Exposed to her biggest threat.

When we returned back to Diff’rent Strokes territory, it took the convicting of my second-in-command and everything in me not to put a bullet in Davide's head. He was my cousin but I was higher than him in rank so it was very disrespectful for him to call such a shot in the presence of my men. He had always wanted to outdo me since we were little but it seemed like his plan didn't work out so he thought that he could use my uncle's authority to suppress me. 

That's why I was hoping that our Underboss, Vincenzo Corsi was finally going to grant my wish of ending this bastard's life this time because it seemed like he was totally pissed by the sudden change of plans. We were both summoned to his office where we stood in the tense atmosphere that seemed to chill under Vincenzo's dark gaze. He stared at Davide. "Who did you say sent you to kill Gavino?"

Davide couldn't even lift his eyes as he looked down on the floor with his tail between his legs. "I-It was m-my father. H-He said t-that he would explain things to you later."

We both stood in silence after Davide's words awaiting for Vincenzo's reaction but he looked at us in deep thought as his fingers drummed the table. He finally leaned in on the table and looked at Davide's cowardly countenance. "Fine, I will let this go once. Tell your father that if he ever interferes with my business like this again, we are going to have a big problem."

Davide seemed a bit shocked at his words because he didn't expect Vincenzo to give his dear father a warning. I could tell that he held his father in high regard and might have even thought he might as well been running the mafia himself. But he didn't know who Vincenzo Corsi was, this man whose hands and abilities were very scary. There was a reason why even my uncle avoided him after all. 

He sputtered after a while and nodded before leaving the room. "Y-Yes, Underboss. I will relay your message to my father. Please excuse me."

We both left the room and went our seperate ways, not talking to each other at all. Although I was not satisfied with the outcome, I was still happy with the fact that Vincenzo had put my cousin and uncle in their place so I went back home immediately. 

The next day, I decided to surprise my son and pick him up from school since I was not receiving any big missions for now. I had already informed my mother about my plans so she took the day off while I drove to his school and looked around for his kindergarten teacher who was supposed to escort him to the gate. But as I look around, my heart stops for a moment when I see from afar my son and his teacher talking to an unknown man. I immediately rush to meet them as my other hand goes to my handgun hidden under my white shirt. My job brings many enemies so I prepare to whip it out to defend my child but instead, I get the surprise of my life when I approach them and discover the man's identity. 

"Momma! Momma!" My son runs to me with his usual happy smile and hugs my legs tightly before he tells me in a tiny voice. "Look! Dadda finally came to see me..."

My heart breaks at his last words but my eyes remain glued to the man in front of me. My whole body feels like stone with the only thought running through my mind is that I have been screwed. Dante who is dressed in a black suit and a white shirt similar to mine gives me a soft smile in front of our son and his teacher as he calls my name from his lips. "Marcella, you are here..."

I clench my fists tightly after the feeling of rage and pain flows through my veins seeing him acting like this was a reunion of some kind. He was the one who abandoned us and left us, how could he have the nerve to come back here again?!

"Momma?" After my prolonged silence, Pedro finally calls out to me with a questioning tone as he raises his head to look at me. 

I turn to the teacher who is uncomfortably waiting at the side observing the situation and smile with every restraint I can muster. "Uh...Mrs. Johnson, my husband and I need to have a small talk. Could you look after Pedro for a moment, please?"

I let the teacher take my child from my hands and I am grateful that Pedro is quite obedient because I am not sure how long I could control my emotions. I turn away and walk to a quiet corner and Dante follows me with his hands tucked in his pockets. I hear him trying to say something but I slap him hard across the face as soon as I turn to face him.

The sound echoes sharply in the air and then silence reigns between us for a brief moment. My eyes tears up quickly but the emotion of sadness only fuels my anger. "How dare you come near my son? Stay away from him and never come back-"

Dante who had been calm despite the fact I had slapped him suddenly grabbed my wrist with immense force, making me wince at the pain as he pulled me closely. I could see the anger in his eyes when he looked down on me and said icily. "He is also my son, Marcella. Don't ever hit me again."

"I will do worst if I see you near him again!" I yank my hand back and glare at him. Of course, it was madness to hit someone as dangerous as Dante but I didn't care. He was my enemy and my nemesis, there was no way I was going to allow him near my son no matter what part he played at his conception. 

Unfortunately, my strong emotions couldn't be as fierce as my physical reactions because soon enough, the tears that gathered in my eyes began to fall on my cheeks. I hate how weak I feel around this man, this person who I gave my heart to but he left me.....

I whip out my gun and aim it at him, my eyes darkening as I become more determined to see that my conditions are kept. "I am not playing, Dante. Don't come near us."

Dante sees me and then becomes somber as he takes a step back with his hands in the air. He seems pained for a second but then the expression vanishes. "I just want a moment with him. Just give me today and then I'll leave and never come back. Please, Marcella."

Although I hear his plea and my heart softens, my body agrees with my body because I raise the gun higher. The only reason I decide to agree to this is because since my son has already seen him, there is no way he is not going to want to spend some time with him, plus the secret desire in my heart for him to see just what he left when he abandoned us makes me say. "Promise me first. Just today and I will never see you near our son."

Dante brings his forefinger and middle finger to his lips before taking them to his heart as his eyes stays on me. I hear him whisper the words of a promise from a Made Man under his breath. "On my name Merciless, I swear it. I will not bother you or our son after today if you let me see him."

"Alright." I lower my gun and try to discreetly clean my wet face with my sleeve as I tell him. "When you are done, I will text you the address where we should meet so I can pick him up. You must keep him safe."

Dante nods. "I will."

When we return to our son together, I thank the teacher who walks away with a smile and then turn to my son and explain things to him. We had already agreed to tell Pedro that he would like to spend some time with him today before he goes back on a trip. A little child like him believes me immediately and then asks me. "But momma, can you come with us? I wanna play with the both of you!"

I look up at Dante for a brief second and prepare to spout another lie at my child but Dante beats me to it and agrees. "Of course, she can. I am sure that you will be very happy to spend some time with both of your parents."

I glare at the manipulative stunt Dante pulls in front of me but Pedro nods enthusiastically, leaving me with no choice. At the end, I give up trying to resist their plans and go along with them. After all, this would give me an opportunity to keep an eye on my son....

....and find out what Dante really wants from us.