A love like ours ✔️

♛45.Chaos

Soraya

Ever since I was 18, and I got my first promotion as a Lieutenant, proving once and for all that I've earned my place in the Morelli ranks not by lineage, but by sweat, blood and the cunning of my mind, I've never once been nervous to step into a room the leaders of my father's Mafia were gathered in. They couldn't make me feel less than or like don't belong no matter how many times they made snide remarks or even directly questioned my competence. I knew my worth so I worked to prove it.

Now, even with two small victories for the day, consisting in a successful interview with the press and a smooth transition as the CEO of the MC's, for the first time in more than 7 years my anxioisness is a living breathing creature, coiling inside my stomach and slithering along my airways, making my breaths fast and shallow.

Nyx struts at my heel, looking almost like an extension of my black velvet dress. When she growls lowly, I run my gloved hand trough her fur to calm down both of us. To my right, my husband towers over me, even though I'm wearing high heels. His warm hand is settled at the small of my back and I lean into him, seeking comfort into his virility.

That makes him look at me, and I can see the determination into his chocolate eyes, a promise of brutal violence that will be unleashed against anyone who dares to slight me burning in their golden specks. He was protective of me before, but now, after he spent months wondering whether or not I was alive, his insitincts to keep me safe are thrumping over everything else.

"Try not to kill anyone, amore." I joke, flashing a smile at him, but his mood remains as dark as his charcoal black suit, his only response being a shake of his head.

"There are a couple of Capos we could go without, though." Addie quips in from behind me. The sound of paper shuffling makes it clear, even without looking, that she's yet again organising the contents of the binder she's carrying to help settle her nerves.

"No argument there." Enzo mumbles as he steps ahead of our group to get the the double door that leads to the meeting room in papa's home for us.

Forcing down all my uneasiness, I plaster a cold smile on my face and step inside. The leaders of the Morelli Mafia are all already gathered around a long table, each having glasses of whiskey or wine in front of them. The smell of fine tabacco smoke floats in the air along with hints of expensive cologne, none more enticing that the one my husband wears.

Behind every one of the men stands their right hand, who also act as their bodyguards for the night since  only the Don and the First Capo are allowed to bring one during a general meeting. And there, at the head of the table, sits the man who's been reigning over them all with an iron fist for almost four decades, Damiano Morelli.

Looking at him now, while the signs of his declining health are very subtle, they are still there. But to those who don't know the truth, the dark circles underneath his eyes, the hair that's gone all white and the bone tiredness he exudes can be all blamed on the duress my disappearance has put him under. This man I love so deeply, is slowly fading away and there's nothing I can do about it. I've never in my entire life felt so powerless.

Conversation dies down as they notice me, their eyes searching my frame for signs of harm or damage, for a noticeable change. Some of them are visibly intimidated by lovely pet. Though it's not the first time they've seen her around, I've never brought her to a meeting before.

"Good evening, gentlemen. Don." I greet, and they all rise to they feet their feet.

"Benvenuti." Papa says, as we aproach him. He kisses me on both cheeks, then shakes Teo's hand and inclines his head towards Enzo, who remained by the door and then in Adira's way. "We've missed your presence among us, figlia." He gestures for me to take my seat at his right. (welcome; daughter)