Chapter 7 I AM NOT A GAMBINO

Greco and Marian were sitting together in the living room. Marian sit comfortably, her head resting on Greco's chest.

"I had such a great time today, thank you, my love" Marian said warmly.

"It's all thanks to you" Greco said, his arm gently around her.

"Why are you thanking me? I didn't do anything. I should be the one thanking you for accepting me" Marian said.

"You don't need to thank me" Greco said.

Just then, James pulled over in front of the house, and Cardo stepped out of the car.

"I'll go and get Lucian, young master" James said.

"Whatever" Cardo said non challantly as he walk into the house. As he approached the living room door, he paused when he heard voices from inside. He brought out a recorder from his bag and placed it discreetly near the small gap in the door, remaining in place to listen.

"I remember the first day we met-it was eight years ago when Lucian was just five. I overheard your conversation with Ronaldo before you both went for your initiation" Marian said

"What did you hear?" Greco asked, gently stroking Marian's cheek.

"You were telling Ronaldo that your father should have been the Don instead of him" Marian said.

"Yes, but Romano's bravery won him the position during the test, which eventually led to my father's death" Greco said.

"And then Ronaldo told you that one day you might become the Don yourself, and you promised to serve him with loyalty. After that, you both left to be welcomed in the group" Marian continued.

"Yes, I served him for years, and my bravery and loyalty earned me everything I have now. Marian, do you know you're quite the slutty?" Greco said, making Marian sit up and look at him, surprised.

"Why do you think I'm slutty?" Marian asked, her lips pouting in confusion.

"We ended up having sex right in your father-in-law's house, and your husband was there too" Greco said.

"It was all Alfred's fault. After I had Lucian, he hardly showed any interest in me. One day, I overheard some women talking about a drink that would make a man want you. After they left, I drank the leftover wine, hoping Alfred would notice me in my sexy nightgown. But he just said he didn't have time and went off to visit his father with Lucian. I was so upset that I angrily storm out to the garden and turned off the lights so no one could see me crying" Marian explained.

"And that's when I came out to call one of my men and i saw you" Greco said.

"Yes. You asked, 'Aren't you Alfred's wife? What are you doing here?'" Marian recalled.

"And you responded, asking if I was the one who had just been initiated. You looked very tempting in that sexy nightgown. You were about to leave when you suddenly felt dizzy. I caught you immediately, and then you pulled me close, I couldn't resist. We ended up having sex right there in the garden" Greco said.

"It was wild" Marian said, smiling as Greco lifted her to sit his lap and face him.

"You were on fire, craving more, just as we heard Alfred and the maids calling for you. I had to hide in the garden to avoid being seen. When Alfred asked what you were doing, you told him you were just getting some fresh air" Greco continued.

"You remember it all" Marian said, a bit amazed.

"Yes, and everything started from that moment. I was at Ronaldo's house the next day. Did you regret what happened when you saw me again?" Greco asked.

"Yes, but when I saw how attractive you were that day, I didn't regret it at all. I started having interest in you because you're so much better than Alfred. You became the friend I always look forward to seeing here in Italy and at the hotel in NYC. Alfred really fell for it" Marian said.

"We had our moments during Ronaldo's funeral in the garden and again two days before you left. I made sure I satisfied you" Greco said as he roughly fondled Marian's breasts.

"Oh, Greco, don't... oh. Let's go inside. The maids might hear us. Oh, hmmn" Marian start to moan as Greco's hand moved into her panty and his other hand continued to fondle her breast "Grec... oh, the door isn't... oh, yes, oh."

"Tell me you're not enjoying this" Greco said, continuing his actions while Marian responded with a soft moan.

"I... I like it so much, don't stop" Marian said between moans.

Cardo heard the car pull up from where he was standing and realized Lucian was around. He immediately put the recorder back in his bag and opened the door.

"Oh, Gre..." Marian said, quickly moving away from Greco.

"Dad, Stepmum" Cardo said.

"Uh, Cardo, how was school?" Marian asked as she composed herself.

"How are you, son?" Greco asked.

"Fine" Cardo replied just as Greco's phone rang.

"How can I help you?... What!... No problem, thank you" Greco said into the phone.

"Is something wrong?" Marian asked as Lucian walked in.

"Mum, Sir Greco" Lucian greeted.

"Why did you change your last name at school?" Greco asked.

"What?" Marian said, while Cardo moved to stand behind his father to get a clearer view of Lucian's face.

"I'm not a Gambino, I'm a Romano" Lucian stated.

"What's your problem, Lucian? The name Romano is now irrelevant. The Gambino name will offer you many opportunities. How dare you change it?" Marian scolded.

"Even though my father is a loser, I will never abandon his name" Lucian said firmly.

"I told you, stepmother. This is just another way of how he insults my dad" Cardo said.

"It was your mother who wanted you to take that name. Otherwise, I wouldn't have allowed a child like you to carry my last name. Not after you broke that vase. And your pathetic father should start covering your tuition fees" Greco said.

"Greco, just let him be. I wanted a good life for him, but if he insists on clinging to that loser's name, so be it. Get out of my sight, foolish boy" Marian said angrily, and Lucian walked straight to his room.

Shortly after, Lucian heard a knock on his door. Weak from not having eaten since breakfast, he slowly walk the door and open it. There he found Cardo and Fiona standing there with a tray of food.

"Did you enjoy my little punishment today?" Cardo asked mockingly.

"Give me my food, Fiona" Lucian said.

Fiona was about to hand over the food, but Cardo stopped her. "Not so fast, loser. First, I don't want you anywhere near Athena. She's my friend. If I catch you with her again, you'll have to deal with me" Cardo warned.

"You should speak to her yourself since she clearly prefers my company over yours" Lucian said.

"I'm relieved you didn't take my last name. It means I won't have to share my inheritance with you. It's unfortunate that you're the product of a shameless mother and a coward father" Cardo said mockingly.

"Don't disrespect my parents" Lucian said weakly.

"Your father is a coward. He turned down power and ended up with nothing. You're just another loser. And your mother left him for my father's wealth" Cardo said, while Fiona looked at Lucian with sympathy.

"Enough, Cardo" Lucian said, his anger boiling over as he moved to slap Cardo. But Cardo pushed Fiona into Lucian, causing the food to pour. Cardo quickly grabbed a piece of broken dish and cut himself, then fell to the ground.

"Your bitch mum will come rushing to my aid, and while she tends to me, i'll watch you suffer because I know you haven't had a decent meal in a week" Cardo said, just as Greco and Marian rushed to the scene after hearing a noise.

"What's going on now?" Greco asked.

"Sir Greco, Mum, I didn't-" Lucian began to explain, but Cardo interrupted him.

"Stepmum, dad, I brought him food and tried to befriend him again, but he rejected me. I also told him he should have accepted my last name instead of clinging to a loser's name" Cardo said.

"Is that true, Fiona?" Greco asked.

"Y-yes, Master" Fiona stammered, looking worried.

"Fiona tried to help me when I was falling, but the dish broke and cut me" Cardo lied smoothly.

"You're lying" Lucian manage to say as his voice trembled. Marian responded by slapping him sharply.

"Marian, you shouldn't have brought him here" Greco said sternly. "I might have to stop his education and cut off all his financial support. And you know you won't be able to afford it. I don't want this monster and a bastard in my house." With that, Greco wall away angrily.

"Cardo was right. Alfred was a failure and a coward. If you continue behaving like this, I'll throw you out. You have no place to go, so you better start behaving well" Marian said. Tears streamed down Lucian's face as Cardo smirked victoriously.

"Come on, Cardo, let's get you treated" Marian said, guiding Cardo away while leaving Fiona with Lucian. Lucian looked at Fiona through his tear-filled eyes before collapsing.

"Lucian!" Fiona shouted in alarm. Marian hurried back to find Lucian unconscious.

"What happened?" Marian asked, her voice filled with concern.

"He collapsed, Madam. He hasn't been eating properly, and everything-" Fiona started to explain, but was interrupted as Cardo returned.

"Stepmum, the bleeding won't stop" Cardo said, just as Lucian began to wake up.

"Fiona, take care of him. I need to tend to Cardo's wound" Marian said before leaving with Cardo.

"Are you alright?" Fiona asked Lucian gently. "I'll bring you some food and everything you need to regain your strength." She helped Lucian up and walked him to his room, ensuring he was settled comfortably.

Greco was seated in his upstairs bedroom on a phone call when Marian emerged from the bathroom after their intimate session. She noticed he was still on the line.

"(Any news about him?)" Greco asked the person on the other end. "(That is good to hear. I will see you when you're back)" he said before ending the call.

"Camila?" Marian asked.

"Yes. She works for me, Marian. Don't think too much about it. I was just asking about someone" Greco said.

"Alright, I trust you" Marian said. Just then, they heard a knock on the door.

"(Master, it's me Mona. Some guests are waiting for you)" Mona said from outside.

"(I will be there shortly)" Greco replied.

"Are you expecting visitors?" Marian asked.

"No, but I know who they are. They've come to congratulate me on my new position. Come with me" Greco said as he climb down the bed.

"I can't come with you, Greco. Most of these men know me as Alfred's wife" Marian said as she start dressing.

"I'm now the Don, Marian. They will respect my woman. Come with me" Greco said.

Bruno and Alexander were seated patiently, waiting for Greco's arrival. Minutes later, Greco came downstairs with Marian following behind. Bruno and Alexander stood up and paid homage to Greco by clenching their right hand in a fist on their shoulder.

"Don Greco" both Bruno and Alexander greeted. Bruno raised his eyebrows slightly upon seeing Marian but quickly regained his composure. Greco and Marian took their seats, followed by Bruno and Alexander.

"(We are here on behalf of the family to congratulate you specially)" Alexander said.

"(And the family wants to know why you haven't moved to the building meant for the Dons)" Bruno added.

"(That house is Ronaldo's, not mine)" Greco said.

"(We all know it's Ronaldo's, but it was built mainly for all the Dons to live and meet)" Bruno said.

"(I won't be moving there. It's my way of honoring him and we won't be meeting there henceforth. We will be meeting at my hotel)" Greco said.

"That is against the rules, Don Greco. We don't meet outside because of our enemies)" Bruno said.

"(Are you here to question your Don)? Greco asked angrily.

"No" Bruno said.

"Don Greco, will the hotel also be the venue for initiating the new members?" Alexander asked.

"Yes" Greco said, noticing Bruno's silent scoff.

"I'll inform the other members" Alexander said.

"Why wasn't Rosario present at my celebration?" Greco asked.

"He is still mourning the late Don" Bruno said.

"Mourning? Ronaldo chose me and entrusted everything to me. Was Rosario upset that Alfred wasn't selected by his father?" Greco asked.

"I don't believe so, Don" Bruno said.

"If Rosario doesn't attend the next meeting, I will appoint a new consigliere and ensure he is removed from the group" Greco declared.

"Understood, Don" Bruno said.

"How many members are we initiating, and what's the status of the shipment?" Greco asked.

"Seven members. The shipment is still on the way," Bruno answered.

"Very well. (You may leave. Your presence is no longer required)" Greco said, taking Marian's hand as they headed upstairs, leaving the guests behind.

Greco lay down on the bed while Marian rested her head on his chest.

"Am I coming with you to the initiation?" Marian asked.

"No. You should return to your room. I have something important to handle right now" Greco said, gently pulling Marian away.

"Greco?" Marian said, her voice filled with sadness "I want..."

"Go to your room, Marian. Be obedient" Greco said. Marian left in frustration.