Mafia's heartbeat

Revelations and Promises

Third Person's Pov 

As Marco anxiously waited for news on Ben's condition, his phone rang with an unknown number. The caller ID was unfamiliar, but Marco's instincts screamed caution. He answered, and the voice on the other end sent a chill down his spine—it was Louis Fonsi, a rival from his darker dealings. The conversation was immediately intense.

"Marco, I see you've found yourself a little kitten to play with," Louis taunted, his voice oozing with malice. "Such a shame if something were to happen to him."

Marco's grip on the phone tightened. "Fonsi, if you lay another finger on him, I swear I'll make you regret it. This isn't a game you want to play."

Louis chuckled, a cold sound that made Marco's blood boil. "You've always been so protective. But remember, Marco, this is just a taste of what I can do. Stay out of my business, or your kitten won't be the only one to suffer."

Marco's voice dropped to a lethal calm. "You don't scare me, Fonsi. But know this: if anything happens to Ben, there won't be a place on this earth you can hide from me."

The call ended with a tense silence, each side knowing the other was a formidable adversary. Marco pocketed his phone, his mind racing with thoughts of retribution and protection.

Shortly after the call, Marco's family and Ben's friends arrived at the hospital. His parents, Rosalia and Vincenzo, were visibly shaken, while Liam, Enzo, and Ben's friends—Ella, Kian, and Lucas—were filled with a mixture of concern and fear. Marco explained the situation, his voice steady but his eyes betraying his inner turmoil. He recounted the attack and his suspicions about Louis Fonsi, leaving out no details. The gravity of the situation was clear to everyone in the room; the underworld politics Marco was involved in had finally bled into his personal life in the worst way possible.

Finally, the doctor emerged, her expression grave but calm. "Mr. Valentino, your... partner sustained serious injuries. The bullet wounds were clean and we were able to remove the bullets without major complications. However, he's lost a significant amount of blood and is in a medically induced coma to help his body heal. The next 24 hours are critical."

Marco felt a wave of relief mixed with fear. Ben was alive, but the road to recovery was uncertain. The doctor allowed Marco to see Ben, emphasizing the need for calmness and quiet.

"Ben, I never wanted you to be a part of this world," Marco confessed, his voice choked with emotion. "I thought I could keep you safe, away from the darkness that follows me. But I've failed you, and now you're paying the price for my mistakes."

His tears fell freely as he continued, almost as if speaking to himself. "I love you, Ben. More than I ever thought possible. But I'm afraid... afraid that I've dragged you into something you can't escape from."

As Marco poured his heart out, Ben's eyes fluttered open. At first, they were unfocused, then gradually filled with confusion and fear. Seeing Marco's tear-streaked face, Ben tried to speak, his voice a weak whisper.

"Marco... what... why?"

Marco took a deep breath, steeling himself for the truth he had to share. "Ben, there's something I need to tell you. My family and I... we're involved in organized crime. The mafia. Louis Fonsi, the man who attacked you, did it to get to me. He wanted to hurt me by hurting you."

Ben's eyes widened, filling with tears. He tried to pull away, the reality of Marco's words hitting him hard. "Mafia? You... you lied to me?"

Marco reached out, gently cupping Ben's face, his own tears mirroring Ben's. "I didn't want to lie, but I thought I was protecting you. I thought if you didn't know, you wouldn't be in danger. But keeping you in the dark only made things worse. I'm so sorry, Ben."

Ben turned his face away, tears streaming down his cheeks. "I can't believe this. You put me in danger, Marco. You brought this into my life without even telling me. How can I trust you now?"

The pain in Ben's voice cut through Marco like a knife. He moved closer, his voice filled with desperation and sincerity. "I know I've broken your trust, and I will do whatever it takes to earn it back. I promise you, from now on, there will be no more secrets between us. If you want to leave, I understand. But if you stay, I will protect you with everything I have."

Ben looked at Marco, his eyes searching for the truth in his words. The vulnerability and fear were clear, but so was something else—a flicker of hope, of love.

"How can you protect me from this, Marco? How can we ever be safe?" Ben asked, his voice trembling.

Marco took Ben's hands, holding them tightly. "I've already started taking steps to ensure your safety. I will deal with Fonsi and anyone else who tries to hurt you. I have resources, people who can help us. And most importantly, I have you. Together, we can face whatever comes our way."

The sincerity in Marco's voice and the warmth in his touch began to soothe Ben's fears. Slowly, Ben leaned into Marco's embrace, seeking comfort in his arms. Marco held him tightly, whispering reassurances, his heart aching for the pain he had caused.

"I promise you, Ben," Marco murmured, his voice soft but firm. "I will never let anyone hurt you again. You mean everything to me."

Ben looked up at Marco, their eyes locking in a moment of intense emotion. "Just promise me one thing, Marco. No more lies. No more secrets."

"I promise," Marco whispered, his voice breaking with emotion. "No more secrets."

In that moment, Marco leaned down, capturing Ben's lips in a tender, passionate kiss. It was a kiss filled with all the words they couldn't say, all the promises they had made. Ben responded, his arms wrapping around Marco's neck, pulling him closer. The kiss deepened, a mix of desperation, love, and hope. It was a kiss that spoke of forgiveness and new beginnings, of a love that could withstand even the darkest of secrets.

As they pulled away, breathless and teary-eyed, Marco rested his forehead against Ben's, whispering, "I love you, Ben. More than anything."

Ben smiled softly, his own tears drying as he whispered back, "I love you too, Marco. Just... please, let's make this work. I want to believe in us."

Marco nodded, sealing his promise with another gentle kiss, as they clung to each other, finding strength in their shared vulnerability and the love that bound them together. In that quiet hospital room, amidst the pain and fear, they found a glimmer of hope, a promise of a future they would face together, no matter what lay ahead.

A/N

Hello everyone! I hope you're as engaged in this story as I am while writing it. This chapter took a deep dive into Marco's world and the complexities of his life. It was intense and emotional, with revelations that will shape Ben and Marco's relationship moving forward. I truly appreciate your support and patience as the story unfolds. Please feel free to share your thoughts, suggestions, and feedback—your input is invaluable to me! Don't forget to like, share, and vote if you enjoyed the chapter.