Mafia Obsession (OBSESSION SERIES #1)

CHAPTER 13

Mafia Obsession - Chapter 13: The Price of Power

The basement, once a place of shadows and secrets, now held a different kind of magic for Celeste.  It was a glimpse into Angelo’s world, a world that was both fascinating and terrifying, a world that was both glamorous and dangerous.  She had seen the source of his wealth, the heart of his empire, the glittering jewels that were more than just stones, they were stories, memories, the history of his family.

As they walked back up the stairs, Angelo took her hand, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through her body.

“I’m sorry, Celeste,” he said, his voice a low murmur.  “I should have told you sooner.  I was afraid… afraid of what you might think.”

Celeste squeezed his hand, her eyes filled with understanding.  She knew he had been protecting her, shielding her from the harsh realities of his world.  But she also knew that she couldn’t live in a world of secrets and lies.  She needed to know the truth, no matter how painful it might be.

“It’s okay, Angelo,” she said, her voice soft.  “I understand.  I’m here for you, no matter what.”

Angelo smiled, his eyes filled with gratitude.  He leaned in, his lips brushing against hers.

“Thank you, Celeste,” he whispered, his voice husky with emotion.  “Thank you for loving me.”

That night, as they lay in bed, Celeste couldn’t shake the image of the glittering jewels, the rows upon rows of boxes filled with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires.  She couldn’t shake the feeling that Angelo’s world was a world of contradictions, a world where love and violence, beauty and brutality, coexisted in a precarious balance.

She asked Angelo about his business, about the money he made, about the power he wielded.  He hesitated at first, reluctant to reveal the details of his world.  But Celeste persisted, her questions fueled by a mixture of curiosity and concern.

“It’s… it’s a lot of money, Celeste,” he said, his voice a low murmur.  “More than you could ever imagine.”

“How much?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Angelo hesitated, his gaze flickering to the ceiling.  He took a deep breath, his shoulders slumping with defeat.

“Five hundred million a month,” he said, his voice a low rumble.

Celeste’s jaw dropped.  Five hundred million a month.  It was a staggering sum, a number that defied comprehension.  It was more money than she could ever dream of, more money than she could ever spend.

“Five hundred million?” she repeated, her voice a mere whisper.  “Every month?”

Angelo nodded, his eyes filled with a mixture of pride and shame.

“It’s… it’s a lot of responsibility, Celeste,” he said, his voice a low murmur.  “A lot of power.  A lot of danger.”

He took her hand, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through her body.

“I’m trying to do good with it, Celeste,” he said, his voice filled with sincerity.  “I’m trying to help people, to make a difference.  I’m trying to build a better world for us, for our children.”

Celeste looked at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of love and concern.  She knew he was trying to do good, to make a difference.  But she also knew that the world of the Mafia was a dangerous and corrupt world, a world where good intentions often led to bad outcomes.

“I know, Angelo,” she said, her voice soft.  “I believe you.  But… but it’s a lot of power.  A lot of responsibility.  A lot of danger.”

She leaned in, her lips brushing against his.

“Be careful, Angelo,” she whispered, her voice filled with love and concern.  “Be careful out there.”

Angelo smiled, his eyes filled with love and gratitude.  He pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her.

“I will, Celeste,” he whispered, his voice husky with emotion.  “I promise.”

He kissed her, a long, lingering kiss that spoke of love, of trust, of a bond that was both fragile and unbreakable.

Celeste knew that Angelo’s world was a dangerous world, a world where love and violence, beauty and brutality, coexisted in a precarious balance.  But she also knew that she loved him, with all his flaws, with all his secrets, with all his darkness.

And she was ready to face whatever came next, together.