Love, lies and Sicilian blood

Pescara, Italy-Dubrovnik, Croatia

The ferry’s horn blared. She climbed aboard, face obscured, weaving through the cars until she found one with an unlocked door.

Sliding into the back seat, she stayed low, tears slipping out despite her best efforts to hold them in.Her life had been mapped out by others, no one ever bothered to ask her what she wanted. A week on the road, keeping up appearances, had been her escape.

She’d bought the ticket in Marsala, Sicily, bound for Bizerte, Tunisia, changed her clothes in the boat’s bathroom, and vanished.

From there, she’d headed north, Pescara first, then Croatia. They’d never think to look for her there.

They’ll be looking for her in Tunisia.She’d finally killed him. No guilt, no regrets.

Her father had trained her since she could grip a knife, then a gun, dragging her into the mafia’s shadowy world. Rule one: trust no one.

After her father’s death, her mother married that monster, the so-called king of the mafia, a man with a heart as black as his deeds.

Her mother either didn’t see his affairs or chose to ignore them. Maybe she just didn’t care.

Lucia’s fingers brushed the scab on her jaw, a souvenir from Gino’s last attempt to dominate her. He’d managed to cut her, but she’d done worse. A twisted smile crept onto her face as she remembered driving the knife into him. “See you in hell, Gino. Burn,” she’d spat, watching shock freeze his expression. He’d underestimated her, never imagining she’d been honed by years of training with her father’s men. Her dad had prepped her for this life, and Gino had paid the price. The ferry’s horn jolted her back to the present as it pulled into port. She glanced out at the old city of Dubrovnik, its walls standing tall and unyielding. Lucia smiled. Freedom.

Catania, SicilyA scream shattered the morning. The maid dropped the tray, porcelain scattering across the floor. Leone was the first to see him. “Sh*t!” He touched his neck, still alive. “Franco, get the car! Hospital, now!” he barked.Elena strode over, her expression icy. “Who did this?”“We’ll find out,” Leone said, his voice tight. “But right now, we need to move. Mama, let’s go.”Elena turned to the maid, her grip firm. “Where’s Lucia?”“I’ll check right now,” the maid stammered, still shaking. She returned moments later, pale. “She’s not in her room. Her backpack’s gone.”Elena nodded calmly, though her jaw clenched. Outside, the driver held the door open. “Hospital,” she ordered before sliding in. Her mind raced. The little brat did it. She pulled out her phone, dialed, and said, “Find Lucia. Now.” Then she hung up.The city was stirring awake, but the family’s grip on it was unshakable. Their name carried weight, generations of it. This was an embarrassment, a blow to their legacy. Who would dare touch the mafia king? If he died, chaos would erupt. “Don’t panic,” Elena whispered to herself. “Not yet. Not yet.”

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Lucia wandered the cobbled streets until she stumbled on a hostel, cheap enough for a night. She showered, glared at the scab on her face, and muttered a curse. After throwing on fresh clothes, she hit the streets again, hunting for food. She found a small place with decent prices.

“You, speak English? I… want… more hot sauce,” he said, pointing at his plate.

The guy shrugged.

Lucia rolled her eyes, grabbed the hot sauce from another table, and slapped it down in front of him.

“Thank you. Can you bring me more beer too, please?”

“Sir, I don’t work here,” she shot back.

“Fine.” She marched to the counter, muddled through some rusty Serbian, and managed to convey that the guy wanted another beer. She returned to her table and tore into her sandwich.

A burly guy in an apron lumbered over. “You want job?”

“Yeah,” she mumbled through a mouthful of food.

“Okay, come tomorrow at five. I’m Haner.”

“Lu… Lu,” she said, then cringed. Lulu? Sounds like a d*mn poodle.

Back in her room, she flopped onto the bed and laughed. “Lulu.”

The next morning, Lucia hit the hotels. She strolled into a swanky one, straight up to the front desk. A guy in his thirties with impeccably groomed brown hair glanced up.“Can I help you?”“Yeah, any job openings?”“Like what?”“Anything,” she said flatly.He leaned over the counter, pointing. “See that door? Go through it. They need maids.” He winked.Lucia smirked. “Thanks.”

A week later…

She took the morning shift at the fancy hotel, scrubbing toilets and changing sheets, and evenings slinging plates at the Adriatic Sea café. For the first time, it felt like luck might be on her side.

Her alarm buzzed, and she dragged herself out of bed, threw on clothes, and headed to the hotel.“Benny, morning.”“Lulu!” He grinned. “Day just got brighter when you walked in.”“Too bad he is into guys, she thought. Benny was annoyingly perfect-looking.

She changed into her maid uniform, shoved the cart loaded with towels, sheets, and mini shampoos down the hallway. By the time she finished the floor, she was ready for a break. Benny was waiting in the employee nook, holding out a muffin and coffee.“Here. You look like you could use this.”“You’re the best. I can’t even afford soap right now.”He pinched his nose dramatically. “No sh*t.”She smacked his arm.

“You are coming out dancing with us tonight?”“Nah, I don’t want to third-wheel your date.”“He’s not my boyfriend,” Benny said, rolling his eyes. “Come on, don’t leave me alone with him.”“Then why’d you agree to the date?” she mumbled through a mouthful of muffin.“Because I’m impulsive. Duh.” They both laughed.

“Lulu,” Benny said, suddenly serious, “you ever going to tell me the story behind that scar?”She instinctively brushed her hair over it.He tilted her face toward him. “You’re perfect. That scar’s just in your head.”“Benny, why can’t you be my boyfriend?”He hugged her.

“Ugh, disgusting. Get a room,” Lili called from behind them.“Go get laid,” Benny fired back. “Don’t be jealous. Or you could join us…”“Mon Dieu, never,” Lili scoffed, walking off.They burst out laughing.

Six months later…

Lucia parked her cleaning cart outside Room 412 and knocked three times. No answer. She pushed the door open, peered inside, and found the room empty. Popping in her earbuds, she cranked up her music and set to work.

After finishing the bed, she opened the bathroom door and froze. A man stood there with only a towel around his waist, droplets of water still clinging to his broad shoulders. Her eyes traveled down his toned chest before meeting his gaze.

"I'm so sorry," she stammered. "The room was supposed to be…" She bolted, hearing him call after her as the elevator doors closed between them.

Later, he approached the front desk, fully dressed. "The housekeeper who cleaned my room, what's her name?"

"Sir, was there a problem?" Benny asked, concerned.

"Not at all," he replied with a smile. "She did an excellent job. I'd like to thank her personally."

"That's Lulu. Her shift just ended."

"Where might I find her?"