Mafia's African Rose

Terror

            I couldn't believe it—I'd just slapped a man as dangerous as Alexio. Men were truly impossible to understand. With my pulse still racing, I spotted Alexa across the room, talking with a strikingly beautiful woman. Even at her age, she was flawless. As I approached, I noticed a faint resemblance to Alexio... or maybe it was just the alcohol muddling my senses.

"Angel!" Alexa called out, her eyes lighting up as she spotted me. "This is Adriana, Alexio's mother."

"Oh my, you're so pretty!" Adriana exclaimed, pulling me into a warm hug before I could even react. I stood there, smiling awkwardly, caught off guard.

"I've heard a lot about you," she added, making me blush.

"From Viktor, I'm guessing?" I asked, unsure.

She chuckled. "Good things," she replied, then leaned in conspiratorially. "Trust me, you don't want to know all the details."

I smiled but couldn't shake my curiosity about this woman's past. Why had she left Alexio's father, abandoning her son to be raised without her?

"Adriana, let's go." An older man with an air of authority appeared beside her, his gaze soft as he looked at her. She smiled at him in a way that was all love, pure and deep.

"Bye, Angel," she said warmly, bidding Alexa and me goodnight as she left hand-in-hand with her partner.

Watching them, I couldn't help but sigh. "They seem so in love," I remarked to Alexa.

"They are," she replied simply.

"So... she didn't love Alexio's father?"

Alexa glanced at me with a knowing look. "It was an arranged marriage—a union between the Brazilian and Italian mafias. She already had feelings for someone else: Viktor's father."

"Viktor's father?" I asked, surprised. "But why did she leave Alexio behind?"

"She was forced into the marriage," Alexa said, her voice soft. "Alexio's father had... a twisted idea of love. He treated her terribly, even forced her, and Alexio was the result. Eventually, she escaped, finding her way back to the man she truly loved. With the Russian mafia's power, the Italian family didn't dare start a war over her leaving. She'd given them an heir, after all."

"And Alexio... does he know the truth?" I asked, piecing it together.

Alexa shook her head. "No. His father played the victim, filling Alexio's head with that 'feelings get you killed' nonsense. Alexio's just afraid to let anyone in."

I nodded, beginning to understand. But just then, Alexa gave me a mischievous look. "And Viktor? I see the way he looks at you."

I laughed, flustered. "No, he's just... he's just different from Alexio."

"Tell that to your heart," she teased, and I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore the flutter her words sparked. "Anyway, these heels are killing me, and I can't find Leon or Nora. They must've left already."

A few minutes later, I spotted Alexio across the room, talking to an undeniably beautiful woman who looked like she'd just stepped off a runway. A hint of amusement lit his face as she hung onto his every word. I tried to ignore the flare of jealousy building in my chest, but it was hard.

He noticed me approaching and raised an eyebrow. "I... I'm tired, and Leon already left without me."

He glanced back at the woman dismissively, then turned his gaze to me. "And I'm your babysitter now?" he said, his tone flat, returning his attention to the woman beside him.

I felt a rush of embarrassment as she gave me a haughty look, like I was nothing. Humiliated, I made my way outside, finding a bench and letting the cool night air calm me. I leaned back, gazing up at the sky, willing myself to forget the sting of Alexio's rejection.

But then I noticed several men in black suits moving purposefully through the shadows, guns glinting faintly in their hands. Panic surged through me, and I started to get up, hoping to slip away unnoticed. But before I could take a step, a hand fisted in my hair, yanking me back.

"Not so fast," a gruff voice growled in my ear, sending a chill down my spine.

       ALEXIO POV

Where the hell did she go?

Just as the thought struck me, the first gunshot rang out. Sharp, unmistakable. Then a second. Panic erupted in an instant, guests screaming as they dove for cover, tripping over gowns and tuxedos in their frantic rush to get away.

My entire body tensed, my  instincts snapping into high alert. I pulled out my gun from my jacket, my face a mask of cold fury. My eyes scanned the chaos around me, my mind racing. Whoever dared to start this in my presence either had a death wish or a damn good reason. But none of that mattered now. All i could think of was one thing: where was Angel?

Another shot echoed, followed by more screams, I grip on my weapon tightened. People shoved past me, bodies colliding, too terrified to care about the infamous Alexio Russo standing among them. For the first time, none of that mattered to me. None of these people mattered. I needed to find her. Now.

A thug appeared in my path, gun raised. Without hesitation, I  pulled the trigger. The man dropped, blood pooling on the marble floor. I  barely noticed, my gaze already sweeping the room for the next threat. But above the noise, above the haze of gunpowder and terror, one thought pounded in his mind: Angel.

I moved with deadly precision, weaving through the bodies, dodging the panicked crowd. The feeling in my chest clawed at me, something raw, fierce, primal. This wasn't just anger. It was something i didn't even want to name.

I  saw Viktor in the corner, shooting at the attackers who were closing in from the far entrance. We exchanged a glance, and Viktor nodded—he understood. Angel was priority.

Suddenly, a figure in black aimed at him. I  fired first, the shot landing squarely, the assailant dropping lifelessly. I scanned the area again, blood pounding my his ears. I should have kept her closer. I should have never allowed her to wander off, it's was all my fault.

Another gunshot rang out, too close this time. I ducked behind a column, reloading, my thoughts whirling. If anything happened to her... if she was in danger because of my carelessness—

No. I couldn't think like that. Not now. I would  tear this place apart brick by brick if i had to, but I'll find would find her.