Alcina couldn't believe it. The sight could never be unseen and this would definitely not go unheard. Although it was an act which is unheard of. The Lucas Moretti watching First Kisses, the most girly and kissy show on television.

"Uh, no" he said, fumbling to switch off the TV.
Once achieved, he strikes a manly pose on the couch. Though Alcina didn't see the need. All manliness she saw in him flew out the window about a minute ago. He was trying to hide his red cheeks, but was failing horribly.

Alcina did the unexpected. She hopped into the couch with him, not minding her injured shoulder and switched the television back on. Much too Lucas' surprise.

He had expected her to dash out running, screaming to the whole family about what a sissy he was. Instead, she was digging into the popcorn which had taken a whole ten minutes for him to make. He was beginning to worry that she would eat the whole batch.

"So tell me" she began with Lucas still eyeing her handfuls of the snack. "Why is the Lucas watching first kisses? The most girly show on television"

He tries to take the bowl back but she whacks his hand away. He pouts.

"Ah.. well..It's..."

"Go on" Alcina coerced him.

"I just love the show. The girls and the drama and the hot girls and the stories and the sexy girls and..."

"So you watch it for the girls?" Alcina asked with a chuckle.

"Yes" he stated bluntly. " My brothers are out and the rest of the family have jobs and other business. So I had the TV all to myself, unto you showed up". He said the last part with a scowl.
"Don't be such a ray of sunshine" Alcina teased.

"Can I have my popcorn back?"

"Nope" Alcina shook her head. "You could take it back and I could... you know just text your brothers that I caught you watching first kisses. Or you just be a good girly girl and leave it to me"

Lucas' mouth was hanging open. First she eats his popcorn and then blackmails him?

"Oh and after this can we both paint our nails? I've been dying to try out this new aqua marine nail..." Alcina was tackled before she could complete the sentence.

Lucas was now holding the bowl of popcorn triumphantly. Alcina struggled and jumped to get to it. He was holding it over his head and curse Alcina's short legs, she couldn't reach it.

"Fine then" she gave up. Back to blackmail. "I guess I'll just tell them then" she reached for her phone in her pocket. "See you in a few" she casually strolled out of the room as of she wasn't about to run someone's life.

"Alright wait! We'll share"

Alcina smiled. Evil! Living with three witches really pays off.
She grabs the bowl from him and collapses into the couch grinning. He does same, but when he tries to take the popcorn she bats his hand away.

"Hey" he tries again and she let's him.

"Um Alcina. About what Tommy said earlier, it was just a joke. I do not have a crush on you. If my girlfriend heard that, I'd be dead"

Alcina just nodded as she began to settle to an episode she might have missed.

She glanced around the room in approval. It was the perfect living area and it had male touches everywhere. There were two long couches and a love seat. For some reason there was a hammock in a corner. A pinball machine at the opposite side. The room was enclosed by three glass windows which stretched from top to bottom. It provided a great view of the entrance to the property.
The floor was tiled dark brown and there was a plush gray carpet in the middle with a coffee table on it. It was beautiful.

Alcina noticed the popcorn was almost finished so she began eyeing the oreos Lucas had kept.

He followed her eyes to the table. On impulse, they both lounged for it. But Lucas got it first.

"Give it". She stomped her feet.

"Nope" he mimicked her. She tackled him right there on the couch. And war broke out.

"Ahem".

They paused and turned their heads to look at the intruder at the door. Leonardo was staring at them with his hands in his pockets. Lucas was hovering above Alcina. She hurriedly stood up.

"What's going on here?" He eyed the mess of popcorn on the floor.

"It's uh..ah..Its um...you know..." Alcina fumbled for something.

"Lucas get your father and your brothers. You guys meet me in my office. You too Alcina come with me". He turned to leave.

Lucas gave her a sad look. She shrugged. Alcina trailed behind Leonardo, like a lamb going to be slaughtered. She stared at his back the whole time, and boy, was it a view.

He entered his office and she followed.

"What were you two doing?" He asked staring at Alcina intently.

"We were watching a show". Alcina shrugged.

"And that show involved you two doing whatever that was on the couch?"

"Why all these questions?" Alcina asked. He had no right, whatsoever, to grill her for information. He was acting like Catherine.

Leonardo's response was hushed by a knock on the door.

"Come in" he said, never taking his eyes off Alcina. She just rolled her eyes.

Alfredo, Julian and the brothers came in.
Alcina felt weird being the only female in their midst.

"Lucas said you called a meeting"Julian spoke eyeing Lucas almost doubtfully. Alcina vowed to know the story behind that some other time.

"Yes". Leonardo turned to his desk and sat on his chair. "Have a seat" he gestured to the two chairs in front of his desk and a one sitter couch by the wall. Alcina took the couch. Julian and Alfredo sat on the other two chairs while the boys stood.

"We went through the information from the flash we retrieved from Giovanni. Nothing as useful as I had hoped. We need something concrete to show to the feds".

Alcina looked at Leonardo differently as he spoke. He was in full on mafia boss mode.

"I'm trying the best I could to avoid a war. The last time we had one there had been a lot of casualties. The agencies and the government have some evidence but not enough. They recovered a large tonne of coke a few days ago and our spy tells us that they suspect Giovanni. All we have to do is find something to pin him down. With just the right evidence against him, he could be sentenced to life imprisonment or worse, death"

He paused and giving them a knowing look, he said, "Although it is hypocritical to take such an action, we have no other options. Now if you'll all excuse me, I have to think of a way forward. And I am open to suggestions anytime"

They all turned to leave one by one, Alcina being the last. She glanced behind her shoulders wishing to talk to Leonardo. But he immediately focused back on his work. So she shrugged and left the office.

"Lucas!" Alcina called. She knew Leonardo would hear, she wanted him to. Lucas was down the hallway, but had stopped. Alcina had to jog/run the distance. She was panting when she got to him.

"Wow" Lucas stated.

"What?" Alcina asked still trying to catch her breath.

"You're in horrible shape. I swear Aunt Catherine is more fit than you" he said as he shook his head in disbelief.

They were now walking back to the living room where their forgotten snacks and show awaited them.
"Don't fat shame me. I was going to tell you something but I've forgotten". Lucas watched as her eyebrows creased as she struggled to remember.

"Yes!" she exclaimed suddenly and Lucas chuckled. "I was going to ask you. What did Leonardo mean by saying that he was being hypocritical?"

He hesitated, but started talking after a sigh.
"We also um smuggle drugs. Occasionally. But Giovanni does it big time using every means possible. He has connections with some cartels in Colombia and Mexico and he exploits children. He uses these children to get the drugs across the borders and into the country".

Alcina couldn't register the fact that she was dealing with drug traffickers. What else do they traffic?

"What else does he do?" She asked curiously.

"He traffics not only drugs but people. He gathers them from all over the world to brothels in Italy, Mexico, Colombia, Ukraine and Africa sometimes. Leonardo doesn't do such. The Moretti family smuggles alcohol, weapons, occasionally, drugs. I know we sound villainous, but we also launder money. Leonardo's father has a company. It deals with textile, interior decor and that stuff. It's how we generate our dough. How do you think we got so powerful and influential?"

Lucas stated casually. Shrugging his shoulders with his hands in his pockets as he told her. Alcina didn't ask anymore questions. It was no wonder why her father never told her any of this, he didn't want her to get involved.

As they approached the living area, they heard laughter. Lucas suddenly became tense.

"Who would watch such a thing?". Tommy said.

"Yeah, these shows make me sick. Lucas, come see this shit" David called.

And Lucas walked in looking like the ground should swallow him that second. He glanced at Alcina for help and she flashed him an evil smile.

"Say Lucas, what's got you all tensed up?" Chris asked. A smile was tugging on his lips.

"What do you think of this show?" David asked with a quirked brow.

Alcina knew this trick. They guessed it was Lucas, because he had been home alone, but they weren't sure. So they asked him questions and watched his reactions. She and Kris used to do it to Austin and Jeff. And Lucas was failing, bad.

"It's um ok I guess". They all looked at him horrified. So he added "You know for a girl"

"How did such an ungodly show get to our TV then?" Tommy asked.

"Through me!" Alcina suddenly stated. "I stumbled upon this room and just started watching the show"

"That explains it. But what about the popcorn and snacks?" Chris asked, he was crouched down and studying the spilled corn like a detective.

"I um got Elizabeth to get them for me?" She said unsure. They nodded and proceeded to change the station.

Lucas and Alcina sighed simultaneously.
"Nice save" Lucas whispered to her.

"You owe me" she whispered back.

Lucas shrugged and went to settle for the comedy show they were now watching. Alcina, always thinking of something evil said from the door.

"Boys, it almost seven pm"

"So?" Chris said not looking at her.

"We have homework!" she said in a sing-song voice.

They all groaned and collapsed into their seats as though their life force had been drained out.
School had that effect.

*  *  *  *  *
New chapter! Yea yea! New chapter!  --does awkward dancing--
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Love,Vicki.💟