Chapter five

Rafaello's POV

Pain screamed through the walls; muffled cries and the metallic tang of blood thick in the air. A gunshot cracked followed by silence. The kind that clings to your skin like guilt. I stepped out of the torture room, letting the fear linger as I rolled down my sleeves.

Of course someone had to die before everyone understood how this mafia works.

Each step on the concrete echoed authority. The room shifted; tension snapped through the air like a live wire. Every eye in the room flicked toward me; even the toughest men stiffened under my stare. They feared me, the most ruthless Italian boss after my grandfather, the Godfather himself. Sometimes I wondered if I’d earned it, or if I was just living off the ghost of a legend.

I didn’t need to announce myself; my aura filled the room, quiet and deadly. I walked in, removing my dark sunglasses. I stared at my gold watch lazily. My grey eyes swept the room like steel blades, slicing through every flicker of fear and defiance. I let my presence fill the space, a quiet storm that promised consequences without a single word.

I cleared my throat roughly before finally speaking.

“Explain. Now. Why was my shipment seized by the authorities?”

The room grew heavier as I waited.

“Boss, we… we didn’t know it was going to be seized,” the man at the corner said.

“Santino!” My voice rolled like thunder, and my capo, my right hand, immediately understood.

The next thing that happened had them holding their breath. Santino took out his gun and shot the man who had just talked. The echo of the gunshot bounced off the walls. No one moved. The smell of gunpowder and fear filled the air. My men didn’t blink; they knew better.

“The next time you talk to the boss, you stand up straight, or the next bullet will go through your heart,” his voice echoed as I watched with a cruel smile, pulling out my cigar like nothing had just happened.

The dull smoke from my mouth spread through the room like a fog of menace.

“Basta!” (Enough.)

“I want the shipment brought in within an hour. Fail me, and dig your own graves, starting tonight.” I pointed at each one of them. They knew this was not a warning nor a threat. I meant every word.

“No room for mistakes. Either it’s done, or you’re done.” I slammed my fist on the table, making the room vibrate. Then I gestured for them to leave, except for Santino. Could my day get any worse?

My gaze shifted to my laptop; I needed to know what that woman was doing. I flipped through the CCTV feeds. There she was, strutting into the kitchen like she owned it. And yes… in nothing but a towel.

“Damn!” I roared, hurling the laptop into the wall. Her hands trembled, betraying the lies she tried to hide.

“Man, you need to calm down,” Santino said, gesturing for me to sit.

“I told you she’s trouble, and I’m gonna deal with her.”

“Holy shit!” He cursed, looking at his phone.

“What?” I raised my eyebrows, curious.

“She worked there. The report was right.”

That was all I needed to hear to deal with them.

“I need to go. You take care of the shipment issue and report to me when things change,” I said, taking my car key.

“Yes, boss.”

I walked to the underground parking lot, got into my black sedan, and drove off. I held the steering wheel tightly as my eyes turned red. Then my phone rang. The screen displayed Nico; he was one of my best men, in charge of security at the mansion.

“This better be a life-or-death situation, Nico,” I growled.

“Boss, the woman tried to escape, and…”

“Have her secured. I’ll be there,” I thundered before hanging up. One wrong glance, one misplaced word, and she’d regret it for the rest of her life.

Something about her face crawled under my skin, made my blood boil for reasons I didn’t understand. She reminded me of someone. Maybe that’s why I wanted to break her first.

After twenty minutes I arrived; the heavy metal gates opened as I drove in roughly. I got down and kicked the mansion door open.

I strode through the halls, ignoring the servants’ greetings, heading for the living room.

“Son, you’re back,” my mother said.

“Not now, mother. I don’t have the energy to exchange words with you,” I said, ignoring her before rushing upstairs.

Her voice was calm, too calm. Like she’d seen this side of me before. That only made me angrier.

I clicked the door open to find her tired, sitting in a chair.

“You…” she was about to say something when I slapped her hard across the face, sending the chair sideways as she fell to the floor.

I yanked her hair, forcing her to meet my eyes.

“Did you really think you could ruin everything I built and walk away?” I hissed. The fear in her eyes was loud enough to fill the room.

“Did Vescari send you to me? Are you one of his whores? How much did he pay you?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she cried.

Her fake tears weren’t getting her out of this.

“Wrong answer.”

I kicked her side as she rolled toward the bed, and she yelped in pain, but I couldn’t care. No remorse. No mercy.

“You thought I wouldn’t know. You were sent to bend me, to kneel me. Wrong move.”

“Please, please, I’m sorry,” she pleaded.

I pulled her up and threw her onto the bed. “You might have fooled my mother, but not me. Walking around like you own this place, like the desperate fool you are. Now I’m gonna give you what you wanted.” I taunted her.

I grabbed her roughly; her fear fed my fury. I didn’t need to raise my voice. The tension alone was a weapon sharper than any blade.

I pulled off her hoodie. I tore off her shirt, exposing her black bra. My hands touched her roughly as she wiggled and cried beneath me.

I grabbed her by the neck and kissed her lips violently until I felt blood, then withdrew. Her face turned red as she gasped for air.

I got up, ready to unbuckle my belt.

Then she got off the bed, kneeling in front of me, her body trembling like a frail twig.

“I’m sorry. Please, I’ll do anything. I’ll tell you anything you want to know,” she pleaded as tears streamed down her face.

“Then talk, damnit!” I yelled.

“I didn’t… I didn’t.”

“One word. The wrong word, and y

ou’ll regret it in ways you can’t imagine.” I threatened angrily, my voice promising nothing but destruction.