind us. I keep my eyes trained on Rosetta's men and their hands as they seem to tense watching Domani pull out a thin black folder.

He walks back and holds it out in front of Rosetta. She raises an eyebrow looking at him before snatching the folder from his hand.

She flips it open and the anger flashes in her eyes before she shuts it forcefully, tossing it back on my desk. "You're walking away from the empire we built—"

"I built," I correct her. "The most you did and have done, besides the betrayal on my parents, is counsel and instruct. My men are entitled to the empire more than you are."

Her face flushes and she opens her mouth to speak but a knock at the door stops her. Jemina comes in with a tray and I lean back in my chair when I see Elenora following her in with another tray full of drinks to offer the men as well.

Ciccio reaches over to take the tray from her but she gives him a small shake of her head and he retracts his hands.

Her beauty will always take my breath away but more than anything it's the power and strength within her. The navy off-shoulder jumpsuit she's wearing, hugs her curves perfectly and the color compliments her skin tone.

The men take or decline the drinks as they walk around the room. I notice Mostro, Smiley, Mickey and Ciccio hands move towards their guns, when a few of Rosetta's mens eyes travel over Elenora's body, specifically when she bends to set the tray down on the table in the center of the room.

I give a subtle gesture and they move their hands away from their guns even though my hands twitch, wanting to smash the heads of the men who are still staring; clearly undressing what's mine with their eyes.

"Nora, cara, you look stunning! I see you got your shape back quickly, good for you," Rosetta smiles at her. (dear)

"Rosetta," Elenora nods, walking past her and around the desk. Mostro makes room for her to stand next to me. I reach for her hand and bring it to my lips. She squeezes my hand in return, smiling back at me.

"I was just telling Federico, what a lovely home you have and what a gracious host you are."

"What are you doing here?" Elenora skips the pleasantries and I bite back a smile at the clipped tone she addresses Rosetta with.

Rosetta's smile falters; she clears her throat and smooths her hair. "Believe it or not, I came to offer my apologies, Nora. To you and to Federico."

"Why now?" Elenora questions as she runs her fingers through the side of my hair before her hand rests on my shoulder.

"Better late than not, right?"

"Except you're not really sorry, are you Rosetta?" Elenora walks around the desk and moves in front and leans against it, folding her arms as she continues. "Someone who goes through all the trouble of framing someone else for their crimes isn't sorry they did them. You hated and resented your sister, Mariella because she was everything you could never be and you wanted her out of the way. But more than that, you wanted the memory of her to always be tarnished by how she died."

Rosetta stands, her face contorts in anger. "Shut your mouth!"

Elenora pushes away from the desk and stands toe to toe with her. "All these years later, Rosetta, aren't you tired...exhausted? Exhausted of trying to pretend to be someone you're not? You came here under the pretense of serving up your version of a mea culpa, but here's the thing Rosetta, we don't want or need your apology."

"So take your pathetic attempt of vindication for your black hearted, heinous choices and actions against the very people you claimed to love, including Federico and shove them up your ass."

"Why you sniveling, spoiled brat—" Rosetta snarls, moving towards Elenora. But she stops as several guns are un-holstered and aimed at her, including mine.

Rosetta's men look around realizing they are out gunned as my men aim their guns at them, too. Rosetta also looks around and focuses on my gun aimed at her.

She half laughs and half screams in anger. "After everything, Federico, you dare to aim a gun at me, again?"

"Leave, while you still can, Rosetta." I keep my voice low.

"Like father, like son," Rosetta spits out. "And like your father you will regret turning your back on me. Enjoy the gift of being a parent, while you can. I never got to experience having kids of my own, since your Uncle Marco was sterile. It was one of the many reasons I had him killed, too..."

I try not to let the news of the fact that the air plane crash I was told my Uncle died in was not true affect me. Another lie. Another cover up.

"Are you threatening me?"

Ciccio pulls Elenora away and I cock the gun. Rosetta narrows her eyes as she smiles demonically.

How did I ever think she looked at me with nothing but love in her eyes?

"Raising you was the closest thing I had to knowing what it was like to have my own child and this is how you repay me?"

The door bursts open and Serafina, followed by Gabriel and Renzo and Elenora's family come rushing in.

"It's Matty!" Serafina announces; my heart drops to my stomach. "There's someone in the nursery."

I lower my gun as Elenora crosses in my line of fire and rushes towards Serafina.

"What do you mean?"

"One of the men found Jimena and another servant in a closet. Their hands and feet were tied," Serafina tells us, her voice shaking. "Jimena said one of the employees from the catering staff had a gun and tied them up."

I walk around the desk, and grab Rosetta by the shoulders. "What have you done?" I shout.

"You can't possibly hold me responsible for the actions of others," Rosetta claims as a slow smile spreads across her face. The anger rises within me, but before I can act on all the violent thoughts that erupt in my mind, Elenora's voice cuts through the darkness taking over.

"Rico, Matty is more important right now."

A voice comes through the monitors. A female voice that begins singing quietly and then Gabriel reacts loudly.

His face pales as he whispers. "Angela."

He starts running out of the office and Elenora runs after him, kicking off her shoes as she sprints down the hall and even passes up Gabriel as I run to catch up to them.

Mickey, Rafe and Gianny stay behind to keep Rosetta and her men back and handle the rest of the guests.

Elenora skips a few stairs at a time as she continues to sprint up the stairs. I know the only thing on her mind is getting to our baby, but I shout for her to stop, to wait for me; the rest of the men are following us, too.

I see her skid to a stop outside of Mateo's room and then she looks back at me before she slowly opens the door. Gabriel catches up to her and holds her back as he walks in first. I approach them and turn to the rest of the men and ask them to stay back. Ciccio and Mostro struggle with wanting to come and following the order.

Elenora is now in the room walking slowly behind Gabriel. Angela is in the rocking chair, singing and talking to Matty. A gun rests on her lap.

My heart hurts seeing my friend look the way she does. It's clear she hasn't slept or showered in a long time. Gabriel moves a little closer before he talks to her. "Angela, baby?"

She stops singing, but doesn't look up. Her hand, however, lays over the gun on her lap.

"Ang, it's me, Gabriel."

"Gabriel?" Angela whispers, still looking down at Mateo.

"Yes, I'm here. I've been looking for you, amore," He tells her. "Please put the baby back in his bed so we can talk."

I tense when she lifts the gun and aims it at Gabriel. "No. He's coming with me. He needs me."

My heart is in my stomach and my blood runs cold hearing her words. I glance at Elenora who is focused on Mateo.

"No, Ang. You can't take him. He's Rico's and Nora's son," Gabriel explains slowly and Angela shakes her head back at him.

"No, he's mine. Rosetta told me I can have him if I was good; she brought me here today to bring him home with me. She said he's been taking care of while I got better."

I clench my fists tight, hearing that Rosetta is once again behind another attack against me and my family.

"Angela, this is not our baby. Our baby...our baby died," Gabriel's voice shakes as he watches her shake her head again, only more violently.

"No, no, no. He's not dead, he's right here, see?" She lifts Matty up in the arm she's cradling him with.

"Angela," Gabriel attempts to be more firm."Put the baby down. You don't want to hurt him."

"No!" She screams. "I'm not going to hurt him! I love him, I'm a good mother!" Mateo starts whimpering and crying.

"Angela," Elenora speaks to her quietly. Angela gasps and aims her gun at her and I fight with the instinct I have to tackle Angela down, but know I can't do that until Mateo is safe.

"Can I hold your baby?" Elenora asks, taking a tentative step towards her.

Mateo starts crying harder now; his cries of distress pierce my heart.

"Shh, shh, baby. It's okay mommy's here," Angela rocks him in her arm while she still points the gun at Elenora, but Mateo is screaming now.

"Maybe he needs a diaper change?" Elenora suggests calmly. Angela looks down at Mateo and nods.

"Right, he probably needs to be changed." She agrees and walks to the changing table and sets him down but she makes sure to keep the gun pointed at us. I notice her hands are shaking as she struggles with pulling down his pants and then undoing the buttons on his onesie with one hand.

"I'd like to help you if you let me?" Elenora offers.

Angela looks over at her and then back at Mateo. "Okay," She says quietly. Elenora walks to them and I notice she takes a couple of deep breaths. She locks eyes with me, but then turns her focus back on Mateo.

I feel helpless watching the two people I love the most be in proximity to Angela who's clearly unstable.

I move forward and Gabriel's eyes move to me. He looks as desperate as I feel, but we step forward together. Angela notices and aims her gun at us both moving from one to the other.

"Don't come any closer. You three get out!" She addresses Renzo, Mostro, and Ciccio who are now in the room with us.

They look at me and I jerk my head for them to do as she says, but they hesitate looking at Mateo and Nora.

"I said get out!" Angela screams and Mateo begins crying again.

Elenora talks to him quietly to calm him down. Her movements are slow but sure as she begins changing our son, while also keeping an eye on Angela. I decide to distract Angela.

"Angela, look at me," I take another slow, measured step forward. "I know you don't want to hurt the baby, please put the gun down."

"You... you hate me Rico." She keeps moving the gun back and forth between Gabriel and me. Her eyes are wild as she looks at me then at Gabriel.

"I never wanted to hurt you, but Rosetta she..." Her eyes fill with tears. "And then she used me too. Everyone uses me."

She stares at Gabriel for a moment. "I thought things were going to be different between us Gabe, but you still hold what happened when we were kids against me."

"No baby, I don't. I love you, Angela, and things are different for us."

She shakes her head. "No. You recorded us and then you used it against Rico but you didn't think about me, did you?"

Rosetta has clearly manipulated her worse than I thought.

From the corner of my eye, I notice Nora is holding Mateo now, close against her chest, shielding him. I glance back at Angela briefly to make sure she's still focused on Gabriel.

I gesture with my eyes for her to move towards the door; Mostro moves stealthily towards her as well.

"Rosetta used both of us, baby," Gabriel tries to explain. "But none of that matters now. I love you, Angela." He moves forward and she moves her aim towards his head.

"No. No one loves me. Except the baby..." She whimpers. "I would be a good mom, you know?"

"You would be the best mom, Ang."

Angela looks back and notices Elenora is not there anymore and then everything happens too quickly yet in slow motion as her eyes reflect anger realizing what is happening.

I run towards Angela to grab the gun. Elenora hands Mateo to Mostro who turns to shield him when Gabriel shouts. "Ang, no!"

A gunshot goes off and I'm shoved hard and fast. Mateo is screaming again. I sit up to assess the room. Gabriel is on top of Angela, on the floor; holding the gun up above her head. Renzo moves in to pry the gun out of her hand.

Mostro is on his side but he looks up and meets my panicked eyes. "He's fine boss, he's good." He shifts so that I can see my son look back at me and then his little head swivels and bobbles as he looks around. I follow where he's focused and find Elenora lying on the floor.

"NO!" I scramble over to her quickly. "Elenora?"

She moans as I turn her over and blood oozes from her mouth, there's a dark spot on her chest and my hands shake, feeling the hole on her jumpsuit.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Angela rocks back and forth on the floor.

"Elenora!" Her family shouts her name, but the men keep them out of the room. Matty starts crying, too and I don't know what to do. I look down at Elenora and her eyes are unfocused as she blinks.

"Rico?" Her voice shakes as she looks at me. "Are..are you okay?" I struggle to fight back the tears.

"I'm okay, mia patatina." I cup her face.

"Am I okay?" She pants heavily.

"You're okay, baby, you're fine, you're fine." I try to stay calm and caress her face. Jackie rushes in the room, I look up at her. "I...I don't know what to do, what do I do?"

Elenora begins closing her eyes.

"Nora, keep your eyes open. Keep talking to Rico. Rico, lay her down," Jackie instructs and I do as she says as she hurries to take off the cardigan she's wearing and wads it up holding it over the wound.

"Rico? Matty—" Elenora gasps.

"He's fine, Mostro is holding him, he's fine. You did great, baby," I tell her, smoothing back her hair and my heart races when her eyes start rolling back.

"No, Elenora, look at me, look at me. Open your eyes, look at me!" I shout at her. She gasps and starts coughing as more blood comes out of her mouth. "Oh, god, no, please no."

"It's okay Rico, it's okay." A tear slips out of the corner of her eye.

"No, no, no, no!" I hover over her, desperate to help her but I don't know what to do.

She lifts her hand to hold my face. "Rico, take me home," Her voice sounds so small, far away.

"Baby, you are home. Please, look at me, open your eyes. Please!" I scream at her as I shake her. "No, don't go, please! No!" I choke out a sob.

"No, Elenora! Hold me, stay with me!"

Her arm slides down my shoulder falling heavy to the floor.

***