Page 98 of Mafia King's Forbidden Obsession

I want to give an order when my phone vibrates on the desk. I glance at it, an unknown number flashing on the screen. Slowly, my heart rate rises, and an odd feeling settles in my gut as I watch the screen.

Clearing my throat, I pick up the call before bringing it to my ear.

There’s a moment of silence on the other side, and I fight the urge to speak first. Just as I open my mouth, a voice cuts through the quiet. I haven’t heard it in years, but I’d recognize it anywhere.

“Ezra,” the voice drawls.

“Matteo,” I say, through gritted teeth. My grip tightens on the phone as the memories from fifteen years ago hit me. “Where’s Raven?”

“Alive?” he chuckles darkly. “Well, I wouldn’t call it living, Ezra.”

My blood boils, and I resist the urge to slam my phone into the table. “If you fucking touch her I−”

“You’ll what?” he taunts. “You can’t do shit, Ezra. I have the upper hand this time.”

“I’ll make sure you bleed from every damn hole in your body!” I yell, barely able to contain the rage coursing through me as I imagine what he could be doing to her.

Matteo only laughs as soon as I finish speaking. “Careful, Ezra. Your words might bring her harm.” His laughter turns dark and twisted.

Silence settles between us as I struggle to ease the tension in my chest, fully aware of just how twisted Matteo can be.

“Why?Perché adesso(Why now)?” I demand, keeping my voice steady even though it drops to a dangerous whisper.

He scoffs. “Perché?You’re really asking me that?” His voice hardens, venom dripping from his words. “You fucking sold me out to the American cartel like I meant nothing. Do you even know the unspeakable things they did to me?”

I clench my jaw, attempting to control my flaring temper. “You brought it on yourself, Matteo.Sei stato imprudente(You were reckless). And greedy.”

“And it cost me everything!” he explodes, and I involuntarily fist the edge of the table, my nails digging into the wood. “While you sat there, playing king in your little empire,stavo marcendo all'inferno. Ero uno schiavo(I was rotting in hell. I was a slave),Ezra. The Americans should have killed me. Instead, I was sold as a slave because of you.”

My nostrils flare at the bitterness and hate in his voice. He has no fucking right to confront me after what he did. Elio is seated on the chair, typing furiously on his phone.

“Ci hai messo tutti a rischio(You put us all at risk). Don’t you dare act like you didn’t know the consequences,” my voice booms, as I jump to my feet and start to pace the office. Elio trails behind, pushing the IV pole. He texts on his phone.

Matteo’s laugh is bitter and hollow. “You sold me out to save your skin. Don’t play innocent with me, Ezra. You could have saved my ass or, at the very least, kept your fucking mouth shut, but you ratted me out.”

I stop. “Ti ho venduto (Sold you out)?” It was my turn to let out a loud, bitter laugh. I glare at the wall like he’s right in front of me. “I lost my family because of you!” I slam my fist on the table.

“Or maybe that’s just karma for your stupid decision,” he taunts, the sound of his laughter grating in my ears. “But enough of that, there’s a reason I’m contacting you.”

“Fuck you,” I remark snidely. “Lascia andare Raven(Let Raven go).”

“On one condition.” He chuckles, then sighs. “Voglio tutto(I want everything), Ezra. Dimettersi (Step down). Relinquish your power. Hand over your empire to me.”

I blink, stunned by the audacity. What the fuck is he on about?

“Sei pazzo(You’re insane),” I hiss.

“Pensaci attentamente(Think carefully), Ezra.” Matteo’s voice drops to a deadly whisper. “Because if you don’t, I’ll make sure you lose more than just your throne.”

A surge of fury attacks my chest. “What the fuck do you…”

My phone vibrates loudly in my ear, interrupting me. Pulling the phone from my ear, I glance at the screen, and my heart drops.

Raven.

My throat tightens as I click on the notification. I break out in a cold sweat when I see the video.

She’s in a poorly lit room, her wrists tied together. She’s slumped against a wall, head resting limp with a few cuts on her lips. Unconscious. Helpless.