Put Me in Jail and He Came Begging

Chapter 17: A New Threat

The morning sun filtered through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows of Leonardo's penthouse, casting long shadows over the marble floors. Alina sat at the edge of the expansive dining table, nursing a cup of coffee. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, her heart still tender from the recent revelations and confessions that had brought Leonardo and her closer together. They had started to rebuild their relationship on fragile grounds of trust and mutual respect.

Leonardo entered the room, his presence commanding and magnetic as always. He was dressed in a tailored suit, exuding an air of authority and power. Despite his intimidating demeanor, there was a softness in his eyes when he looked at Alina. He had changed; there was no denying that. The once cold and distant billionaire now showed a side of vulnerability and sincerity that Alina had longed to see.

"Good morning," he greeted, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead before taking a seat beside her. "Did you sleep well?"

Alina smiled faintly. "As well as I could. It's still a lot to process."

Leonardo nodded, understanding. Their journey together had been tumultuous, marked by betrayal, heartbreak, and misunderstandings. Yet, they had found their way back to each other, stronger and more resilient. But even as they began to heal, a new threat loomed on the horizon, threatening to unravel everything they had worked so hard to rebuild.

Just as Leonardo was about to speak, his phone buzzed insistently on the table. He glanced at the screen, his expression turning grim. "Excuse me for a moment," he said, rising from his seat and stepping out onto the balcony.

Alina watched him go, a sense of unease settling over her. Leonardo had shared glimpses of his involvement in the mafia, the dark underbelly of his empire that was as dangerous as it was powerful. She knew that his world was fraught with peril, but seeing the worry etched on his face now made it all the more real.

Leonardo returned a few minutes later, his expression tense. "We have a problem," he said, his voice low and serious. "A new player has entered the scene. Someone powerful and ruthless. He's been making moves against my business and my territory."

"Who is it?" Alina asked, her heart pounding in her chest.

Leonardo sat back down, running a hand through his hair. "His name is Viktor Ivanov. He's a Russian oligarch with ties to organized crime. He's been expanding his influence, and it seems he's set his sights on my operations."

Alina's mind raced. The name Viktor Ivanov was unfamiliar to her, but the threat he posed was evident in Leonardo's demeanor. "What does he want?"

"Power, control, and dominance," Leonardo replied grimly. "He's been systematically targeting my assets, trying to weaken my position. He's ruthless and will stop at nothing to get what he wants."

Alina felt a shiver run down her spine. The world of the mafia was one of constant danger, where alliances could shift in an instant, and enemies were always lurking in the shadows. She knew that Leonardo was no stranger to threats, but this one seemed different—more personal, more dangerous.

"We need to be careful," Leonardo continued, his gaze fixed on her. "Viktor is not someone to be underestimated. He has resources and connections that make him a formidable opponent."

Alina nodded, determination hardening her resolve. "What can I do to help?"

Leonardo reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "Stay by my side. Your strength gives me strength. We will face this together."

As the days passed, the threat of Viktor Ivanov became more pronounced. Reports of his activities flooded in, each one more alarming than the last. He had managed to infiltrate several of Leonardo's key operations, causing disruptions and losses that were impossible to ignore. Leonardo's trusted advisors and lieutenants worked tirelessly to counter Viktor's moves, but the Russian oligarch always seemed to be one step ahead.