The Mafia's Jewel (BWWM)

22

"...We obviously know the rizzo gang had something to do with the bombing."

I can hear Leone and his trusted members in the adjacent room, discussing matters I was never meant to hear. Unable to resist the pull of curiosity, I tiptoe to the door and press my ear against the thin wood.

Leone's voice is the first I hear, steady and firm. "I knew trying to do business with their ally was a bad idea," he says, taking a sip of his drink. The clink of the glass against the table echoes through the silence.

Michael's voice follows, laced with frustration. "The Rizzo gang has always been unpredictable. We should have seen this coming. The attempted assassination on the yacht was just the beginning."

There's a murmur of agreement, and I imagine the tense expressions on their faces. Camellia speaks next, her tone sharp and precise. "Their goal is clear. They want control over Sicily. Taking out Leone was supposed to be a power move, a way to destabilize us."

Leone sighs, and I hear the scrape of his chair against the floor. "We've been too lenient. It's time to show them we won't be pushed around. What intel do we have on their next move?"

Michael rustles some papers, his voice more controlled now. "Our sources indicate they're planning another hit, possibly at the gala next week. They're getting desperate, and that makes them even more dangerous."

Camellia interjects, her voice edged with determination. "We need to strike first. Catch them off guard. Show them that any attack on us will be met with a stronger counterattack."

Leone's voice drops, almost too quiet to hear. "But we need to be smart about this. No unnecessary casualties. We hit them where it hurts without collateral damage."

There's a pause, the room heavy with tension. Then Michael speaks again, his voice unwavering. "I have a team ready. We can gather more intel and plan a precise strike. But we need your go-ahead, boss."

Leone is silent for a moment, the weight of his decision hanging in the air. Finally, he speaks, his voice resolute. "Do it. But remember, our priority is to protect our own. No one else gets hurt if we can help it."

Camellia speaks again, her voice softer now. "And what about our allies? Do we inform them?"

Leone sighs. "Only those we trust completely. We can't afford any leaks. We need to move quickly and decisively."

From my vantage point, hidden in the shadows, I watch as the meeting winds down. Leone stands, his authoritative presence filling the room. "Meeting dismissed," he announces, his voice carrying the weight of his decision. "Camellia, I need you to help me look for new recruits since you are well-suited for this job."

"Thank you, boss. I won't disappoint," Camellia responds, her voice steady and confident. As the rest of the henchmen file out of the room, Michael among them, I remain silent, my heart pounding in my chest.

Leone pauses as he reaches the door, his eyes locking onto mine. He steps closer, his gaze searching my face. "Are you alright? You have been very quiet," he says softly, placing his hand gently on my lap.

"I'm fine," I manage to whisper, forcing a smile. "Just a lot to process."

He nods, though his eyes remain concerned. "Come," he says, his hand lingering a moment longer before he steps back. "I'll be right there."

"Okay," I reply, watching as he leaves the room. Now, it's just me and Camellia, who is already busy sorting through papers and making calls. The air is thick with unspoken tension.

"I don't need your help, you know," Camellia says without looking up from her work.

"I'm aware," I reply, stepping closer. "But I just wanted to keep you company."

She glances up, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You think I'm not capable of doing this alone?"

"That's not it," I say quickly. "I know you're more than capable. I just... I wanted to be here, to understand more about what we're facing."

Camellia's expression softens, just a fraction. "It's dangerous. More than you realize."

"I know," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "But I want to help. Leone means a lot to me."

She studies me for a moment, then nods. "Alright. But stay out of the way and let me do my job."

I nod, settling into a chair across from her. She works efficiently, her fingers flying over the keyboard, her eyes scanning documents with laser focus. I admire her dedication, the way she handles the pressure with such grace.

"What's the plan?" I ask after a while, my curiosity getting the better of me.

"We're assembling a new team," she says without looking up. "Handpicked individuals who are loyal and skilled. We can't afford any more mistakes."

I nod, understanding the gravity of the situation. "And the Rizzo gang?"

"We hit them hard and fast," she replies, her voice cold and determined. "We take them down before they have a chance to retaliate."

As Camellia continues her work, I linger in the room a bit longer, unsure of what to say or do next. The silence between us grows, thick with unspoken words. Finally, she stops what she's doing and looks up at me, her eyes sharp and assessing.

"Spill it," she says, her tone leaving no room for hesitation.

I take a deep breath, feeling my heart race. "Hey, about the other day..." I begin, but the right words elude me. I trail off, my uncertainty hanging in the air.

Camellia's focus sharpens, her brown eyes more critical than ever. "Let me tell you something, Jules," she interrupts. "Don't catch feelings."

I blink, caught off guard by her bluntness. "What do you mean?"

She leans forward, her gaze piercing. "I know you two are fucking, but woman to woman, you are not special. Leone sees you as more than a little trophy to show off. Once he gets what he wants, he will discard you."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I've always known Camellia to be straightforward, but I wasn't expecting this level of harsh honesty. I stand there, stunned, unable to find my voice.

"Great talk," she says, patting me on the back before returning to her work as if nothing happened.

"Um, yeah..." I mumble, my mind reeling. I quietly leave the room, her words echoing in my head.

My steps are slow, hesitant, as I try to process everything. The hallway feels longer than usual, the shadows deeper. As I turn the corner, I catch sight of Leone and Michael still deep in conversation.

Leone glances up and spots me. His face breaks into a toothless smile, one that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Ah, Jules, there you are," he calls out, his voice warm and inviting. "I have some fun things planned for us this evening."

I force a smile, but it feels hollow. "I'll pass," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm not feeling well." The lie slips easily from my lips, and I don't wait for a response. I turn and head straight downstairs, feeling Leone's eyes on my back.