THE PRINCESS
From the early age of childhood, Jessica Caproni knew that her family was different. She couldn’t ever keep track of how many times she had moved around because of her father’s “business”. Not to mention all the uncles and cousins that all seemed to work for her father. Then there is the fact that she always has to have a bodyguard or an “uncle” that escorts her where ever she goes, and like her father always reminds her, it’s because she is a Princess. She never understood why until the age of sixteen when she allowed to work “within the family business”. However, two years later, Jess is about to graduate and she can’t help but wonder what exactly that means for her and her future. She isn’t sure if the family business is what she wants to do for the rest of her life, but as the saying goes, once you’re in the business there’s no getting out.
Kalleb Jackson, a senior in high school, has never had the best relationship with his father, and is counting down the months and days until he graduates and moves to the West Coast to go to school. However, plans change when his father gets a new assignment that causes the entire family to up and move to the well off community of Sandhills. Kalleb, now a new student at Heathwood Academy, literally hates every minute of his life, until he meets his neighbor and classmate Jessica Caporoni. |
EXCERPT from THE PRINCESS
Chapter 1
From the early days of my childhood, I always knew my family was different from most. Not every eight year old had an uncle as a bodyguard and who attended every single class in elementary school with them like I did. The uncle was always different each year, and I had a lot of them, however they all worked for my father, who constantly reminded me it was because I was a princess that I needed so much protection. At the age of thirteen when my first school dance came around, I couldn't go with with any of the boys from my class who had asked me, some more than once. I had to go with my cousin Ronni, because he was a more "suitable" choice for a girl my age. We never really stayed in the same place more than two years, because of my father's business, even though he mostly worked within the home. No one outside of the family ever visited the house, maybe only a handful, and in the end they either told me they were now my uncle or they would look at me with sad eyes full of pity and fear, and I would never hear of them again, unless on the news. However in the end, it wasn't until I turned sixteen that I finally understood just how different my family was compared to others.
The night of my sweet sixteen birthday party had been almost magical. My parents had thrown me a huge party and not only were my friends from my high school allowed to attend, but our neighbors were invited as well. We had just finished our first full year of living in this new city of Columbia, South Carolina, and as I blew out my sixteen lit candles I only wished that we could stay here until I graduated. Yet somehow I just knew that it wasn't possible for my father, somehow every year or so he would come up with an excuse of why they had to up and move, and there came to a point that I just lived out of my boxes. This year was different though, I had actually unpacked everything finally a few weeks ago, when my father gave a little hint that we may be staying for at least another year. Perhaps that was the reason for the grand birthday party he and my mother were throwing for me this year.
As the night went on, music, presents, cake, and laughter filled the air, and countless of my friends made it well known that this was the party of the year. However, it wasn't until once all the party guests had left that my father and mother told me they had a special birthday gift for me. Little did I know that the gift was also a curse that would stay with me for the rest of my life. I remember walking into our huge living room, my parents standing in front of the lit fireplace despite the warm weather outside. My uncles, aunts, and cousins all gathering around in various spots in the house, as my parents smiled and began.
"What's going on?" I asked with a shaky voice, I looked around noticing the change of atmosphere. The excitement from outside had quickly became much of more of a serious vibe.
"Jess, darling, your father and I are just so proud of you. We all are. You have become such a beautiful, strong, smart, young woman." My mother said with a smile. Her hazel eyes full of light and joy as she looked at me, causing me to blush.
"Jess, before we continue, we just want you to know that we all love you very much, and everything that this family does is to ensure the safety and the well being of you and everyone else within the Caproni name." My father said as he took a sip of his alcoholic drink before continuing. "With that being said your mother and I have a special gift for you." He said as he took out a small jewelry box from his blazer jacket pocket and placed it in my hands. I flipped open the dark grey velvet case, and saw the most beautiful gold ring, with a crest in the center of its flatten surface. The sides were lined in both small diamonds and two small rubies. My eyes began to mist as I read the inside inscription, although it was the same of all of them, the inside band read, "Caproni". My parents had given me the family ring, and as I put it on my right hand ring finger, my parents smiled. Those within the family who were related by blood all received their rings at the age of sixteen, and for me this was a very special gift.
"Thank you so much! It's beautiful!" I said with a large smile across my lips as I glanced back down at the ring.
"You are welcome, however now that you are in possession of that ring, you must know the meaning of it." My father began.
"You see sweetheart, your father comes from a long line of royalty, but not the throne and country ruler types, however there may be some some where centuries back." My mother said as she interrupted my father. The wait was agonizing, they were acting as if once they told me what ever they were going to tell me, that I was going to become the Hulk or something like that.
"I mean you always said that I was a Princess." I said as I smiled, looking from my parents then towards my other family members who all grinned.
"Yes, and you are. However, my business isn't a normal business. We are an elite family, a group with many connections and very powerful. Have you ever heard of the italian mob or mafia?" My father said slowly, as I nodded my head. Why were they asking me or telling me these things? I wondered quietly in my head.
"Jess, what you father is trying to tell you, that because you are finally the age of sixteen you have an opportunity to finally come to work within your father's business. Isn't that great?" My mother said with a smile, trying to lighten the mood. Oh that was it? I'm sixteen and I can finally work? Yeppy! I thought sarcastically in my mind as my thoughts probably showed on my face. Causing a few of the cousins around my age to snicker or hide their laughs.
"Okay sure, whatever, I don't see the big deal though?" I said with a shrug, however it was the look that my father gave me that told me that I should listen to what he was trying to tell me.
"Jess, if that is what you truly want, you must know what you are going to be apart of, regardless of you working within the family business or not. My business isn't all legal; I run the largest black market business in the world. My customers range from the powerful diplomats, to the plain joe on the street. I am the most wanted mobster in the world, and you my darling are the heir to the business and fortune. The reason why I haven't been convicted is because we have many of your uncles and cousins who are constantly working to make our lives better, and many would like our protection and job security rather than put their lives on the line." My father finally said with a serious face. I paused for a brief moment, looking from one face to the next as each person braced themselves with what my response and reaction would be.
"I appreciate you all trying to lay it all down gently for me, however I've known for some time what you all did and were. I wasn't one hundred percent sure how big the operation was, however I've always known in the back of my mind the line of work you did Daddy. I'm not an idiot. I heard the rumors in the hallways at school, I've traced my family history a little bit, and I have seen the everyday business life since I was younger. I kinda figured I really never had a choice to rather or not be part of the family business or not." I explained as relieved and shocked expressions changed over my parents faces. Did they really not think I knew? I mean sure it's now all out in the open, my life really wouldn't be the same anymore, but I wasn't blind. I saw all the different men and women who would go into my father's office, all who were family but worked for my father. I had traced my family history to know that my father only had one other blood brother, and my mother was an only child. I saw the way they looked at the television screen when a certain job they had done was aired on the news, whether it be beneficial or something they wanted to wipe their hands clean from.
"I've always knew you were the brains of the family, cupcake." I heard my uncle Tito say from behind me as he placed a hand on my shoulder. Tito was actually my father's only blood related brother, and the closest family member besides my cousin Ronni that I had outside of my parents. He still had his thick Italian-new york accent from when he lived in Brooklyn with us for the one year we lived there.
"Thanks T." I said as I tilted my head up looking up at him with a smile.
From that moment on, my sweet sixteenth birthday had always stuck in my mind, the day I was initiated in the family business. The family ring had never left my finger, and my list of crimes began to pile up in the dismissed folder. I had become one of my father's most trusted advisers, I used my quick thinking, and excellent schooling to use and had allowed the profits to double, as well as allow us to slide under the FBI radar a little bit easier. I had become an excellent fighter, even though I never had to fight my own battles, yet those around me knew I could hold my own. I was my father's daughter, and I lived up to the Caproni name every second after my sixteenth birthday.
From the early days of my childhood, I always knew my family was different from most. Not every eight year old had an uncle as a bodyguard and who attended every single class in elementary school with them like I did. The uncle was always different each year, and I had a lot of them, however they all worked for my father, who constantly reminded me it was because I was a princess that I needed so much protection. At the age of thirteen when my first school dance came around, I couldn't go with with any of the boys from my class who had asked me, some more than once. I had to go with my cousin Ronni, because he was a more "suitable" choice for a girl my age. We never really stayed in the same place more than two years, because of my father's business, even though he mostly worked within the home. No one outside of the family ever visited the house, maybe only a handful, and in the end they either told me they were now my uncle or they would look at me with sad eyes full of pity and fear, and I would never hear of them again, unless on the news. However in the end, it wasn't until I turned sixteen that I finally understood just how different my family was compared to others.
The night of my sweet sixteen birthday party had been almost magical. My parents had thrown me a huge party and not only were my friends from my high school allowed to attend, but our neighbors were invited as well. We had just finished our first full year of living in this new city of Columbia, South Carolina, and as I blew out my sixteen lit candles I only wished that we could stay here until I graduated. Yet somehow I just knew that it wasn't possible for my father, somehow every year or so he would come up with an excuse of why they had to up and move, and there came to a point that I just lived out of my boxes. This year was different though, I had actually unpacked everything finally a few weeks ago, when my father gave a little hint that we may be staying for at least another year. Perhaps that was the reason for the grand birthday party he and my mother were throwing for me this year.
As the night went on, music, presents, cake, and laughter filled the air, and countless of my friends made it well known that this was the party of the year. However, it wasn't until once all the party guests had left that my father and mother told me they had a special birthday gift for me. Little did I know that the gift was also a curse that would stay with me for the rest of my life. I remember walking into our huge living room, my parents standing in front of the lit fireplace despite the warm weather outside. My uncles, aunts, and cousins all gathering around in various spots in the house, as my parents smiled and began.
"What's going on?" I asked with a shaky voice, I looked around noticing the change of atmosphere. The excitement from outside had quickly became much of more of a serious vibe.
"Jess, darling, your father and I are just so proud of you. We all are. You have become such a beautiful, strong, smart, young woman." My mother said with a smile. Her hazel eyes full of light and joy as she looked at me, causing me to blush.
"Jess, before we continue, we just want you to know that we all love you very much, and everything that this family does is to ensure the safety and the well being of you and everyone else within the Caproni name." My father said as he took a sip of his alcoholic drink before continuing. "With that being said your mother and I have a special gift for you." He said as he took out a small jewelry box from his blazer jacket pocket and placed it in my hands. I flipped open the dark grey velvet case, and saw the most beautiful gold ring, with a crest in the center of its flatten surface. The sides were lined in both small diamonds and two small rubies. My eyes began to mist as I read the inside inscription, although it was the same of all of them, the inside band read, "Caproni". My parents had given me the family ring, and as I put it on my right hand ring finger, my parents smiled. Those within the family who were related by blood all received their rings at the age of sixteen, and for me this was a very special gift.
"Thank you so much! It's beautiful!" I said with a large smile across my lips as I glanced back down at the ring.
"You are welcome, however now that you are in possession of that ring, you must know the meaning of it." My father began.
"You see sweetheart, your father comes from a long line of royalty, but not the throne and country ruler types, however there may be some some where centuries back." My mother said as she interrupted my father. The wait was agonizing, they were acting as if once they told me what ever they were going to tell me, that I was going to become the Hulk or something like that.
"I mean you always said that I was a Princess." I said as I smiled, looking from my parents then towards my other family members who all grinned.
"Yes, and you are. However, my business isn't a normal business. We are an elite family, a group with many connections and very powerful. Have you ever heard of the italian mob or mafia?" My father said slowly, as I nodded my head. Why were they asking me or telling me these things? I wondered quietly in my head.
"Jess, what you father is trying to tell you, that because you are finally the age of sixteen you have an opportunity to finally come to work within your father's business. Isn't that great?" My mother said with a smile, trying to lighten the mood. Oh that was it? I'm sixteen and I can finally work? Yeppy! I thought sarcastically in my mind as my thoughts probably showed on my face. Causing a few of the cousins around my age to snicker or hide their laughs.
"Okay sure, whatever, I don't see the big deal though?" I said with a shrug, however it was the look that my father gave me that told me that I should listen to what he was trying to tell me.
"Jess, if that is what you truly want, you must know what you are going to be apart of, regardless of you working within the family business or not. My business isn't all legal; I run the largest black market business in the world. My customers range from the powerful diplomats, to the plain joe on the street. I am the most wanted mobster in the world, and you my darling are the heir to the business and fortune. The reason why I haven't been convicted is because we have many of your uncles and cousins who are constantly working to make our lives better, and many would like our protection and job security rather than put their lives on the line." My father finally said with a serious face. I paused for a brief moment, looking from one face to the next as each person braced themselves with what my response and reaction would be.
"I appreciate you all trying to lay it all down gently for me, however I've known for some time what you all did and were. I wasn't one hundred percent sure how big the operation was, however I've always known in the back of my mind the line of work you did Daddy. I'm not an idiot. I heard the rumors in the hallways at school, I've traced my family history a little bit, and I have seen the everyday business life since I was younger. I kinda figured I really never had a choice to rather or not be part of the family business or not." I explained as relieved and shocked expressions changed over my parents faces. Did they really not think I knew? I mean sure it's now all out in the open, my life really wouldn't be the same anymore, but I wasn't blind. I saw all the different men and women who would go into my father's office, all who were family but worked for my father. I had traced my family history to know that my father only had one other blood brother, and my mother was an only child. I saw the way they looked at the television screen when a certain job they had done was aired on the news, whether it be beneficial or something they wanted to wipe their hands clean from.
"I've always knew you were the brains of the family, cupcake." I heard my uncle Tito say from behind me as he placed a hand on my shoulder. Tito was actually my father's only blood related brother, and the closest family member besides my cousin Ronni that I had outside of my parents. He still had his thick Italian-new york accent from when he lived in Brooklyn with us for the one year we lived there.
"Thanks T." I said as I tilted my head up looking up at him with a smile.
From that moment on, my sweet sixteenth birthday had always stuck in my mind, the day I was initiated in the family business. The family ring had never left my finger, and my list of crimes began to pile up in the dismissed folder. I had become one of my father's most trusted advisers, I used my quick thinking, and excellent schooling to use and had allowed the profits to double, as well as allow us to slide under the FBI radar a little bit easier. I had become an excellent fighter, even though I never had to fight my own battles, yet those around me knew I could hold my own. I was my father's daughter, and I lived up to the Caproni name every second after my sixteenth birthday.