With the sun setting on her back, Apollonia Conti opened the door to her '33 Buick coupe and slid into the driver's seat. Before easing onto the accelerator, she took a parting glance at the Protegone Hotel. She had come to the new establishment this afternoon on a business errand; Recro had asked her to deliver the licensures and permits necessary to open a business in Detroit. She left feeling quite impressed with the splendor and luxury. Even more impressive was the rather robust envelope the young associate Wraith had given her to offer Recro as a small "gift."

On the ride back into the city center, she noticed the first hints of Christmas decorations and Holiday sales. She left out an exasperated sigh and thought

It is not even Thanksgiving...

However, with the holidays approaching, Apollonia couldn't help but think about how different this Christmas would be... her memories took over...

... Briony Conti packed her things quickly into her small overnight bag. She checked and double-checked that the small revolver was secure in the side pocket. From the wall safe, she added all of the available cash. Frantically, she doused the furniture in her small former office with kerosene and then flipped a match onto the pile of documents she had amassed on the side table. Once she was certain that the blaze was strong, she grabbed her bag and ran out into the street. Without paying attention, Briony jerked open the door of her vehicle and was caught off-guard by the masked gunman sitting inside...

Apollonia woke with a start and tried to control her breathing. She had been having nightmares each evening for the past fortnight - ever since her mother's death back in Detroit. Ghost had found Apollonia to inform her of the tragedy only an hour before the morning papers arrived displaying the gruesome photos of her mother's dead body. Apollonia feared for her safety and fled the city. She took cover with her sister Vesti, who had recently moved to Philadelphia. Thirsty, Apollonia shrugged out of the warmth of her bed, intent on sipping some cool brandy to help calm her nerves.

When she reached the top of the stairs, she paused because she heard voices in the foyer below. It had to be 3 in the morning. A caller this late reeked of danger. Slowly and deliberately, she slipped back into her room and grabbed the dagger she kept hidden under her mattress. When she was about halfway down the stairs, she saw her sister standing in front of the front door holding the arm of a large man clad only in black. She opened her mouth to speak, when the man turned and Apollonia saw his face full on. Mr. Fcuk, known Capo for the Philadelphia mafia was leaning in to kiss Vesti.

You shouldn't have come here tonight, wait until she is ready to go back to Detroit... in the meantime I will find a way to see you Vesti murmured as she broke off the kiss and pushed her apparently lover out the door.

Apollonia stared in horror. Her lips parted slightly and her breath caught in her throat. Vesti had betrayed Detroit to the enemy. She had to concentrate to breathe. Visions of her mother's dead body flashed before her eyes. Vesti had betrayed her mother. Their mother. Apollonia tightened her grip on her dagger. Caught in a blind rage, she flew down the stairs and knocked her sister to the living room floor. Vesti struggled to gain control but, in moments, Apollonia had her pinned firmly. She covered her sister's mouth with her flattened palm, leaned forward and whispered, per la nostra madre, before slicing her sister's throat.

...Apollonia slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting the car in front of her and her consciousness slammed back to the present. Realizing that she was crying, Apollonia wiped a tear from her cheek and struggled to regain composure. Yes, many things had changed since last June when she knocked on Ghost's door looking for protection. She was a different person now, a stronger person.
Apollonia pulled slowly into the her Don's driveway and waved to Savannah as she slammed the car door.

Very cool

A story to remember. Good job.