Danté's POV.
(Phone rings)
"Danté! Eliane got into a car accident," Enzo gasped as he spoke, his breath heavy.
"What? Send me the address, I'm on my way," I replied urgently.
Without wasting a moment, I jumped into my car and raced towards the location as fast as I possibly could.
As I entered the hospital room, my heart sank at the sight of Eliane lying helplessly on the bed, blood seeping from the wound caused by the accident.
My mistake.She was my mistake, and now she was paying the price for it. If only I hadn't crossed paths with her, none of this would have happened.
I knew Eliane too well. Once she sets her mind on something, she never looks back, even if it meant getting hurt at the end.
"So, are you going to keep her or..." Enzo's voice trailed off, leaving the question hanging in the air.
That was something I hadn't quite figured out yet.
"No, I'm going to give her one final warning. If she continues to be stubborn, I'll have no choice," I replied, my eyes never leaving her pale face on the hospital bed.
"Does she still work at that place?" I turned to Enzo, seeking confirmation, and he chuckled.
"Do you doubt your power, Danté?" he laughed, giving me a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
He wasn't wrong. With just a snap of my fingers, I could make anything happen.
"Can you do me a favor and call Alex? I won't be staying for long,"
"Yeah, sure!" Enzo replied, flashing me a reassuring smile.
"Zara called me,so I'll see you later." He excused and we both went outside.
I stood outside the hospital room, my gaze fixed on Eliane through the small window.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door and entered the room. The sterile scent of the hospital filled my nostrils as I approached Eliane's bed. She lay there, bandaged and vulnerable.
A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips as I looked down at her.
"Danté?" She asked trying to gain consciousness.
I stared at her, as she gradually opened her eyes realizing the one who stood before her, ME.
Her eyes widened in shock and I spotted her slightly gulping.
"You've been quite a nuisance, Eliane," I said, my voice laced with a chilling calmness. "But your little investigation ends here."
Eliane's eyes widened more, a mix of fear and defiance flickering in her gaze. "You can't scare me, Danté. The truth will come out."
I let out a low, dark chuckle. "Oh, my dear, you have no idea what I'm capable of. You should have stayed in your lane, playing the innocent journalist. Now, you'll pay the price."
Leaning in closer, I whispered, my voice dripping with menace, "Consider this a warning. Drop your investigation, or you'll regret it. I have eyes everywhere, Eliane. Nowhere is safe."
With that, I straightened up and turned to leave, leaving Eliane shaken but determined. She may think she can challenge me, but little does she know, I always get what I want.
I walked out of the hospital, my mind consumed with thoughts of Eliane and the imminent danger she posed.
The drive to my mansion felt like an eternity, the weight of my secrets pressing down on me.
As I pulled up to the grand entrance, I saw my older brother, Pedro, waiting for me.
Pedro, with his commanding presence and sharp features, was the epitome of power. His piercing gaze held a hint of amusement as he watched me step out of the car.
He was always the one who seemed to have it all figured out, effortlessly navigating the intricate web of our family's dark dealings.
"Welcome home, little brother," Pedro said, his voice dripping with a mix of authority and brotherly condescension. "I heard about your little encounter at the hospital. Eliane seems to be causing quite a stir."
I clenched my jaw, my frustration mounting. "She's digging too deep, Pedro. She's getting closer to exposing everything."
Pedro smirked, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Well, Danté, it seems we have a problem on our hands. We can't have our secrets unraveling now, can we?"
I nodded, my determination resurfacing. "No, we can't. I'll take care of Eliane. She won't be a threat for much longer."
Pedro's gaze turned serious, his voice low and commanding. "Make sure you do, Danté. We can't afford any loose ends. Our family's legacy depends on it."
I understood the weight of his words. Our family's reputation and power were built on a delicate balance of secrets and control. Failure was not an option.
With a nod, I turned and walked into the mansion, the heavy doors closing behind me.
Pedro was supposed to be the leader of the Mafia not me. I'm not as strong and commanding like him. He was born with the qualities I was trained for it.
He lives his life as he wants and I was here, leading the most powerful mafia in the world, like it's my storyline.
"How was Italy." I finally spoke.
"Just handling family shits bro." He sighed as we walked.
Pedro and I retreated to the privacy of my study, the room enveloped in an air of secrecy and power.
The weight of our family's empire rested on our shoulders, and the stolen shipment was a direct challenge to our authority.
I poured myself a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid swirling in the glass as I took a sip, trying to calm the storm of emotions within me.
Pedro leaned against the mahogany desk, his eyes fixed on mine, a mix of determination and ruthlessness in his gaze.
"So, we finally found the rat who dared to steal from us," Pedro said, his voice low and filled with a cold resolve. "He thought he could get away with it, but he underestimated our reach."
I nodded, my grip on the glass tightening. "We can't let anyone think they can cross us without consequences. Our reputation as the most powerful mafia family in the city is at stake."
Pedro's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Exactly, Danté. We need to make an example out of him. Show everyone what happens when you betray us."
I knew what needed to be done. We couldn't afford any weakness within our organization. Loyalty and fear were the pillars that held our empire together.
"We'll take care of him tonight," I said, my voice steady but tinged with a hint of darkness. "He won't see it coming."
Pedro nodded, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Good. Send a message to our most trusted men. Make sure they handle it discreetly, leaving no trace behind."
I reached for my phone, ready to issue the orders. The wheels of retribution were set in motion, and there was no turning back. The thief had sealed his fate the moment he dared to cross our path.
It was a necessary evil, a reminder to all who dared to defy us that the consequences would be swift and merciless.
___
"Who are you working for?" I asked for the third time, pointing the gun to his chest.
"I did it alone please believe me and let me go." I felt pain in his voice.
" Or… we'll kill your wife and your two beautiful twins." Pedro smirked evilly.
" Please leave my family out of this-
"Then tell us." Pedro raised his voice with a demanding tone.
Without thinking twice, he pulls the trigger straight to his heart. If I didn't add,Pedro is an impatient person.
As he took his last breath, a flicker of fear crossed his eyes. With a voice barely above a whisper, he uttered a name that sent chills down my spine.
"Marco - " he confessed, his words hanging in the air like a haunting melody.
Pedro and I exchanged a glance, our eyes filled with unspoken questions.