FOR GOODNESS CAKES

"Guess what I learned in school today Uncle Rick"

"What did you learn?"

"Our teacher taught us play on words called puns"

"Really?" Riccardo Cappella raised his eyebrow in amusement at his eight-year-old nephew "can you give me an example of what pun is"

Tommaso Cappella stopped for a minute to seriously think about it and when he came up with it his face lit up

"Uncle Rick how do turtles talk to each other?"

"I don't know"

"They use shell phones!" he giggled, "you get it? Shell phones!"

"That was pretty good Tommy"

Riccardo couldn't help but smile he didn't have the heart to tell his nephew that his joke was pretty corny but it made his day to come up with the joke all by himself.

Lord knows that Tommaso needed him because his own father hardly paid attention to him. Antonio probably wouldn't start paying attention to Tommaso until the day his voice dropped and puberty set in; and that would be the day he would slowly be groomed into the family business.

Riccardo frowned at that Tommaso was such a good smart kid he hated the idea that his father and grandfather would start to groom him as a killer as soon as he hits twelve or thirteen.

"Do you think Daddy will be proud of me?" he asked Riccardo "I got a 90 on my science test"

The truth was Riccardo knew Antonio wouldn't give a rat's ass about the academic success that his son was achieving in his mind he honestly saw it as Tommaso being soft. Then again Antonio dropped out of the ninth grade so there was also that and their father Donatello didn't raise an eyebrow at that.

"Uncle Rick?"

"I'm sure he will" Riccardo lied

"He has a funny way of showing it though" Tommaso said sadly

"I'm proud of you Tommy," he said sincerely ruffling the young boy's curly hair "you're doing great and I'm glad you like school"

And hopefully he'd stay in school if Riccardo had anything to do with it. His older brother and grandfather could die with the family business but Riccardo didn't want to be apart of it anymore and neither would Tommaso.

As the two of them made their way to the car Tommaso spotted his favorite bakery or more like the most popular bakery in town. Taking his newfound knowledge from school the boy laughed when he read the name of the bakery.

"Uncle Rick can we get something from Miss Turner's shop?" Tommaso asked, "I want to tell her that the name of her shop is a pun"

"I'm sure she knows Tommy but I have to get you back home---"

"Uncle Rick please"

Riccardo knew he was no match for Tommaso's puppy dog eyes and he gave in

"Alright but only because you got an A on your science test"

"Hi Miss Turner!"

"Hello to you too Tommy" the bakery owner greeted him with a smile she was just finishing sweeping in front of the display case.

Riccardo's heart stopped and skipped a few beats seeing Alise Turner's smile thinking he must really love his nephew a lot because he was getting ready for a possible heart attack. 

"Can I pet Duke?" Tommaso asked referring to her seeing eye German Shepherd "is he working right now?"

"Sure" Alise said  "he isn't working right now and it looks like he's happy to see you"

As Tommaso socialized himself with the dog Riccardo found himself getting aquainted with Alise and she smiled at him.

"This must be a special occasion" she chuckled "you two don't usually stop in here on Wednesdays"

"I know" Riccardo said "Tommy got an A on his science test"

"Oh that is a special occasion indeed" Alise said "I have some apple and cream cheese danishes that just got finished cooling off how about a glass of milk too?"

"That sounds yummy!" Tommaso agreed

"I'll get that right out then," Alise said as she reached for her walking cane and that put Riccardo on alert and he quickly came to her aid.

"Alise?"

"Riccardo I'm fine" she chuckled "I know how to get around"

Riccardo gazed in Alise's eyes as she gave him a reassuring smile. Her right eye was her good one although sometimes blurry and strained since it was the one she relied on for all of her vision was a rich brown color that matched her complexion.

While her left eye was glossed over in a cloudy grayish color since she was completely blind in that eye and was rather dull in compared to her good eye. However there was nothing dull about Alise in his opinion her bakery For Goodness Cakes had been business for about a year now and was very successful.

Alise ran her business fair and well and was good to her employees and they adored her. Riccardo had been enchanted by her beauty since the first day him and his nephew stepped foot in the bakery.

Alise was such a lively and spirited woman and although Riccardo was surprised to discover she was blind in one eye but she didn't let her disability get the best of her. It made her more beautiful to him since he couldn't even imagine only being able to see out of one eye and for her it was simply her reality.

"I'm sorry if I offended you"

"No you're sweet" she insisted "and I appreciate your concern"

As Riccardo got out his wallet to pay Alise shook her head and insisted "It's on the house for the straight A student"

"Thank you Miss Turner!" Tommaso said as she placed the warm pastries down for them to eat

"You're welcome Tommy"

"Miss Turner guess what?"

"What?"

"I'm sorry Alise" Riccardo said "Tommy I'm sure Miss Turner has a lot of work to do"

"No it's fine," she said "you two came in on my down time what is it Tommy?"

"The name of your bakery is a pun!" he said excitedly as he bit into his Danish "For Goodness Cakes is just like For Goodness Sakes!"

 Alise chuckled "It sure is did you learn that in school?"

"Yeah we're learning all about puns and play on words" Tommaso said, "one of your other items is called The Dough Must Go On"

"I'm impressed Tommy are you going to be the next Dr. Seuss?"

Riccardo couldn't help but smile at the interaction between Alise and Tommaso. His nephew managed to win over her heart from day one and it also helped that he was at an age where kids weren't judgmental about people's disabilities.

"I want to write comics one day" Tommaso continued "maybe it can have puns in them too"

"I'd think that would be great" Alise smiled.

It was November now and since Daylight Savings Time was over it was getting a little dark now even though it was only a little after four. Although this was a relatively safe part of town things still went bump in the night, which concerned Riccardo.

"Are you fine with getting home now that it gets dark early?" he asked

"For the most part yes" Alise replied "I have Duke with me and he's been my best friend and seeing eye dog since he was 6 months old. After all this unseasonal mild weather though it's actually starting to feel like fall though"

Riccardo nodded as he looked over at Tommaso playing with the dog. Duke was a big boy so he knew that nobody would mess with Alise with him by her side; yet at the same time he was a gentle giant.

Alise often joked that there was something special about Riccardo because Duke was usually uneasy about adult men interacting with her. Riccardo couldn't really argue with the German Shepherd's judgment he'd be overprotective of her too.

"Anyway my house isn't too far from here so it's not too bad of a commute"

"Your friend still lives with you right?" Riccardo asked since he couldn't bare the thought of her being alone even if she did have Duke

"For now yes" Alise replied "but now that Tammy is engaged she's moving out in a few months after her wedding"

Riccardo frowned a little at that and she read his mind

"I'll manage besides I'm considering relocating the bakery in center city to a building that has an apartment upstairs for me and Duke" she said "it will be easier for most of my client that cater from me to get their products in a timely matter too"

That's what Riccardo liked about Alise always on the move with a plan not letting anyone stop her or tell her otherwise.

"Speaking of which I'll be catering some desserts at Tommy's school for their annual Thanksgiving feast in a few weeks since they raved about the candy apples we made for the Halloween party"

"Will there be apple pie?" Tommaso asked his eyes big with excitement

"Oh yes definitely" Alise said "apple pie, pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, blueberry pie, pecan pie, all kinds of pies you name it"

"Yummy!"

"Alright Mr. Sweet Tooth" Riccardo chuckled "I think you've had enough of a sugar high today"

"Yeah" Alise blushed "this is the time of year when most parents stare me down when they get their kids dental bills in the mail"

"True but everyone in the community loves your bakery"

"I'm thankful for that" Alise said sincerely "I'm glad that folks were able to see past my disability so that I could share my baking"

Riccardo wished he could kiss her hell he wished that every time he walked in here; however it was getting late and Riccardo still had to get Tommaso home so he would have to dream about Alise later.

"Alright Tommy we should get going before your father has a fit" Riccardo said, "you take care Alise"

"And you do the same" Alise replied, "come back soon!"

"We will!" Tommaso answered for his uncle "Bye Duke!"

As Riccardo started the car up he made sure Tommaso put his seatbelt on.

"You really like Miss Turner huh Uncle Rick?"

"What do you mean?"

"Every time we go in her bakery you look like you want to kiss her or something" Tommaso giggled

"You'll understand when you start liking girls"

"Girls are too mushy and weird" Tommaso said "this one girl in my class Leila is always looking at me funny"

"She probably likes you Tommy"

"There are other boys in our class she can like someone else" the eight-year-old insisted and Riccardo smiled at his innocence. One day Tommaso would understand how he felt about that certain bakery storeowner.

"Daddy!"

"Nonno!"

Riccardo took at deep breath when Tommaso ran inside the living room and acknowledged his grandfather's presence. And needless to say Donatello Cappella was sitting on the couch across from Antonio with a cigar hanging out the corner of his mouth.

What the hell was Don doing here and what did he want? His father only came around when he needed a favor at least to him anyway. Out of all three of his sons Antonio was the only one who hadn't fell out of good graces with Don.

Riccardo's oldest brother Emilio came out of the closet a few years ago and Don just couldn't deal with that calling it sinful and not of God and disowned him. However by their father's logic killing innocent and not so innocent people over money was of God.

Riccardo still kept in contact with his brother who lived outside of town with his boyfriend much to Don's dismay. Emilio wasn't even allowed to attend their mother's funeral when she died five years ago.

As for Riccardo his relationship with Don was shaky since he was against the mafia lifestyle sure he had been a decent hit man but he just couldn't get into it the way Antonio did.

Don blamed his deceased mother for sheltering him too much and giving him too much of a conscious and being the youngest also played apart of that as well. Valentina Cappella never wanted any of her sons in their father's mafia and was happy Emilio got out and tried her best to keep Riccardo out of it but she failed with Antonio.

Antonio being the typical middle child always craved praise and attention while his brothers didn't fall in love with the mafia lifestyle much to Don's dismay he took that fish line and held on tight.

So far Antonio had done everything right by following his father's footsteps. One marrying a Italian American woman who was preferably Roman Catholic and two producing a grandson for Don to feel secure that his bloodline was pure and would live on.

Two of which both Emilio and Riccardo both failed to do so Antonio was the golden son in Don's eyes.

Riccardo was disgusted as Tommaso immediately ran into his grandfather's arms

"Tommaso!" Don hugged the boy "how's my favorite grandson?"

"Nonno I'm your only grandson" Tommaso giggled

"Yes but hopefully not my last" Don said as he smiled at Antonio's heavily pregnant wife Natalia who came in the living room to get Tommaso while the men continued talking.

"Come on Tommy your dinner's waiting on the table" she said holding out her hand

"You're probably hungry" Antonio added, "where were you and your uncle anyway?"

"Daddy I got an A on my science test" Tommaso explained "and he took me to For Goodness Cakes"

"Really" Antonio said as he glared Riccardo down and he knew his brother was pissed at him

"Yeah!" Tommaso continued "Daddy do you know what a pun is?"

"Tell you what Tommy your nonno and I are going to have a word with your uncle" Antonio said "and you can tell me all about it later but I'm sure Mommy would like to hear"

"Oh" Tommaso's face fell a little and Riccardo knew that Antonio didn't give a shit.

"Go on now Mommy made your favorite"

"Okay Daddy" he said "bye Uncle Rick"

"I'll see you later buddy"

Once Tommaso left the living room the mood in the room turned grim and cold.

"You like that little bakery shop don't you?" Antonio joked harshly "tell me is her pussy good I've never fucked a black woman before especially not a blind one"

"Fuck off Tony"

"What are you talking about?" Don asked

"Oh Pop you don't know?" Antonio taunted Riccardo "your baby boy's got a stiff dick for that moolie bitch that runs that cake shop"

"What!?!" Don sat up now moving his cigar to the other side of his mouth

"Yeah I mean really Rick if you're going to fuck a moolie at least choose one that can see out of both her eyes" Antonio went on to say

"How about I knock the vision out your head you bastard!" Riccardo said balling his fists up

"Oh wow you must really like her" Antonio continued to egg him on "and here I was thinking it was just sex; I don't care what you do with her baby brother but you're not going to keep taking my son around her"

"Riccardo is this true?" Don asked blowing out a puff of smoke "you like this girl?"

"First off she's a grown woman" Riccardo said "second what's it to you? And third she's very kind to Tommy---"

"I don't care if she's the fucking Queen of England!" Don cut Riccardo off "Tony right you have to think of our family it's bad enough your other brother whose name I will never utter again likes sodomy; I don't need you going after some moulie! What do you want a black blind bastard for a son?!?"

"I don't need to take this I'm leaving---"

"No sit" Don demanded "I want to talk to you and Tony about something important but I'm not dropping the subject about that black girl"

Riccardo glared at Antonio who had a smug grin on his face as he sat down.

"I've got a situation" Don said looking in Riccardo's direction "and yes it involves you too and that bakery girl"

"As you know I've been meaning to expand our headquarters for quite sometime" Don said "and I have been looking for property that would big enough to do so"

"Winston Martin used to have some property on the market on this block" Don pointed to the area on the map and Riccardo recognized it as the block where Alise's bakery was but his stomach flopped when his father pointed to the building that was the actual bakery.

"Two things" Don continued "one this son of bitch owes me big time I already put a down payment on the property and he sure as well took the money. Since it's the holiday season Winston is going to be getting the Cappella treatment meaning I'm going to get my money back and a bullet is going in his head---"

"Pop I don't want to---"

"Two" Don cut Riccardo off "that bakery was supposed to be our headquarters in fact it still will be but I know that she'll never sell the place so we'll have to put a bullet in her head---"

"NO!" Riccardo refused to keep silent now "NEITHER ONE OF YOU ARE GOING TO GO ANYWHERE NEAR HER!"

"Whoa!" Antonio laughed "it will be okay baby brother we'll just hit her from her blind side she'll never see it coming---"

"The fuck you aren't!" Riccardo spat at his brother and turned to Don "you can find another place for your so called headquarters you twisted bastard!"

"You're acting like a child Riccardo" Don said coldly

"No I believe you're the one acting like a child Pop" Riccardo said "you don't go around killing everyone when you don't get your way"

"You turning your back on your family Rick?" Antonio asked "over some black girl with a bad eye?"

"I don't want any part of this" Riccardo said zipping up his jacket his mind already running in a million directions on how he was going to have to protect Alise. Once Don placed a target on people's heads he wasn't going to stop until they dropped dead

"Riccardo" Don spoke up "this could job could probably get you on my good side again don't throw away blood for some jungle fever"

Riccardo shook his head and quickly made his way out the front door and that was the move that permanently axed him out of his father's eyes but he didn't give a damn.

Don frowned as he continued to smoke with Riccardo trying to protect his target it would make this dilemma complicated. But how complicated could killing a partially blind person be?

"Don't worry Pop I'll get me and some of the boys to help me," Antonio said

"Tell me Antonio" Don said taking the cigar out of his mouth "which eye is this girl blind in? the right or left?"

SNAKES

"Alright Duke" Alise chuckled as the two them walked up to the front door and the dog's nose started twitching and his tail wagged "okay boy I know you're hungry"

"You have to be hungry too!" Tammy called from the kitchen "come on in I'll have dinner on the table in just a sec"

Alise unhooked Duke from his harness and immediately made his way to his bowl and water dish as she grabbed a hold of her walking cane. 

Her best friend Tamika Jones or soon to be Mrs. Tamika Tucker had been her housemate for the last three years now.

Alise was certainly going to miss her wild and crazy friend but she was happy for her at the same time. Trent was a good man and Tamika was already gushing about how many kids they were going to have and how she wanted Alise to be the godmother of all of them.

Taking one step at a time though Alise was just happy to be home after a long day's work to find what sort of concoction Tammy made for dinner tonight.

"Okay Tammy what are you planning to poison me with this time?" Alise joked

"Poison?" Tamika laughed "girl stop this is my momma's homemade gumbo that's been in the slow cooker all day; perfect for this chilly November day"

"Well at least it's something I've heard of" Alise said taking off her coat and making her way to the dining room table

"It will hit the spot too," Tamika said setting a bowl in front of Alise and she laughed "Trent will never go hungry with you as his wife"

"My momma always said the way to a man's heart is through his stomach" Tamika chuckled as she got her bowl "that shouldn't be hard for you either and it probably won't be long until you're engaged too"

"Shh" Alise joked as she saw Duke's ears point up; the dog had just finished eating and was making his way to his pillow bed by the front door closet "you know how Duke feels about me getting involved with a man in his mind he thinks that he's my boyfriend"

"I know" Tamika said "I swear you ended you getting a seeing eye dog, watchdog, and guard dog rolled all in one Duke is a sweetheart"

Duke was four years old and was still considered a young dog. He was a gift from her grandparents shortly before they passed away. Alise had always been stubborn and independent with just her walking cane even as a child but her grandparents felt more comfortable if she had a seeing eye dog.

Since Alise had him since he was still technically a puppy he was pretty big for six months old and she got to watch him grow even bigger as he grew into an adult so of course they had a special bound.

Alise knew that Duke loved her just as much as she loved him and that Duke just wanted to protect her; however there were times she wished he could be a carefree dog and not have to worry about her all the time.

So Alise enjoyed the times she'd take Duke to the park so he could run and play and just be a regular dog.

"Besides I'm not really all that interested in getting married or any type of relationship for that matter" Alise said scooping the gumbo up "you know my blindness is a deal breaker so why set myself up for the heartache?"

"Aw come Alise don't be that way"

"Well it's true," she said "it sucks because I didn't ask to be born blind it just happened so I'm sure guys aren't asking for a partially blind woman eating"

"I wonder what your regular Riccardo thinks about that?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well I do think it's interesting that Duke doesn't growl and bark at him whenever he talks to you like he does any other man" Tamika said "he does visit the shop very often"

"Yes he does" Alise said "with his adorable nephew Tommy"

"That doesn't mean he doesn't have other motives though" Tamika teased, "I want to see you happy Alise"

"I am happy" Alise replied "you know how long it took me to open For Goodness Cakes after my grandparents died"

"Girl you know what kind of happy I'm talking about"

"You're so nasty!" she laughed

"Hey it's scientifically proven having a healthy loving relationship makes people happy"

"Well I'm doing what makes me happy" Alise said

"One of these days somebody is going to make you even more happy" Tamika teased and the two of them finished dinner over laughs and jokes.

Being a former hit man for his father Riccardo did have his own collection of guns in his basement. Guns that he never thought he'd have to use again but Alise's life was in danger. Fuck Donatello and fuck Antonio.

Riccardo was honestly starting to see what his mother Valentina meant when she used to say his father was a greedy selfish man. 

There were times when Riccardo wondered why his mother never left his piece of shit father even through all the domestic violence and martial rape.

What ten year old boy has to walk in on his father taking his mother against her own will? That was Riccardo's reality. 

He understood now why Valentina stayed and it was for him and his brothers even though it killed her inside. Riccardo was sure Valentina had been dead inside for years before her body couldn't go on anymore.

Donatello never loved Valentina he just needed a submissive woman he could push over and Riccardo didn't even see a single tear shed from his eyes the day of her funeral. The selfish bastard didn't care about anyone and Antonio was a chip off his old block.

Alise would surely fall victim to Don's selfishness and greed just like his mother if Riccardo didn't act quickly. His oldest brother Emilio would know just what to do.

"Hey Rick" his brother's boyfriend Jeff greeted answering the door and allowing him in "you looking for Emilio?"

"How's it going Jeff" Riccardo asked "is he home? This is important"

"Yeah let me go get him"

While both Riccardo and Antonio favored their mother; firstborn Emilio Cappella was the spitting image of Donatello. Emilio had the same mannerisms, voice, and stride as Don and he just happened to be gay and that's what really rubbed Don the wrong way.

However upon meeting Emilio for the first time nobody would guess that he was gay since he didn't act like the stereotypical effeminate gay man. 

In fact Emilio was just as masculine as his younger brothers and tough; before Don disowned him for coming out the closet he was apart of the mafia as well.

"What's up baby brother?" Emilio greeted warmly patting Riccardo on the shoulder

"Our fucking so called father that's what up" he replied

Emilio sighed "What does the old man want this time? Does someone owe him money again?"

"Alise" was all Riccardo could say

"You mean the young lady that runs the bakery shop?" Emilio said, "what does Pop want with her?"

"He wants her with a bullet in her head" Riccardo said pissed "all because of the property of her shop used to be promised to him"

"Yeah that sounds like Pop alright"

"I don't know what to" Riccardo said, "I just can't...Alise...."

"Hey" Emilio said understandingly "I know you feel about her but you have to hear me out it's going to be alright"

"Not if all my guns are out of bullets" Riccardo said "I've brought any in almost three years now"

"I have some ammo if that's what you're looking for" Emilio replied "but you can't go waving a gun around Pop and Tony just do fast just yet"

"They're threatening to kill the woman I'm just supposed to sit on the side and do nothing?"

"Look you know that Pop and Tony knows how you feel just like I know" Emilio said "and they know you'll act restlessly and quickly which would put Alise in more danger than she is now"

Emilio was right he would have to walk on eggshells to protect Alise but at the same time he knew Don and Antonio would be spontaneous in their plans. In other words he would have to be one step ahead of them.

"We need a plan"

"Now you're thinking baby brother"

"Cara could you check on the red velvet cupcake order for me?" Alise asked one of her employees "I want to make sure they're iced once Miss Washington comes to pick them up"

"Right on it Alise"

Thanksgiving was in less than three weeks now and the shop was busy. On top of catering desserts for the local elementary school's Thanksgiving Feast the rest of the town wanted their desserts ready in time for Turkey Day as well.

The smell of sugar, flour, milk, and eggs met the noses of everyone in For Goodness Cakes constantly. Alise was also preparing some appreciation desserts for her own employees to take home for Thanksgiving since they deserved it with the day off.

The shop would also be closed Black Friday and the weekend so they could rest up for the Christmas holiday rush next month as well. Just as Alise was finishing up another order slip for some sweet potato pies with a customer on the phone; she heard Duke growling and barking in the front.

Quickly taking a hold of her walking stick Alise made her way to the front to see what was upsetting him since Duke was usually very friendly with the customers.

"Duke!" she commanded, "alright boy calm down you know better!"

The German Shepherd obeyed his owner but still made a low growling sound under his muzzle at the three men as he went back to his corner by the window. His full attention still on the main man of the group

Antonio glared right back at Duke too that dog was certainly going to be a fucking problem. Alise brushed the remaining flour from her hands on her apron and greeted the men

"I apologize for that he's usually well behaved" she said "may I help you gentlemen with something? Are you here to place an order Thanksgiving is just around the corner"

Antonio studied Alise's face and was a little disgusted when he saw her left blind eye. What the hell did his brother see in this moulie anyway?

Sure she was pretty but that grey blind eye was distracting not as vibrant as her good eye. At least now he could report back to his father which side they need to shoot her at.

"You must be Alise Turner"

"I am"

"You're just the young lady I'd like to speak to" Antonio replied, "do you have a minute to talk business?"

"Sure I'll just have to let my employees know and put my dog in the back so we can talk"

"Sell the bakery? Oh I don't know"

"Why not?" Antonio chuckled "I mean it's pretty small don't you want to eventually relocate and expand anyway?"

"Yes I do" Alise replied, "I just don't have the funding right now"

"Think of it this way Miss Turner" Antonio said, "you already have a built clientele and I'm sure they'll follow you wherever you go"

"I suppose so" Alise said "but I don't want to make any quick and drastic choices I'll need to think about it"

"I understand" Antonio said "you have to think of everything when you're running a business"

"Yes" Alise agreed "I would also have to find a landlord who prices property out at a reasonable amount so far Mr. Martin is the only one that's been able to provide that service"

"Is that so?" Antonio said mentally noting that Winston would have to go first

"Yes" Alise "said I still do all of the finances and I have to make sure my employees get paid fairly as well for their hard work"

"Well Miss Turner I'm sure you are very fair" Antonio said "at the same time I'm sure you know what sacrifices mean or else the your bakery wouldn't be as successful as it is now"

Alise nodded she knew he was right but she just didn't know if she could right now.

All the money that she was saving currently was so that she'd have enough by the time Tamika moved out after getting married and their house was sold off.

"I'll think about it" Alise said finally "that's all I can promise right now"

"And that's all we're asking for" Antonio said "and we hope you consider it"

Don was right the bitch was stubborn and wasn't going to give up the bakery looks like they were going to have to take it by force after all. Blood was about to hit the pavement.

CAT AND MOUSE

Riccardo always thought that he would be asking Alise out on a date eventually not figuring out how to protect her life. A knot twisted in the pit of his stomach. Alise didn't deserve this she didn't deserve any of this; why couldn't his father find somewhere else to put his damn headquarters?

That son of bitch wasn't going to stop. Don and Antonio would find out every single thing about Alise they could to eventually take her out; and because they were aware of his feelings for her that was just more motivation to kill her.

"Uncle Rick!"

"I'm sorry Tommy what were you saying?"

"Uncle Rick are you okay?"

Nothing could get past Tommaso and no matter how cold hearted Tommaso's father and grandfather were; Riccardo still had to remember that his nephew was just an innocent kid.

"I'm okay Tommy"

"It's Friday," he pointed out "are we going to Miss Turner's shop?"

Riccardo couldn't help but smile a little "You like Miss Turner don't you?"

"You like her too Uncle Rick"

"Yeah" Riccardo sighed, "yes Tommy I do"

"Are you going to tell her?" Tommy asked, "are you two going to get married?"

"Whoa slow down there buddy"

"I thought that what people do when they like each other"

"For starters Miss Turner might not feel the same way"

"No" Tommaso said "I think she likes you too Uncle Rick I can ask her for you if you want"

"How about you just enjoy your treat and play with Duke"

"Okay" he said "I still say she likes you"

"Hi Miss Turner!"

"Well if it isn't my favorite customers" Alise smiled causing the same knot in Riccardo's stomach to twist and turn again.

"Afternoon Alise"

"Tommy we just started baking some of the pies for your school's Thanksgiving feast" Alise said "would you like a slice?"

"Ohh!" the young boy's eyes grew big "apple please!"

"Okay then" she said "and how about you Riccardo?"

"No thank you" Riccardo smiled "I'm just here for Tommy as usual"

"Alise?"

"I'm sorry Riccardo" she said, "I didn't mean to stare"

As far as Riccardo was concerned she could stare at him all she wanted but in this situation it seemed like she was remembering something.

"Strange" Alise went on to say "you look just like this man who came in a few days ago; the resemblance is uncanny"

A chill ran down Riccardo's spine and he knew that it was Antonio the shifty bastard.

Alise got Tommaso his slice of apple pie and glass of milk while the boy was in his own world with Duke; as the two of them socialized in a language they could only understand.

"Who was this man?" Riccardo asked as Alise returned behind the counter as he paid for the pie "did he mention his name?"

"Actually no" she said, "he did ask me if I was interested in selling the bakery though"

Yeah it was definitely Antonio.

This was no better than watching a cat play with a mouse before biting it's head off. It was a tactic that Riccardo knew too well from his brothers and his fathers; hell he'd be a hypocrite if he claimed not to have done so himself as a former hitman.

Pinning Alise to a wall thinking it was going to make her sell the bakery and since she obviously refused they would attack at any moment. Riccardo winced as he could mentally hear gunshots and see blood splatting on the wall.

"Riccardo?"

"Alise are you sure that this man looks exactly like me?"

"Yes" she looked a little alarmed "what is it?"

Damn.

Riccardo and Emilio didn't even have their plan together yet but it looks like time was slipping like sand in an hourglass. Time was not in their favor.

"What time do you close tonight?"

"Eight" Alise replied "I usually stay open two hours later on Fridays and Saturdays but you know that Riccardo"

"I'm going to give you and Duke a ride home"

It wasn't a question it was a statement

"Riccardo you don't have to---"

"I'm going to drop Tommy off and I'm coming back for you at eight o' clock sharp"

"But---"

"Eight o' clock Alise"

"I'll see you tomorrow Alise"

"You have a good night Cara" she replied "Kelly I need you for opening in the morning"

"Yes Ma'am"

A few minutes later Alise was putting the baking utensils away when she heard the doorbell chime and she knew that somebody walked in. Alise frowned a little and she figured that either Cara or Kelly forgot to put flick on the closed sign.

But Duke could be heard going mad as his barking turned to growling then to snarling. Alise quickly made her way to the front when she saw the unthinkable happen. The dark clothed figure that Duke was snarling at took out a handgun and shot him in the shoulder blade.

"DUKE!"

The German Shepherd fell to the ground whimpering in pain as blood spilled from his shoulder. When it was clear that Duke obviously wasn't dead the dark figure raised his gun again this time aiming for the dog's head for a shot that would surely end him.

"NO!" Alise screamed "PLEASE DON'T SHOOT HIM AGAIN!"

The dark figure looked over at Alise and a chill ran down her spine as she recognized the person to be one of the men who had come into the bakery with their boss looking for her to sell the property.

The man pointed the gun at her and slapped two photos on the counter. Alise shivered and tears fell down her face when she saw that two photos showed her landlord Winston Martin shot in the head with blood pouring on the floor. He was dead.

"These are your two warnings" he said gruffly "I suggest you chose wisely and surrender this diabetic sugar fueled place"

Alise couldn't say anything all she could hear was Duke on the floor fighting for his life she didn't know how far the bullet got in.

"Time isn't in your favor Miss Turner" he continued "so you better do it fast if you know what's best for you"

The man turned to leave as if he didn't just threaten the poor woman. Duke tried to stand up and lounge at the intruder again but his gun wound paralyzed him to fall back down. The dog only had enough strength to growl at the man.

Alise quickly went by Duke's side afraid that he would get shot again due to his stubbornness. She kneeled down with a generous amount of paper towels trying to stop his bleeding.

The man turned to her one last time and said "You might just get hit in your blind spot"

Duke growled as Alise tried to soothe him but even the dog could sense she was scared.

Suddenly somebody else and thrown to the ground yanked the man out the door. It was Riccardo and Alise was shocked to see him take out a gun as well aiming it at her intruder.

"WHAT THE FUCK RICCARDO!"

"Exactly" he replied, "what the fuck are you doing here?"

Riccardo cocked his gun and pressed it to the man's chest and he trembled

"Start speaking Joey!" Riccardo demanded "you're a big man when you're threatening a woman be the same big man when you're face to face with another man"

"T-t-Tony sent me" Joey trembled

"Sent you to do what?"

"..."

"ANSWER ME!"

Riccardo pressed the gun to Joey's chest harder to pull the trigger. Alise couldn't believe that this was the same sweet, reserved, and quiet man who came in frequently with his nephew.

"You know to make sure that bitch sells this place"

"Funny the only bitch I see is the one in front of me right now" Riccardo said in a cold bitter voice "too bad you won't have anything to report back to Tony"

"What? Riccardo don't---"

Alise's eyes grew big when she saw Riccardo shot Joey right through his chest and he slouched over dead. Even though Joey had shot Duke and threatened her own life she didn't wish death on him but it looked like karma granted it's presence on him.

So that's why Antonio kept him so long after he dropped off Tommaso; he had planned it that way. As soon as he dropped his nephew off Riccardo wanted to head right back over to the bakery but his brother stalled him with some bullshit about their father's business.

Meanwhile the bastard had sent Joey over here with the motive to possibly kill Alise and if he hadn't gotten here in time...

Riccardo turned his attention to Alise who had her arms around Duke who was groaning from the bullet. It tore him up to see her this way.

"Alise"

"Duke" she whispered with tears falling down her face. Her shirt and apron already coated with some of the dog's blood.

"We can get him to the animal hospital" Riccardo assured "he's still breathing he has a good chance can he get up?"

"No"

"Do you have some towels so I can get him in the back of my car"

"Yes"

"Hey"

Alise looked up at Riccardo both of her eyes showed signs of fear and sadness for her life and Duke's life. Especially her blind eye; for an eye that didn't have vision it was very expressive as if it could see life a different way.

Riccardo didn't want to scare Alise any further she had just watched her kill a man but at the same time he needed her to trust him.

"It's going to be okay"

He would have explain this whole situation to her in due time but right now Duke needed the medical treatment of a veterinarian.

HIS PROMISE

The vet was able to see Duke as soon as they arrived at the animal hospital. It helped that everyone recognized Alise and was generous about treating her dog right away. So there they were the two of them in the waiting room at nine on a Friday evening.

Riccardo finished sending a new group of texts to Emilio informing his brother what happened and he looked over at Alise. She was silent and had her eyes fixated on the door where the vet had taken Duke behind.

"Alise you can relax" he said, "we'll probably be here for a while"

"I know it's just this is going to sound cliché " she replied, "he's not only my seeing eye dog and pet he's my best friend"

"Hey that's okay" Ricardo said, "I can tell you two are really good friends I bet Duke tried to mess Joey up as soon as he came in the shop"

"Yes" Alise managed to say, "if he hadn't gotten shot I'm sure he would have torn him a new one"

"It would have been well deserved" he said "greasy bastard"

"Riccardo" she whispered "why did you kill that man? I mean I appreciate you coming to save me and Duke but did you have to kill him?"

"It was for your safety"

"My safety?" she said surprised "I don't understand"

Riccardo could see the fear on her face as plain as day and it pained him to see that and it was all because of his selfish brother and father. He looked up to see that they were in fact within earshot of the receptionists and he didn't want them hearing his business.

Riccardo led Alise out into the hallway to discuss the serious matter

"Listen" he said gently but firmly "I wish you didn't have to see or go through that and I know you're scared right now but I need you to trust me Alise"

"I...I...but Duke..."

It was hard for Alise to find her words, which was understandable for someone who just witnessed what she just witnessed.

"Riccardo what exactly is going on?"

"You were being targeted" he said "Joey had every intention of killing you tonight"

Alise shivered "Why?"

"I come from a family of hit men and I used to be one myself" Riccardo explained, "my father Don Cappella is the leader and my brother Tony is his right hand man"

"You see Alise my father wanted the property that's currently your bakery as his main headquarters and well let's just say things went shit when he found out Winston had granted that property to you instead"

"Joey slapped two pictures of Winston on the counter. and...he's dead" Alise tried to say "they killed him he was such a sweet man...I....don't understand"

"There's nothing to understand" Riccardo said simply wishing that he didn't have to tell Alise all of these things "that's how my father operates if he wants something done it gets done"

"Don wanted Winston dead and now he is"

"Your father wanted me dead too?"

Riccardo bit his tongue as he gazed into Alise's questioning gaze but knew that she deserved the truth

"Yes that's why Joey was sent to you"

Alise was speechless but how was she supposed to respond to that? She couldn't the fact was clear as day that she could have died tonight had Riccardo not stepped in.

What if he hadn't came?

Riccardo wrapped his arm around Alise's shoulders "It's over for now"

Those words didn't bring Alise much comfort "What do you mean for now? Will they still come after me? will they still try to hurt Duke?"

"Alise I need you to trust me when I say that what you had to go through tonight will be the last time you ever have to experience that" Riccardo said firmly

"I'm still scared"

"And I'm still right here"

"Perhaps I should start looking to move" Alise said, "it's obvious I'm not welcomed here and how will I face the Martin family?"

"You don't have to go anywhere" he assured "I'm going to take care of this and if you want me to go with you to console Winston's family I'll do that"

Alise simply nodded but still had little doubts running around in her mind; but trusting Riccardo was better than nothing even if he was related to the people who wanted her out.

"I'd like that" she said, "I don't want to go alone"

Riccardo gently squeezed Alise's hand "I'll be right there I promise"

And he sincerely meant that from now on Riccardo was going to have to literally be Alise's guardian angel. He would move her and Duke into his apartment if he could anything to keep her safe.

Neither Don nor Tony was going to scare her like that again and Riccardo also knew that they weren't going to stop and do it out of spite as well.

"Miss Turner" the vet addressed the two of them

"Is Duke going to be okay?" Alise asked, "please tell me he's going to be okay"

The vet smiled "He's a lucky strong and stubborn dog Miss Turner, Duke is going to be just fine"

For the first time that evening Alise took a huge sigh of relief "May I see him?"

"Of course" the vet said leading her and Riccardo to the back to see Duke. The German Shepard weakly wagged his tail when he saw his owner and Alise immediately went over to the table to pet and soothe him.

Duke leaned up as much as he could to lick Alise's face but she whispered "Shh it's okay Duke I'm here"

Looking at the way Alise was with Duke Riccardo was grateful that the dog had been able to pull through. Duke was the only family aside from her friend that she had left.

"We will have to keep him over night though" the vet said "just for observation"

"Oh" Alise's face fell a bit "will I'll be able to take him home tomorrow"

"We'll see how he is tomorrow" the vet agreed "honestly he's lucky you two got him here in time and he was able to pull through his shot wound was quite fatal"

"For now we'll keep an eye on him"

"Okay" Alise said reaching for her purse "let me just get my credit card so I can pay the bill---"

"It's on us Miss Turner" the vet insisted, "all of us here love your bakery by the way"

Just as Riccardo was getting ready to drive Alise home for the evening he got a funny feeling in the pit of his stomach. He didn't want Alise alone tonight. Or any night for that matter this was only the beginning after all once his father had a target he didn't stop until they were dead.

Alise must have sensed his feeling as well because she whispered "Tammy isn't home she's spending the weekend with her fiancée...I don't want to be alone"

"Your roommate?"

"Yes....you don't think they'll come after her too will they?"

"No" Riccardo replied "they won't I promise you that Alise I don't want you to be alone either you're coming home with me tonight"

"Okay" Alise replied trying to calm her nerves and he placed his hand on hers to soothe her

Alise looked over at Riccardo as he drove them to their destination. Her heart pounded and she swore it got caught in her throat. Riccardo was at just as much at risk as she was and yet his only concern for right now was her safety and well-being.

By the time Riccardo pulled up to his apartment it was almost midnight and he knew that Alise had to be tired.

"I'm going to get you some clothes to sleep in okay?"

Alise simply nodded.

Riccardo found a pair of his grey sweatpants and a t-shirt that had a washed out football team logo and number on the back. Both of which were too big for Alise but at least she'd feel more at ease sleeping in something other than her bloody uniform.

Riccardo at first let Alise sleep in his bed and he insisted that he would take the couch. Alise whispered "Riccardo.... please stay.... please"

"Are you sure you want that Alise?"

"Yes"

He couldn't say no to that and climbed under the covers beside her and she began to calm down. She was really shaken up and he couldn't blame her. Joey could have very well have killed her and Duke tonight.

"Try to get some sleep okay....whoa Alise..." Riccardo stopped when Alise moved her hands all over his body.

"Alise..."

Even though she was groping him over his clothes it still felt very sexual probably even more so than being nude.

When Alise lightly squeezed his crotch Riccardo knew he had to stop her before things got out of hand. He could already feel himself becoming erect. 

Riccardo quickly grabbed Alise's hands ceasing her actions and she looked up at him confused; both with her good eye and her rather expressive blind eye.

"I thought you...you don't want to..." she stuttered feeling embarrassed by her forwardness now "I'm sorry"

"Don't be" Riccardo said wanting to kiss her so bad in that moment "you don't know how bad I want you Alise but this isn't the time.... you're not ready"

"Yes I am"

"No Alise you're too emotional right now" Riccardo insisted "you're not thinking things through just try to get some sleep I'll be right here"

"Okay" she said a little disappointed

Riccardo wrapped an arm around Alise in comfort and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

"Sleep Alise" he repeated "I'm right here"

It took a while but Riccardo could hear Alise's gentle and steady breathing within a matter of minutes.

Once he knew she was definitely asleep; Riccardo went to sleep too. They would hopefully be able to pick up Duke in the morning.