A Mother's Choice

Jasper's POV

"My father ? He's been found." I whispered, anger simmering inside me. "Where?"

"Holloway lane," Dan replied.

"Get the men ready," I ordered, my voice sharp. "We move now."

"Yes, boss," Dan replied before disappearing down the hallway.

I looked back at Mia, surprise flickered on her face as our gaze met. Did she know about my father?

I clenched my jaw and forced myself to turn away.

I knew Mia was watching me, her gaze burning into my back, but I couldn’t afford to stop. Not now. Not when my past had suddenly resurfaced like a ghost clawing its way out of the grave.

Because if my father was really out there… then I had bigger problems to deal with.

The drive to the bar was silent, the air thick with tension. My fingers drummed against my thigh as I replayed the guard’s words in my head. We found something.

Not someone. Something.

My father was dead. I had made sure of it.

Or I thought I had.

The bar reeked of cheap alcohol and stale sweet. The kind of place where secret festered and men drown their sins in liquor.

Blake. He can never change. Once a drunkard, always a drunkard.

I stepped inside, my men followed me closely, their mere presence was a silent threat to anyone who dared look at me the wrong way. The moment we entered, the noise dipped just a fraction, just enough for me to notice.

Someone in here knew something. Something about my father.

I moved with purpose, my gaze sweeping across the room. Where are you, Blake?

Few men stiffened in their seats, recognising my face. Others avoided my gaze all together. Smart, isn't? I doubted anyone would want to get on my wrong side at this very moment.

The bartender swallowed hard, wiping his hand on a dirty rag. "We don't want trouble."

Stepping forward, I placed both hands on the bar and leaned in. "Then tell me what I want to know."

The bartender throat bobbed as he stammered with intense fear all over him. "And.... what is it?"

I smiled. Not friendly though. "Blake. Have you heard the name before?"

His face paled, and that was all the confirmation I needed.

“Where is he?” I pressed, my voice dangerously low.

“I—” He shook his head, avoiding my gaze. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Wrong answer.

I grabbed the bartender by the collar, slamming him against the counter. Glasses rattled, a few shattering to the floor. "Try again."

One of my men stepped closer. “Boss—”

I ignored him, my grip tightening. The bartender choked, his hands scrabbling against my wrist. “He—he ain’t here, alright? Some guy came by asking questions, but he left. That’s all I know.”

I studied his face. He wasn't lying. He was scared, not of me—of someone else.

"Search the place," I ordered. "I don't care if you have to turn this bar upside down. Find Blake for me." My men scattered, combing through the bar, interrogating anyone who looked remotely suspicious.

Minutes passed. He wasn't here. Damn it.

Frustrated, I pushed past the crowd and headed towards the back exit. The alley behind the bar was dark and narrowed, filled with refuse and lingering stash of stale beer. I lit my cigar, taking a slow drag before exhaling a stream of smoke into the air.

And then —

I froze.

A figure stood by the far end of the alley, just barely luminated by the streetlights. He turned away from me, his posture eerily familiar.

No.... this can't be.

I quickly threw away my smoke. My heart pounded as I stepped forward. "Blake?"

The figure stiffened.

My breath caught in my throat. “Blake,” I called again, louder this time.

The man didn't turn. He didn't run either. He just stood there like he's been waiting for me.

Something was wrong.

I barely had time to act before pain exploded at the back of my head.

A sharp crack of agony, then nothing.

******

When I woke up, I wasn't alone.

A soft, familiar scent filled my nostrils. Something warm, comforting. My vision was blurry, my head pounding, but as I blinked, the room came into focus.

My room.

And sitting beside me, eyes filled with something I didn't deserve, was Mia.

For a second, just a second, I felt..... good.

Good knowing someone cared.

"Thank goodness, you are awake," she said, her voice soft with relief as she glance at me like I had suddenly become someone important to her. "How do you feel?"

I nodded. "Better," I whispered. Raw pain hit my skull as I tried sitting up.

Blake. He has power and opportunity to kill me right there, but why has he not done that yet? Was he trying to play the long game? Torture me, make me feel insecure and then finish me off when I least expected.

Lies. If he thinks he can break me, then he's wrong. I'm not the same little boy I was fifteen years ago. I had gotten tougher. The experience has made me cruel. I am the Mafia boss of Black Vipers. And I don't tremble in the presence of my enemies.

Mia hesitated before speaking. “Why is your father after you?” Her voice was careful, as if she expected me to push her away.

I exhaled sharply, running a hand over my face. The past clawed at me, choking my throat.

"I stabbed him," I said, my voice hoarse. "I stabbed him to death."

Mia’s breath hitched, but she didn’t flinch.

"My mother went to prison for it," I continued, the weight of it crushing me. "She thought she was protecting me. Thought he was dead. She took the blame for me."

The words burned.

"She died in prison," I whispered. And for the first time in years, my voice broke. "And I let her. She died because of me."

Mia reached for my hand.

I should have pulled away. But I didn't.

Her touch was soft, grounding me when I felt like I was drowning.

“You didn’t let her,” she said gently. “She made a choice. A mother’s choice."

I looked at her, then really looked at her.

She saw me. Not the monster. Not the ruthless bastard everyone feared. But the broken man beneath.

I didn’t know who moved first. Maybe it was me. Maybe it was her.

But suddenly, her lips were on mine, soft and desperate, pulling me from the darkness.

I kissed her like she was my salvation. Like she was the only one tethering me to this moment.

And for that moment, she was.