The Mafia’s Forbidden Desire

ANTONIO I cast my gaze at the bullet hole in the door before turning to Rebecca, who was on the floor, wincing in pain. “You dared come into my home and threaten the life of my wife.” I said, my voice surprisingly calm. “Your wife?” She retorted and laughed hysterically. “Antonio, your wife? I was supposed to be the love of your life. I did everything I could to earn your love. I guess it wasn’t just enough.” I moved closer to her, and my eyes narrowed. “I told you from the onset that I could never love you. I gave you the chance to make a decision: to stay or to leave. You chose to stay.” “I had hoped you would change your mind!” She yelled. “But I didn’t.” She darted her gaze at Rosalinda before returning her gaze to me. “Why her? What’s so special about her? I could be better than her if you want me to.” “Enough!” Marco pointed his gun at her and cocked it. “Boss, give me the order, and I’ll end her life right now.” I signalled for him to take the gun down, and he did, but hesitantly. My brows furrowed together as I observed her, expressing exactly how I felt about her. “You could never be her. And yes, you could never be enough for me. You never even meant anything to me. And that nothing you never meant just turned into hatred. I despise you, Rebecca.” “Hate? You hate me?” Her voice was barely a whisper as tears began to stream down her face. She hoisted her head to look at Rosalinda, and an intense frown masked her features as she spat. “This is all because of you. And I would make you pay.” She hurriedly crawled to the gun lying on the floor and picked it up, pointing it at Rosalinda. “No!” She exclaimed, shaking her head, and swiftly directed the gun at me, seeming to have had second thoughts. “I should face you; you were the one who broke my heart.” “Go on.” I opened my arms wide, my eyes growing darker. “Pull the trigger. Kill me. I dare you to shoot me, Rebecca.” “That’s the problem.” She began to cry again. “I can’t! I cannot live without you. So-” She suddenly pressed the gun to her temple. “So, I’d rather die.” “Rebecca, no!” I exclaimed in perplexity as I tried to dissuade her from killing herself. “Do not do this.” I might have hated her for coming into my home and attempting to kill Rosalinda, but the last thing I wanted was to see her dead. Also, the poor old woman at the care home was too shattered and grief-stricken to bear the loss of her granddaughter. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. “Why do you care?” She blinked, staring at me through her teary eyes. “Think about your grandmother. She just lost her friend. Do you think she can afford to lose you also?” I said cautiously. “Think about her!” “Right. Grams,” she whispered exhaustedly as realization dawned on her. “She would go crazy if I died. I have to survive for her.” “Yes. Now, drop that gun.” I urged. She slowly withdrew the gun from her head, and I hurried towards her, taking the gun into my possession before she had a change of mind. “Antonio, please-” “I never want to see you near my family again!” I cut her off, my tone dark. “Please, don’t do this to me.” She sobbed, looking at me with hopeful and desperate eyes. “Okay. If you don’t want to leave her, I could share. I don’t care, as long as I’m with you.” Shaking my head, I turned to look at Vito, who was behind me. “Take her out. And God help you to forget telling the men outside never to allow her in again.” “I cherish my life.” He inched closer to Rebecca and jerked her up. “I won’t forget.” A combination of confusion and anger saturated Marco’s face as he stared at me. “You are just going to let her go?” “Yes.” I simply replied. The confusion on Marco’s face was replicated on everyone’s face. Even I was surprised at how lightly I took the matter. As Vito dragged Rebecca away, she screamed like a lunatic, desperately pleading that I take her back into my life while everyone watched. “Antonio, she almost killed Camilla and Rosalinda.” Marco reminded me, his voice laced with fury. I turned to look at him. “Everyone deserves a second chance.” She wasn’t always like this. She used to be a sweet and innocent girl. I exploited the crazy love she had for me to its full extent, making her do crazily risky things for me and stripping her of her innocence. I was the one who damaged her, so yes, she deserved a second chance. Marco angrily stomped out, and Camilla followed, leaving only Rosalinda and me behind. Sighing, I inched closer to her and wrapped my arm around her shoulder.

“It’s okay. You are safe now. Let’s go inside.” I said calmly. She shook her head, her voice void of emotion as she spoke. “I want to see my son first. I want to make sure he’s fine.” We went to Carlo’s room, and we both quietly watched him for a few minutes as he slept peacefully on the bed. Once she was satisfied that he was fine, we walked back to our room in silence. “I didn’t expect you to let her go.” She said once we were in the room, finally speaking about the unsettling situation. I raised a brow. “You didn’t want me to let her go?” “No.” She shook her head. “It’s just that…” “You didn’t think I was capable of forgiveness?” She nodded. “Here.” I took her hand and placed it on the left side of my chest. “I have a working heart.” She chuckled softly, easing the tension that had been coursing through me. I had been worried about how she would react to the situation, fearing she might be angry with me. I was glad she wasn’t. “It’s just that a large part of the heart is ice cold.” I continued, mirroring the smile on her face. “But some part, where you especially reside, is still alive. Can you feel it beating?” She nodded, looking at me with her sweet, innocent, mesmerising eyes. I took my hand to her hair and tucked it behind her ear. “It’s beating for you, woman.” My lips sought hers, and I engaged her in a quick, gentle kiss. Placing my forehead on hers, I whispered. “I am sorry you had to go through that. I promise to never put you in harm’s way again. I love you so much.” “I love you too.” She breathed. Suddenly, my phone started ringing, and I pulled it out of my pocket to see that it was her father-Roberto-who was calling. I narrowed my eyes. He was the last person I expected to see calling me. “Excuse me.” I promptly told Rosalinda before walking out of the room and picking up the call. “What?” I groaned into the phone. He sighed. “I hate to ask you, but I need your help.” I smiled wickedly. “You suddenly need my help after threatening to kill me. Interesting. Anyway, what do you want?” “I’ll let you know when we meet.” He said. “You should choose the venue.” “When?” “Now. It’s urgent.” “Where are you?” I quickly asked. “At home.” “I’ll meet you there. That’s if you won’t threaten to kill me like the last time.” He sighed. “I promise. I won’t.” “Deal, then.” I groaned before ending the call.