Page 23 of Mafia King's Forbidden Obsession

But it’ll still do damage… a significant amount. That’s what I’m avoiding.

“But I’m still pulling strings to ensure the news remains buried. I’ll keep you updated,” he finishes. I breathe with a nod.

Elio nods curtly, then turns to leave. I notice the drag in his steps. It’s the usual when he wants to say something.

“What?” I ask him.

“I noticed Raven’s no longer in the cell.”

We may not speak about it, but we both know why he’s hell-bent on getting her out of the way. He’s simply doing his job, making sure his don doesn’t fall into the same trap twice.

“I moved her into the house. It’s safer there.” My voice is curt.

“Safety is not…” he trails off, and I clench my jaw. Protection doesn’t equate to questioning my order, and he knows that.

“I know what I’m doing, Elio. Look into South America and find a good market base. I want my drugs dominating cities there.” He looks like he wants to say more, but seals his lips, then nods before he leaves.

“Yes, Boss.” The only reason Raven’s here is because of the incident. Just that. Nothing else.

I’m not a man of empathy. But I’d never felt so much rage as when I found her with that bastard trying to take advantage of her. And when she started to run her mouth, even with all that had happened, she was still… resilient. I hate it.

Sighing, I bring my hand to massage my temples. I can suddenly feel a headache. Ignoring it, I dig into the paperwork. I’m not past the first two lines when someone’s voice floats into my head. No, not float. The voice is banging loudly inside my head.

Instantly, I know it’s her. Raven. Fuck. It takes a moment, but I refocus on the files. When I pick up the pen, something else joins her voice. I don’t know what it is, but it sounds like... drumming? Feet stomping?

Letting out an irritated grunt, I stand from my chair and find my way to her room. Her voice gets annoyingly louder as I come to a stop in front of the door.

I find it difficult to process why any reasonable being would yell this loud. Especially if they’re being held hostage by men who can dictate their life or lack thereof.

The only reasonable answer to that is stupidity. A silly girl always managing to meddle in something she shouldn’t.

Balling my hand into a fist, I raise it to knock. My irritation slowly climbs a notch when she doesn’t respond. I repeat the motion. When I’m met with nothing but loud noises, I grip the doorknob and push it open. Once I step into her room, I am slightly wary of how quiet it is. She is no longer singing.

Raven is not in sight. The bed is as I remember it− perfectly made with pillows stacked on each other. There’s also an empty plate by the side of the bed.

My eyes travel to the window. There’s no way she could have escaped through it without the guards raising an alarm.

Where the fuck is she?

Faint sounds punctuate the silence. It’s coming from the bathroom. I walk towards it, knocking once. Twice. I try twisting the knob, but the door does not budge. It’s locked.

“Your voice is irritating.” I grit my teeth at the door. “Be quiet.”

“Go away.” Her voice comes from the other side of the door. Then she continues singing. This time in a high-pitched voice that strikes my eardrums more than before.

I drag in a sharp breath. What the fuck does she think this is?

“Do you think this is a joke?”

The more I stand here talking through a door, the more my irritation grows.

Her tone is sharp. “No, sir, I do not think this is a joke. You should ask yourself that question.”

What?

Before I talk, I hear her voice again. It comes with a light scoff. “Say please, and I’ll stop singing.”

That’s the last thing I expect to hear. Disbelief sinks my guts as I start to consider Elio’s advice.