In "Mob Ties," delve into the clandestine world of organized crime where loyalty is everything, debts are paid in blood, and love blossoms amidst the chaos.
At just 24 years old, Aaliyah finds herself thrust into a world she never imagined - one whe...
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Evelyn stared at her reflection, the bruises staining her skin and the blood smeared across her trembling fingers. The woman looking back at her was a stranger—a shadow of the mother, the matriarch, and the wife she had once been. Each bruise felt like a brand, a reminder of the choices she could never undo. A deal with the devil she could never escape.
"Get the fuck out of the bathroom!" Tony's voice boomed from the other side of the door, his fist hammering against it with terrifying force. Evelyn jumped, hastily wiping the tears that mingled with the blood under her nose.
"I'll be out in a second," she replied, trying to steady her voice as she dabbed at her face, erasing the evidence of Tony's rage.
It hadn't taken long after the will reading for Tony to lose control. Furious that the insurance money was under investigation and all Frank had left her was the family estate, he had lashed out, his anger finding its outlet in her pain. The man she'd once admired—the man who had swept her into a world of power, promise, and darkness—was now her captor, her tormentor.
Evelyn opened the door slowly, coming face-to-face with Tony. His eyes were hard, a sinister glint darkening them. "Call your son and see when he's coming back home," he ordered, his voice cold, sending a chill down her spine.
"For what?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. "He won't talk to me after everything I've done." She stepped back, feeling her way to the bedroom where she tried to clean the bloodstains off the marble floor, desperate to reclaim any shred of dignity.
Before she could react, Tony grabbed her roughly by the arm, yanking her up. "Make the call," he growled, his grip tightening painfully, "or you'll be in a body bag."
Evelyn flinched, fear flashing across her face as she fumbled for her phone, her fingers trembling. She dialed East's number, the dread thickening in her stomach as the call connected.
East was at his nightclub, counting cash and eyeing the letter his father had left him, unopened. The buzzing of his phone pulled him out of his thoughts, and he looked down to see his mother's name flashing on the screen. Reluctantly, he answered.
When Evelyn's bruised and battered face appeared on the screen, East's expression shifted to one of surprise, mingled with a flicker of concern. "What happened to your face?" he asked, his tone betraying a hint of worry he wished he didn't feel.
"Son, me and Tony had a... disagreement," Evelyn said, her voice cracking as tears welled in her eyes. "I don't know what he's capable of, but just know that I really love you, and I'm so sorry for everything. For all of this."
East clenched his jaw, struggling to suppress the anger and resentment boiling within him. "Mom, stop crying," he said, his voice hardening. "You made this mess — Now lay in it."
Evelyn's face fell, the finality of her son's words piercing her more deeply than she'd ever imagined. "Easton, where are you?" she pleaded, desperation lining her voice. "Please, just talk to me. I need you."
He looked away, the conflicted feelings in his heart tearing him apart. As much as he despised her for the lies, the manipulation, and the devastation she had brought upon their family, the sight of her beaten and broken stirred something deep within him. But he couldn't go back—not now.
"Ma, I gotta go. Take care of yourself," he replied, ending the call before she could say more.
Evelyn stared at the blank screen, her heart sinking further as she realized the extent of her loss. She had lost her son long before he'd hung up the phone—she'd lost him the moment she'd pulled that trigger.
Behind her, Tony stood watching, a sneer twisting his lips as he eyed her with disdain. "Clean this mess up. I'll be back," he ordered before turning and walking out.
Once outside, Tony pulled out his phone, dialing his associate. "Antonio, did you confirm his location?" he asked, his voice low and menacing.
"Yes, sir," Antonio replied. "He's been staying in Dallas"
Tony's eyes glinted with dark satisfaction as he started the car. "Good. We're going to Dallas."
Lia watched, heart swelling with emotion, as her father cradled her baby girl, Varsity, in his arms. She never imagined this moment would come. For a while, she thought her father was lost to her for good, abandoned in the violent mess of a world she'd tried so hard to break free from. After East had sent him away, refusing to fulfill his father and uncle's orders to kill him, she'd feared she'd never see her father again.
But now he was here, safe and sound, holding his granddaughter with a gentleness that seemed to bridge the scars of the past.
"You two are so adorable," she whispered, passing him Varsity's bottle. "Here's her bottle."
Her father gave a soft, remorseful smile, taking the bottle and gazing down at Varsity as she latched on. "Thank you, baby girl. Again, I'm sorry for everything. All me and East ever wanted was to protect you," he said, the regret clear in his voice. "I never meant for any of this to happen."
Lia blinked back tears, overwhelmed by the mixture of love and pain that had defined their lives. "Let's just focus on the now," she murmured, wiping her tears. "I'm so happy you're here."
As her father continued to feed Varsity, a fragile peace settled over the room. Lia dared to hope that maybe, finally, they could build a life free from the chaos that had always threatened to tear them apart.
But several states away, a storm was brewing.
Tony sat in the back seat of a black SUV, his eyes cold and unfeeling as he listened to updates coming in through his phone. His two men had followed East from the airport, tracking him through the streets of Dallas with precision. Tony had Antonio drop East off as usual, keeping everything under the radar, ensuring East suspected nothing out of the ordinary.
A gruff voice came through Tony's speaker, confirming the location with a low, sinister tone. "Boss, we have the location. He's home. All clear."
Tony's lips twisted into a dark smile as he leaned back, calculating his next move. He had given Evelyn too many chances, and East's disobedience had pushed him past his breaking point. Now, he would remind East—and anyone else foolish enough to stand against him—who was truly in control.
"Good," Tony replied. "Get everything in place. I'll be there soon."
