The Mafia's Jewel (BWWM)

37

We were supposed to leave the Monte mansion, however there was a problem that delayed our departure and me staying here longer. The Monté mansion is unusually quiet tonight. Despite the grandiosity of the place and its opulent decor, there's an undercurrent of tension that seeps through the walls.

The usually luxurious atmosphere has been overshadowed by the weight of an emergency. Leone's promise to take me out tomorrow has been dashed by a crisis at one of the family warehouses, and the once-relaxed evening has turned into a high-stakes meeting with several of Leone's associates.

I sit in a corner of the grand sitting room, my fingers flying over my phone as I text Amara. The sound of muffled voices and the occasional sharp tone of Leone's voice drifts through the open door leading to the meeting room. I try to concentrate on my message, keeping my words brief and coded.

Me: Amara, things are getting messy here. Leone's dealing with a crisis. Drugs were tampered with, and it looks like there's a mole. I need to stay alert. I'll keep you posted.

I hit send and glance up, trying to catch snippets of the conversation that's unfolding in the next room. The walls are thick, but the urgency in Leone's voice carries through. The words "drugs," "tampered with," and "mole" stand out, each one adding to the weight of the situation.

I hear Leone's voice rising, laced with frustration. "I don't understand. Only a few of us have access to that particular warehouse. To break in, you would need someone from our ranks."

His words are met with a murmur of agreement from the others, followed by the sound of shuffling and the clinking of glasses. I can imagine the scene—Leone standing at the head of the table, his face set in a grim expression, while the others look on, their faces a mixture of concern and confusion.

"Don't you see the issue here?" Michael speaks up, his tone measured but edged with concern. "If only a few people had access, then the breach had to come from someone within our circle. We have a mole."

The room falls into a heavy silence. I can't see their faces, but I can picture the atmosphere growing more tense. Leone's anger is palpable, even from where I'm sitting. I hear a sharp intake of breath and the sound of Camellia's voice cutting through the quiet.

"We've been compromised," she says, her voice steady but carrying an edge of urgency. "This is a serious threat. Whoever did this not only damaged our operation but put us all at risk."

Leone's voice rises again, sharp and demanding. "I want to know who's responsible. We need to find this mole before we lose more than just income. If word gets out, it could destroy everything we've built."

The meeting continues, but I can't make out the specifics anymore. The urgency in Leone's voice tells me that this is more than just a financial setback; it's a direct threat to their entire operation. I shift in my seat, trying to stay focused but feeling increasingly anxious.

Minutes stretch into what feels like hours. The sound of tense voices and rapid-fire discussions only serves to amplify my unease. I can't help but wonder what's happening behind those closed doors. Are they getting closer to finding out who the mole is? And what does this mean for me?

I try to push my worries aside and take another look at my phone. There's a new message from Amara, and I open it with trembling fingers.

I'm about to reply when I hear the door to the meeting room open. Leone steps out, his face a mask of frustration and determination. He scans the room and spots me. His expression softens just slightly, but the tension is still evident in his posture.

"Jules," he calls out, his voice low but carrying the weight of his frustration.

I look up from my phone, my heart pounding. "Yeah?"