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“Yes,” I nod, my eyes fixed on the elegant chess pieces before us. “He used to say that each piece on the board represented a part of our life.”
I reach for one of the pawns, holding it between my fingers as if contemplating its significance. “These are the footsoldiers,” I explain, my voice taking on a thoughtful tone, “easy to sacrifice. Without them, it’s a lot harder to win.”
She watches me intently, clearly intrigued by the comparison. “And what about the other pieces?” she asks, her curiosity piqued.
I gesture to the bishops, the ornate crosses atop their heads catching the soft light. “The bishops,” I say, “they’re like our advisors and intermediaries. They move diagonally, quietly influencing the board from the shadows, just as our advisors work behind the scenes, guiding our decisions and maintaining connections.”
She nods in understanding, her gaze shifting to the knights, their horse-head figurines poised for action. “And these knights?”
“The knights,” I continue, “they’re our enforcers, always ready to make unconventional moves. They’re the ones who can jump over obstacles and catch opponents off guard, just as our enforcers in the mafia can navigate tricky situations and handle unexpected challenges.”
I then indicate the rooks, solid and sturdy, standing tall at the corners of the chessboard. “The rooks are the backbone of our operation,” I explain. “They protect the kingdom. They’re our trusted lieutenants, ensuring the stability of our organization.”
Her gaze shifts to the king and queen, the most powerful pieces on the board. “And what about the king and queen?” she inquires, her curiosity growing.
I lean back, a small smile playing on my lips. “Ah, the king and queen,” I say, “they are the ultimate power couple. The king, he’s our patriarch, the one we protect at all costs. The queen, she’s not just a symbol of beauty but the most powerful piece on the board, representing the woman behind the throne.” I tap the queen. “This is you, dolcezza.”
“A small gold figurine two inches tall?”
I allow myself a smile. “He said running an empire is a game of chess. You need to plan your moves carefully, anticipate your opponent’s actions, and sometimes, even sacrifice your smaller pieces if that gains you an edge.”
She watches intently as I speak, her gaze fixed on the chessboard. “That’s quite a unique way to teach,” she remarks, intrigued by the analogy.
I nod again, a hint of admiration for my father’s unconventional teaching methods. “He believed that the weakest player could sometimes surprise an expert with an unexpected move. It’s all about outthinking your opponent, making them underestimate you, and then striking when they least expect it. But, ultimately, it is down to the king to make the final decision.”
“What did your mother think about that?” Emily looks at me with warmth in her eyes.
“I never knew my mother. She died giving birth to me. My father always told me I was responsible for her death. Told me it was a handicap for him to fight without his queen by his side.”
Emily’s eyes meet mine. “That must have been hard for you,” she says.
“It shaped me in ways I didn’t realize until much later. My father, he was all I had. His men stayed away from me, fearful of my father’s response if I complained about them. I had no friends, no one to confide in. Then he died in a gunfight, leaving me in charge of the family business at eighteen.
“I had to toughen up fast. Never show weakness. I was in control of the entire empire and the slightest crack in my armor and my enemies would come for me.”
“Is that why Orlov wants to kill you? You said it was about a deal, something you couldn’t give him.”
“Marriage to his daughter. I turned them down. The ultimate disrespect.”
“Not your type?”
“I saw you first. No one else could ever match you.”
“Are you serious? That attack in the office was because you turned him down? And you turned him down because you wanted me?”
I nod. “You came along and all of a sudden my mind is filled with images I’ve never had before. Families, children, and you are by my side for the rest of my life. You’ve bewitched me, Emily.”
She sets the queen down on the board. “I could say the same thing. I never gave a shit about men until I saw you for the first time. I’ve been obsessed ever since.”
She glances at me with watery eyes. “I lost my parents too,” she shares, her voice laced with a haunting sadness. “They overdosed for the first time when I was just a kid. I remember finding them …unconscious but the first thing I did wasn’t call for help. I just... went to the kitchen and got something to eat. They wouldn’t let me eat anything unless they gave it to me and I was so hungry. I’d not had anything for nearly a week.” Tears form on her cheeks. “I stood there eating a piece of moldy bread, the only thing I could find, and I stared at them. I didn’t feel anything but relief that they were out cold. I prayed they were dead. Is that bad?”
I take her hands in mine. “Some people deserve to die. You should feel no guilt. They were bastards to do that to a child.”
She sighs, a distant look in her eyes. “For a long time, I thought it was my fault they were like that... that I wasn’t worth looking after. I struggled with feeling unloved all my life. First chance I got, I ran away. Guess I’ve been running ever since. That’s why I want to pass this course, make sure no other kids went through what I went through, try to help them and their families make better choices.”
The room falls silent for a moment, the crackling of the fire the only sound. It’s a heavy silence.
“We’re not our pasts, Emily,” I finally say, breaking the silence. “We have the power to shape our futures, no matter what we’ve been through. Look at the game in front of you. It goes the way you choose.”
