In Vittorio's luxurious office, the smoke from his cigar filled the room, creating a dense and mysterious atmosphere. Seated in his imposing chair, he was lost in his thoughts when Rocco, his loyal capo, entered the room with a serious expression.
"Boss, Jason Barker is here. He wants to talk to you," Rocco said.
Vittorio raised an eyebrow, showing interest. He had called Jason for a specific reason and was curious to see how Ellis' brother would react to the situation. Without hesitation, Vittorio nodded, and Rocco opened the door for Jason to enter.
Jason walked into the office, exuding an air of nonchalance. His provocative gaze and a mocking smile on his face made it clear that he did not fear Vittorio or the possible consequences.
"So, Don Vittorio, what has my dear little sister done this time? Where do I take a bullet for her?" Jason said.
Vittorio chuckled briefly, knowing that Jason's defiant attitude was an attempt to hide the concern he possibly felt for his sister. He stood up from his chair and approached Jason slowly, giving him a penetrating look.
"Be careful with your words, Jason. We are not always prepared for the consequences they bring," Vittorio warned.
Vittorio's eyes locked with Jason's, making him uneasy. He sensed the fear in him and decided to seize the opportunity to achieve his own goals.
"Tell me, Jason, what would make Ellis happy? How can I win over your sister?" Vittorio asked.
Jason raised an eyebrow, surprised by the mafioso's direct question.
"What would make Ellis happy? Well, Don Vittorio, many things. I mean, not many, a few things..."
"Such as?" Vittorio inquired, curious.
Jason parted his lips to reveal what could impress Ellis but then stopped midway, putting on a mischievous smile.
"I might even help you win her over, but for that, we need to make a deal."
"A deal?" Vittorio questioned, expelling smoke from his lungs. "What kind of deal do you think you can make with me?"
"Well, I help you win over my sister, and in return, I join the family business," Jason proposed.
Vittorio looked at Jason with a mix of admiration and caution. He knew that by granting this request, he could put Ellis' safety at risk and lose her trust. But he also recognized Jason's ambition and determination.
"Jason, you have no idea what you're asking for. If I do this, Ellis will never forgive me. She would never accept her little brother joining the mafia," Vittorio warned.
Jason raised his hand, interrupting Vittorio.
"I'm old enough to make my own decisions, Don Vittorio. I want to join the mafia. If you don't allow me, I'll find another way to achieve my goal."
Vittorio studied Jason for a moment, evaluating his determination and courage. He understood that perhaps the young man could be useful, as long as he was trained and supervised properly. The mafioso took a deep breath and smiled slightly.
"Very well, Jason Barker. If you truly wish to join the mafia, I will be your goomba, your mentor," Vittorio agreed, standing up from his seat. He placed a hand on Jason's shoulder and continued, "But remember, once you're in, there's no turning back."
Vittorio and Jason locked eyes, sealing an implicit agreement. As the cigar smoke filled the office, the consequences of this decision began to unfold, casting shadows over the future of everyone involved.
***
In Vittorio's imposing closet, Ellis was focused on organizing her clothes, which had been taken out of the suitcase and carefully placed on hangers. She turned around and found another section of the closet with some of her husband's suits, which brought a sad smile to her face. The brunette approached and began gently caressing one of the mobster's suits while reliving the intense moments they had shared in her mind. The memory of the kiss in the car in Milan made her heart race.
Immersed at that moment, she didn't even notice when the bedroom door abruptly opened, allowing Vittorio to enter the closet. Their gazes met, and Ellis felt a shiver run down her spine as he approached slowly.
"Ellis..."
His hoarse voice, filled with desire, made her avert her gaze from the suits and lock eyes with the intense stare of the mobster.
"Tell me, if you were in my place, what would you do differently to get revenge on Tommaso Grecco?"
Ellis was momentarily surprised by the question; she didn't expect Vittorio to come there to talk about his rival but rather believed he would come to try to convince her about her uncle's matter.
"Tell me. On the plane, you always said there is another way to seek justice. I want to know what your way would be if you were in my position."
She frowned, deep in thought. She had never stopped to consider what it would be like to be in Vittorio's shoes as he intensely observed her. His eyes roamed over every feature of her face, capturing every expression, every subtle movement. He noticed the way she bit her lip, revealing a mix of anxiety and determination. Her slightly disheveled brown hair fell gently over her face, framing her deep brown eyes.
Vittorio felt a growing tension in the air. His desire to touch Ellis, to feel her skin against his own, was almost uncontrollable. But he forced himself to keep his distance, to remember that they were in the midst of a serious conversation.
As Ellis delved into her thoughts, pondering the actions she would take if she were in Vittorio's position, she lifted her gaze and found the mobster's penetrating gaze fixed on her. There was a palpable tension in the air, the electricity that enveloped them.
"If I were in your place, Vittorio, I would distance him from his business. I would negotiate with all his partners, gain their support, and lead him to abandon them. After all, what hurts a mobster more than being deprived of power over what he loves the most?"
A slight smile formed on Vittorio's lips, a smile that revealed a mixture of desire and admiration. He delicately tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, but his urge was to pull her closer, to envelop her in his arms.
"Very clever, Ellis. That would be a form of torture. I mean, you seemed so opposed to that method," observed Vittorio.
"I didn't say I was against torture, but rather against deriving pleasure from it," Ellis corrected, serious.
"I think you take pleasure in torturing me. I mean, you seem to take pleasure in torturing me..."
"And I thought we wouldn't talk about the airplane incident anymore..."
In the silence of the closet, they gazed at each other with seriousness. They knew that a magnetic tension continued to pulsate between them, waiting for the right moment to be released. The two moved closer to each other, and...
"Hey, is anyone here?"
Jason entered the room and walked towards the closet, interrupting the almost romantic moment between Vittorio and Ellis. Upon seeing
the scene, he made a disgusted face and quickly apologized.
"Sorry to interrupt, guys. I didn't know you were... occupied."
Vittorio, maintaining his impassive demeanor, nodded at Jason.
"It's alright, Jason. Ellis and I were just talking," explained the mobster. He glanced at Ellis and then said, "Thank you for the advice, Mrs. Amorielle."
Vittorio then walked out of the closet, leaving the siblings alone. Jason approached his sister, concerned about her downcast expression.
"Ellis, are you okay?"
Ellis sighed, shifting her gaze from Vittorio to her brother.
"No, Jason, I'm not okay. Everything is so confusing. I saw Vittorio kill his own uncle, poisoning him with a glass of whiskey. I saw him torture him, and it... it scares me. But at the same time, when I'm around him, I feel warmth, a connection that I can't explain..."
Jason remained silent for a moment, processing his sister's words. Then, an expression of understanding spread across his face.
"Ellis, I think I know what's happening. You're in love with Vittorio."
Ellis widened her eyes, surprised by her brother's direct revelation. She shook her head as if trying to deny it, but Jason's words had struck her conflicting feelings head-on.
"No, I can't be in love with him. It's wrong, it's dangerous. I... I can't deal with this. It's like there's a battle inside me between good and evil, between what's right and what's forbidden. I can't explain it, but when I see Vittorio, this overwhelming passion takes over."
Jason placed a comforting hand on Ellis' shoulder.
"I understand your confusion, Ellis, but love doesn't follow the rules. Sometimes, we fall in love with the most unexpected people. But you must take care of yourself and make decisions that are best for you."
Ellis turned to Jason, determined.
"I want to leave the mansion, Jason. This life, this world, is suffocating me. I can't continue here, pretending that all of this is right. I need to find a way to free myself, to rediscover who I am."
Jason nodded, understanding the urgency in his sister's eyes.
"Alright, Ellis. Let's find a way out together. You can count on me."
As they embraced, a mix of relief and determination engulfed Ellis. She knew the road ahead would be difficult and uncertain, but she was unsure if she could live without her mobster.
Meanwhile, Vittorio remained silent, having listened to the entire conversation, wearing a pensive expression. He understood Ellis' reasons and respected her decision. He left the room, contemplating whether he should go all in and try to win her over completely or if setting her free was the best course of action.