The Mafia’s Forbidden Desire

ANTONIO I racked my brain on my way to the Moretti mansion, trying to think of what Roberto needed my help for, but no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t come up with anything. But what I did know was that whatever it was, it was really important, possibly a life-or-death matter; if not, the pride-ridden Roberto I knew wouldn’t have asked for my help. “How’s Rosa? And Carlo?” That was the first question he asked me when I entered his office. “Oh, thank you for gracing my invitation.” I drew the visitor’s seat and settled on it. “That should have been the first thing you said to me.” He sighed. “Thank you for coming, Antonio.” A wicked smile flashed on my lips. “You’re welcome.” “So, how’s my daughter and my grandson?” He asked, making a steeple with his fingers. “They are perfect,” I said. He didn’t need to know about the whole Rebecca situation. “So…” I planted both elbows on the table, looking directly into his eyes. “Why did you call me here?” “I have a problem.” He pressed his lips tightly together, sighing. “A very big problem.” I raised my brow, urging him to continue. “A few years ago, I had business with a family based in Italy. Two brothers. Mario and Fabio came down to New York because of issues concerning the deal. But unfortunately, they were murdered here in New York. I didn’t kill them.” He explained. I grimaced. “So?” “Now, the father of those brothers, Paolo, is in town, seeking revenge after all those years. I told him I didn’t kill them then, and he believed me. But I don’t know what changed now.” “So?” My contortion grew darker. If he thought I was going to help him fight his battle, he was wrong. I didn’t give a damn about him. “I need you to help me take him down.” He muttered. A wicked laugh emanated from my throat before my countenance went serious again. “And you think I would help you? Why?” “I know you would.” He said rather confidently. I raised a brow. “Why?” He picked up an envelope and handed it to me. “What is this?” I wondered out loud as I took the envelope and checked the content. My eyes narrowed when I saw that it was filled with pictures of Rosalinda and Sofia’s. I even appeared in some of the pictures that had Rosalinda in them. “What is this?!” I demanded with a growl. “The father is threatening to take revenge on my daughters. He sent me these pictures, showing he had been stalking them for weeks now. He wants me to live in fear of losing my daughters at any damn time.” A sharp feeling stabbed my chest and erupted throughout my body, boiling so violently-anger. “Where is this motherfucker? And who the fuck killed his sons?” I growled. Fuck! Roberto’s confidence was warranted after all. He knew so well that I could never say no when it involved Rosalinda’s life. I couldn’t see a potential threat to her life and ignore it. I had to take the motherfucker’s down before he made any move. “I have done my research, and I found out that he’s lodged in the Crescent Hotel.” He informed me. “Do you have a picture of him?” I groaned. He nodded before handing me the picture of a man who was clearly of Italian origin and seemed to be in his sixties with grey hair. “I would have gone there myself, but…” he said, opening his arms. “As you can see, I am not strong enough, and you are the only one I trust to get it done without leaving loose ends. I hate to admit it, but you are incredibly smart. Matteo and Giovanni would go with you, with enough men for backup.” “I wouldn’t do your dirty jobs for you again!” I groaned. “I am only doing this because Rosalinda is involved.” “And that’s why I haven’t blown off your head yet. Because you are the only one I could trust to protect my daughter, even after I am not here anymore. I’ve seen how much you love her, and I know you could give up your life for her if need be. And your son, too. Let’s leave the discussion about your son, Carlo, for another day.” The nerve! “The feeling is the same. The only reason I hadn’t plucked out your heart is because she’d hate me if I did.” I retorted fiercely. He chuckled softly before his expression went serious again. Looking into my eyes, he muttered the last thing I had expected to hear. “Thank you. I am sincerely grateful.” I grimaced in response. *** Without wasting further time, I, Matteo, Giovanni, and some of Roberto’s men went to the hotel where the so-called Paolo Rinaldi had lodged. We had to make a move before he made his own move. We had to be one step ahead. As Matteo, Giovanni, and I stood outside the hotel building, staring at it, I muttered. “We have to make sure he’s inside before we make any move.” “And that’s why I invited this angel.” Giovanni grinned. I followed his line of sight to see a young, tall blonde woman walking towards us in exaggerated heels. “Hello beautiful.” He placed a kiss on her cheek. He turned to look at me, grinning. “Meet my sexy little help. She’d go to the reception and ask to see him. We’d know if he’s around or not from there, because the receptionist would say. No stress.” I nodded, settling my gaze on the ‘little help’ “Ask them in a way they wouldn’t suspect you have no idea of his whereabouts. If they say he isn’t around, tell them he wants the room clean when he comes back. They’d send a cleaner to the room. We would take it up from there. And make sure to get the room number from them; do it in a way they wouldn’t suspect anything.” “And if he’s around?” She raised a blow, staring at me flirtatiously. “Then it would be harder to reach him. Just get the room number and come up with an excuse as to why you need to leave. Make sure they don’t call him to inform him of your presence. Return to us afterwards, and we’ll take it up from there.” A smile curled on her face. “Okay.” Darting her gaze at Giovanni, her expression went dead serious. “Five thousand. It must be complete after I get it done.” He smirked. “Deal.” “Okay!” She exclaimed, her signature saccharine smile returning to her lips. She winked at me before going ahead to cat-walk into the hotel building. ***

The blonde executed the plan perfectly, and a cleaner was sent to clean Paolo’s room. We went into the building immediately and seized the opportunity to occupy the room. Just as the cleaner opened the room and slipped inside, we followed behind her. “Can you come back later, please?” I asked, faking a sweet smile. “We have business to discuss.” “Okay.” The lady nodded and turned back to leave, without any suspicion. “Smart.” Giovanni commended, grinning. “We didn’t have to get the key to access the room.” “Now all we have to do is wait for him to return, hitting him with the element of surprise.” I muttered as I strolled further into the room and settled on the sofa. We had Roberto’s men dispersed all around the hotel for backup and also to be on the watch for Paolo Rinaldi, notifying us of his return. It wasn’t even up to thirty minutes before one of the men outside called. “He just arrived. He’s going up now.” We immediately became alert, the three of us positioning ourselves in the room, awaiting his arrival. A few minutes later, the door creaked open, and the man who we had been expecting walked in with two other men. They hadn’t noticed us immediately, and when they did, the two men beside him tried to retrieve their guns, but Giovanni and Marco were quick to drill one bullet each through their hearts before they did. “Who are you?!” Paolo demanded, his features clouded with fears he tried so hard to hide. “Paolo Rinaldi. Don’t pretend you don’t know us. Even if you don’t know them.” I gestured at Giovanni and Matteo before returning my gaze to him. “You most definitely know me. I’ve seen myself in the pictures you took while stalking my wife.” “I have no business with you, so-” “Of course you do. You are trying to kill my wife, so you definitely have business with me!” I interjected. I took a step closer, my tone darkening. “You don’t threaten her life!” I cocked my gun, pointing it at him. “You should have remained in Italy.” He took a deep breath, his lips trembling as he saw his life flashing before his eyes. “Drop the gun and let’s talk.” “Talk to yourself in hell!” I groaned, and without hesitation, I pulled the trigger. Giovanni slipped his gun into his waistband, grinning as he stared at me. “God job, Antonio! Beer?” Shaking my head, I sighed. “No.” Inching closer to the dead man on the floor, I carefully took the pack of cigarettes that was peeking from his pocket and cleaned the blood stain on it with my white handkerchief. Stuffing the stained handkerchief into my pocket and lighting the cigarette, I turned to look at Giovanni and Matteo. “I’ll take my leave now.” “Sourvenier uh?” Matteo chuckled, staring at the cigarette with amusement. “Maybe.” I walked out of the room afterwards. I didn’t need to hide from the surveillance camera as I made my way out of the hotel, as it had been disconnected before we began the operation. Just as I stepped out of the building, I heard a loud thud, and that was followed by screams from all corners.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

My brows furrowed as I turned my head to the side to see the cause of the commotion. Under the hazy glow of the street lights, a woman sprawled across a crumpled car roof. Her lifeless eyes wide in shock, her hair splayed out on the shattered glass, her body twisted in an unnatural angle with blood pooling around her. I gasped, a profound sense of recognition washing over me. Oh, my God. Rebecca.