Gavin slid his other arm around Stella as he guided her back toward the bed.

"You know... I could use some refreshing myself..."

His lips touched hers as he ran one of his hands through her hair, resting it on the back of her head.

Stella completely melted at his touch. It was as if a surge of electricity was running up and down her entire body. Her hands slid up his chest, and remembered exactly where the buttons of his shirt were as she unfastened each one with her eyes closed in utter bliss. Gavin just had this way of making her feel a thousand times lighter. Being in his arms again was her nirvana. 

She turned him so his back was to the bed, tossed his jacket aside, then slid off his shirt. Her shirt followed, and then she pressed her body against his, pushing him back onto the bed. Her body hovered over him, kissing his neck and chest as she fumbled with his belt, her loose strands of hair falling into his face.

"Fuck, I missed you...."

"Well... I'm assuming that was a request."

Gavin took his time with Stella. Technically, they were in a rush; technically, lives were at stake. But some things were more important. He savored her like a man who'd been at sea for months would savor a tree, the way someone trapped in the desert would savor water. His hands were harder than she remembered them, but soon the pair of lovers fell into their old motions as they remembered how to best fulfill the desires of the other. 

Paul had purposefully taken his time getting the car and driving down to Stella's villa. He wasn't an idiot. Stella and Gavin had been apart for more than three months. There's no way that need wouldn't be torn up given half a chance; so that's what he gave them. After about 20 minutes or so, he anxiously checked his watch. It was still a two hour drive to Palermo. Whatever, if they weren't done, they'd have to take a rain check. Smirking a bit, Paul gave two short blasts from the car horn. 

---

Stella, having been straddled across Gavin's midsection for the last ten minutes or so, collapsed down on his chest, trying to catch her breath after they had both rattled the glass in the bedroom window. She was planting kisses on his chest when the car horn sounded. With a sigh  she sat up.

"Well, dammit. I don't want to leave. Let's go find this asshole. He's interrupting my happy reunion."

Stella winked and kissed Gavin again, then jumped up and started pulling on her clothes. 

Gavin and Stella spent their time in the back seat whispering, filling each other in on the the last few months. Gavin mentioned that Tara had been promoted to Don, that the Pier was flourish- with the slight interruption of Stella's business getting roughed up, and said relatively little about his own activities. Stella, meanwhile, filled him in on everything that had been happening in Sicily.

When they arrived in Palermo, they immediately headed out to find Rosaleen and her business partners.

As they got out, Paul handed Gavin a slip of paper. 

"I did some recon work earlier, and this is the address where Rosaleen's father, Miceli Bianchi, lives. It's about two blocks west of here down that walk way. You two go on; I'm going to keep an eye outside."

Stella nodded to Paul. 

"When we make it back to Vegas, you are getting a hell of a raise and some well deserved vacation time, my friend."

She turned to Gavin. 

"Ready?" 

@NicodemoMangana and I made out way back to his parent's house in Santa Cristina Gela.  We had breakfast, talked with his people awhile then left to return to my father’s house.  On the way back to Vergine Maria I filled Nicky on everything that happened with Vincent Carlito.

We greeted my father and MommaRosa, she showed Nicky to his room, he followed her with his bags.  I placed my bags in my room and we met back on the sun porch.  As we sat down to talk MommaRosa bought us a caffè macchiato.

My father started to explain what was going on.

He told us that Lia San Cano and  @GavinAndTaraByrne had contacted him. Gavin had arrived, they were not far from here and they would be coming to the house to see us later that afternoon. 

He said that Vincent Carlito arrived
yesterday with six other men and staying at the Mondello Palace Hotel in Palermo. He is flashing a lot of money around for information on Stella_DiVasio.  He said it doesn’t seem he has any information on a Lia San Cano, which was in our favor.  It gave us some time.

We talked a little about what had wit Don Zalapi.  He assured us that would be handled we should just concentrate on this situation first.
transpired

Just then we heard a car drive up.  It was Lia and Gavin. We met them at the car and greeted them. Nicky knew Lia so I introduced him to Gavin.  As my father walked out of the house I introduced him to them.

benvenuto in casa mia (welcome to my home) he told them.  I invite you to stay here with us.  We have 2 villas in the back if you and your protection would like to stay here while we deal with your problem. prego entra (please come in).

As we walked in I briefly explained to Gavin what we had found out.

Gavin had bowed respectfully toward Rosaleen's father before settling back into his chair, seated next to Stella. He listened as Rosaleen explained the current situation before throwing out a plan."

"Okay. We know that Vincent has six guys. That's a lot to handle for a single attack. Going up against seven guys at once is damn tricky. Once the first few go down, the rest can barricade. Normally, I'd say to just take out Vincent and hope the rest dissipate- but I don't know if these guys will keep trying to complete the hit they've been paid for."

He leaned forward, lacing his figures.

"I think we should try to thin the herd a bit. If he's looking for information, he'll most likely be sending his mercenaries out through the town asking questions, pursuing leads, etc. I think we should try to hit them before they hit us and remove three or four of them- however many we can before the rest get suspicious. We can try to time the attacks so that they don't have time to find out and coordinate."

He glanced over at Stella.

"I'd prefer to stick with you, just in case. Rosaleen and Nicodemo Mangana, this isn't your fight, but if you could potentially help us remove one of these mercs, it'd be a big help. Maybe your bodyguards and... was it Marco? Maybe they can handle a third? Any other assets we could assign to this? You and I could always try to loop around and hit a fourth one if we can find two close together."

Gavin shrugged.

"Basically, I expect Vincent to be sitting back and waiting for information in the palazzo with at least a couple guards. If he doesn't know we're hunting him yet, then let's tip the odds in our favor."

"The other option, of course, is to try to hit Vincent directly with our first move and hope the mercs just pack up and leave. I could do it, but it'd be riskier." 

Stella listened carefully, trying to consider every scenario possible. When Gavin finished, she sat forward on the edge of her chair. 

"Gavin is right. Nicky, Rosaleen, I couldn't bear to see you two put in any danger. I've done everything I can to keep this away from touching anyone in Uncle Joe's family, and I'd like it to stay that way. This information is Invaluable to us, as we know a good bit more than we did when we walked through the door."

She sat quietly for a moment, considering her next words carefully.

"Using a fake name has kept people knowing anything about Stella, and at best, they've only heard of Lia San Cano. But if Vincent has any information worth anything, he'll know I'm connected to the Viacelli family  That's what makes me worry that he's going to come for Catania. It would make less of a scene as the estate is more secluded."

She looked to Gavin for his thoughts.

"I could be totally off base here, but if he's got that many men with him, he's expecting a standoff. I think we need to draw him and his guys out of the city. The estate is our high ground- we ought to use that to our advantage, right?" 

She'd always looked to Gavin as being better at strategy than herself, but she felt as if some of his wisdom might be starting to rub off on her.

Gavin nodded.

"Sure. That sounds like a damn good plan to me. Certainly reduces potential collateral damage. So you think we reinforce the estate, build up a defensive position, and then send them an invitation?"

"Not an invitation. A message." 

Stella's look was chilling and calculating. She turned to Rosaleen.

"Can you find out who Vincent's closest guy is? Whoever is his 'right hand' so to speak? He needs to be the messenger. I want him taken out and delivered to Vincent. I'll throw in a complimentary bottle of wine for him...with our condolences.  If you and Nicky can arrange that, Gavin and I can get the estate ready."

MommaRosa came to the sun porch to tell Rosaleen she had an important call from Bentley. 

When she returned she explained to Gavin and Lia there was trouble back in Vegas.  That some outside people had hijacked cargo from the airport.  They needed her help in trying to recover the shipment.

Stella, Roseleen caught herself.  I mean Lia, Vincent’s right-hand man is named Tony  Patatone Puddu and he is here.  My father’s people took pictures as they arrived at the airport.  I compared the pictures to the one in my file and it is indeed him.  The others are just his lowlife punks that follow him around.   She picked up her files and pulled out a picture of him and gave it to Lia.

Miceli was also looking through Rosaleen’s files then looked up.

Signore Gavin and Signorina Lia I have good men that can help you if Rosaleen needs to return back home. I can supply manpower for you.  

Rosaleen thanked her father.  She could leave knowing Gavin and Lia had help and she knew her father would do his best to help them take care of the matter. 

Well you know I really hate to leave without seeing Vincent taken care of.  I am not at liberty to say who just yet but their cargo was valued over half a million.  I think it’s best Nicky and I head back.  I am sure you will be able to handle Vincent and his goons. 

MommaRosa had prepared us a feast. We all sat down at the dining room table enjoying our meal and had pleasant conversations. 

When it was time for them to leave we walked Lia and Gavin to their car. Gavin and my father had a quick conversation making arrangements to stay in touch.  I wished them best of luck with Vincent and asked them to keep us posted. 

We all hugged, shared out farewells and we watched them drive off. 

I helped MommaRosa clean up the kitchen, called the airport and made reservation for a flight heading back tomorrow afternoon. 

We enjoyed  the rest of the evening just laughing and having fun. 

The next afternoon we were on a plane headed home.

Miceli Bianchi had graciously offered his men for the disposal of Tony Puddu, and the "action" would take place in 24 hours, allowing Gavin and Stella time to get back to the Viacelli estate and make their preparations. After the stunning meal and before Gavin and Stella left, Stella penned a simple note that was to be left with Tony's body. 

So sorry for your loss, Don Carlito. Sicily can be an awfully treacherous place; especially if you're a hot-headed pezzo Di merda that doesn't know whom he's dealing with. Have a bottle on me, with my condolences.  - Stella

Paul drove quickly back to Catania under the cover of darkness. Gavin and Stella briefly discussed fortification plans, but Stella wanted him to see the estate as a whole so he had a better idea of the layout.

At that point, Stella had been awake for 36 hours, and the rhythm of the road and the darkness finally won out. She fell asleep with her head resting on his chest for the last hour or so of the drive. 

They arrived back at the estate around 11:30, and the main house was dark, save for one light left on in the foyer. Paul blinked the headlights twice to let anyone on watch know that it was them. 

Stretching, Stella got out of the car and yawned. 

"We should check in with Donny before we go to bed. Fill him in on the plan for tomorrow."

Gavin nodded as he emerged from the car.

"What's the deal with Marco? Young Marco? Is he going to be any help here?"

"I...think so? He's mentioned a few times that he can fight, but the occasion never arose for me to see him do it. I don't even think I've ever seen him with a gun. That could be circumstantial, though."

Stella thought back to the day they met, when Marco breathlessly appeared in the seat across from her while running from the police. 

​​​​​​"From what I know of him, he basically grew up on the streets. Mostly getting by picking pockets and hustling where he could. I suppose I just assumed he could hold his own. He's certainly willing, anyway."

The two walked inside the large house. Donny appeared to be the only one awake, seated on the winding staircase smoking a cigarette. Paul was parking the car, so Stella went ahead and filled him in on what they knew. 

​​​​​​"So, in the morning, I want you and Paul to take Gavin around the main house and work out a plan to make sure they can't blindside us. I want Vincent to have to face us head on. While you're doing that, Papa Marco and I will make sure the men and weapons are ready to go. Vincent's guy will drop tomorrow afternoon, probably three or four. That's when our clock starts. Vincent could come blazing in as soon as the body is dumped, or he may take his time to try and attack. Either way, we need to be ready."

Stella looked toward the kitchen, considering a cup of coffee, but decided against it in favor of more sleep. Everyone would need it. 

Gavin scanned the property. Only the one main road in, which would be good. Cars could be parked and set up as barricades to ensure that the front door was the only entrance with easy access. In fact, they could line up the cars in a V, forcing them to narrow as they approached the front door. Post men on both floors... and maybe one or two hidden behind the cars for a flanking attack? Gavin grinned as his tactical thinking took over. 

He followed Stella back toward her bedroom. When they walked in, Marco was seated inside reading a magazine. He glanced up with a smile as Stella entered, although it faded slightly as Gavin followed her in.

"Marco--hey. We...just got back from Palermo. Got some useful information. Nothing we need to do right now; we'll all regroup in the morning and be ready."

That being said, she awkwardly held her hands together, having no idea what to say. This was a situation she'd never considered coming up. She and Marco had had fun, but when they'd met, Stella had told herself that Gavin wasn't one to commit, and she'd even convinced herself that he'd probably move on to other entertainment in her absence. But, seeing him at the front door of the estate and the way her heart jumped into her throat when he held her...well, it was hard to deny any feelings.

Paul came through the door, heading for the loft. He looked at the three in the house for a moment, shook his head and muttered something about Stella being on her own this time.

Marco stood up and tossed his magazine on the nightstand. He smiled politely.

"Nessun problema. Want me to head back to the main building?"

"Sure. Gavin and I are going to catch up on home stuff over coffee. We brought some great ricotta cheese pie from Signore Miceli's. You should have some, it's amazing."

She hoped that sounded much better out loud than it did in her head. She didn't mean to be dismissive, of course, but she was mostly trying to avoid anymore awkwardness. 

​​​​​

Marco looked at her for a moment before nodding and leaving the room, closing the door behind him. Gavin, meanwhile, went and reclined on the bed.

"So... you and Marco... how long have you been together? Or he just really into you?"