Unmasking The Mafia

Chapter 23

The day of Ethan's birthday dawns bright and clear. The scent of saltwater hangs heavily in the air, mingling with the excited chatter of children and families making their way to the aquarium. Laughter rings out, mixing with the distant calls of seagulls echoing through the coastal town.

You hold Ethan's hand tightly, guiding him through the crowd. His eyes sparkle with anticipation as he looks around, taking in the new surroundings with wide-eyed wonder.

With a smile, you scoop Ethan into your arms, hoisting him up to get a better view. His eyes grow wide with amazement, taking in the massive tanks filled with colourful marine life. Dolphins swim back and forth, performing graceful leaps and somersaults, captivating young and old alike.

Ethan's eyes sparkle with wonder, his mouth hanging slightly open in awe. The sight of the playful creatures seems to ignite a sense of joy and excitement within him, the day already exceeding his wildest expectations.

Ethan's gaze remains fixated on the dolphins, his expression a mixture of awe and excitement. A wide smile spreads across his face, and his words come out a bit breathlessly.

"They're... amazing! Look at them! They're soooo cool!"

He twists in your arms, trying to get a glimpse of the entire tank at once, his eyes darting from one dolphin to another as they leap and twirl through the water.

As you're watching the dolphins with Ethan, you feel William's hand slip on your back.

You glance at William, your eyes flickering over his form and you notice his hand casually move towards his pocket, as if concealing something within.

The movement appears subtle, almost unnoticeable to the untrained eye, but the trained mind picks up on it immediately. A knot forms in your stomach as the realization sinks in.

The joy of the moment is momentarily dampened as a heavy sense of unease washes over you.

You look at William and speak softly so that Ethan doesn't hear anything.

"Can you please not do anything that has to do with... you know."

William's eyes lock with yours, his gaze hardening for a brief moment as he registers your words. His expression subtly falters, a flicker of understanding crossing his features.

His voice is quiet, barely above a whisper, as he responds. His words are calculated and controlled and carry a hint of tension, "I'll do what I must, love. This is important."

His jaw clenches slightly as his eyes dart back towards the crowd, scanning for any potential threats.

"Seriously? Will, Ethan's been craving for this day for a while now. You know how devastated he'll be if something happens."

William's eyes flicker with frustration, a hint of anger flashing across his features. His voice is tight as he responds, a hint of irritation seeping into his words. He turns his gaze towards you, his jaw clenched.

"Don't you think I know that? I don't want anything to happen to this family, you or Ethan."

His gaze softens slightly as he gazes at you, and he reaches out to gently caress your arm.

"I'll do my best to keep you both safe. Trust me."

Amidst the tension, Ethan's small voice pulls your focus towards him. He tugs at your arm, his expression filled with excitement and anticipation, oblivious to the adult concerns that hang in the air.

"Mummy, can we go see the penguins next? Please?" he pleads, a hopeful glimmer in his eyes.

"Of course."