Mafia Kingpin: A Dark, Thrilling Organized Crime Romance

170

Aliyah took in another deep breath, and my heart hammered against my chest, as I felt the guilt and sadness eat me up on the inside.

"I was put in an induced coma for months to help me recover...

"When I finally woke up, ready to get better-

"My boss realised how much danger he was putting me in, by putting me in charge of getting intel on Steve's mafia.

"He moved me far away to the other side of the country, waiting for me to make a full recovery-

"And then put me in charge of new tasks that weren't as dangerous.

"I had to have my identity changed to a new name, and I had to have my look changed a little to make me less recognisable.

"Grew out my hair, had to get a fucking lip job and stop using fake tan..."

My blood felt like it was running cold. She'd been through so much because of me... And I had the audacity to accuse her of shit, when I didn't know the half of it...

I couldn't help but blame myself. I blamed myself, for bringing her into my life... For pursuing her, knowing how much danger it would put her in. I felt terrible.

But in a way, my mind was at rest. Knowing that she still loved me. Knowing that the reason she didn't keep me in the loop, wasn't because she was afraid of me... But because of her work, and the fact that she had to focus on getting better.

Most of all...

I was just grateful that she was still alive.

I was going crazy without her... And I think everybody around me noticed how much my mental health suffered as a result.

I sighed heavily, tracing her face with my finger gently. "I'm so sorry you had to go through all this, baby..." I broke off my sentence, a tear sliding down my cheek.

"I wasn't allowed to stay in touch with anyone or else it would've blown my new identity," Aliyah admitted timidly. "And it was hell, living without you..." Tears started streaming down her cheeks. "I heard you cry and scream when the bullet went through me... And it took me a long time to learn to live without you.

"But it's been years now, and I still couldn't stop thinking about you.

"I came back to the club tonight to help me relive some happy memories...

"Because it was the same club that I met you in.

"It made me feel good.

"I never, in a million years, expected to see you here."

She took in another deep breath.

"I won't be a secret agent anymore, if it means we can both have a chance again..." she began, and I could feel my heart leap to my throat. "I love you too much to let a job get in the way..."