Page 2 of Mafia Handbook

Unlike Milena, her sister enjoyed a healthy social life, complete with numerous friends who invited her to various events and handsome men begging her attention.

“Girl, stop,” Oakley scoffed, opening the door wider and waving her in. “You know you’re welcome anytime.”

Stepping over the threshold, Milena kept to herself how her sister’s statement wasn't entirely true. There were times, outside of the one’s where Oakley had one of her boyfriends over, where she wasn’t an invited guest.

“I know it’s Friday and you have plans to go out,” removing the box of tampons from the plastic bag. “My monthly visitor came early and you’re closer than my apartment.”

Oakley’s heart sank as she took in the pain swimming in her sister’s eyes. Unable to stop herself, she reached out and pulled Milena into her embrace.

“It happened again, didn't it?” She whispered, closing her eyes and praying she was wrong.

The emotion she’d fought off stabbed at her again as Oakley swayed them back and forth. Unable to say the dreaded words, Milena nodded her head, choosing to keep her face buried in Oakley’s shoulder.

“Oh fuck, who died?”

Taking a deep breath, Milena stepped away, turning her attention toward their younger brother.

“No one died, Gil.” Raising the box in her hand, “I got my period early—”

“Oh fuck no.” Gil interrupted, setting the glass in his hand on the kitchen counter before slapping his hands over his ears. “I want nothing to do with anything that bleeds for a week and doesn’t die.”

“Don't be so insensitive, Gil. Periods are a natural part of being a woman.”

Shaking his head, Gil heads for the door, “Natural or not, I want nothing to do with it.” Pointing to Milena, “I love you, Sis, but do me a favor and stay away until this shit goes away.”

Milena and Oakley watched as Gil shivered before disappearing into the hall, slamming the door behind him.

Wrapping her arm around her sister, “Know what we need?” Oakley looked down at Milena, hope fluttering in her chest she could turn this around.

“Another sister?” Milena teased. She loved Gill with everything in her, despite his aversion to female hygiene.

“No, a greasy burger from the diner on Fifth and one of their famous chocolate milkshakes.”

An involuntary moan left Milena’s chest at the thought of the milkshake in question. It was more than just ice cream and milk blended with chocolate syrup and served with a straw. This decadent desert was more of an art form with a slice of chocolate cake strategically placed atop the glass.

“My treat, of course,” Oakley added, knowing the dire circumstances her sister had fallen in were beyond her control.

“Sounds great.”

“What? No argument this time?”

“Oakley, between work and my early visitor, not to mention the stress of the phone call to the bank I just endured, I don't have an argument left in me.”

“Good, so you won't fuss when we stop at the police department first.”

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