The Mafia’s Forbidden Desire

ROSALINDA.

I was so stupid. So fucking stupid. Knowing the dangerous world that surrounded me, I went ahead and took Carlo out alone. Without guards.

Different thoughts were colliding in my head, and I was going crazy. I couldn’t think straight; my heart was burning fiercely, and my whole body was shaking. I was dishevelled and confused, not knowing what to do.

I took out my phone to call 911, but I found myself dialing Antonio’s number instead.

“Antonio.” I said breathlessly into the phone when he picked up, my chest heaving up and down.

“What happened?” He quickly asked, worried.

“I came… hospital… God, Carlo.” I cried, unable to form a coherent sentence.

“Rosalinda. I want you to take a deep breath and breathe out.” He told me, and I did just that.

“Again.” He said, and I repeated it.

“Now, tell me where you are; I’m coming there right away.” He said with urgency. He didn’t even bother to ask what happened anymore.

I told him where I was, and he ended the call immediately.

I lurked around, and it wasn’t even up to twenty minutes when Antonio’s car pulled up in front of me. He scrammed out of the car, his features portraying worries as he rushed towards me.

He placed both hands on my shoulders and asked. “What happened, Rosalinda?”

“Carlo.” I breathed.

“What happened to Carlo?” He asked.

“I came here with him to visit Ruby. While we were out here waiting for a cab, two men snatched him away from me. They took him away.” I cried.

“Rosalinda, why?” He shook me furiously. “I’ve warned you to stop going out alone. Now, you took Carlo with you. Are you-”

He trailed off and blew out a sharp breath, his nose flaring. He stomped away from me and raked his fingers through his hair in frustration before walking back to me.

“Did you see who took him? How do they look? Is there anything at all you can use to identify them?” He asked.

He was visibly angry at me, but he was suppressing it. The only thing that seemed to matter at that moment was finding Carlo.

“No, I didn’t think to look at their faces; I was struggling to prevent them from taking Carlo. Except…” I trailed off.

“Except what?” Antonio quickly asked.

“While I was struggling with them, I saw a tattoo on one of their wrists.” I told him. “I think it was a snake tattoo.”

“Fuck! Damn it! That mother fucker!” He groaned.

“What? Do you know who took him?” I asked, confused.

“Yes.” He replied.

A pang of hope coursed through me. “Who?”

“Get in the car. I’ll tell you on the way.” He trudged to his car, and I promptly followed him.

Antonio drove me home, and on the way, he explained how he discovered that it was Lorenzo who had been trying to kill him. The snake tattoo was a signature symbol for their gang.

I wondered why Lorenzo kidnapped my son and what he wanted to do with him. I was insanely worried, hoping nothing would happen to my dear son before he was found.

Antonio had called Papà and explained things to him prior to us getting there. When we got to the mansion, he was on the front porch, impatiently waiting for us.

The second we came down from the car, Papà rushed towards us, his eyes burning with rage.

“Rosalinda, are you crazy?” He yelled furiously. “Why did you take him out? Alone?!”

He didn’t need to tell me how crazy I was. I knew I was. And I regretted my actions. So much. It was all my fault.

“Call Lorenzo and ask him to come. Don’t let him know that we know what he did.” Antonio told Papà.

He drew his brows together. “Why?”

“Just do it. Please!” Antonio groaned.

Papà glared at me, then sighed before dialling Lorenzo’s number.

“Good morning.” Papà said when he picked up. “I have an emergency that I’d like your advice on. If you aren’t busy, can you come over to my place?”

“Okay then. I’ll be expecting you.” He said after a few seconds and ended the call.

“He’s coming, right?” Antonio asked, and Papà nodded.

“Good.” Antonio groaned.

“What are your plans? Why did you ask me to call him here?” He asked.

Antonio sighed. “When he comes, ask him questions about Carlo’s abduction. I’m going to his mansion to bring Carlo back. Do not let him leave until I return.”

“Don’t you think we should take some time to strategize before attacking?” He suggested.

“We don’t have time!” Antonio exclaimed, clearly agitated by Papà’s suggestion. “My-” he paused and exhaled. “Carlo is not spending another hour in captivity. I need to rescue him now!”

Papà sighed. “You don’t have to do this. But I truly appreciate your help.” He patted him on the shoulder, his voice dripping with sincerity. “Thank you.”

Antonio only nodded in response, then briefly glanced at me before turning around and walking towards his car in long strides. I could see it in his eyes that he was highly disappointed in me.

I messed up!

***

ANTONIO

I mobilised all my men to go invade Lorenzo’s home. Marco tried to talk me out of it, saying it wasn’t our war to fight. But what he didn’t know was that it was indeed my war to fight. No one could save Carlo like I could. No one else could risk it all just to save my son. It was my duty as his father.

We didn’t approach the house until we were sure that Lorenzo was with Roberto already. I didn’t want him to be there while we carried out our operation. Taking his men and saving Carlo would be much easier if he wasn’t there to instruct his men.

The gatemen refused to grant us access inside after honking the car at them. So, I had to slip out of the car and approach them.

“Who are you looking for?” One of the gatemen asked suspiciously.

“My son was kidnapped by your boss. I came here to save my son.” I said truthfully, looking intently at him. “And you would allow us inside.”

The three men by the gate laughed hysterically, like I was some sort of joke, and that irritated me. I didn’t have time for riffraff like them.

The second I noticed them trying to reach for their guns, I moved faster than them, pulling my gun out and shooting all three of them in the head. Without hesitation.

I turned to look at my men, who were already out of the car. “One of you should scale the gate and open it.” I instructed.

Once the gate was opened, we all hopped back into the car and continued our journey inside.

About six men trooped outside, aiming their guns at us, but my men were quick to fire at them first. They all dropped dead.

We scrammed out of the car and began to approach the main building afterwards.

“You, you, you, you, and you.” I pointed at five of my men. “Follow me.”

“What about the rest of us?” Marco asked.

“Remain outside and take watch. More of his men might return anytime soon.” I instructed.

With that, I began to take cautious steps towards the entrance, with the men I pointed at following suit.

The front door was wide open, and the second I walked through it, a man attempted to knock my gun down, but I was faster than him. I knocked his own gun out of his hand and kicked his balls before shooting him in the head.

While all that was happening, two other men attempted to shoot, but my backup men shot them instantly.

A lot of Lorenzo’s men weren’t around, and that was to our advantage.

“Spread out and find the boy.” I instructed them.

I ascended up the staircase and started banging all the rooms open, looking for my boy. In one of the rooms, I found a woman who I assumed to be the chef because she had an apron on. She was shivering in fear in one corner of the room.

“I don’t know anything. Please don’t kill me.” She pleaded desperately.

“I won’t hurt you if you cooperate.” I said firmly.

The distant sound of two gunshots echoed, and the woman recoiled instinctively. I only hoped those gunshots weren’t for my men.

“I came here looking for a little boy. Have you seen him around?” I asked her, and she vehemently shook her head.

“You haven’t seen him?” I asked.

“I-I haven’t.” She replied hesitantly. I could tell that she was lying.

I inched closer to her, and she shivered increasingly with each step I took.

Stopping in front of her, I pressed my gun to her forehead to instill more fear in her before threatening.

“I wouldn’t hesitate to shoot if you lie to me again. Answer my question correctly this time. Where is he?”

“He’s in the basement.” She sharply replied. “I saw them taking him to the basement.”

“Take me there.” I said, stepping aside for her to lead the way.

She walked out of the room, and I followed her, my gun still pointed at her.

We encountered two dead bodies on our way, and she freaked out. She screamed and tried to run, but I pressed my gun to her head, reminding her of the fate that awaited her if she dared defy me.

“I’ll take you there.” She cried.

“You better.” I groaned.

We continued our journey, and we got to the basement in no time.

“Can I go now?” She asked, and I shook my head.

“We’re going down there together. Now, walk.”

She did as instructed, and I followed suit. But I was cautious, looking out for men who might be in the basement with Carlo.

We hadn’t even reached the base of the staircase when I spotted Carlo in one corner, crying profusely. My heart broke into many pieces at that sight.

“Carlo.” I called as I rushed to him.

The woman took the opportunity to run for her life, but I didn’t bother to stop her because I didn’t need her any more.

“Uncle Antonio.” Carlo cried as he jumped on his tiny feet.

“Oh, boy!” I exclaimed.

I carried him up and held him tightly to my chest, relieved that nothing had happened to him.

“I love you, son. I love you so much.” I beamed, plastering many kisses on his cheeks.

“I am scared.” He cried.

“It’s okay. You’re okay.” I patted his back to comfort him. I had never been so scared of losing someone.

I would kill Lorenzo and everyone involved in hurting my son. Of that, I promise.