The Mafia's Jewel (BWWM)

29

I sit in the back seat of the cab, my fingers nervously tracing patterns on the leather upholstery as I stare out the window. The cityscape gradually gives way to the outskirts, the buildings thinning out and the streets becoming less crowded. A knot of suspicion tightens in my stomach. Vittoria insisted on meeting here, far from the familiar hustle of the city center. The location feels isolated, almost abandoned.

"Are you sure this is the right place, miss?" the cab driver asks, glancing at me through the rearview mirror.

"Yes, this is it," I reply, trying to keep my voice steady. I pay the fare and step out, the sound of the cab's engine fading as it drives away, leaving me standing alone in the dim light of early evening. Before me is a tunnel, its entrance framed by a couple of dilapidated buildings. The place has an eerie, forgotten air, as if it has been untouched by time.

I glance around, searching for any sign of Vittoria. The shadows seem to stretch longer here, and the silence is almost oppressive. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. What am I doing here? Why did I agree to meet Vittoria in such a secluded place? Doubt creeps in, but I push it aside. I trust Vittoria, don't I? After all, we've been through a lot together.

A sudden flash of headlights breaks the stillness, and I see a car approaching. The vehicle stops, and I squint against the glare as Vittoria steps out, waving me over urgently.

"Jules, over here!" she calls, her voice echoing slightly.

I hurry over and slide into the spacious car. Vittoria is in the passenger seat, and I greet her with a tense smile. My eyes quickly scan the interior and land on two men in the front. One of them turns to look at me, and I recognize him immediately by the scar over his eye.

"Jules," Vittoria says, her voice calm but with an edge of excitement, "these men are going to help us take down the Montes."

The driver nods, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Yes, we have many plans to kill them all."

"And what happened to your other plan?" Scarface asks, his tone dripping with skepticism.

I look at Vittoria, who is smiling wide, almost triumphantly. "They almost had a hit on Leone's yacht party, but somehow, the bastard survived."

My body tenses at Vittoria's words. The realization hits me like a punch to the gut. I glance at the men again, and everything starts to make sense.

I am in enemy territory.

~

"So, this is your big plan?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

Vittoria's smile falters slightly, but she quickly regains her composure. "Yes, Jules. We've been planning this for months. The Montes have ruled for too long. It's time for a change."

"And you think killing them all is the solution?" I challenge myself, feeling a surge of defiance.

"It's the only way," the driver says, his eyes cold and calculating. "We can't leave any of them alive. They're too dangerous."

I glance at Vittoria, searching for any hint of doubt, but she meets my gaze with unwavering determination. "You're either with us or against us, Jules."

The weight of her words hangs in the air, and I know I have to make a choice. But deep down, I already know the answer. "I'm with you," I say, forcing the words out. I need to buy time to figure out a way out of this mess.

"Good," Vittoria replies, her smile returning. "We need all the help we can get."

Scarface turns back to the wheel and starts the car, and we drive deeper into the night. I sit in the back, my mind racing. I have to find a way to warn Leone, to stop this madness. But for now, I have to play along and survive.