My Mafia Queen Only

Chapter 6

Armando's POV

The steady beep of hospital monitors filled the room as I slowly regained consciousness. Pain radiated from my shoulder, a constant reminder of how close I'd come to death. As my vision cleared, I saw Sylvia sitting by my bedside, her face a mask of worry and something else – a distance that hadn't been there before.

"Sylvia," I croaked, my voice hoarse from disuse.

She startled, then leaned forward, relief flooding her features. "Armando, you're awake. How do you feel?"

Before I could answer, the door burst open. Tiro rushed in, his usual composure shattered. "Boss, we have a situation."

I tried to sit up, wincing at the pain. "What's happened?"

Tiro's eyes darted to Sylvia, then back to me. "It's... sensitive, sir."

I nodded, understanding the unspoken message. "Sylvia, could you give us a moment?"

She hesitated, hurt flashing in her eyes before she schooled her expression. "Of course. I'll get some coffee."

As the door closed behind her, Tiro approached, his voice low and urgent. "The attack wasn't random, boss. We've uncovered a conspiracy – and you're not going to like who's behind it."

Sylvia's POV

The hospital corridor seemed to stretch endlessly as I wandered, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. The coffee in my hand had long gone cold, forgotten in the turmoil of my thoughts.

A hand on my shoulder made me jump. I turned to find Creazo, concern etched on his face.

"Sylvia, are you alright?" he asked softly.

I shook my head, tears threatening to spill. "I don't know, Creazo. Everything's falling apart, and I... I don't know how to fix it."

He pulled me into a gentle embrace, and I allowed myself a moment of weakness, burying my face in his chest. Neither of us noticed the figure watching from the shadows, a cruel smile playing on his lips.

Vittorio's POV

I slipped away from the touching scene, my mind already spinning with possibilities. This... development could prove useful.

My phone buzzed – a message from my mole within Armando's organization. So, they'd discovered our little plot. No matter. It was time to accelerate our plans.

I dialed a familiar number. "Rosina, dear. We need to move to phase two. And I have some information you might find... interesting."

Aria's POV

The shooting range echoed with the sharp crack of gunfire as I emptied clip after clip into the paper target. Each shot was an attempt to drown out the memory of Tiro's hurt expression, of the walls I'd slammed back into place.

"Your form has improved," a voice behind me observed.

I turned to see my brother, looking pale but determined in his hospital gown and robe. "Armando! What are you doing out of bed?"

He waved off my concern. "We have bigger problems. There's a traitor in our midst, Aria. And I need your help to smoke them out."

As he laid out his plan, I felt a mixture of excitement and dread. This was why I'd left in the first place – the constant danger, the web of lies and betrayal. But as I looked at my brother, I knew I couldn't abandon him now.

"I'm in," I said, resolving to push thoughts of Tiro and my own conflicted heart aside. "Where do we start?"

Creazo's POV

The private room of La Rosa, my favorite Italian restaurant, was dimly lit and intimate. Across from me, Sylvia toyed with her pasta, her mind clearly elsewhere.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I asked gently.

She sighed, meeting my eyes. "I'm sorry, Creazo. I'm not very good company tonight."

I reached across the table, taking her hand in mine. "You don't have to apologize. I'm here for you, Sylvia. In whatever capacity you need."

The moment was shattered by the sound of breaking glass. We both turned to see a waiter, mortified, standing over a shattered bottle of wine. But something about the scene felt... off.

My instincts, honed by years in this dangerous world, screamed a warning. I was on my feet in an instant, pulling Sylvia down just as the air was filled with the distinctive sound of silenced gunfire.

"Stay down!" I ordered, drawing my own weapon. As I returned fire, my mind raced. Who was behind this? Armando? Or was there a new player in the game?

Rosina's POV

I watched the chaos unfold at La Rosa through my binoculars, a satisfied smile playing on my lips. Everything was going according to plan.

My phone buzzed – a message from our inside man. Armando was on the move, no doubt rushing to his precious Sylvia's aid. Perfect.

I dialed Vittorio's number. "It's done. They're scrambling, just as we predicted. Are you ready for your grand entrance?"

His chuckle sent a chill down my spine. "My dear, I've been ready for this moment for years. It's time Armando learned the true meaning of family loyalty."

As I hung up, a flicker of doubt crossed my mind. Was I truly prepared for the storm we were about to unleash? But I pushed the thought aside. There was no room for hesitation now. The die was cast, and there was no turning back.

The night air was thick with tension as I made my way to the rendezvous point. In the distance, sirens wailed – a fitting soundtrack for the chaos to come.