The heist

Monalisa Parker's Pov.

The last heist had claimed the lives of four of my men and left me heartbroken. The last thing I wanted was for Don to sweep that under the carpet without proper compensation. Even when I had wanted to break free from Don's grip for the sake of my son, He has always found a way to bring me back to the gang. I would never want my son to find out how dirty my work for Don was just to keep us alive.

As I walked into Don's mansion for the urgent meeting he had called all I could think of was how I almost lost my life even when I was the best female gangster in Don's team. Was I getting too old for operation already? Perhaps I wasn't prepared for the operation or the years I had gone into hiding for the sake of my children had made me weak.

The last thing I wanted was to let anyone find out how I had run for cover when the shooting by the police became intense and had abandoned my men to face them by themselves.

Everyone was seated at the table waiting for Don's arrival and within a short while, he arrived.

We all stood to greet him and waited for him to sit before we did the same. No one dares look at the Don on his face, his scar had always frightened them. Only the exception of Monalisa Parker myself and Joe- Bruno my ex had been bold enough to look at him.

"We have a new operation and it's a mega one that requires all hands on deck," Don said, and I frowned inwardly. As usual, he had left out our last operation without saying a word. I was bent on making sure he gave the dead the respect they deserved.

"Don sir. You didn't ask for the report of our last operation," Jimmy said and Don gave him a furious stare.

"You know it's wrong to cut my words halfway Jimmy," Don said angrily.

Don signaled Pascal, his right-hand man who had always carried out his dirty work. Pascal was feared by everyone and avoided by me. Bruno Sniper had been the only one who had dared to challenge him and since he left the team, no one had dared to do that.

Pascal was very aggressive. He had smashed someone's skull with a hammer during a ring fight. Bruno had been the only one who had fought and defeated him and they both hated each other. Pascal hated me because I was Bruno's girlfriend and had never failed to show it even to date.

"Don please I'm sorry... " Jimmy yelled as Pascal dragged him out of the hall and I could sense fear written all over the faces of those seated around the table as everyone tried to adjust themselves.

"Don, I think Jimmy is right and doesn't deserve any punishment for speaking up," I said trying hard to hide my shaky hands.

I knew Don wouldn't dare touch me since he knew how important I was to his team. He had lost Bruno his best gangster and he knew losing me would make his team one of the weakest in Columbia. Don had gone the extra mile to fish me out of my hideout after Bruno left his gang, one of the many reasons I will always hate Bruno for not making an effort.

I watched him as he stared at me for a few minutes and then ordered Pascal to let Jimmy join the table.

"As I was saying the heist is a huge..... "

"Don, you are yet to say anything about the last failed operation," I interrupted him. I could see the rage in Pascal's eyes but Don stopped him from coming close to me.

"It was a failed mission, Lisa. There's nothing to talk about there," He smiled and I grunted inwardly.

"We had lost ten of our men in total Don. These men lost their lives because your informant had been so careless with their information," I said trying to hold back my tears.

"Lisa. It's a game and only the stronger survives." Don said angrily.

"With all due respect sir. A game that had destroyed the player and left the house scattered?"

Don gave a loud outburst of laughter.

"The house isn't scattered. We still have our table here. We just need to recruit," I could feel my anger boiling as he spoke those words.

"Don.... "

"Seat! Lisa. " Don commanded and I took a deep breath and sat down.

"Open the document in front of you. A foreign company is coming to partner with a renowned bank here and they are offering one billion pesos." Don said with a smile.

"Our target is to make sure we get the money. It's my money and our money. After this deal, the table would be dissolved. Every one of us would go our separate ways," Don said and I grunted inwardly.

While the others cheered, I frowned. The Don Santos I know would never let anyone go freely after working for him. Although since he had made mention of it himself, maybe he was serious about it.

I frowned at the thought of being the female lead for such an operation alongside Pascal since he was the strongest after Bruno, this meant I would be away from my son for some days since he would be home soon and that would raise his suspicions as usual.

"But we need a good heist planner and there's only one option," Don said and everyone looked at him.

"Joe BRUNO!" He announced and my heart skipped a beat.

Did Joe agree to work with Don again after he had almost humiliated him the last time? Everyone knew Joe had always been Don's favorite and when he left the team, Don had almost lost hope in us.

The name Bruno brightened everyone's face on the table except for me and Pascal.

Don had always made Pascal feel Bruno was better and when he had started making waves, Don announced Bruno's comeback.

I was not excited because Bruno was my ex and the father of Antonio- one secret I would carry to my grave, After Bruno left me to marry Martina my best friend My love for him had turned to hatred and I had promised him I would end his life when next we meet.

"Joe Bruno is in his wife's home town Choco and we will need to get in touch with him," Don said interrupting my thought.

I chuckle inwardly at his statement. Joe will never agree to be part of a heist. He had chosen his lover Martina over his god-fatter Don who had picked him from the slum when he was a teenager and made him one of the best in the game and even me the lady who loved him to a fault.

"Monalisa Parker will help us get Joe back to this table," Don announced, and my heart skipped a beat.

"You're joking right?" I questioned before I could hold back my words and he nodded as he handed over a document to me.

"You will be getting Twenty percent of the money and you will also buy your freedom," He said.

"I don't care about the money Don and thank you I rather remain a gangster under you than take this mission," I said angryly.

"Your mother needs you alive or maybe vice versa," Don stated and Showed me a video of my mom in his custody. My mother was the only one I had and I wouldn't let any harm near her.

"She's been released to reduce suspicion, but can be hooked when needed," He said with his usual mockery smile.

"How long do I have to bring you, Joe," I asked with a shaky voice.

"Good girl. Just one week." He said.

"And if we don't get feedback in one week, Your mom's body will be my feedback,"

I knew Don Santos so well to know he never gave an empty threat and Joe Bruno wouldn't be easy to bring back to the Gangster table.

A few minutes later, Don dismissed the table but asked me to wait behind.

"It's been Ten years since I last set my eyes on Bruno and I don't know his present state," Don said and I rolled my eyes wondering where the conversation was heading.

"I saw him nineteen years ago Don, I am not fit for this mission," I said frustratedly hoping I could change his mind.

"More reason you are suitable for this Job. we all knew how much you both loved each other and I am sure he still cherishes that memory," Don said and I frowned.

"Bruno was with Martina when I left. I was hurt to know my best friend and my lover were together and needed space. I only came back to the gang because I'm still indebted to you and nothing more," I said trying to suppress my anger.

"And his son?" Don asked and my heart skipped a beat.

"Bruno's son?" I arched my brow.

"Monalisa, you should know me better after all these years, you've been with me for almost two decades and you should know I'm too smart to be fooled." He said and I felt my heart racing.

"When you left the mansion nineteen years ago, I had investigators who kept an eye on you. You were my best female mafia and I knew you needed time to heal from the heartbreak of knowing your best friend had betrayed you,"

"Antonio isn't Bruno's son," I yelled.

"Why are you so worked up? Don't worry I won't spill your secret, I will respect your privacy and stick with the lies you've made everyone believe about his identity," Bruno said and I took a deep breath.

"Please, leave my son out of this. I don't want him anywhere near all of these," I stuttered, and he laughed.

Don was a smart ass and he knew how much my son meant to me.

"Just play your part in convincing Bruno to join the heist and nothing bad will happen to your mother and son," He said calmly.

"I'll do my best, can I buy my freedom after all of this is over? I'm thirsty nine already. I'm getting too old for all of these," I said and He nodded.

"Trust me on that," Don assured me as I turned to leave his office already shattered about him knowing my son's true identity.

"Lisa," He called as I got close to the door.

"I know you don't want Bruno to know about Antonio my grandson, I promise you, It will remain our little secret, and if you fail in your part, Bruno will only know of Antonio's death,"

I could feel tears welling in my years as I shut the door behind him.

I had lost one of my twins at birth and would never want anything bad to happen to Antonio, he was the reason I had fought all these years to stay alive. Don Pablo had chosen to open up old wounds not minding the consequences. perhaps, it was time I took my revenge on Bruno and found peace within for all the pain he had cost me in return for my love.