My Mafia Queen Only

Chapter 3

Creazo's POV

As the echo of Armando's departing footsteps faded, I felt a surge of frustration course through me. My carefully laid plans, disrupted in an instant by that hot-headed fool. I took a deep breath, forcing my features into a mask of calm before turning to face my guards.

"Gentlemen," I said, my voice low and controlled, but laced with icy displeasure. "Would someone care to explain how Armando managed to waltz through our security as if he were taking a leisurely stroll in the park?"

The guards shifted uncomfortably, avoiding my gaze. I didn't raise my voice – I didn't need to. The weight of my disappointment hung heavy in the air.

"I see," I continued, straightening my cuffs. "Perhaps we need to revisit our training protocols. After all, we wouldn't want to give the impression that the Creazo estate is anything less than impenetrable, would we?"

One brave soul stepped forward. "Sir, we underestimated his—"

I held up a hand, silencing him. "Excuses are for the weak. Results are for the strong. I expect better. Dismissed."

As they filed out, I allowed myself a moment of reflection. Sylvia's presence had stirred something in me – something I thought long buried. The way she looked at me, with a mixture of curiosity and barely concealed attraction... it was intoxicating.

Armando might have won this round, but the game was far from over.

Sylvia's POV

The ride back to Armando's estate was tense, the silence between us charged with unspoken accusations. As soon as we entered his study, the dam broke.

"What were you thinking, Sylvia?" Armando demanded, his dark eyes flashing with anger and hurt. "Running off like that, and with Creazo of all people!"

I felt my own temper flare. "What was I thinking? I was thinking that my fiancé had been lying to me! Those pictures, Armando – you and Rosina..."

He ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in every movement. "Those pictures are fake, can't you see that? It's a setup, probably orchestrated by Rosina herself."

"And I'm just supposed to believe you?" I shot back, even as a small part of me wanted desperately to do just that.

"Yes!" he roared, then immediately softened his tone. "Yes, you are. Because I love you, Sylvia. Only you."

I felt tears pricking at my eyes. "I don't know what to believe anymore, Armando. This world of yours – the danger, the secrets... I don't know if I can do this."

His face fell, and for a moment, I saw the vulnerability behind his tough exterior. "Sylvia, please..."

But I was already moving towards the door. "I need time, Armando. Time to think."

As I left, I heard him call out behind me, but I didn't turn back. My heart was too conflicted, torn between my love for Armando and the growing doubts that threatened to consume me.

Armando's POV

I watched Sylvia leave, feeling as if my world was crumbling around me. How had everything gone so wrong so quickly? The urge to go after her, to make her understand, was almost overwhelming. But I knew pushing her now would only drive her further away.

A knock at the door interrupted my brooding. "What?" I snapped.

Tiro, one of my most trusted men, entered cautiously. "Boss, your sister has arrived."

I blinked, momentarily thrown. With everything that had happened, I'd completely forgotten that Aria was flying in today. "Right, of course. Where is she?"

"In the main living room, sir. She seems... agitated."

I sighed. Just what I needed – more drama. "I'll be right there."

Aria's POV

I paced the opulent living room, my heels clicking against the marble floor. Coming back home felt surreal, especially considering how I'd left. The naive girl who'd run away from the family business, determined to live a "normal" life, was gone. In her place stood a woman hardened by heartbreak and betrayal.

The door opened, and I turned, expecting to see Armando. Instead, I found myself face to face with a man I didn't recognize. He was tall, with kind eyes that seemed at odds with his muscular build and the gun holstered at his side.

"Miss Aria?" he said, his voice surprisingly gentle. "I'm Tiro, one of your brother's associates. He'll be here shortly."

I nodded, suddenly feeling awkward. "Right, thanks. I'll just... wait then."

Tiro smiled, and I felt an unexpected flutter in my stomach. "Can I get you anything? Water? Coffee?"

"No, I'm fine," I replied, perhaps a bit too quickly. What was wrong with me? I'd sworn off men, especially those involved in the family business.

An uncomfortable silence fell between us. I cleared my throat. "So, um, how long have you worked for my brother?"

"About five years now," Tiro answered. He seemed about to say more when Armando burst into the room.

"Aria!" he exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug. "Welcome home, little sister."

As I hugged him back, I couldn't help but notice Tiro quietly slipping out of the room. Our eyes met briefly, and I felt that strange flutter again. This homecoming was going to be more complicated than I'd anticipated.

Sylvia's POV

I found myself wandering the city, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and emotions. The excitement of my upcoming wedding had been replaced by doubt and fear. Was I really ready to commit my life to Armando's world?

Without realizing it, my feet had carried me to a small, elegant café. As I approached, I saw a familiar figure sitting at one of the outdoor tables.

"Sylvia," Creazo said, standing as I neared. "What a pleasant surprise."

I hesitated, knowing I should walk away. But something in his eyes – concern, perhaps? – made me stay. "Mind if I join you?"

He pulled out a chair for me, his movements graceful and controlled. "I was hoping we might have a chance to talk, actually. About what happened earlier."

As I sat down, I felt a strange sense of calm wash over me. Here, with Creazo, the complexities of Armando's world seemed far away. "I'm listening," I said.

Creazo's face softened. "I want you to know that my intentions were never to cause trouble between you and Armando. I simply..." he paused, choosing his words carefully. "I see something special in you, Sylvia. Something that deserves to be treasured, not hidden away in Armando's shadow."

His words stirred something within me – a longing for a simpler life, perhaps. Or was it something more? "Creazo, I..."

He reached across the table, his hand covering mine. The touch sent a jolt through me. "You don't have to decide anything now. Just know that you have options. That there's a place for you in this world outside of Armando's influence."

As we talked, the hours slipped by unnoticed. With Creazo, conversation flowed easily, touching on art, literature, and our shared love of travel. It was only when the waiter came to inform us that the café was closing that I realized how late it had gotten.

Creazo walked me to my car, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back. "Thank you for this evening, Sylvia. It's been... illuminating."

I looked up at him, suddenly aware of how close we were standing. "I should go," I said softly, though I made no move to leave.

He nodded, his green eyes intense. "Of course. But Sylvia... remember what I said. You have choices."

As I drove home, my mind was a turmoil of emotions. My love for Armando still burned bright, but Creazo had awakened something in me – a yearning for a different kind of life. One where I wasn't constantly looking over my shoulder, where danger didn't lurk around every corner.

The wedding was just days away, but for the first time, I wasn't sure if I would make it down the aisle.