Chapter 79RUSSELConvincing Renzo to bring his mother to see his sister did not turn out so bad after all, I thought as I entered the car and motioned for Luca to drive. He did lie on her behalf, even though he was trying to act like he didn't care, which actually showed that he still cares for his sister a little more than he’s willing to admit. But I lied too, I realized, did that also mean I care? Of course not, I was just having so much fun watching their little family reunion that I didn't want to ruin it. Even though having Allesia's best friend wink at me severally did make me feel like strangling her. I had never actually felt the urge to appear good before someone, but today, I was pushed to lie to that woman because I didn't want her to think I was a bad influence on her daughter or whatever it was I was avoiding. I caught myself smiling in the mirror, Luca saw it too because he smirked and I quickly maintained a stoic expression as we drove to a halt just outside the wa
Chapter 80RUSSELInitiation into the Cosa Monsoni usually required a high level of trust and training after a long chain of trials and tasks to ensure commitment and loyalty. Precision, symbolism, and an unbreakable oath, those were only few of the things that bound us all together. To a made man, the bond of the brotherhood was thicker than the blood running in our veins, which could be shed at any time. But unlike our blood, the ties that bound a mafia man could never be severed, it was a bond stronger than death.Under the dim light of the warehouse, I stood, surrounded by men hidden in the shadows and standing before Kegan, Nikolai, and Dylan, all of us bound by tradition– and simple responsibility. Standing before me was Dario, his expression resolute. “You sure you're ready for this, kid?” I asked, my voice a low rumble that echoed through the warehouse.Dario’s eyes met mine, determined yet tinged with nerves. “I was born ready, Capo.”I took a deep breath, “You had a life i
Chapter 81RUSSEL“Is that really your plan?” Nikolai asked as he came to stand beside me.The celebration of Dario's initiation was still going on among my men, while some of them were cleaning the blood and clearing the two bodies, others were arranging some stash we would be shipping out of the country later today. Dylan had left to do something and Kegan was instructing some of my soldiers, Dario included.I stood there, still in my bloodied clothes, smoking as I watched them work. I didn't exactly want to go home yet because I wanted to give Allesia enough time with her family. Although the mere imagination of the things I had in mind to do to her tonight was making me itch to go home. With a sigh, I turned to look at Nikolai, who was frowning as he stared at me, “You know, for some odd reason,” I began, “This reminds me of that night we took the oath. Dario is a lot more brave than I ever was, he does reminds me of a younger you.” Nikolai scoffed, “That was almost fourteen year
Chapter 82ALLESIATWO HOURS EARLIER ~~~°~~~I took my mum to a room so she could rest for a while before they leave since Renzo said he didn't want them to spend too long here because he didn't know how long he could continue lying to her about my relationship with Russel.“You wear these now?” Elletra was holding a lingerie as she posed before the large mirror. I smiled, “Russel bought a ton of them. You can have some if you want.”Elletra turned abruptly, her eyes scanning me with a twisted look, “Just this?” I frowned a bit, “What else? She scoffed, “Why do I feel like you've suddenly become this whole new person I do not recognize anymore.”At this point I was obviously lost, “What do you mean? I'm still Allesia, your best friend–”“Who you've spent over a month without hearing from!” She exploded, “You never wanted to come here, I convinced you! Suddenly you are everything you advised me against back then.”“What do you mean? You know perfectly well that between Russel and I
Chapter 83RUSSEL~~~°~~~It took Luca leading Allesia’s mother into the hall for me to release her. She ran to her mother and they both clung to each other while I watched. Her mother looked shaken to the bones, but at least she was alive. You could tell the depth of their bond from that singular gesture, the relief on their faces as they cried on each other’s shoulders. I wondered for a split second if Melissa could ever share such a bond with Hyacinth. A pang of guilt tugged at my heart, the very imagination of how devastated Allesia would have felt if her mother had died today made me recoil. Luca's arrival brought a brief respite from the swirling emotions. "Where did you find her?" I asked Luca as I watched them. "She was in the guest room, awakened by the gunshots," Luca explained, “Glad I got there before they did, the story would have been different otherwise.”My gaze lingered on Allesia, she looked so like a kid, resting there on the crook of her mother's neck. Guilt gna
Chapter 84ALLESIA ~~~°~~~Renzo's gaze swept over me, his expression demanding, “What happened to her?” He asked for the fifth time. “She fainted.” I was the same response I gave each time he asked. Renzo paced the length of the room furiously, but I sat there, oddly calm. Luca was inside the room with us, while two other soldiers were stationed just outside the room. Dr. Ramola said she just needs to rest, but I was growing impatient by the minute. She had slept through the night, even though she said her heart was stable and she would wake up any moment from now.“This is all his fault.” Renzo muttered, more to himself than to me, “He brought us here and suddenly all this is happening.” “Fuck off, Renzo.” I hissed. He glanced at me, his expression unreadable, “You've changed so much, Allesia and it's all his fault. What has he turned you into? Gunshots, drugs, dead bodies, blood, is that what you do now? Like seeing all this doesn't even move you?”“Keep talking nonsense and I
Chapter 85RUSSEL ~~~°~~~I stormed out of the house, unable to understand the reason for the rage that was brewing inside me. Trust old ladies to fuck up your day, as if fucking up your entire existence was not enough. Allesia’s mother was knocking on death’s door if she imagined she would force her away.I walked to my car, deciding to drive today since tasked Luca with watching Allesia closely and keeping a close eye on that chicken shit brother of hers. The entire building was swarming with my soldiers and with the instructions that no one was to be allowed in or out without my explicit permission in place, the security system had been restored and the estate security doubled.Everything was perfectly in place for now, all I had to do was find those bastards who thought they could send some foolish tech boys in here and leave alive and send them back to hell. I parked the car in front of the warehouse, the soldiers acknowledging my presence with a nod as I stepped out. Striding
Chapter 86RUSSEL~~~°~~~Nikolai's revelation was cut off by the sudden buzzing of my phone. When I checked, it was Kegan.“What's up?” I asked, my eyes darting back to Nikolai, who returned my stare with an obvious frown.“I need you back right away,” Kegan replied urgently.I rose from the bed swiftly, ready to leave without wasting another minute. The urgency in Kegan's voice was enough to tell me all I needed to know. “What's going on?” Nikolai demanded seriously, his tone betraying a hint of concern.“I don't know. Kegan says it's urgent,” I replied, already halfway out the door. Without waiting to see if he followed, I took long strides towards the exit, the urgency in my steps palpable.Outside, the hot afternoon air hit my face as I reached my car, with Nikolai following close behind. When he entered, I revved the engine to a start and sped towards the warehouse. Nikolai remained understandably silent during the drive, but I could tell that the weight of his half revelation