Put Me in Jail and He Came Begging

Chapter 18: Tensions Rise

The partnership between Leonardo and me was a necessity forced upon us by circumstances beyond our control. The antagonist, a rival mafia boss named Victor Delacroix, had made his intentions clear: he wanted to destroy Leonardo and anyone close to him. And now, by association and fate, I was included in that circle.

Victor's threats were not to be taken lightly. He had a reputation for ruthlessness and had been a thorn in Leonardo's side for years. This new escalation was a different beast altogether. He had resources, men, and a vendetta that seemed personal. And so, Leonardo and I found ourselves working together, our past conflicts and unresolved emotions bubbling just beneath the surface.

We began our day in Leonardo's high-rise office, the nerve center of his sprawling empire. The sleek, modern décor and expansive views of the city belied the tension that crackled in the air. I sat across from Leonardo at his massive mahogany desk, trying to focus on the stack of documents in front of me. Our mutual silence was a fragile truce, one that could shatter at any moment.

"Alina, we need to focus," Leonardo said, breaking the silence. His voice was a low rumble, and I felt it resonate deep within me. "Victor won't wait for us to sort out our differences."

I looked up, meeting his intense gaze. "I know, Leonardo. But working with you... it's not easy. Especially after everything that's happened."

His eyes softened, just for a moment. "I understand. But right now, survival is our priority."

Reluctantly, I nodded. He was right. We couldn't afford to let our issues interfere with the task at hand. Victor was a threat we couldn't ignore.

Our first step was to strengthen security measures across Leonardo's operations. Victor's men had already attempted to breach one of his warehouses, and we couldn't risk another successful attack. We spent hours poring over security footage, identifying weak points, and coordinating with Leonardo's head of security.

"Double the guards at the east entrance," Leonardo instructed. "And I want a full sweep of the premises every hour."

I watched him take control with a mixture of admiration and frustration. He was in his element, decisive and commanding. But that same authority had been a wall between us, a barrier I couldn't penetrate.

"Leonardo, I think we need to consider an internal audit as well," I suggested. "Victor might have someone on the inside."

He glanced at me, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "You're right. I hadn't thought of that. I'll have Jacob look into it immediately."

Jacob was Leonardo's trusted right-hand man, a formidable figure in his own right. I had seen him in action before, and I knew he was more than capable of handling an internal investigation. But this also meant more interactions with Leonardo, more time spent in close quarters, where the air was thick with unspoken words and unresolved feelings.

As the day wore on, the strain of our forced partnership began to show. The slightest miscommunication sparked arguments, our tempers flaring in the confined space of his office.

"Why didn't you inform me about the shipment delay?" Leonardo demanded, his frustration evident.

"I did, but you were too busy to listen," I shot back, my anger rising. "You can't expect me to handle everything on my own."

His eyes flashed with anger. "I expect you to do your job, Alina. This isn't about us; it's about survival."

"And you think I don't know that?" I retorted. "Every day I'm reminded of the danger we're in because of you."

The room fell silent, the weight of my words hanging between us. I hadn't meant to lash out, but the pressure of the situation was getting to me. Leonardo's expression hardened, and he turned away, his hands clenched into fists.