Mac woke up in Noelle's embrace. She blinked away the remnants of sleep, while her mind immediately flooded with thoughts.
She snuggled closer to Noelle with a sense of unease settled in her stomach. All she could think about was that they were going to break into the Bonnano mansion. She had faith in them, but she struggled to see how they were all going to make it. Noelle's presence beside her gave some comfort, but she was still scared.
"Noelle," Mac murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, "what if things go wrong today?"
Noelle tightened her hold around Mac, "we've been through worse, Mac. We'll get through this too."
Mac's brows furrowed, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios. She turned around to face the dark-haired girl, "but what if..."
"No," Noelle interrupted firmly, her emerald eyes meeting Mac's. "We can't afford to dwell on the what ifs. We're ready. We've trained for this."
Despite Noelle's words, Mac couldn't shake the nagging sense of doubt that lingered in the back of her mind.
Noelle gently brushed a strand of hair away from Mac's face. "I was thinking, while we're, away... that Marley or maybe your father could come over before we leave?"
Mac hesitated for a moment, but quickly realized that Marley was the only one that knew what she was going through, as Massimo was going as well. She had somewhat made amends with her father, but she didn't feel comfort from him, not anymore.
"Marley," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, her gaze dropping to the sheets beneath her. "I... I need her today."
Noelle nodded understandingly, pressing a tender kiss to Mac's forehead. "I'll call her right away. Everything is going to be fine, Mac. I promise."
*
"It is happening today, George. You know what will happen if you don't step up!" Michelle growled through the phone. She paced through her bedroom, anxious that George might not take over after Paul.
"You've known that for so many years, Michelle! I absolutely want nothing to do with that! I'm not fit to lead a fucking mafia group! Nor do I want to!" he yelled back.
"They'll go after Mac! Besides, I could teach you everything you need to know, it's really not that hard," Michelle started.
"That's not fair! Don't use our daughter to get want you want. They'll find someone else," George argued.
"They won't, and you know that... You have learned to disappear and you are a coward, so they won't target you. Mac is still young, so the council there can manipulate her how they want," Michelle said as she sat down on the edge of her bed.
"I don't understand why you don't use her and unite? If she rules there, she'll be safe from both them and you. Merge, and then you rule both or something," George suggested.
"Even if I wanted to, I couldn't, they wouldn't follow me. You know how it is, the leader must be of Bonnano blood," Michelle argued, not understanding how he could propose something like that.
"Then for goodness sake, have her rule everything. She is from both families. Make Paul's biggest nightmare come true. Be the biggest mafia family, not only in Forest Hills, but in the whole country," George kept arguing. Michelle thought he had changed, at least a little bit, but no. He was still weak. He couldn't take responsibility. He was born into this. He moved with Mac away from this world all those years ago because he didn't want Mac anywhere near it, but now he thought she could rule not one, but two families?
"Not a chance!" Michelle growled before hanging up and throwing her phone on the bed.
She paced back and forth again, the weight pressing down on her shoulders. The conversation with George had left her feeling frustrated and powerless, and she never felt powerless. She had hoped he would step up and take charge, just this once, and ensure their daughter's safety, but no.
As Michelle paced, she considered her options. Her mind raced with thoughts of Mac's potential leadership. She had seen Mac grow the last months, and there was no denying her capability. Perhaps she was the answer? And maybe unifying the families wouldn't be the worst idea? They would be stronger, and they'd lose their biggest threat.
With a sense of clarity coming to her, Michelle realized that Mac could possess the strength, intelligence, and determination needed. Despite her young age, Mac had proven herself time and again, she had shown a natural adaption into their world. She still needed to learn a lot, but Michelle believed that Mac had the potential to learn quickly and adapt.
She reached her decision. She would put her full support behind Mac, helping and guiding her as the new Bonnano Capo. With a determined nod, Michelle decided to wait until after the mission to share her decision with her daughters.
Hours later, the inner circle gathered for dinner, and the tension in the air was so thick it could be cut with a knife. They ate in silence, as everyone was lost in their own thoughts. Mac glanced around the table, observing everyone's tense shoulders and furrowed brows. At this point, she was almost relieved she wasn't going. Seeing them all so on edge, despite their years of training, send a shiver down her spine.
*
"We leave in an hour. Marley should be here soon," Noelle told Mac. They were alone in Noelle's room, as the dark-haired girl needed some peace and quiet before leaving. The blonde could feel the tension radiating from her body, her heartbeat beating fast beneath Mac's ear. Nestled between Noelle's legs, with her head resting against her chest, Mac gently stroked her fingers along Noelle's arm, offering a silent gesture of comfort.
"I'll be here with you until you leave," she assured.
Noelle's shoulders relaxed slightly at Mac's words, and a small smile formed at her lips. "Thanks, love."
Mac glanced out the window, watching as the sun dipped lower in the sky.
"Are you scared?" the blonde asked quietly, turning back to Noelle.
Noelle hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Terrified," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I have to do this. For the family, for everyone we care about. This mission is not about morality, it's about power, control, which is the worst kinds of missions if you ask me."
Mac lifted her head slightly to meet Noelle's gaze, her eyes filled with understanding. "It's okay to be nervous. But you've got each other's backs."
Noelle squeezed Mac's hand back, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. "Yeah," she murmured.
"And I'll be here waiting for you when you get back," Mac murmured softly. She pressed a tender kiss to Noelle's chest, her lips lingering for a moment before she settled back into the comforting embrace.
Noelle's fingers threaded through Mac's hair, holding her close as they waited for Marley. The minutes ticked by slowly, until a message ticked into Noelle's phone, informing her that Marley was there. As the message came through, Noelle's heart skipped a beat. She glanced at Mac, "it's time."
Mac nodded, reluctantly pulling away from their embrace. "I'll be right here," she promised, her gaze unwavering. With a gentle hand, she cupped Mac's cheek, pulling her closer until their lips met in a long, passionate kiss. The world seemed to fade away, leaving only the warmth of their shared affection. Noelle's heart raced, her fingers entwined in Mac's hair, holding her close. For a fleeting moment, time stood still as they poured their emotions into the kiss.
As they parted, Noelle gave Mac a final forehead kiss. "I'll be back," was the last thing she said before leaving the room.
YOU ARE READING
Mafia by Blood (wlw)
RomanceForest Hills is a seemingly ordinary town. Tired of her father's alcoholism and with a desire to meet her older sister she didn't know she had, seventeen-year-old Mac decides to move back to her hometown. She even applied to the same restaurant whe...
