Act Five Broken Promies

On her way through the casino Suzanna overhears that Oscar won the fight in a third round TKO. She smiles to myself and then remembers she promised to meet Kevin tonight. Checking her watch she figured since the fight was here she can slip by to see Oscar and congratulate him and then make it to the MGM in time to meet Kevin. She had already told her Papa that she had a headache and was going home to lie down.

Unfortunately trying to get to see Oscar was impossible. He had just won the championship and it is a mad house. The best she can do is scribble a note and give it to one of his trainers. He smiles and says he'll see Oscar gets it. Suzanna is her way out to get a car to the MGM when Sphinx pulls up. He opens the door and she gets in. He looks at her.

Suz: " MGM please"

He shakes his head and drives down the strip..

About the same time he is leaving the car with the valet at the MGM, Oscar is handed Suzanna's note. He opens it..

" O-
I am so proud of you. Congratulations, baby!!!!
S-"

He smiles to himself and slips the note in his bag. He changes for the multitude of interviews he has to give. He finishes with his interviews and he and his people decide to go out and celebrate.

Kevin is waiting for Suzanna when she arrives. She sees him and he smiles. There is no trace of the Kevin she had witnessed at the party. He can sense her uneasiness, he stands up and walks over and hugs her. He whispers a silly joke in her ease and she is at ease. She looks up at him.

Suz: "I'm sorry"

Kevin: "Forget about it" He kisses her. When she opens her eyes, he winks at her. "Go look on the table, I think there are some presents for you"

Suzanna walks over to the table with a smile on her face. There are three boxes of various sizes. As she is opening the first one, he comes up behind her and wraps his arms around her waist and props his chin on her shoulder.

Inside the first box is a necklace, it has "Suzanna" in platinum and diamonds. "Vito!. It's overwhelming"

He takes it from her and helps put it on, it looks beautiful. He smiles, "open the next one."

She does and inside is a bottle of her favorite perfume. She squeals, "thank you, mi amore."

Kevin: "Ok, the next one is for you, but I intend to enjoy it also."

Suzanna looks at him and opens the last box, inside is a beautiful silk slip night gown in scarlet red. She turns holding the gown in front of her. Kevin gives her an approving look. "I'll go slip this on," she kisses his cheek as she pass to the dressing room to change. It is a perfect fit and the cut accentuates all her features. She turns to look at herself and smiles at her reflection. She then turns off the light and goes out into the other room.

Kevin is on the phone, he glances up and sees her then hastily gets off the phone. His smile says it all.

Suz: "You like?"

Kevin: "Bella"

Suzanna walks over to him and stands in front of him. He reaches out and runs his hands down her face to her neck. He pulls her close to him and kisses her hard. She can feel his arousal thru the thin material of his pants. They kiss, walking backwards across the room. She runs into the bed and fall backwards onto it, he falls on top of her. They lay there kissing as he reaches up and starts untying the lace-up front of the nightie. Kevin leans down to kiss the skin as it is uncovered. Suzanna sighs and closes her eyes. She feels him reach down and run his hands up her sides, gathering the material as he goes. He pushes the gown over her head and kisses back down her body.

Kevin loves to watch her as her arousal becomes a more urgent need, her body just begging for him to release it. He always gives into her slightest moaned request, but tonight, he seems to be taking his time and purposely driving her just to the brink and then backing off. Until finally she can't take it anymore. She moves and they end up rolling off the bed with a crash. She ends up on top and starts ripping off his clothes, but not really succeeding.

He chuckles and removed her hands and took his own clothes off. She gets back on the bed and rolls onto her back to watch him. He reaches in the drawer of the bedside table and retrieves a condom and slips it on. She sinks deeper into the pillows as he joins her. Smiling, he gently kisses her lips as he positions himself on top of her. He reaches down and guides himself into her. She moans against his lips and moves her hips in time with him. All her times with Kevin are very enjoyable and thoroughly exhilarating, but this time it seems that he was being extra sweet and attentive to her. It almost seemed as if he was trying to prove something to her. She couldn't even walk when they were through. He smiled and lifted the covers up over her and started getting dressed.

Suz: "You aren't staying a while?" She was very disappointed to think that after the sweet moments they had shared that he would leave so quickly.

Kevin: "I have some business to take care of. Stay. I'll be back later"

Suz: "How long will you be? I can't stay all night, I told Papa, I wasn't feeling well so I could leave the party"

Kevin: "Not more than an hour or two, please don't go anywhere" She nods and he kisses her then leaves.

Suzanna must've fallen asleep because the next thing she knows, Kevin crawls into bed with her pulling her close to him. "Vito?"

Kevin: "Shhh.. sleep mi amore"

Suz: "No I wanted to talk to you for a minute."

Kevin: "What's on your mind?"

Suz: "I am sorry about tonight. My family is too tense some times"

He holds a finger to her lips to stop her explanation. He runs his fingertips over the scratch on her cheek, "tell me how this happened?"

Suz: "Not now my love, it's nothing really just a scratch."

Kevin: "Do you realize how much I want to protect you from all life's scratches"

She smiles, "I know, but you know as well as I know how complicated everything is. You're not just in the life. You are your father's only son and his successor and my father will never allow it, he expects me to bring home some Harvard Alum and live happily or miserably ever after OUT of this life, and your parents will expect you to marry and have a multitude of children and you don't know how very badly I long to be the one to give you that. Sometimes I feel this whole affair is pointless regardless of how right it feels"

Kevin: "Don't utter those words again, I can not bear to hear them. Do you realize you give me the only pleasure I have in this life that was chosen for me. I will love you forever in secrecy, if I must, but I will never marry anyone but you. I have a gift for you."

Suz: "Another one! Vito really you have spoiled me too much already." Her eyes betray her words. They sparkle with excitement. He walks over to the chair and reaches into the inside pocket of his leather coat and pulls out a long thin box then comes over to the bed and hands it to her.

Suz: "I love it"

Kevin chuckles, "you haven't even seen it yet."

Suz: "I know but I love it all the same" She opens the box and inside is a gold necklace with a heart pendant that has an "S" inlayed in diamonds and on the back the inscription reads simply "my beloved"

Suz: "Am I your beloved?"

Kevin: "Save no one." She reaches up and pulls him down to her, giving him kisses. He tickles her and then she sits up and has him put the necklace on. "How long can you stay?"

Suz: "Not long enough I am afraid. My plane leaves at 3 tomorrow and my father is having breakfast at the house. But I am yours for a few more hours."

He smiles, pushes her hair aside with his nose and kisses her neck. Suzanna closes her eyes and tries to keep time from elapsing.

The phone rings and wakes her up. She is disoriented and reaches for it, "hola."

"This is the front desk, with your 5 am wake up call"

Suz: "Thank you."

She reaches over and nudges Kevin to wake him up but he is gone. She groans and gets out of bed, now she really has headache. She puts her dress back on and gathers her things and leaves. Sphinx joins her in the hall out of no where. They enter the elevator and then he hits the stop button. Suzanna looks at him and he holds the morning news paper in front of her face. She turns white as a ghost as she reads the headlines: BOXER DIES IN AUTO ACCIDENT and underneath it is a picture of Oscar.

Her head is spinning and she says, "I think I am going to be ill." He grabs her and pushes the start button. They proceed down, he practically holds her up as they make our way through the lobby. She makes it to the car before she looses it. She sobs uncontrollably the whole way home. Sphinx gets her in the house without rousing much attention. Suzanna gets up to her room and collapses.

*********************************************************************

The same morning at Ceaser's:

The clock goes off at seven am. Abby rolls over and hits snooze.

Joey: "We have to get up."

Abby: "No.

Joey: "We have to be at your father's for breakfast."

Abby: "No"

Joey: "Abigail."

Abby: "Can't we just stay in bed and make love all day." She rolls over on top of him.

Joey: "As much as I would love to. You know we can't."

Abby: "Sure we can it would be easy." She starts kissing his chest.

Joey: "you're father would break down the door if we tried that."

Abby: "So I'll risk it." She is playing with him in an attempt to get him hard. It's working.

Joey: "He would then chop off my penis and send me to Sicily."

Abby: "Well we can't have that can we." She's stroking him just the way he likes. Abby is definitely winning the argument that's for sure. "We'll just have to be quick then."

Joey: "Aren't you sore?"

Abby: "Why don't you check?" He runs his hand down her side and slips his fingers inside her. She's already wet and ready for him. He starts rubbing the little spot that makes her crazy. He is a fantastic lover and she's very glad she waited for him. They roll over so he is on top. He goes down on her until she's begging for it. He then just slips his fingers in and out. "Please Joseph please." He doesn't, he just keeps kissing and sucking on her. She knows what he wants. They have fooled around on many occasions and she knows how much he likes to have her talk nasty to him. "Oh god I need you to fuck me."

Joey: "How bad do you need it."

Abby: "Please make it stop. I need you to fuck me."

Joey: "beg."

Abby: "Oh god please, please baby I need it." She is really desperate now.

Joey: "tell me again."

Abby: "Joey I need you hard cock inside me please I need you."

Joey: "tell me you love me."

Abby: "I love you. Oh god I love you Joey please fuck me please."

He slips inside a little and then pulls out. She whimpers, "Please." He goes a little further and pulls back out. He does this until he can't stand it anymore. He was going slowly but she is past the point of being romantic. "Oh god Joey fuck me fuck me." He starts to quicken the pace. She can feel her whole body go tense. She needs to release it and knew what she wanted. "Fuck me baby fuck me hard." He does, he lets out a moan as he tries to hold himself back. It doesn't work he pulls out and comes all over her stomach. "No, oh god." She was so close that it's almost painful.

Joey: "Just relax baby." He goes down on her again. He slips his tongue inside her and curls it up to reach her spot. Abby almost immediately starts to cum. When she's done he gets off the bed to get a towel to wipe himself off. Abby is just laying there trying to catch her breath. "Want me to start the shower?"

Abby: "Please." He starts the shower.

Joey: "Can you walk?"

Abby: "of course I can walk." She stands up and her legs start shaking. She takes a few steps. "See." He comes and picks her up and carries her to the bathroom.

Joey: "I'm sorry I shouldn't have been so rough on you."

Abby: "I asked you to remember." He puts her on her feet. She gets in the shower. "Join me?"

Joey: " I don't think it's a good idea we need to get ready to go to your father's. If I come in there with you, you know what's going to happen?"

Abby: "We're going to end up fucking again." He turns around so fast Abby jumped.

Joey: "Don't talk like that."

Abby: "but, just now in bed?'

Joey: "In bed it's okay that's expectable but I don't want you to start talking like a whore."

Abby: "Okay. I'm sorry Joey." She has never been scared of him before. Abby had always been the one calling the shots in their relationship but having sex has changed everything. It's almost like he's a different person. "I'll hurry so we won't be late."

Joey: "Good idea I'm going to use the shower in the other bathroom." He takes his little shaving bag and leaves. For some reason Abby felt like crying she sank down to the bottom of the tub and did just that.

*******************************

Suzanna awakes to the sound of pounding on her bedroom door. She opens her eyes and the sunlight streaming in the French-doors and windows had a blinding effect. She yells out in Italian. "Just a minute."

She finds his robe and slips it on as she walks towards her door. She opens it to find JC standing there. She smiles, "Morning."

JC: "Morning. Papa is waiting on you"

Suzanna raises an eyebrow, "am I actually the last person arriving."

He nods.

Suz: " Damn!"

JC: "I took the liberty of saying you were feeling slightly ill"

Suz: "Thanks. I'll be right down"

JC: "Can you be a little less of your cheery self?"

Suz: "I don't think that will be a problem today"

She shuts her door before he gets a chance to ask for the explanation she knows he'll want. Dressing quickly in jeans and a shirt she runs a brush through her hair before running down the stairs. As Suzanna enters the dining room all the "gentleman" raise slightly, everyone but Justino and then sit back down. She walks to the chair at the end of the table to Papa's right. Dona is seated opposite her on his left. She leans down and kisses Papa's cheek and then sits.

Suz: "Please accept my apologies for keeping everyone waiting." Papa pats the top of her hand as his way of saying she owed no explanation to anyone.

She looks around the table as Papa talks. Abby looks rather meek this morning and Suzanna notice that she kept looking at Joey. Her motherly-ness kicks in and she makes a mental note to talk to her sister alone before she leaves for school. JC looks his normal well-put-together self, people are already saying when Papa steps down people will call JC "The Dapper Don". He always looks like he is equally ready to attend a Gala or join a militia. Tino looks like even gravity hurts. She honestly can't figure what is keeping him seated up right in the chair. Dona looks bored and several of the others look hungry. No one eats until Papa is done with his statement. Suzanna was looking straight ahead, staring out the window, when she hears Papa utter words that make her sit up and pay attention.

Giovanni: "And later today before her flight back to school, Suzanna and I shall pay a visit to the Bianchetti family and offer our supreme apologies for the hasty judgments made at last nights party"

JC: "Do you think it is wise to involve Suzanna"

Giovanni: "I received a call from Don Bianchetti this morning, he inquired as to her well being, and I feel that it would be beneficial for her to accompany me"

JC nods and looks away. Papa looks at Suzanna and she must have looked a little dazed. He pats her hand and smiles, "relax Suzanna, no harm will befall you in the House of Bianchetti."

She is thinking IF YOU ONLY KNEW, HOW RIGHT YOU ARE. But she simply nods, still in shock.

Giovanni: "The food may be served now"

Within minutes the table is brimming with every breakfast food imaginable. Despite her hunger Suzanna eats very little, she needs no re-visits with her food later. She asks to be excused Papa nods and she quietly gets up and leaves the room. After she showers, she spends an hour trying to decide what to wear. Finally she picks a jean skirt with frayed seams, a white turtle neck and a red fleece vest.

When breakfast is done, Giovanni and Suzanna leave. With Clemenza and Sphinx in tow, they arrive at the House of Bianchetti. Suz had never been there but it is beautiful. They are seen in by some guys, who apologize but must wave some metal detector gun over them. Of course both Clem & Sphinx beep. They are required to wait in the hall or remove their firearms. Clem waits in the hall, Sphinx hands his gun to Clem and follows Suzanna.

Clem looks at him like, that is all you're packing, Sphinx just ignores him. They are all shown into a parlor room and are greeted by Josephine and her young daughter, Allegra.

Josie: "Oh, sweetie I am so pleased to see that you were not terribly hurt."

Suz smiles, "thank you for your concern Signora Bianchetti, just merely a scratch."

Allegra: "Hi, I am Allegra, I am 5" She hold up that many fingers. Giovanni chuckles and Suzanna smiles.

She bends down, "it is a pleasure to meet you Miss Allegra, my name is Suzanna."

Allegra: "You are very pretty, I like your hair."

Suzanna: "Thank you. You are very pretty too."

Allegra: "I wish I had yellow hair, like yours."

Suz: "Well I think you're hair is lovely." She has long black hair that almost reaches her waist. At that moment Don Bianchetti is wheeled in. He is in a wheelchair, because the slightest strenuous exercise causes him pain and he has trouble regaining his breath. He is constantly on oxygen and talking makes him gasp for breath. Close behind him are Kevin, Nicholas & Brian.

Josie: "Suzanna, would you like to see my rose garden?"

She is thinking, no I want to stay here and stare at Kevin. But she nods and was about to follow her when Don Vito motions to Kevin who says, "thank you Ma'ma, but we wish Signorita Mazzagotti to remain."

Josephine is somewhat shocked by the request, but recovers quickly and takes Allegra's hand, smiling at Suzanna as the two of them depart.

Kevin: "Please sit, would either of you care for a drink."

Giovanni: "I will have a brandy and," He looks at Suzanna and she whispers what she wants. "And a club soda for my daughter"

Kevin says something quietly to one of the helpers and in seconds the drinks are on the table in front of them.

Vito: "Permission to speak in Italian" Suzanna looks up and notices he is looking at her. She looks at her father.

Giovanni: "We have no problems, but please know my Suzanna is fluent in 8 languages, her Italian is in some ways better than her English."

Vito smiles at her warmly. "So beautiful and smart also, a delightful conversation." She smiles at his compliment. "Do not be afraid of me child, I mean you no harm. Quite to contrary I was concerned about your wellbeing."

Giovanni: "Don Bianchetti, on that subject, we come with our deepest apologies for any dishonor shown to your family at last night's party."

Vito waves away Papa's speech. "The only thing that matters is that Suzanna is ok. Oh, please forgive me, Don Mazzagotti, have you met my son Vito, Jr. or as his friends call him Kevin and these are my nephews , my brother Pedro's boys, god rest his soul this one is Michael, goes by his middle name, Brian and Nicholas, who actually goes by his rightful name. I will tell you this younger generation."

The guys all say hello to the Don and in turn take Suzanna's hand and kiss it to show respect. Kevin's touch sent shivers down her spine. He lingered a little longer than customary causing Giovanni to shift in his chair. Without missing a beat Kevin covers up his slip-up by saying, "I can't help but recall hours of play, a long time ago. It is a great pleasure to have you in our home, Sigornita Mazzagotti."

Suzanna smiles at him graciously.

Vito: "Now that everyone has been properly introduced. I would like to come directly to the point Don Mazzagotti and I are not getting any younger and as each day passes it saddens my heart to see the unfortunate rift between our families grow."

Suzanna glances nervously at her father. He takes her hand, "relax Suzanna. This ultimately concerns you." She looks at him and her eyes widen.

Vito continues, "There must be a truce. With the two families at each other's throats we can not properly protect our interests from outside forces. So we have come to a conclusion. The only way to mend this rift is through a marriage."

She reaches for her drink, using that as an excuse to look at Kevin. He looks about as in shock as she is.

Giovanni: "We realize that it's the 1990's an arranged marriages are a thing of the past. However, we feel that this is an important union."

Nick: "Excuse me Don Mazzagotti. Forgive me Uncle Vito, but may I inquire as to who you are intending to get married."

Vito: "Don Mazzagotti, you must for give me I have a sentimental weakness for my son and my nephews and I spoil them, as you can see. They talk when they should be listening." Nick looks down at his feet embarrassed.

Giovanni nods, "as I was saying, this is a most important union, and I come here today to offer my daughter Suzanna's hand in marriage to your son."

No one said a word, finally Don Bianchetti spoke. "I must speak to my son."

Giovanni nods and stood up. Suzanna tried to stand, but could not. At that point her head was spinning. Sphinx assisted her to her feet and she followed Giovanni out of the room. The door to the parlor was closed behind them.

Giovanni looked at his daughter with tears in his eyes. "I am sorry Suzanna, I wanted so much more for you. You know I promised your mother that I would spare my girls this life, please understand."

Suz: "Papa, I do understand, more than you'll ever know, but you'll never quite know what good you've done."

He looks at her trying to figure out the reason in her rhyme but the doors to the parlor open and they are beckoned back inside. Vito suddenly looks very old. Suzanna is staring at him waiting to here him speak instead the voice she hears is that of his son.

Kevin: "Don Mazzagotti, with great pride I accept your offer." He shakes Giovanni's hand and kisses his cheeks. Then turns to Suzanna, "welcome to the Bianchetti Family Suzanna."

For as formal as he had to be there was such love in his eyes and tenderness in his touch as he helped her to her feet. She went over and hugged his father and kissed his cheeks and hugged each of the cousins, as they offered their welcomes.

Vito: "Someone call Josephine."

She came rushing in, thinking perhaps something had happened to her husband, not at all expecting this news.

Vito: "Josephine, meet your son's fiance"

She looks up at Suzanna and her worried look is replaced with one of shock, then happiness.

Josie: "Oh, Bravo."

She hugs Kevin and Suzanna, tears streaming down her face. She hugs Giovanni and whispers " Graziella would be so pleased. I have raised a good boy, Giovanni. Worry not."

Giovanni: "Si, sweet Josephine." She breaks from their embrace and goes to sit next to her husband. She looks up at Kevin and Suzanna standing next to each other.

Josie: "They will have beautiful children."

Everyone nods in agreement, much to Suzanna's ebarrassment.

They are asked to stay for lunch and Josephine takes Suzanna up stairs to show her where she can freshen up. Then she goes back downstairs to see to lunch. Suzanna is standing in the bathroom starring in the mirror, holding onto the sink basin to stop the room from spinning around. She is so out of it, she never saw Kevin come up behind her. She jumps a little when he wraps his arms around her waist.

Suz: "Am I dreaming?"

Kevin chuckles, "if you are, then I am having the very same dream."

She turns within his embrace and faces him. "If I am, may I never wake up."

Kevin: "You had no idea"

Suz: "None and you?"

Kevin: "That was the first time I heard it mentioned." She must have looked sad. "Don't be sad, my love, this is what we've always wanted."

Suz: "I am just wondering if your attraction was because I was forbidden."

He tips her chin and makes her look at him. "I love you with all that I am, with every breath that I take. And at the risk of sounding like a really bad love song, everything I do is for you."

She smiles. "Do you know what they say about the people who finally get everything they've always wanted."

Kevin: "No."

Suz: "They live happily ever after."

Kevin: "Do you understand that I will always do everything in my power to make you happy"

Suz: "You always have. I am just curious, what enticing offer came with me?"

Kevin: "Controlling interest in the Mirage and total ownership of the Landmark. But you know I didn't need any of that to make me want to marry you."

Josephine knocks on the door. "Suzanna, dear, are you finding what you need?"

She winks at Kevin. "I have everything I need, Grazie. I will be right down."

Josie: "Take your time, my dear"

She had been eavesdropping on their conversation from the 'they live happily ever after' statement. She smiles and hums the bridal march softly to herself as she walks down the stairs.

Kevin kisses Suzanna and then makes his escape from the bathroom. They have to be even more careful now that her supposed honor is on the line. Lunch is served and then Vito goes to take a nap. The events of the day have worn him out. The Mazzagotti's thank Kevin for their hospitality and then they go back home.

Once in the car, Giovanni is filling Clemenza and Sphinx in on what happened.

Suz: "Papa, not to interrupt but it is quarter after 3. I can only assume that this impending marriage has halted any plans I had of graduating this spring."

Giovanni: "Much to the contrary, young Vito has requested that you finish out your schooling." She smiles, Kevin has always admired the fact that she wants to better herself. "Is there something you want to tell me Suzanna?"

Suz: "It is a far better thing that you have done for me today, than you will ever realize. You might have broken a promise to Ma'ma , but you have made me very happy. I love you, Papa."

Giovanni: "There are those, quite frankly some very close to us, who will dislike what has just occurred."

Suzanna really could find nothing to say, he was correct.