Her Secrets

51

Athena's POV

Sean had Joseph tied to a chair.

He had removed his own suit and used it to tie Joseph's hand on the arm of the chair. Before that, he made Joseph remove his own suit to tie his other hand.

Right now, Sean only had his white shirt with his sleeves rolled up and the first two were buttons unbuttoned as he stood in front of Joseph, power radiating of him.

Joseph was scared, it was obvious. He was biting his lips to prevent them from trembling, his hands were shaking and his eyes held evident fear. I wouldn't blame him— Sean did look scary as hell at that time.

"I'm not going to ask you this again," Sean said, his voice void of emotions as he stared down at Joseph, "who else is involved in this contract of yours that hasn't been mentioned?"

"T–th–e S–sp–an–ish," Joseph stuttured out earning a huff from Sean, "yeah, we already know about that one. Who else?"

"Th–The M–me–mexican," Joseph again stuttured which made Sean let out a sigh, "we know about them too. However, they have been destroyed, haven't they? Then how are they involved in this whole shit?"

"L–Luigi's son h–has b–b–been recruiting," Joseph informed, his head hung low, "he's trying to rebuilt his father's empire from scratch— although I told him that I..." He glanced up at me before returning his eyes to his lap, "I would hand my mafia— the french mafia over to him if it ever comes to it. But Pedro is hell bent on continuing his father's legacy."

"Pedro?" Sean repeated, his brows furrowed, "that's his name? Pedro Gonzalez?"

"Yes," Joseph nodded, "he wants to avenge his father. He—" Joseph paused, looking up at Sean, "—he wants Alessio Romano and everyone one he cares about dead."

"Wow," Sean drawled out sarcastically, "he sure dreams big."

Joseph let out a hoarse laugh at that, "you seriously have no idea, do you?"

"What are you talking about?" I asked, twirling my blade in my hand. Joseph looked at me and flashed me a smirk before turning to look at Sean again, "there are so many people who wants you dead. So much so that they've agreed to form an alliance with me— with us, the Spanish mafia and myself while the Mexican mafia is rebuilding."

"By people you mean—" Sean was cut off by Joseph, "— I mean other mafias as well as your business rivals— those who aren't scared to get their hands a little dirty for money."

"Business rivals." Sean repeated with a scoff, running a hand through his hair, "of course. But you do know that they stand no chance, right?"

"They don't know that." Joseph laughed, shaking his head, "they don't know how powerful you people are, I didn't tell them. Only Matteo and Pedro knows just how powerful you guys are thus they know to be careful but those business rivals of yours have no fucking idea." He shot us an evil smirk, "which is what makes is amusing."

"What's amusing in it?" I questioned, pausing my action momentarily, "what are you getting from this?"

"I, my dearest Athena, had made them sign this contract with me which clearly states that they are to give me twenty percent of their salary or something while I provide them with weapons they would need to take you people down. While I'm leading them to their deaths, they are giving me money thinking that taking you people down will be easy."

"Then how come none of them has even attempted an attack yet?" Sean asked, raising his brows at my dear grandfather who shrugged, "I don't know what they're planning, Blackwood. All I know is that I gave them weapons and they gave me money. The contract states that they are not to tell anyone about our... you know, worlds."

"So not only did you rat yourself out—" Sean began, his hand going to his waistband as he took out his gun making Joseph's eyes widen, "— but you also ratted me and my friends out— telling people about our businesses which you shouldn't have done. Do you know how stupid that was of you?"

"I don't care as long as you and your so called friends are gone!" Joseph snapped, lurching forward as he attempted to stand up and break free but it was impossible to which only resulted in him falling backwards. "I hate you people!"

"Why, because we're more powerful than you?" Sean asked to which he nodded without hesitation, "yes! This is a game of power and I don't care who I have to kill to become the most p—" he was cut off with a bullet right in his throat. His eyes widened as he began to bleed out and choke.

I turned to Sean, "I was the one who was supposed to kill him." He rolled his eyes, nodding in Joseph's direction, "well, he's not dead... yet. But he'll be in six seconds if you don't—" He cut himself off when I shot Joseph again in his throat.

Sean cleared his throat and nodded, "well, that settles it."

"Now we just have to kill that Pedro guy and leave."

"Carter's already killed him while we were here." Sean informed nonchalantly, "I'll have the papers ready for you to... take over."

"Can I do that whole leading stuff later? I don't want to take over anything right now," I frowned at the thought of having the responsibility of a thousands of men and women.

Sean mirrored my expression, "what are you talking about? You were ready just a few minutes ago."

I let out a sign, "at first it all sounded great and fun but it doesn't— not anymore. I mean, I've always worked alone, you know? I do things alone, I've taken my revenge alone, I've done everything on my own."

"What revenge?" He asked, confusion and curiosity laced in his features, "I shook my head, dismissing the question, "it's nothing important. Anyway, having the responsibility of a whole mafia doesn't sound— It doesn't sound like it's something that I could do. The idea of ruling a whole damn mafia sounds hot as fuck—" I paused when I noticed his lips twitch up, "—but it's not me."

I had other reasons— reason. A more valid one which I could, under no circumstances tell Sean about. If I was to agree leading the French Mafia now, I'd receive a lot of attention which would potentially risk people knowing about my biggest secret.

I've got a lot of secrets, Sean already knew part of it. Him or anyone else finding out about the other part would fuck everything up.

"You just have to boss around," he said, "I mean, you're right. It is a huge responsibility. You will have to decide everything for them— unless you want to appoint someone else as their temporarily boss while you pull the strings from behind, that works too. However, on papers, you'll be the boss."

"So I don't need to be physically present to boss around? That's what you're saying? That can be done?" I asked to which he nodded, humming, "yeah, it can be. But you need to choose someone who you trust— like really trust."

"I don't know a lot of people." I shrugged, "I don't really trust anyone excluding Alessio and you, of course."

"I'm flattered." He flashed me a smirk which made me roll my eyes as I resumed speaking, "but you both already have your own mafias so... do you know anyone who could— I don't know... Take over this mafia?"

"Antonio." He replied after a moment of silence. I furrowed my brows, "Antonio as in Antonio De Luca?" He nodded, "yeah, yeah that one. I mean, he's going to agree without a doubt. His life kinda suck anyway, maybe that will make it more interesting and besides he's always wanted to play boss. But of course you're the actual boss. You shouldn't forget that. I'll talk to him."