In the end, the Brothers can't do anything to protest when Rami already adamantly decided that he was going---ONLY.
What can they do, they really can't counter Rami's shamelessness.
When Rami's devising what his plans are in doing to execute his mission, to assure the Brothers, Rami can only nod at their every single suggestion to re-assure them.
If he does not, then he will surely face the two's hostility and resistance again—something he truly does not want to experience a second time.
After finalizing the plan, they are now joking around in Salvatore's office when the Andretti family's butler knocks on the door and enters.
"Don, Signorino, Signor Deveraux, il cibo è pronto. Quando siete pronti, per favore, scendete in mensa. (Don, Young Master, Mr. Deveraux, the food is ready. Whenever you are ready, please come down to the dining hall.)" Pulmano said with a smile.
Gabriel returned the smile and replied, "Torneremo più tardi, Pulmano. (We'll come down later, Pulmano.)"
The butler nodded at them before quietly leaving the room.
"So, let's go?" Gabriel asks the two of them.
Rami and Salvatore agreed.
While the three were going downstairs, they were all laughing.
When they sit down at the table. Rami immediately reacted excitedly. As always, he had the reaction of a foodie.
"Wow! This is fantastic! As always, Pulmano—you're very, very generous to your guests," Rami exclaimed excitedly when he saw the dishes. After that, he immediately smiled and started eating, even though Salvatore and Gabriel had not yet sat down.
He really feels at home.
The brothers snorted but didn't stop Rami. Instead, they were amused by his behavior, already immune to his gluttony.
"I miss the food here in Italy. Though I love what we usually have in our country, Italy offers something new." Rami commented between chews. His cheeks were puffed with food, yet he didn't look messy at all. Even in his gluttonous state, he still carried the elegance of a young master from a distinguished family.
"Oh, come on!! Stop talking while there's food in your mouth, just eat." Salvatore rolled his eyes.
After the three had satisfied their hunger, they moved to the living room, sipping grape wine that was exclusive to Draghi Ombra, where it originated. Only their mansion produced this wine, making it available solely to family members—or to guests during gatherings and parties held there.
After a while, Gabriel excused himself, as he needed to attend to matters concerning their company.
"So, you will act tonight?" Salvatore asks Rami. He saw that Rami is now holding his wine glass while twirling it.
In a dazed state.
"Ashera? What's wrong?" Salvatore asks.
"Nothing. I just miss----- yes. I will act tonight." Rami answered.
Salvatore raised his eyebrow, he hadn't missed one part, "Miss?"
Rami shakes his head, "Nothing."
"You know, you can tell me anything. Tu sei mio fratello. Posso aiutarti. (You're my brother. I can help you.) Or are you already treating me differently?" Salvatore said sincerely—though his tone sharpened at the last part.
Salvatore is not blind nor stupid.
He knew something had happened. Whatever it was, it had hurt Rami deeply. He couldn't seem to move on or forget.
'What happened within these years that we're not together?' Salvatore asks silently. Waiting for Rami to respond.
Rami just closed his eyes.
After putting the wine glass on the center table, he leaned on the back of the sofa that he is sitting on. Unconsciously, his face shows how exhausted he is now. Not physically but mentally.
"Salvy. I. . . . miss him. I know. . . I did something wrong for them to hate me. For him to hate me. But I just didn't mean to do that." Rami said softly while a tear slowly dropped from his eyes down to his left right cheek.
Salvatore was startled when he saw Rami's tears. He immediately went to his side and pulled him into a tight embrace, hoping to comfort him, "What happened? You can tell me anything."
Rami stays silent. After a while of getting silence he shook his head, "After I finished my business here. I will tell you everything."
Salvatore looks at Rami intently, "You promise?"
Rami nodded, "I promise."
Salvatore signed in defeat, "Okay."
The next day, during the night, in a dark alley beside a famous Italian bar called Concoction, Rami—dressed in a bolder style—staggered as he walked. He looked drunk, on the verge of collapsing, when suddenly a man caught him.
Rami went limp, barely aware that someone had grabbed him, already slipping into unconsciousness from the alcohol.
The man dragged him toward a car parked nearby and muttered,
"Good catch. I'm sure he'll enjoy him." The man who catches Rami and is driving now just hummed excitedly even if no one will hear him.
"Preparate la "merce" e mandatelo subito a Don Orlando. Questa partita è proprio di suo gradimento. (Prepare the goods and send him immediately to Don Orlando. This batch really suits his taste well.)" Lorenzo, the one who had caught Rami, immediately issued orders to the lower-ranking members of the Inferno Cremisi Famiglia who were patrolling their territory and surrounding the mansion when he arrived.
"Sì, signore!! (Yes sir!!)" One of them answered Lorenzo.
Lorenzo nodded and went into the mansion.
He was a little tipsy from the alcohol he drank at Concoction. Kidnapping someone had never been part of his plan that night, but on his way home, he saw Rami. Dressed in a striking outfit—a crop top that revealed just a glimpse of his belly with every movement, and tight black leather jeans that hugged his big jiggly booty—Rami looked irresistibly alluring, his innocent face only adding to the temptation. Even he felt a surge of desire at the sight.
But they had rules to follow. Whatever they captured first had to be handed over to their Don. So, he simply kidnapped Rami and took him back. He just hopes that he can taste that boy when their Don gets tired. He's not choosy anyway. Especially with that kind of face and body.
"Ciao Lorenzo!! Mi è stato segnalato che oggi hai pescato qualcosa di buono. (Your back Lorenzo!! I was notified that you catch something good today.)" Diego stopped Lorenzo when he caught Lorenzo who was now already climbing stairs.
Lorenzo stopped climbing for a while and looked at Diego. He smiled interestingly, "Sì!! Questa volta è davvero una buona cattura. Sono sicuro che Don Orlando lo apprezzerà davvero. (Yes!! It's really a good catch this time. I'm sure Don Orlando will really enjoy him.)"
Diego only nodded. He's getting more interested to see what kind of beauty Lorenzo caught this time. Because he saw that even Lorenzo here got seduced by that beauty.
"Oh! Allora dovrei vederlo di persona, per vedere che tipo di bellezza ha catturato il tuo interesse. (Oho! Then I should see him for myself—to see what kind of beauty has even caught your interest.)" Diego said to Lorenzo. Then he proceeded to walk into the room where the beauty was detained by their subordinate.
Lorenzo hummed then said his goodbyes to Diego and proceeded upstairs.
At Draghi Ombra Famiglia base. . . . .
"Hanno abboccato? (Did they take the bait)" Salvatore asks directly at his subordinate who just came back from outside.
The man, Bruno nodded, "Sì, Don! Ho visto Lorenzo caricare il Signor Deveraux sul sedile posteriore della sua auto e dirigersi verso la base di Inferno Cremisi. (Yes, Don! I saw Lorenzo put Sir Deveraux in the back of his car and head back to the Inferno Cremisi base.)"
Bruno was one of Draghi Ombra's informants. He was highly capable at what he did, and Salvatore greatly appreciated him for it.
"Capito. Puoi andare. (Got it. You may go.)" Salvatore then dismisses him.
After the man left, he fell into a deep thought.
Truthfully, he was very worried about Rami. It wasn't that he underestimated Rami's abilities—it was simply that Rami was no longer in his normal state. He wasn't in good condition.
But Rami insisted, so all he could do was voice his concerns. Once Rami had decided, nothing could change his mind, and in the end, he could only support him from the shadows.
'I just hope nothing happens.' Salvatore prayed.
At Inferno Cremisi Famiglia base. . . .
Rami awoke from his slumber and realized he was lying naked in a bathtub. As memories from the night before slowly sank in, he merely hummed to himself.
'All goes according to plan.'
Moments later, three handsome young men who are still teenagers entered the room carrying items needed for a bath—there was even a scented candle among them.
Rami immediately panicked and frightened. "Chi siete? Cosa volete? Perché sono qui? Lasciatemi andare a casa!!! (Who are you guys? What do you want? Why am I here? Let me go home!!!)"
He wrapped his arms around himself as he backed away until his spine hit the edge of the tub. Terror and distress were written all over his face.
Rami didn't know whether the three belonged to Inferno Cremisi or if they were victims themselves—but one thing was clear, he had to make them believe him.