Book 2, Chapter 22: Abizi Drama, Part I

**Madison**

The initial shock on Uncle Tyler’s face when he saw me was enough to make my heart flutter wildly. He masked it quickly, one of his strongest attributes as a renowned member of the Mafia underworld.
He embraced me like old times. It had been about three years since I saw him, as he oversees much of my fathers’ and now my brothers’ European division. He still maintains some of his original Mafia and often acts as Don if appropriate.

“Maddie, what are you doing here?” He asked with a smile, but his eyes searched for more answers. He was genuinely surprised to see me. I have no doubt my mother called him when I was taken.

“She’s with me,” Damien said authoritatively, firmly gripping my hip and pulling me into him.

Uncle Tyler looked at him with an open mouth. He was gob-smacked, the wheels in his head turning at the speed of light. He was about to say something when an older woman approached us, putting her delicate, manicured hands around Uncle Tyler’s arm possessively. He visibly cringed and tried to wiggle out of her iron grip.

“Oh, Damien, it is so good to see you after so many years finally. You always were one to play in the shadows. And you brought a guest. Is this why you called the family together?” the woman asked; her scrutinizing gaze fell on me, and I edged closer into Damien’s strong embrace. The woman was tall and skinny. She was dressed in a blue sequin gown that was too tight, too modern, and too revealing for her age; dazzling, extravagant jewels dripped from her neck, arms, and ears; her colored light brunette hair had a few salt and pepper streaks peeking through was styled into an intricate updo. Her face was plastered with makeup, and you could see all the plastic work oozing from her body. She reeked of a heavy floral perfume and cigarettes.

“Aunt Rita,” Damien snarled, “How the hell did you even get through the gate? I thought you were off in Asia with your latest man whore. I do not remember inviting you.”

“Oh pish, posh darling, like I would miss a chance to dine at the Abizi estate. I never got your invitation, sweetheart. I thought I sent you my latest address. But no matter! Your Aunt Margo has always been a secretive little wench, but I discovered this little shindig just in time and came right over. There are a few new lovely faces tonight, too. No matter! I’m here now, and nothing can keep me away from my darling nephew! It’s been too long since you had anyone over; I missed this place so much!” Rita schmoozed.

“Rita! Get your hands off of my man right now, you old fucking windbag. Damien is too nice to tell you bluntly that you are not welcome here. And you don’t want to be here with us; you want to butter up Damien to give you more money because you spent it all on lube trying to get yourself wet enough to take the pole up your ass, as it’s the only thing willing to go near you. After the last few family gatherings that you ruined with your disgusting presence, you would think you would have learned that you are not welcome in this family anymore. Aunt Margo didn’t invite you, Damien didn’t invite you, God himself didn’t invite you, so get it through your head and get the hell out of here. Besides, don’t you have a cabana boy that you need to victimize?” another woman said with venom as she approached Uncle Tyler. He happily wrapped his arm around her waist.

The woman was beautiful. With her satin dark blue dress, she looked like a movie star. Her dirty blonde hair was put up in a simple French twist but framed her vibrant blue eyes nicely. She was a little taller than me and had a nice Marilyn Monroe figure. She was older, maybe Damien’s age, but time was still nice to her physical features. The best part was seeing Uncle Tyler’s eyes sparkle when she came to him.
Rita’s face was brighter than a tomato. You can almost see the steam shooting out of her ears.

“Why, you little bitch!” Rita screamed and approached the other woman, her hand raised to strike. I reacted instantly and grabbed her wrist forcefully, feeling a power surge through my core. She looked at me stunned before her features morphed into disgust.

“Get your filthy peasant hands off of me, you cunt!” Rita screamed once more, her spittle splashing my face. I had enough. I let her hand go, but I also found enough force and pushed her, too, as I released her. She took an involuntary step back. I may be shorter than her, even in heels, but I will not let anyone bully someone.

“You listen here, you worthless pile of dog shit. You have two minutes to get your greedy plastic ass out of this house before I personally escort you off the premises, dragging you by your ear. You are not welcome here, and I do not appreciate your attempts to hurt someone close to me. Get the fuck out. You do not want to get on my bad side.” I warned her.

“Who the fuck are you?” She seethed.

“She’s Madison fucking Anderson,” Uncle Tyler said happily as he pulled the lady he was smitten with even closer. This Rita chick’s eyes widened. “Anderson? As in…?”

“Yeah, that Anderson,” Damien said with a smirk, “and more importantly, she is MY WOMAN,” he made sure to raise his voice loud and clear when he claimed me. “She is my future wife, and you would do well to listen to her. She is being merciful, Aunt Rita, but I will not be if you do not get the fuck out of my house. And do not ever step foot on any of our properties again!”

“How dare you! I am an Abizi!” Rita shouted once more.

“No, Rita. You made your bed a long time ago. I have sadly turned a blind eye to your entitlement and selfish ways for too long as you are my only living sister, but no more,” another elderly woman said softly, stepping through the small crowd of onlookers. She reminded me so much of my great-grandmother when she was younger. I saw many pictures of her and my mother, and this woman resembled her so much. She had salt and pepper hair, a lovely modest purple ensemble, and, to my absolute delight, a bedazzled cane. She had a thick Eastern European accent but a gentle smile on her face when she looked at me and Damien.

“Security!” The woman said, and four armed men stepped into the room, escorting out the thrashing woman who was screaming like a banshee. Once the drama subsided, Damien walked me up to the older woman. He released my waist to embrace the lady with a bear hug before kissing her cheeks. He stepped back and said, “Aunt Margo, this is Madison. The woman whom I intend to marry. The woman who has always had my heart. She is our future Queen, and I could not have anyone else by my side. Zemra Ime, this is my Aunt Margo, the Abizi family Queen and the woman who saved me.”

“It is so lovely to put a face to a name,” I said politely, shaking my hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

Aunt Margo laughed lightly before pulling my hand and embracing me in a friendly hug. She hugs like Grammy did, too! “It’s lovely to meet you too. I do hope my darling nephew didn’t say too many bad things about me,” she joked. I shook my head slightly, and she winked.

“You seem to know Tyler already. I would love to hear that story one day soon. This lovely young woman in his arms is my daughter, Isla, his wife,” Margo said, and I was stunned. I had heard from Mom that Uncle Tyler had gotten married, but I didn’t know she was an Abizi nor how beautiful his wife was. Isla embraced me before Damien kissed her cheek softly. Margo took me by the hand and introduced me to everyone. Damien never wandered away despite Margo trying to shoo him more than once. I was grateful for his company. This was very overwhelming.

We were soon called for dinner, and everyone went to the formal dining room. The room was opulent and extravagant. The fine china on display alone must have cost six figures a piece, and there were maybe thirty people here.