The Mafia's Jewel (BWWM)

28

A knock on the door startles me in the middle of my sleep, and I tense, half-expecting Leone. But it's Camellia who steps inside, her expression tired but kind.

"Hey sleepy head. We have to go."

"Why so early?" I croak.

"I mean, if you want to stay here longer, I can tell Leone. He will be pleased."

At the mention of Leone, I jump out of bed, my skin crawling with the thought of facing him again. I want nothing to do with him, especially after witnessing how truly cruel he can be. The memories of his threats and the way he terrorized Vittoria and her son haunt me.

I quickly freshen up, splashing cold water on my face to shake off the remnants of sleep. My reflection in the mirror looks haggard, dark circles under my eyes and a tightness around my mouth that wasn't there before. I pull my hair back into a messy ponytail and slip into the clothes Camellia had brought for me.

Camellia waits outside the door, her expression neutral but her eyes hinting at concern. "Ready?" she asks softly.

I nod, not trusting myself to speak without my voice cracking. She leads me out of Leone's bachelor home, the opulent surroundings a stark contrast to the tension and fear I feel. Every step I take feels heavy, like I'm walking towards an uncertain fate.

~

We pull up to my condo, but instead of getting out, I stay in the car, a heavy silence hanging between us. I turn to Camellia, needing to understand. "Why are you doing all this?" I ask, my voice soft but laced with frustration. "You're too nice to be in the mafia."

Camellia's jaw tenses, and she grips the steering wheel a little tighter. "You don't know why I'm doing this."

"Then why?" I press, desperate for answers.

She sighs, her eyes fixed on the road ahead as if searching for the right words. "Life always leads you down different paths. Sometimes, you don't get to choose."

I shake my head, my frustration boiling over. "As for you, you can choose to stay or leave."

Camellia turns to me, her gaze steady and unwavering. "You can never cut ties with the Montes," I say, echoing the harsh truth I've learned.

For a moment, Camellia just looks at me. She doesn't smile, but there's something in her eyes—a flicker of emotion, a hint of something deeper. If you look long enough, you can see her lips curl up, not in a full smile, but as if she is content and also planning something.

"Take care of yourself, Jules," is all she says to me.

I step out of the car and make my way to my condo, the weight of her words settling over me. As I unlock the door and step inside, I can't shake the feeling that there's more at play than I realize. Camellia's quiet strength and subtle hints make me wonder what her true intentions are.

I collapse onto the couch, exhaustion washing over me. The events of the past days swirl in my mind—Leone's threats, Vittoria's fear, Dante's innocent eyes. I know I need to find a way to navigate this dangerous world, to protect the people I care about and to carve out some semblance of a future for myself.

But for now, all I can do is take a deep breath and gather my strength. The fight is far from over, and I'm determined to see it through. With allies like Camellia, and the bonds I'm forming with people like Vittoria, I have to believe that there's a way forward. Even in the darkest moments, there's always a sliver of hope.

And I'm not giving up.

Not now.

Not ever.

~

Leone persistently trying to get me to speak to him. Despite his constant calls and messages, I've done my best to ignore him, focusing on gathering information and planning with Vittoria. But today, after our latest meeting about the upcoming mafia mission, Leone corners me before I can leave.

"How long are you going to ignore me?" he demands, his voice low and menacing.

"For as long as I live," I reply coldly, not even bothering to hide my disdain.

"Fair enough," he says, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. "What do you want?"

"What do you want?" I counter, my patience wearing thin.

Leone sighs, running a hand through his hair. "I'm trying to apologize," he says, though his tone lacks genuine remorse. "I didn't mean to upset you."

I glare at him, unimpressed by his half-hearted apology. "Is that so?"

He steps closer, invading my personal space. "Yes," he insists, his eyes darkening. "I just—"

Before he can finish, he tries to kiss me, leaning in swiftly. I turn my head to the side, refusing to let him get what he wants. His lips brush my cheek instead, and I can feel the anger radiating off him.

"Damn it, Jules!" he growls, pulling back and glaring at me with a mix of frustration and rage.

"Get over yourself, Leone," I snap, meeting his gaze with unwavering defiance.

For a moment, it seems like he might lash out, but then he takes a deep breath, his expression hardening. Without another word, he turns on his heel and storms out of the room, leaving me standing there, my heart pounding in my chest.

As soon as he's gone, I let out a shaky breath, the tension slowly easing from my body. The encounter has left me rattled, but also more determined than ever. I can't let Leone control me or intimidate me. I have to stay strong, for my sake and for the sake of those I care about.

I gather my things and leave the meeting room, my mind racing with thoughts of what to do next. As I walk down the hallway, I bump into Camellia, who looks at me with concern.

"Are you okay?" she asks, her eyes scanning my face for any signs of distress.

"I'm fine," I assure her, though my voice wavers slightly. "Just had a run-in with Leone."

Camellia nods, understanding immediately. "It's not just you. He has been snappy with everyone."

"I know," I say, my resolve strengthening.

"I need to get back to work now. I will see you around?"

"Yeah, sure."

Camellia leaves, but I stay behind in the building when my phone buzzes.

Vittoria: We've made some progress. There are a few people who are willing to help us. I want you to meet them so we can discuss the details.

I type a quick reply, my heart racing with anticipation.

Me: Let's meet tomorrow.

Vittoria: Make sure to leave your phone at home. We don't want that pesky Leone finding you again

Me: Got it