A Twist in My Story

Joe had never felt so many emotions simultaneously in his entire life. There was frustration with Luciana because she refused to tell him what was going on or who the mysterious thug from Greece was; anger at her for being so stubborn in her decision to send him back to the States as she ventured back to Italy; fear for her safety, because no matter how strong she pretended to be, he could see the same fear in her eyes; worry, because Luciana was possibly stubborn enough to not let him help her like he had pleaded; and sadness because they had not spoken a word to each other since they crossed over to Albania. But most of all, he was starting to really hate almost all forms of transportation.

The cab driver that Luciana had flagged down in Rafina had refused to go very far, so they had resorted to hopping on more trains, crossing over the Albanian border in Northwest Greece and venturing deep into the country. They got on a ferry in Durres, Albania which took them to Ancona, Italy. Ancona was a seaport city in the central of Italy with plenty of tourist attractions. Had they been there for pleasure, Joe would have suggested they stop to visit some of the shops and restaurants the city had to offer. But he knew Luciana was in no mood to be a tourist anymore. She was looking over her shoulder more than when he first met her.

It was remarkable how the interaction with the thug in Greece had changed her. That plus their couple days of travel had left Luciana looking drained. So despite the fact that they had not spoken in what seemed like an eternity, Joe suggested they spend a night in a bed and breakfast so that they could get some proper rest. He had expected Luciana to fight him on his suggestion, but she conceded.

Even though it was the middle of the day, they were both weary enough to want to crash as soon as they had checked into their room. Joe noticed when Luciana hesitated to get in to the bed next to him. And even after she had, she made no attempts to cuddle up next to him like she had in Romania and Greece. The distance she put between them hurt more than Joe would ever admit out loud.

His anger, frustration, sadness, fear and worry grew with every passing minute. He felt the tension of his emotions building in his chest until he finally snapped. He turned his body forcefully in the small bed. “Why won’t you tell me what’s going on? I thought we were done with all the secrets,” he demanded.

Luciana did not turn to look at him. “It doesn’t matter. You will be leaving soon. There is no need to put you in more danger,” she responded in a feeble voice.

Joe sat up. “No. I’m not leaving and there’s nothing you can do to make me.”

“Joe,” Luciana started, this entire cat-mouse game she had going with her family starting to wear on her. She had been foolish to think she could run forever.

“That guy in Greece said my days were numbered, so obviously there is something serious going on here,” Joe interrupted.

This made Luciana sit straight up and mirror Joe’s stance. She distinctly remembered the cold chill that had run down her spine at hearing Silvano speak those words…in Italian.

“You understood what he said?” she asked. Joe nodded. “But he spoke in Italian.”

“Which I understand and speak, thanks to my nonna,” he responded. Luciana stared at him in silence for a long time. Joe couldn’t take it. “Ti prego, ti prego, dimmi cosa sta succedendo,” Joe pleaded, speaking Italian to her for the first time. (Please, please, just tell me what’s going on.)

Luciana didn’t know why, but hearing him speak in Italian made tears form in her eyes. She squeezed them shut and seriously considered telling him the truth. It was a classic battle between her head and her heart.

And her head was telling her to protect her heart. “Motivo in più per voi di tornare in America,” she said, turning away from his gaze. (Even more reason for you to go back to America.)

“Che non accadrà,” Joe said, turning her face back to his. (That’s not going to happen.) “Ti ho ditto tante cose della mia vita personale ancora si sta nescondendo qualcosa di importante da me,” he added. (I have told you so many things about my personal life yet you are hiding something important from me.)

Luciana knew he had a point. So with a fortifying breath and great trepidation, she informed him of the things she had left out before. “Mio padre è il capo di una delle famiglie mafiose. Sono scappata di casa nel mese di agosto, poco prima del nostro incontro, perché non riuscivo a sopportare “l'attività” di mio padre gestisce. Non ho la libertà con la mia famiglia. Chiaramente mio padre non era contento, perché ha avuto i miei fratelli e cugini alla ricerca di me. L'uomo che abbiamo incontrato ad Atene è il figlio della famiglia mafiosa seconda, Silvano Bianchi. Non c'è dubbio che sono state cercando anche per me in quanto notizia della mia scomparsa.” (My father is the head of one of the mafia families. I ran away from home back in August, shortly before we met, because I could not stand the “business” my father runs. I have no freedom with my family. Clearly my father was not pleased, because he has had my brothers and cousins searching for me. The man we ran into in Athens is the son of the second mafia family, Silvano Bianchi. No doubt they have been looking for me as well since news of my disappearance.)

“Sono pericolosi? Gli Bianchi?” Joe asked. (Are they dangerous? The Bianchi’s?)

Luciana could not help the small smile that pulled at a corner of her lips hearing Joe speak in Italian—he sounded so natural. Though her chest was still tight with terror at the thought of Joe knowing everything, a part of her was relieved he knew. It was a big sign of her trust that she was telling him this much. “Sì. Ma il nostro rapporto con loro è complicato,” she responded. (Yes. But our relationship with them is complicated.)

“In che senso?” (How so?)

“Il fratello maggiore di Silvano è il capo della famiglia Bianchi dato che il loro padre è stato malato da tempo. Mentre il loro padre e mio padre erano sempre in competizione, Marcello vuole che le nostre famiglie di essere unite, in modo che possano terrorizzare Roma insieme.” (Silvano's older brother is head of the Bianchi family, since their father has been ill for some time. While their father and my father were always in competition, Marcello wants our families to be united, so that they can terrorize Rome together.)

Joe’s eyebrows furrowed in the middle of his forehead. “Como lo fanno?” (How would they do that?) Luciana gave him a ‘what-do-you-think’ look that made Joe’s chest tighten even more than while she was speaking. “Tu e Silvano?” (You and Silvano?) Luciana nodded grimly. “No!” Joe proclaimed. “They can’t just sell you off like that! Is that why you ran away? Was your father going to make you marry Silvano?”

Luciana shook her head. “No. Papà would never do that to me. He hates the Bianchi’s and would never make me marry into their family, but still, Roma has been in tumulto (turmoil) because of our families battibecco (squabble).”

Joe sat silently and allowed all the information to sink in. He had gotten himself involved with the only daughter of one of Rome’s mafia families. He could understand why Luciana had been so adamant to keep him in the dark, but none of this changed anything—not when it came to how he felt about her. If anything, his urge to protect her intensified.

“What are you going to do?” he questioned after a long stretch of silence where they did nothing but stare at each other.

Luciana inhaled deeply and felt the breath catch in her throat. “Non lo so,” she choked out. (I don’t know.) “Non voglio tornare ma so che non posso correre per sempre. Mi manca mia madre e mio fratello Luka e la mia migliore amica Emilia.” (I don’t want to go back but I know I can’t run forever. I miss my mother and my brother Luka and my best friend Emilia). A sob racked through her chest. Luciana had not let herself feel all these emotions since she ran away.

Joe brought her to his chest in an embrace. “Shh, tutto andrà bene,” he assured in a whisper. (Everything will be okay). His heart gave a hopeful flutter when she wrapped her arms around his waist and cuddled up to him, accepting his comfort. “You’re exhausted. Sleep. We’ll talk more tomorrow.” Luciana’s sobs turned to hiccups, which eventually turned into steady breaths.

Joe lay awake until well after darkness, trying desperately to think of a way to help Luciana. He had promised her he would help her no matter what, but his mind had exhausted many options, none of which seemed feasible, before he eventually surrendered to a fitfull sleep with Luciana tucked into his side..

The next morning, neither one of them said anything about the previous evening’s discussion as they got dressed for the day and ate the breakfast offered by the bed and breakfast. When they returned to their room, Luciana took to pacing the length of the floor, occasionally glancing out the window while Joe sat on the bed watching her.

“You have to go back to Rome,” he stated after nearly an hour.

Luciana whipped around on her heels and glared at him. “Cosa?!” (What?!)

“You said it yourself last night, you can’t run forever. You need to go and face your father. Tell him you don’t want to be a part of the...family business.”

“Non credo che io possa affrontare mio padre.” (I don’t think I can face my father.)

“But,” Joe started.

“No, tu non capisci. Non posso andare da nessuna parte vicino la mia famiglia. Loro farmi restare ogni volta. E ogni volta é peggio,” Luciana insisted, resuming her pacing. (No, you don’t understand. I cannot go anywhere near my family. They get me to stay every time. And each time it’s worse.)

Joe stood up and reached for Luciana, holding her still in front of him. She looked at him with pleading eyes. Joe brushed her long brown waves behind her ear. “I won’t let anything happen to you,” he assured. “Ti prometto.” (I promise.) He brushed her lower lip with his thumb before connecting their lips in a simple, sweet kiss. Pulling away from the kiss, they stared at each other. Joe saw the trust in her eyes—she believed his words and had faith in him.

Luciana bit her bottom lip and Joe could tell she was still hesitant when she responded, “Va bene.” (Okay.)

Despite having agreed to go to Rome, Luciana insisted that they not stay in the city. “People will recognize me and my father will find out before I am ready to face him,” she reasoned. So Joe agreed to rent a room at another bed and breakfast, this time in Anguillara Sabazia, a Province of Rome just forty minutes outside of the city. The town was nestled on the coast of Lake Bracciano and was absolutely breath-taking. They had a clear view of the pristine blue waters of the lake from their room.

Joe had not admitted this to Luciana because she had enough on her mind, but Italy was the country he had most been looking forward to seeing on this trip after hearing stories from his grandmother growing up. So far he was loving everything about it.

He knew that would change when he accompanied Luciana into the city. They had agreed to leave that trip for the following day. Instead they enjoyed a delicious dinner by the water and tried not to dwell too much on the coming confrontation, though Luciana was fidgity and paranoid. Come nightfall, Luciana laid in bed, biting her inner cheek and twirling her hair round and round her finger. Joe too fidgeted, tapping his thumbs on his abdomen while he lay on his back, staring at the ceiling.

A knock at the door made them both stop their fidgiting. Luciana sat up carefully, all the color drained from her olive skin. Joe sat up as well and squeezed her thigh comfortingly beneath the sheets. “I’ll get it. Stay here,” he whispered before placing a gentle kiss on her cheek. He shoved the covers aside and walked towards the door, opening it just a crack.

A tall man, not much older than him, stood on the other side. He had prominent Italian features—olive skin, dark curly hair, a pointed nose, and chocolate brown eyes, a few day’s scruff on his face. He was wearing an expensive looking black suit and Italian leather shoes. Joe looked him square in the eye, there was no wavering in his look—this man, whether a Gambino or Bianchi, was here looking for Luciana.

“Luka?” Luciana’s voice was right behind him. Luciana’s favorite brother gave Joe one more look-over before pushing the door fully aside and stepping into the room, flipping the light switch on before barreling towards his sister and embracing her in a hug.

Luciana, whom Joe had seen run from her two eldest brothers and both her cousins, made no attempts to flee from this particular family member. Instead she clung tightly to him, a few tears rolling out the corners of her eyes. “Come hai fatto a trovarmi?” Luciana asked, pulling away from the hug. (How did you find me?)

“Il mio amico Paolo mi ha chiamato oggi e mi ha detto che ti ha visto qui,” Luka responded. (My friend Paolo called me today and told me he saw you here).

“Hai detto a Papà ero in Italia?” Luciana asked, her eyes wide with worry. (Did you tell Dad I was in Italy?)

Luka shook his head. “No. Silvano Bianchi veniva a trovarlo due giorni fa e gli disse che aveva visto in Grecia e che la prossima volta che un Bianchi ti trova, avrebbero utilizzato come merce di scambio. Papà ha mandato tutti in Grecia a cercare per voi.” (No. Silvano Bianchi came to see him two days ago and told him that he had seen you in Greece and that the next time a Bianchi finds you, they would use you as a bargaining chip. Dad sent everyone to Greece to look for you.)

Luciana ran her hands through her hair. “Che confusione.” (What a mess.)

“Luciana, perché ve ne state scappando da noi? Perché non torni a casa?” (Luciana, why have you been running away from us? Why don’t you come home?)

“Sai perché Luka,” Luciana responded, folding her arms stubbornly across her chest. (You know why Luka.)

“Si ottiene un ragazzo americano e solo dimenticare la tua famiglia? Mamma é stata affranta.” (You get an american boyfriend and just forget your family? Mom has been distraught.)

Luciana’s cheeks flushed deep red. She glanced at Joe, who was still standing by the closed door, taking in the interaction, back to her brother. “Lui non é il mio ragazzo,” she responded. (He is not my boyfriend.)

Luka crossed his arms, mirroring his younger sister’s stance. He glanced between her and the American. He hadn’t told their father that he had gotten his information already. Joe Jonas, from New Jersey. Luka knew everything there was to know about this american. Except perhaps for his relationship with his sister. Luka had always been super protective of Luciana, just like all their brothers, but he was the closest to her, so he took it upon himself to be aware of everything in regards to his baby sister. It didn’t sit well with him that she had been gallavanting around Europe with Joe for months now, but it was obvious to Luka that his sister was not only comfortable with Joe, but cared for him.

“Hmm, peccato, Silvano avrebbe rununciato se avesse saputo che aveva un ragazzo,” Luka mused. (Hmm, too bad, Silvano might have given up if he knew you had a boyfriend.)

“A giudicare dal modo in cui mi minacciava di Grecia, io dubito fortemente,” Joe responded, much to Luka’s surprise. (Judging by the way he threatened me in Greece, I highly doubt that.)

“Perché ti ha minacciato?” Luka asked. (Why did he threaten you?)

“Io lo spinse a terra per molestie Luciana,” Joe responded with a shrug. (I shoved him to the ground for harassing Luciana.)

Luka was slightly impressed. At least the american could protect his sister. Luka turned back to her, the anxiousness on her face breaking his heart. “Luciana, cosa hai intenzione di fare?” he asked gently. (Luciana, what are you going to do?)

Luciana released a sigh. “Parlare con papà a un certo punto. Io non so che cosa ho intenzione di dirglielo,” she responded. (Talk to dad at some point. I just don’t know what I’m going to tell him.)

Luka nodded once. “Bene, si dovrebbe capire al più presto. Prima del ritorno i ragazzi dalla Grecia a mani vuote e Papà riprende il suo inseguimento del tuo ragazzo qui.” (Well, you should figure it out soon. Before the boys return from Greece empty handed and Dad resumes his tracking of your boyfriend here.)

“Bene.” (Okay.)

Luka gave his sister another hug and a kiss on each cheek before he turned to leave. He paused in the doorway and turned to her once more. “E si dovrebbe pensare di visitare con mamma e Emilia.” (And you should think to visit with Mom and Emilia.) With an intimidating look towards Joe, Luka left the small room.

Luciana rubbed her sweaty palms on her shorts and with a fleeting glimpse towards Joe, got back into bed, her head spinning more so than before and her stomach in knots. She was sure Joe would have questions, none of which she was equipped to answer.

Joe followed her back into bed and resumed his spot staring at the ceiling. “What did Silvano mean when he told your dad they’d use you as a bargaining chip?” he asked after a long moment of stillness.

Luciana did not look at him when she responded, for fear of his reaction. “I told you, Papà would never agree to me marrying Silvano and joining our families. But I wouldn’t put it past the Bianchi’s to try and force his hand.”