Mafia's heartbeat

"Desperation and Defiance"

Disclaimer - this chapter contains 18+ which is between 2 men if not interested then you can skip form where I  have written 18+

Louis pov

After the attack I carried out on Marco’s lover, that pet of his, I knew retaliation was inevitable. Marco Valentino was not the type to let things slide. I had to fortify my defenses and plan meticulously. But I didn’t anticipate he would move so swiftly. The calls started coming in—one by one, my allies informed me they were switching sides. Marco had managed to sway them all with bribes or intimidation. I was left isolated, stripped of support, and then, as if that wasn't enough, my financial accounts were hacked, draining my resources dry.

The final blow came when I received a frantic call informing me that my warehouse had been attacked. Shock turned to fury as I raced to the site, my heart pounding with dread. Upon arrival, I was met with a scene of utter devastation. My men lay dead, and the warehouse, once a stronghold, was now a smoldering ruin. Anger surged through me, boiling over as I kicked at the debris and shouted curses into the empty air. Marco had struck with precision and ruthlessness.

Breathing heavily, I knew I had to act quickly. Marco had taken everything—my allies, my money, my weapons. Desperation clawed at me, but I couldn’t afford to show weakness. I pulled out my phone and dialed Marco’s number, my hand trembling with rage. The line connected, and I could almost see his smug face on the other end.

"Marco," I snarled, barely containing my fury. "You think you’ve won? This isn’t over. You’ll have to face me. And when you do, you’ll regret ever crossing me."

Marco’s POV:

The call ended, leaving me with an unsettling calm. Louis Fonsi was a man I knew well—he wouldn’t rest until he’d exacted his revenge. I had anticipated this, but his speed caught me off guard. I needed to fortify our defenses immediately. Outside, I ensured the security around the house was impenetrable—no entry without rigorous checks.

I instructed Matteo to safeguard my financial accounts with heightened security; nothing could be compromised. Dad, already on the case, contacted his allies to manage our business and warehouse. Liam and Enzo had returned from the attack, reporting success. I directed them to reinforce security around the house, enforcing strict access control.

I pulled Liam aside, emphasizing the importance of ensuring Ben’s friends and the old owner were well-protected. Next, I tasked Enzo with verifying that the household staff remained secure and that no new, unvetted staff were brought in. I then approached Miss Agatha, briefing her on the situation and requesting that she manage the staff carefully and oversee Ben’s meals.

Just as I was about to check on Ben, Dad called me over. He informed me that his allies were mobilizing, but the uncertainty of Fonsi’s next move lingered. Despite the fear, I reassured Dad that, as Marco Valentino, I wouldn’t let anyone cross me without consequences. We would handle this, no matter what it took.

I asked Dad to go home and take care of Mom, and instructed Liam and Enzo to rest. As I made my way upstairs, I collected lunch from Miss Agatha, who needed a break, and brought it to Ben’s room. When I entered, I found my kitten sleeping peacefully, looking incredibly serene. I placed the food on the table and went to his side, gently ruffling his hair.

“Time to wake up, kitten,” I said softly, trying not to startle him. “You need to eat lunch and take your medicine.”

Ben stirred, his eyes fluttering open. He wrapped his arms around me, sniffling into my chest. The sight of him so vulnerable was irresistible. I leaned down, kissing him slowly and tenderly, savoring the moment as we shared a gentle, loving embrace.