Chapter 114: Plans for the future Part 2

Later that night,

Arriving at the house, he was greeted by complete darkness and as he stepped inside, he peeked into Danielle's room before quietly shutting the door.

In the shadowy, narrow mansion, one light stood out, a faint glow emanating from Lucky's office as he made his way toward it and opened the door.

"You've been busy." Lucky's voice was calm as he poured himself a glass of bourbon as he didn't look up at Ricky until the glass was filled, his gaze sharp and deliberate.

"Listen-"

"Hey, Luciano's look after their own. Don't apologize for that." Lucky raised his hand, signaling for silence, before taking a slow sip of his bourbon. 

His eyes stayed fixed on Ricky, who sank into the chair in front of the desk with a heavy sigh, taking a load off.

"So, how is he?" Lucky finally asked, knowing that Ricky must've found Jake after seeing Meyer earlier today.

Meyer was usually a bundle of nerves, his frustration mounting with each failed attempt to track down Jake.

But today was different since when he returned, there was a rare lightness in his step and a relieved smile that hinted at a breakthrough.

"Bad Lucky, he's in a real bad place right now and I'm just trying-"

"You want some advice, Slick." Lucky stopped Ricky, holding up a glass as he took it with a stressed expression.

"Sometimes, you can't help someone unless they're willing to help themselves. Being there is one thing, but destroying yourself over it is something else entirely." Lucky's voice was steady, his thumb tracing the rim of his glass. 

Lucky spoke with the weight of someone who knew all too well how deep and dangerous that rabbit hole could go.

"I know you blame yourself for Jake, I mean you have a hand to blame, but Jake is a grown ass man and you never forced him to do anything." Lucky reminded Ricky, knowing that he was shouldering too much of the blame for Jake.

It was true Ricky had played a part in where Jake ended up, but he had never forced him, never put that needle in his arm. 

Jake had chosen to walk down that grim path of self-destruction and Lucky wasn't about to stand by and let Ricky shoulder the blame or exhaust himself trying to pick up all the pieces.

"It's irresponsible to take all the blame yourself, it affects the business." Lucky eyes were serious, gazing at Ricky with piercing eyes.

"You came back and told me you were ready. Well, being ready means making choices,tough ones," Lucky said, his voice firm as he pointed at Ricky. 

His gaze was stern, carrying an unspoken command: don't let this one issue control you entirely.

"Alright, Pops, I know you didn't wait around just to talk about Jake. Get to the point." Ricky said, cutting through Lucky's diversion as he leaned back, watching as Lucky sighed and met his gaze.

"Slick, I know you're ambitious, and I know the whole plan was for you to gain the church's acceptance." Lucky began, his tone weighted with hesitation as he didn't know how to properly convey his words. 

"But this lawsuit? It's different, the government is different." Lucky words hung in the air, the reluctance in his voice making it clear he understood the government wouldn't be so easy to sway.

"Convincing people is easy, convincing an entity however, is nearly impossible." Lucky leaned forward, setting his glass to the side as he focused his entire presence on talking with Ricky.

"I see what you're trying to do, force the government's hand and keep them from interfering, but by doing this we're putting our entire livelihood at risk." Lucky said, cutting straight to the heart of the matter as his tone was firm, laying it all out while Ricky stayed silent, letting him speak.

"We've got a really good thing going; the bank, our growing assets, hell, even the family is thriving with what we've built." Lucky began, his tone steady but laced with caution, showing Ricky as he spread out his hands.

"But it doesn't stop there. The Commission might've been harsh about you being a mutant, but once the government starts a slander campaign against you, this won't stop with exile but a complete crucifixion of your character." Lucky tried to explain, knowing that the government's reach expanded all across the country and they would rile up the people against him.

"Doing this, putting yourself out there as a mutant, it won't make anything easier, even with God on your side," Lucky said, knowing how far Ricky had come, but this new enemy wasn't one defined by physical strength.

"You're going down a path of no return because Slick, this doesn't stop with a simple honorary position." Lucky couldn't hide how stressed he was when gazing at Ricky, his tone seemingly unconvinced since even he couldn't stand against the U.S government. 

"It only stops with a winner and a loser," Lucky said, raising both hands as if to emphasize the point as his eyes locked onto Ricky's, making it clear that there was no middle ground, only one outcome mattered.

"This path goes against a different type of enemy, one that doesn't rely on brute strength, but on public interest and the people." Lucky paused, looking down briefly, as if weighing the implications of his words.

"A public interest that's been carefully controlled and twisted to serve the goals of the U.S. government," Lucky finished, his voice laced with finality and as he leaned back, his eyes studying Ricky intently. 

Ricky nodded thoughtfully, his expression unwavering as he prepared to respond after letting Lucky talk without interruption.

"Am I your heir?" Ricky asked, his voice steady but carrying a hint of uncertainty and Lucky raised an eyebrow, a look of disbelief crossing his face, as if the question itself was absurd.

"Is this some sort of joke?"

"Have I brought up your nose hairs?" Ricky asked with a playful smile as Lucky shot him a look, a chuckle escaping his lips.

"Yes, you're my heir." Lucky agreed, but it was then that Ricky leaned in, his expression shifting.

"Then what is it that you want from me as your heir, what is it that I'm supposed to achieve after taking up the position?" Ricky seemingly asked a question that Lucky already knew the answer to, frowning slightly but playing along.

"Taking the Luciano family to new heights." Lucky said, gesturing to Ricky as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"For everything to work, for me to take the reins of the next generation as a mutant, I need to clear the obstacles that have been in place to hold me back for centuries." Ricky tried to explain, pausing to find the proper words until he looked back at Lucky.

"Simply living a quiet life isn't an option anymore since I don't know if you know this, but I am a walking trouble magnet." Ricky laughed slightly, pointing to himself as everything he did seemed to attract eyes.

"It feels like everywhere I go, everything I do, trouble and chaos follow, so when I tell you, really tell you, that this is the only way I can take the family to new heights, I mean it, pops. I'm serious." Ricky spoke with conviction, his tone unwavering as Lucky remained silent.

"Look you see this?" Ricky pulled out Dracula's diary, waving it in front of Lucky before handing it to him.

"This is Dracula Tepes diary-"

"I thought only schoolgirls kept diaries?" Lucky asked, raising an eyebrow and Ricky laughed, leaning back as he shot a look at Lucky.

"I know, right? He literally rambles on about his feelings for like half of it-" Ricky trailed off, mocking Dracula, then suddenly stopped as he realized what he was doing and quickly composed himself.

*Cough*

"Look at the bookmarked pages, the parts about him talking about him were revealed to the public but instead of hiding away, he embraced the attention." Ricky pointed his finger to a certain section, watching Lucky scan the pages with a weird expression. 

"Dracula talks about how, at first, his reveal to the public was supposed to spread fear and unite people against the idea. Had the same effect for his own kind." Ricky explained, having read the diary's contents thoroughly.

Ricky was serious about this, about showing himself to the public even from day one, but after reading the diary, this haphazard and boisterous plan started to feel more calculated. 

Ricky was actually thinking of using this chance, the one where the government would surely shine a nationwide spotlight on him. 

Whether it was with good intentions or bad, they were giving him the stage, and with it, he was going to do one thing.

"I'm going to become the mutant messiah motherf*cker." Ricky declared, spreading his arms wide as Lucky gave him a weird look, clearly unsure whether to take him seriously or not.

"The what?" Lucky laughed out, registering his words only for Ricky to be actually serious.

"Think about it, I'm literally the perfect guy for this. I mean, look at me," Ricky said, gesturing toward the mirror.

"I don't have any physical deformities, my ability doesn't make me look any different from the average Joe, and I literally fit the criteria of the average white American man." Ricky walked over to the mirror, his eyes now on Lucky, who rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"What's more, I don't give three f*cks if someone hates me. I can take the onslaught of hate, and literally no one could kill me. I can be a mutant Jesus without the dying part!" Ricky said excitedly, while Lucky, clearly overwhelmed, rubbed his forehead.

"Dracula said it best 'The very public display of our enmity with Van Helsing has, rather than diminishing me, elevated my status, transforming me into a symbol of resilience and defiance' and if the government does the same, why can't I be the Dracula of mutants?" Ricky seemingly asked Lucky who held up his hand, stopping his headache from forming.

"What does this have to do with you elevating the family?" Lucky asked, gazing at Ricky with an unconvinced look.

"I know it's not set in stone, but say I win, say I crush the government and win this case." Ricky spoke in hypotheticals, pacing back to Lucky, his words charged with intensity.

"Instead of being isolated by hate, I'll become this mutant symbol and because of it, other mutants will flock to someone who represents who they are." Ricky then rubbed his hands, Lucky almost realizing in that moment.

"You want to induct mutants into the family with a perceived notion of loyalty and admiration which would form into-"

"The perfect soldier for the family." Ricky slammed his hands down onto the table, rising above the occasion.

"Think about it—imagine mutants, witches, and warlocks, all inducted into the family and brought into our traditions," Ricky said, clenching his fist before his smile slowly turned carnivorous as he envisioned it all before him.

"A powered mob, a family that doesn't just swallow up all of New York but spreads like a f*cking plague across the globe," Ricky said, nearly laughing as he pictured the Luciano family sinking its roots deep, infiltrating every corner of the world.

"I've brought witches and warlocks, I've brought a f*cking demi-god minotaur and pops, I got what it takes to bring people in. I just gotta show them I'm the right guy to follow and this is how I do it!" Ricky said excitedly, his eyes burning with conviction as he knew this fight with the government wasn't just about proving he could beat them, but about showing everyone that he was someone capable of playing the same game and still winning.

Being a leader, being the person at the top, is more than just a display of raw strength or the ability to dominate those around you. 

It's not about standing alone at the peak, with the world below you, basking in your power. 

Instead, it's about having the vision and the skill to guide others; your people, your family, to greater heights. 

Leadership at its core is about elevating everyone you lead, helping them achieve success, and creating opportunities where none existed before. 

It's about getting them to greener pastures, to more prosperous places in life that offer stability, growth, and security. 

It's about finding a way forward, even when the road is difficult, even when the path is arduous, and bringing others along with you on that journey.

A true leader knows that power isn't just measured by strength, but by the ability to shape the future for those who follow.

"And I know what you're about to say, I know about the war brewing." Ricky looked back at Lucky's serious gaze, knowing all too well what was forming in Germany.

"I know about the Nazi's, hell, I even know about those back the Nazi's." Ricky shot Lucky a confident smirk, making it clear he was ready for whatever came next.

"I'm not only going to force the government's hand, elevate the family, but I'm also going to force my admission into west point." Ricky revealed confidently to Lucky who widened his eyes.

Lucky still saw Ricky through the lens of who he had been three years ago; arrogant, reckless, and naïve. 

That image didn't just vanish overnight. 

It was hard for him to shake the feeling that Ricky was leaping headfirst into something without fully understanding the consequences.

But Ricky wasn't the same impulsive kid he had been as he had spent years training, honing his body, preparing for the inevitable war, but not only that, he had honed his mind. 

Ricky knew that World War II was coming, and he had studied the outcome, mulling over how to approach this with the knowledge he already had. 

What most people would see as a disaster, Ricky saw as an opportunity as he wasn't planning to sit idly by; he was determined to be at the forefront, ready to seize what others couldn't.

This wasn't just about power for Ricky anymore, it was about shaping the future. 

He wasn't fully aware of it yet, but his desire for power was merging with an insatiable drive for politics. 

This, in its own way, was the first step toward something even bigger, something that would set him on a path he hadn't yet begun to realize.

"Slick you can't-"

"No Pops, this is something that I-"

"No, dumbass, I mean it's against the continental rules." Lucky emphasized, his tone serious as he brought up a point Ricky hadn't considered. 

Ricky frowned, confused, and glanced around the room before reaching into his wallet, his mind still processing the weight of Lucky's words.

"Three years ago, you gave me this card and never explained anything about it." Ricky pulled out the sleek black card that read 'The Continental' and slid it across the desk. 

"You told me that if I was ever in trouble, I should go there and ask for a trial membership, but you never said anything more." Ricky's gaze locked onto Lucky, the image of him drunkenly stumbling on a Tuesday fading away, revealing the man standing in front of him now; focused, serious, and entirely different.

"What is it about that place you're not telling me, pops? What's so special about it, and why do I keep hearing about it?" Ricky asked, the memories of past Black Knights mentioning the place only putting him more on edge.

"Before I tell you, I should explain what this place is." 

*First Person Narration*

First, some people think the underworld is just some lawless place but they couldn't be more wrong.

Even the underworld has rules, operations, traditions that have been around since any formed government.

From these rules, these traditions, and these operations have formed the likes of the Continental. 

The Continental more than just a hotel; it is a sanctuary, a place of order in the chaotic world of assassins and criminals. 

Each location, whether in New York, Rome, or Tokyo, is a part of an exclusive network of luxury establishments, each serving as a safe haven for those who live and die by the gun. 

But it was more than just some lavish place or the five-star service that made the Continental unique, it was its rules.

The first and most sacred rule was simple: no business on Continental grounds. 

This isn't just a guideline; it is an ironclad law that everyone, from the newest hitman to the most seasoned assassin, has to follow. 

No matter what vendetta you harbored or who your target was, once you stepped inside the Continental, all hostilities must be ceased. 

Funny as it is, it's sort of a place where enemies could share a drink, where deals can be made, but where bloodshed is strictly off-limits. 

But violating these rules isn't just a breach of etiquette; its a f*cking death sentence. 

The penalty for conducting business, meaning any kind of hit, within the walls of the Continental is called for excommunication, stripping you of all rights, privileges, and protection within the criminal underworld. 

And the repercussions are just as swift and severe.

Behind the scenes, the Continental is operated like a well-oiled cog within a machine. 

Hell, even the staff, from the concierge to the bartenders, are impeccably trained and utterly discrete. 

They know their clientele, understand their needs, and provide whatever is required without ever asking unnecessary questions. 

Sh*t, I've heard they're bartenders for stuff like weapons, medical assistance, information, everything was available, for a price. 

More importantly, if you have a gold coin, then the Continental isn't just a hotel; it is a fully equipped armory, infirmary, and intelligence hub.

But at the center of all these hotels is a manager, a guy who operates the Continental within its ground as its de facto leader. 

In New York, this role is filled by a guy named Finn O'Conner who I haven't had the pleasure of meeting.

All I know is that he's ruthless and instead of joining the Irish mafia, he found himself at the center of the Continental. 

The guy is both a host and a judge, capable of offering a warm welcome with one hand while signing a death warrant with the other.

This place is like a symbol of the code that governed the underworld but, the moment you stepped outside its doors, the protection ended, and the deadly game resumed.

In the shadows, the Continental also served as a crucial node in the global network of the High Table, the shadowy council that controlled the criminal underworld before any established government. 

Like I said five seconds ago, people think the underworld is a lawless place, but it's actually a well-oiled machine that churns out people like sunflower seeds. 

I don't know much about the High Table, except that anyone who crosses them either ends up dead or absorbed.

Eight years ago, when I first adopted you and took down Maggiano, I lied when I said the reason was because he wanted to rule everything. 

The truth is, Maggiano wanted his criminal organization to be recognized by the High Table, but the problem was, our territory was too small and too divided to ever make the cut.

Unlike our families, the families overseas are united into one organization, the Maggio, recognized by the High Table, which grants them privileges that mere gangs could never hope to acquire. 

In his desperation, Maggiano sought to unite all the families under his control, hoping to have the High Table recognize him as the leader, the boss of all bosses.

However, the others, like myself, didn't want to be underlings and we wanted to lead in our own right. 

So, we took Maggiano out and struck a deal with the high table, those scary bastards. 

The deal had ended up forming the Commission and its formation was simple: we would pay the necessary tribute to the High Table and accept not being officially recognized in exchange for their mercy. 

But I wasn't satisfied with that and in the heat of the moment, I met with the High Table's inquisitor and proposed a deal of my own.

I structured the deal in such a way that the High Table wouldn't have to lift a finger. All they had to do was recognize my family once I took control of New York. 

They agreed, since they stood to lose nothing; either I absorbed the other families, another family absorbed me, or we became a watered-down version while they reaped all the benefits. 

But regardless, from that moment on, I've been working toward the complete absorption of the families.

*END OF NARRATION*

"....." Ricky fell silent for a long time, processing everything Lucky had just revealed to him.

"How could you not tell me any of this?" Ricky finally asked, his voice filled with confusion and frustration as Lucky's expression darkened, a troubled look crossing his face.

"It wasn't that simple, Slick. These people are dangerous. They've toppled governments for breaking their rules, and not even the entire family knows of their existence, only Meyer and Frank." Lucky explained, letting out a heaved sigh, the subject of the High Table clearly stressing him out.

"But I'm your son-"

"I don't care how mad you get at me, but would you have been able to sit still if you knew about this three years ago?" Lucky aske, his words forcing Ricky to close his mouth, realizing he would've almost immediately gone to the Continental to stir trouble.

*Sigh*

"Listen, I'm telling you now because I wholly believe that you've grown, and proof of that is how you didn't fly off your rocker at me." Lucky explained this delicate subject, pouring himself another glass of bourbon.

"But the continental is completely unbiased, meaning they are stern on being neutral, there is no favoritism in their view of war." Lucky continued, trying to tell Ricky that it was literally impossible for him to join a side.

"War is profitable on both sides and you choosing America is against their rules." Lucky warned, his words heavy as Ricky had a weird expression.

"But what if I was drafted-"

"They have strings everywhere, they'd pull a couple." Lucky spread out his arms this time, showing that this was even out of his hands.

"Listen, pops, please." Ricky edged himself to the edge of his chair, showing how eager he was. "This war is going to involve the world. Everything will get sucked in, and with war, there are profits to reap." Ricky explained, his smile reforming at the potential of this move.

"We could use this war as a springboard, using it to propel the Lucaino name to new heights and wedge ourselves into national interests." Ricky had been reading a lot of Dracula's diary and for this he had learned how important politics were.

However, he was an amateur, meaning he knew almost nothing about this world, which is why he wanted Lucky on board to help guide him.

"You can't, I'm sorry." Lucky shook his head, Ricky frowning and grabbing his hands tightly.

"Who could make that decision, who could overturn this without affecting the family." Ricky eyes were stern, his green iris's locking onto Lucky's.

"Slick, once the family is recognized by the high table, hell, even now it doesn't matter cause-"

"Pops, who."

Lucky was quiet, Ricky knowing he knew more than he chose to let on, which is why Lucky clenched his fist.

"In the high table, there is but one who stands above the table but he's more of a myth." Lucky almost hesitated to even speak his name behind closed doors, rubbing his throat after feeling as if a knife was placed on it for even thinking about him.

"It's a title, not a person, but they are always known as the 'Elder'." 

"But to get to the Elder, you'd not only have to integrate into the world but go even deeper into the High Table." Lucky continued, a hint of irony in his voice. 

"You'd have to make yourself so well known within their ranks that you'd finally earn the right to ask the Elder for permission to leave." Lucky chuckled softly, shaking his head at the irony of it all.

"It wouldn't make sense to go through all that and there would be an outrageous demand to go with it." Lucky laughed out, shaking his head while taking a sip of his bourbon.

"But that would take years to prove your worth, and-"

"In three years, I'll meet the Elder," Ricky revealed, essentially setting a goal for himself to reach such heights within that time frame.

Lucky opened his mouth to respond but paused, leaning back in his chair as he realized that Ricky wasn't diving into this recklessly; he was giving himself a timeline, showing a level of patience and foresight that Lucky hadn't expected.

"But before any of that, how are you going to go about all of this mutant stuff, huh?" Lucky smiled, a knowing glint in his eyes as he watched his son. Ricky chuckled, leaning eagerly forward as his excitement bubbled up.

"Well first-"

Ricky laid out his plan with clarity and focus, explaining each step he intended to take and how it would all lead to his ultimate goal. As he spoke, Lucky found himself unknowingly leaning forward, drawn in by the ambition in his son's voice. 

The more Ricky outlined his vision, the more Lucky realized this wasn't just some wild dream, it was a serious possibility.

"So you were serious about this whole mutant messiah thing? About becoming a symbol for the mutant community?" Lucky asked, his voice tinged with disbelief as he processed the gravity of what Ricky had just laid out. Ricky simply smiled in response, his confidence unwavering.

"I know, funny, right?" Ricky chuckled, amused by the irony of it all, and Lucky couldn't help but laugh along with him.

But as the laughter died down, Lucky leaned back, his gaze fixed on Ricky as he saw how far his son had come, how much he had changed, and though he knew it might not work, it didn't matter. 

Because in the end, he was going to do what any father would for his son's ambition.

"Alright Ricky, I'll prepare everything, but I need to know for certain." Lucky crossed his hands together, looking at Ricky with a renewed intensity.

"Are you sure?" Lucky asked in a deadpan serious voice, knowing that this was something that required him to go all in.

"Because this is something that will forever follow you and can never be undone." Lucky gestured, the weight of failure meaning the possible end of their family.

"I'm sure." Ricky said with conviction, his smile widening as he stood up with a puffed out chest.

"I want to do this, I want to be the guy you always knew I could be, I'm ready to be the roots of this family." Ricky's referenced Lucky from all the years ago, taking the old man off guard but he ended up laughing before a piece of paper was suddenly handed to him.

"Also could you do me a favor and track down those names for me, it's personal." Ricky handed a note to Lucky who looked over it and nodded before frowning.

"You're not trying to get laid or something, right?" Lucky asked only to see Ricky walk out of the room.

"Slick seriously, why are the only names here broads!"

Ricky chuckled to himself as he walked down the hallway, the sound of his laughter echoing off the walls. But instead of heading to bed, he made his way through the night, his steps guided by some unspoken purpose. 

The familiar mansion loomed ahead, and through the window, he saw her, sitting by the light of a single lamp, her face lost in the pages of a book.

*Dink*

*Dink*

The girl's entire body stiffened, tears welling up in her eyes as she slowly turned toward the window. 

Her hand instinctively covered her mouth, as if trying to hold back the emotions threatening to spill over.

"Hey, Maria," Ricky greeted with a warm smile as Maria remained frozen for a moment, her gaze fixed on him, before her instincts kicked in. 

Without a second thought, she rushed to the window, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Ricky, levitating just outside, didn't give her a chance to hesitate and without even considering the danger, Maria leapt out of the window, her heart racing, trusting that whatever it was that had brought him here was worth the risk.

Ricky effortlessly caught her mid-air, their bodies weightless as they seemed to float together. 

Maria clung to him, her tears soaking into his shirt as she sobbed quietly, the intensity of the moment overwhelming her. 

They ascended, rising above the city, the night sky unfolding around them. 

Stars twinkled like diamonds, and the gentle hush of the clouds surrounded them, as if they were the only two people in the world.

Ricky held her tightly, his grip steady and comforting as they hovered, the vastness of the sky and the silent beauty of the world below them offering a brief respite from everything else.

"Y-You came back to me~" Maria sniffled, her voice trembling as she pressed her face into Ricky's chest, sobbing softly. 

Ricky held her even tighter, his face buried in her hair, the weight of the moment settling over him.

"I'll always come back for you," Ricky whispered gently, his voice full of conviction as Maria looked up at him, her tear-filled eyes searching for him, before their lips finally met in a kiss, tender and desperate, a reunion long overdue.

"Oh, Ricky~" Maria smiled, her fingers gently caressing his chin as she gazed up at him with dreamy eyes.

"EEP!" Maria squealed in surprise, suddenly realizing they were high up in the sky. 

Ricky grinned, twisting their bodies midair and creating a mental platform beneath them, steadying them both as they hovered above the city.

"W-Why are we in the sky, Ricky, why are you stepping on the air-"

*GASP*

Maria's feet gently touched the air, her eyes widening in surprise at the sensation. 

She looked down, amazed to find herself standing on nothing but thin air as Ricky released her, letting her take her first steps, and she hesitated at first, her legs wobbling beneath her. 

Slowly, she bent down, her fingers brushing the invisible platform beneath her feet as she tested its stability.

Finally, she straightened up, her eyes meeting Ricky's who had a smile tugged at the corners of his lips and a single outstretched hand.

"Maria Profaci, three years ago we never got to go to prom, but would you allow me to have this dance?" Ricky asked, holding out his hand before Maria started laughing, almost crying as she nodded her head.

*Sniff*

"Certainly," Maria said, adopting a posh accent as she took his hand and Ricky helped her up, gently placing his hand on her waist.

They danced, the world spinning gently around them beneath the moonlight with Maria's smile growing, a soft and radiant glow, as they moved in rhythm, their bodies gliding together in perfect harmony. 

The sky stretched above them, vast and endless, like a canvas for their reunion while painting their figures in a spotlight seemingly meant just for them.

Three years apart had weighed heavily on Maria, especially the lingering thought that she had been abandoned, left behind without a second glance. 

Those fears, always there in the back of her mind, had plagued her subconscious, shaping her every step in his absence.

But now, as she swayed in Ricky's arms, everything felt different. 

With each step, each time she accidentally stepped on his shoe, each time they both chuckled at how horrible they were at dancing.

The past seemingly melted away with each of their movements, each breath shared between them warming that love that had seemingly froze in time. 

The uncertainty, the pain, the doubts, all of it was replaced by the solid, undeniable presence of Ricky's hold, his arms steady and secure around her. 

The weight of the world, the years, slipped off her shoulders, and in its place was the certainty of his touch, his sleazy smile that never failed to reassure her that no matter the storm, they would always find their way back to each other.

*Sniff*

"You're a real jerk, you know that?" Maria whispered as they swayed in a slow dance, her scowl softening only slightly as she leaned into his embrace.

"The biggest jerk," Ricky agreed with a chuckle, his tone teasing yet sincere.

"Ricky?"

"Yes, princess?"

"Why didn't you say goodbye?" Maria asked, her voice not hurt but filled with confusion as Ricky looked down, a hint of shame crossing his face.

It was one of the things he regretted. Ricky knew he was a bastard, but even still, it felt sh*tty leaving Maria all alone like that, without so much as a goodbye to warm her on the coldest days.

"Truthfully, you probably expected me to say something like, 'I knew that if you told me to stay, I would've,'" Ricky admitted, his gaze dropping as Maria simply waited to finish his words.

"But that's a lie," Ricky continued, his voice softening, feeling slightly ashamed but continuing nonetheless. 

"Back then, I just wanted to run away, leave it all behind. But when I did, along the way, I realized that I shouldn't run from the things that are important to me." Ricky looked down at Maria with a sincere expression, rubbing her hand that was still pressed on his cheek.

"I shouldn't have run and I wish, on a million wishes, that I could just go back and beat the sh*t out of the past me for leaving such a great girl like yourself." Ricky's words made Maria laugh, smiling ear to ear at him actually bearing himself to her instead of pushing her away like he always did. Before.

"I want to tell you the world, to make up for everything but I know you deserve only two from my lips." Ricky seriously spoke, looking Maria straight into her eyes with a sincerity she never thought possible from him.

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry for everything, for leaving you alone, for running out, and I'm going to do everything I can to make up for it, I promise." Ricky grabbed her delicate hand, kissing her palm as she slowly started to blush.

"I promise that I'm never gonna leave you behind anymore, never going to hide from you, and for that reason is why I came here." Ricky's words only prompted a sad smile from Maria who understood immediately.

"You're leaving again-"

"Only temporarily, I'm gonna sue the government." Ricky revealed, Maria widening her eyes before squinting.

"Why."

"So I can come back, sweep you off your feet, and take you away from this place." Ricky gestured down to the mansion, Maria remembering as she smiled warmly.

"Ricky, I need to tell you something." Maria brought Ricky's face next to hers, lightly pecking the tip of his nose before rubbing his chin.

"Ricky, you have a son." Maria said with a teasing grin, her eyes sparkling and Ricky let out a laugh, pretending to be oblivious.

"Hey, I'm serious," Maria puffed her cheeks, playfully hitting his chest as Ricky smiled, leaning in to kiss her soft cheek.

"Then I guess you're stuck with me." Ricky laughed, holding her close as she wrapped her arms around him.

"D-Do you want to meet him?" Maria asked, her voice trembling with fear, afraid Ricky might say no.

But before he could respond, they began to levitate downward, the world around them blurring as they descended together.

"I thought you'd never ask."

Arriving inside the house, Maria moved cautiously, checking the hallway before stepping into the room. 

She made her way towards a door, which connected their rooms and as she opened it, Ricky was quietly introduced to his son, Carmine Falcone Luciano, who lay peacefully asleep in his bed.

"He takes after his mother," Ricky thought out loud with a whisper, noticing more of Maria's features in him, but the deep black hair was unmistakably his own as he nodded quietly, a small smile forming on his face.

"He needs a father, Ricky, not a mobster," Maria warned, her voice steady but firm and Ricky raised his hands in surrender as she gently closed the door behind her.

"Princess, do you trust me?" Ricky asked, holding her hands gently. Maria hesitated for a moment before slowly nodding her head.

 "Just wait a little longer, and I promise I'll make it all right." Ricky reassured her, pulling her into another deep kiss before slowly pulling away.

"Only because it's you," Maria smiled at him, her voice soft but warm. Ricky winked in response, casually opening the gate.

"Ricky, be careful." Maria called out tentatively, a hint of concern in her voice and Ricky shot her a sleazy grin as he glanced back at her.

"Never." Ricky hopped into the portal, smiling ear to ear at Maria pouting before she blew him a kiss.

Catching it, he stuffed it in his pocket while winking at her as hte portal closed as Maria held her smile in place.

"Mommy?" Carmine's small voice came from the door, followed by a soft knock. Maria quickly walked over, opening the door to find her little boy rubbing his tired eyes.

"Sweetie, what are you doing up so late?" Maria asked gently, her hand brushing his hair as she picked him up and cradled him in her arms as she walked him back to his bed, tucking him in carefully.

"I heard noises." Carmine pouted, being gently laid back into his bed as Maria caressed her head.

"Can you tell me a story?" Carmine asked, pulling up the covers with a stubborn but tired gaze.

"Let me guess, one about your father?" Maria chuckled, lightly pinching his cheek as he swatted it away but didn't refuse.

"Well, one day, there were some jerks trying to pick on me and-"

Meanwhile outside a familiar house,

Instead of returning to Lucky's mansion, Ricky decided to stop by another house as though his dance with Maria had been heartfelt, it left him incredibly horny which is why he was now at Alina's house.

As he slipped into the house, the silence enveloped him; his arrival went unnoticed. 

Originally, he'd planned to see Danielle after meeting Jake, but now, things had shifted as he quietly opened the door of the master bedroom to find Alina, her curves visible beneath the sheets, peacefully asleep in her room.

'F*ck, she's ages like fine wine-'

*Click*

"Don't move." Alina's voice was cold and commanding as she swiftly drew a revolver from under her pillow, aiming it at Ricky, who was lurking in the shadows.

"You came to the wrong ho-" Alina began to threaten, but her words faltered as the revolver slipped from her grasp, falling onto the bed. 

Her hands shook as she slowly raised them to her mouth, eyes wide, when Ricky stepped into the light.

"And here I thought you couldn't get any more sexy, you go and pull a gun on me." Ricky took off his jacket, throwing it to the side while walking up to Alina, pulling the busty woman on the verge of tears.

"Hey there, beautiful." Ricky's voice was soft, almost a whisper as Alina touched his cheek to make sure this was real and not a dream.

"Oh Ricky~" Alina smiled brightly, her hand trembling as it gently caressed his cheek, her gaze locking onto his with an intensity that seemed to pierce straight through him.

"You came back to me," Alina cried out, shivering in Ricky's embrace as he leaned in and just before their lips could meet, he whispered a single word.

"Always."