The questions were coming like machine gun fire, and Stella had barely begun to process what was happening.

"No, I don't have any family left. Sofia was all I..."

Sofia. Sicily. The winery. Surely she could go there.

"Maybe I can go to Sicily, to Sofia's family? I've never spoken to them, but I know of them from her letters to me."

Gavin was speeding around getting dressed. If this was in the papers, Joe had likely already seen it. Gavin was right, the heat was about to get too hot for her to handle. She jumped up and started fumbling for clothes.

"Roxanne, get all the girls up and into the kitchen. Lock the front and back doors, and call Philly and tell those girls to stay home today."

Roxy nodded and disappeared. As Stella reached under her bed for her luggage, she asked. 

"God, what is going to happen to my businesses? My girls? I can't just close up shop for a year."

The phone rang. Stella's heart stopped, knowing it had to be Uncle Joe. She picked up the phone, and before she could say anything, the older man's voice came through quickly. 

"Stella, listen to me. I'm going to take care of this, but you have to do exactly what I say, ok? Get your men and get out of the country. Today. Don't bother packing, I'll make sure you're good when you get where you're going. Someone is going to meet you at the airport with documents. It's going to be ok. Is your fella there with you?"

​​​​​​"Yes, he's here. I'm already getting dressed."

"Good. Have him ride to the airport with you and your boys, but then I want to see him at my place. Got it?" 

Stella nodded and said yes, and the line went dead. She could feel tears welling up into her eyes, but she cleared her throat and shook her head. She looked to Gavin as she hung up the phone. 

​​​​​​"I have to go. Now. I'm going to go two the girls what is happening  Can you get Paul and Donny and fill them in while they get the car?" 

Gavin buttoned his shirt quickly.

"Put one of the girls in charge at each place; they can handle the customer side of it. Tara will help them with the numbers."

Gavin nodded at Stella after she got off the phone. He practically ran to the bodyguards.

"Hey boys. So. Long story. Nope. No time. Stella's in trouble. Leaving the country. Maybe you're going with her? Maybe not? Just get the car and bring it around back- fast."

A few frantic moments later they were in the car, heading towards the airport. 

"This feels insane. Who even recognized me? I thought that disguise was sufficient. Damnit. Just...daminit! Now Carlito's people are going to know who did this. That's going to put pressure on Uncle Joe and the family. Why is it every time I do something, it blows back on people I love?"

Stella picked up the newspaper again and sighed. 

​​​​​​"At least they didn't get your photo. I guess I can be thankful I didn't throw Philly into the frying pan along with my own family."

She tossed the paper onto the floor of the back seat and put her head in her hands. Her emotions were a swirl of anger, confusion, and sadness. There went her nice, quiet days with Gavin she was looking forward to. All the days with Gavin, for that matter. She was disappearing. What would happen then? 

"Shit, I almost forgot. Joe wants to see you before you head home. When you go, please tell him I'm sorry."

The car pulled up to the curb at the departure terminal. Paul and Donny, having made up their own minds to go with her, got out.

​​

"I'll go see him now..."

He took her hands away from her face and kissed her, then looked at her steadily.

"Go live your life in Sicily. Don't worry about anything- just be someone else 'til this dies down."

As the car pulled up, Stella exited with her bodyguards.

"Just... go live your life. Fresh start. Write me when you're there..."

Gavin waited until she was inside the terminal, watching her like a hawk. When she was safely past the security checkpoint, he got in the car and tried to not think as he drove to Uncle Joe's. When he arrived, he was frisked and his gun was removed. Then he went to meet with the Don himself.

Rosaleen started her bath water and lit some scented candles.  While her water was running she fumbled through some papers then went into her bar and made herself a Bellini.  She stepped into the bubbly bathtub.  The water was rather hot but she decided to endure the heat and sat down.  As she laid back relaxing, smelling the aromas from the candies she began to digest the conversation she just had with Uncle Joe.

I recall the some of the last words Uncle Joe said,  “you are one of the best cleaners in the business.  See what you can do. 

I really don’t know Stella_DiVasio well but heard she was good people.  I told Uncle Joe I would do my best.

Rosaleen wrings the water out of the washcloth and covers her face with it.

Of all people why the fucking Carlito's.  One thing I have going for me is that Sammy Carlito was a slimeball and everyone knows he’s nothing but a piece of shit.  A lot of people wanted him to meet his demise. I have dealt with the Carlito's before. Johnny Carlito's left-wing idiot is as dangerous as a right-wing idiot. All of them are morally bankrupted.

I think I can call in some favors and put some pressure on them.  I am really surprised they want to try and mess with the Ligambi’s. I wonder if the truly know who Stella_DiVasio is.

Rosaleen felt herself getting mad.  Who in the fuck do they think they are trying to put some heat on the Ligambi’s.

She jumped out of the bathtub, dried off, threw on her robe and made her way to the phone to call Stella.

Stella wasn’t there but one of her girls Roxy answered the phone and I told her to try and make sure Stella got this message.

Please tell her she did good, sometimes jobs go bad.  Not to worry about the Carlito's putting pressure on Uncle Joe and the family. We are not going to let that happen and they aren’t going to make anyone leave town.

Roseleen hurried and got dress, made a few more phone calls.  She then called Bentley to come with her to see a friend that would be able to help her out.

She just prayed that Stella would get her message before she left.

The morning sky was overcast, and misty rain blurred the view from the airplane window as it pushed back from the gate. Truth be told, Stella couldn't tell whether it was the rain or the tears in her eyes.  Only hours ago she'd woken up in his arms, and now she was on an airplane bound for a place she'd never been, hoping for the kindness and hospitality of people she'd never met.  On top of that, she couldn't get over the feeling of guilt for once again putting others in danger- even though this time it wasn't her fault.  Uncle Joe had tried to sound hopeful for her, but she could hear the urgency in his voice.  Stella sighed, trying to block it all out.  There was a long flight ahead.  Paul and Donny were on either side of her, and had already swept the plane twice.  

Once the plane was in the air, Stella took Sofia's journal from her bag and settled back in the seat.  She'd read the entire thing over and over, but never failed to find comfort in the words.  She flipped to the pages that talked about the winery, vineyards, and the old house on the acreage, trying to imagine it all.  Eventually, she fell asleep.

It had been a long night for Rosaleen.   She and Bentley had gone to several spots the Carlito’s hang out to get the word on the streets about Stella_DiVasio.  From what they were hearing it wasn’t good.  It seems even though they would be outnumbered and out powered the Carlito brothers were looking for blood and the revenge of Sammy’s death. Their father was a reasonable man but the brothers were nothing but lowlife hoodlums.

 The hard rain from outside the window woke Rosaleen up.  Frantic that she had slept so long she jumped up.  She hadn’t heard from Stella.  She just hoped she was safe and maybe had left the city already.  Although she hated that Stella might leave she couldn’t help thinking that maybe it was the best thing until they were able to work things out.  Those crazy Carlito brothers were no joke and not to take lightly.  She knew in time, with some persuasion, Stella would be safe again.    She was told to contact GavinAndTaraByrne.  That maybe she could help sort all of this out.

Rosaleen just laid back on the bed hoping to hear from Stella, that she was alright.  She sure hated that all this went down, but would do her best to try and make it right.

Gavin practically trudged out of the meeting with Uncle Joe. It was a tough situation, no two ways about it. As he returned back to the escort agency, one of the girls let him know that word on the street was that someone named Rosaleen wanted to talk to him. Gavin told her to get the word out that he'd be drinking at the bar in the Pair-o-Dice club on The Strip that night; anyone looking to find him should show up there. 

Rosaleen received word that GavinAndTaraByrne would be at the Pair-o-Dice club on The Strip.   Don Joseph_Ligambi had shared that Stella_DiVasio was safe and that he would inform GavinAndTaraByrne that I was the cleaner, rather fixer in this case for matters regarding the family and might need help.

Rosaleen took her job seriously. She was always a private person,  low keyed and not in the limelight as some in Vegas,  This intriguing appeal made many drop their guard and easy to gain their trust,   She was one of the best at negotiations, especially when it came to a family member.  If she was given the time a man’s life was always negotiable. 

Don Ligambi told her all she had to do was introduce herself.

 As she was dressing she thought about the people that owed her favors she could call on. This wasn’t going to be easy with the Carlito’s, she needed all the help she could get.

Rosaleen wasn’t familiar with that particular club on the Strip. As she and Bentley drove up they parked in the back of the club. 

Bentley and I walked in it seemed like a pretty nice spot. We grabbed a table.  I told Bentley when the waitress comes for him to ask her if @ GavinAndTaraByrne was in the club.   The waitress came over for our drink orders.  We order our drinks and then Bentley in his polite British accent told the waitress he was looking for a friend GavinAndTaraByrne if she knew if they were here, using the place was so crowded as an excuse.   It worked well.  Bentley gave her a note that read “May I please introduce you to Rosaleen”.  He asked her to please deliver it to GavinAndTaraByrne and ask them to join us. He places a very nice tip with the note.

Gavin was drinking by the bar when he saw her walk in. There was something about the way she walked that grabbed his attention, despite her low key demeanor. She exuded a power- a confidence. He waited until the bartender had given him another drink, and received a note in the meantime, before heading over to where Rosaleen was waiting with another man.

Gavin slid into the seat next to Rosaleen, flashing an easy grin that didn't quite reach his eyes- he was obviously still bothered by what had happened with Stella. He leaned back in his chair, entirely at ease.

"So I hear you've been looking for me- congratulations on the finding."

Rosaleen smiled and extended her hand. 

It's a pleasure to meet you.  As she gently shook GavinAndTaraByrne hand.  This is Bentley it was his British charm that made it quite easy. I am so glad you decided to join us.  I am sure Don Ligambi informed you why I wish to talk with you and seek your help.  I am not sure exactly what went down with Stella_DiVasio I haven't heard from her but know she is safe.  I am hoping to get a little insight from you as far as what went down.  I was also told you have a lot of pull and can assist me in getting the  Carlito's to be more reasonable.  She followed an order and I want to make sure the brothers don't mess with her. I know the father well but he will need a little persuasion,  he has little control over his son sometimes but he knew Sammy was bad blood.

I would rather just enjoy the night out and discuss this another time in private if you don't mind.  This is a very nice club.

Gavin shrugged.

"Well, I'd be happy to help you- particularly if you know the Carlito family well, you should most likely take the lead. Can the father control the other brothers?"

He raised his whiskey to his lips.

"But, as you say, we can also just enjoy ourselves."

He winked at the Brit.

"What are the two of you drinking? Wine? Tea?"

Rosaleen just gets really tickled when they hit Bentley with their Brit jokes "Tea" Thank you GavinAndTaraByrne, we are having neither.  I will have another GIN RICKE and Sir Bentley here will have another Bee's Knees cocktail.

She smiled at Bentley. That polite, sophisticated, well mannered,  utilitarian demeanor of his had worked again.  He could charm the pants off the best to them. That coupled with his ability to quickly sense mistrust for some of the people in this thing of ours definitely made him her rock. 

She turned back to Gavin.

Thank you for agreeing to assist me with this. I know @Stella_DiVasio is very important to you and I know Don Joseph_Ligambi will be please we are working together.   I will give you my office address and phone number before we leave.  We can set up a time when we can meet and I will show you all the files I have on the Carlito family and their associates. I have enough dirt on them to draw heat from a lot of different sources.  Physical force might be necessary but let's try being diplomatic first. 

GavinAndTaraByrne ordered the drinks.  They all sat together and chatted awhile.  As they were finishing their drinks Rosaleen thanked Gavin again, gave him her office phone number and address, told him she looked forward to meeting with him.

A week or so after Rosaleen's meeting with Gavin, an envelope appeared at her office. It bore no return address, and only Rosaleen's name. Most likely, it has been delivered by private courier. Inside was a hand - written letter. 

Rosaleen, 

I'm so very sorry it's taken me this long to reply to your note. I received it after I'd already landed. We've only just established a safe route for mail. I want you to know that I truly appreciate what you've been doing on my behalf. Gavin filled me in in his last letter. Just please keep yourself safe.

Everything here is fine. Sofia's family has become family to me, and I'm spending a good bit of time enjoying Palermo. I miss home and the crew, but I'm finding things to keep myself busy. That being said, please be careful and don't rush on the Carlito family. They are ballsy, but stupid, and that makes them dangerous. If you need anything at all, Jennifer at the Agency can help you. Especially if you need funds. 

Thank you again, and please let Uncle Joe know everything is fine.

Sincerely, 

Lia San Cano

Rosaleen called in Bentley to have him send the message by telegram to Palermo.

My dearest Lia San Cano,

I am so happy to know that you are safe and enjoying your stay with Sofia's family. I had got word that you were.   I know exactly where her family lives and it's a beautiful place. 

Don't you worry about the Carlito family, @ GavinAndTaraByrne  and I are taking care of that and will keep you posted. 

@NicodemoMangana and I are planning a trip to Palermo soon.  I will be in touch to let you know the exact arrive date and would love to visit with you.

I've talked to Jennifer and thank you but I need no help.  But on the other hand I will make sure your girls and the business are protected. 

In the meantime, you enjoy yourself and don't worry about things here. 

We miss you. Much love,

Rosaleen

Rosaleen sat back in her recliner with a content feeling. @Stella_DiVasio was safe.