Page 7

MIRELLA

I closed Alex’s door softly behind me, still feeling the warmth of his tiny hand in mine and the weight of his innocent questions lingering in my mind. A part of me felt lighter after telling him that story, but the other part? It felt... heavier.

The thought of Sergio crept back in, unwelcome and unsettling. Why am I even thinking about him? I shook my head as if I could clear the idea with a simple gesture. I had too much on my plate to get distracted by the past.

I turned down the hall, and Dahlia’s slim figure appeared, heading toward me. She was more than just my assistant. She’d been my lifeline since Alex was born, almost like a sister—and there was no one else I could trust to be with him.

“Dahlia,” I whispered, careful not to wake Alex, “how’s he been settling in here?”

She crossed her arms, flashing me a reassuring smile. “You know him, Mirella—quiet but resilient. He’s handling the move just fine. You worry too much.”

I nodded, sighing, as the relief spread over me. “I can’t help it. You know how reserved he is. But he’s adjusting well, right? ”

“Better than most kids would, I’d say,” she said, her tone confident. “Alex has always adapted to change. It’s in his nature, just like it’s in yours.”

A warmth grew in my chest as I looked down the hallway, imagining Alex sound asleep in his bed. But the guilt wasn’t far behind, creeping up the sides of that warmth, reminding me that the more time I spent here, the less time I had for him. I glanced back at Dahlia, setting my voice low. “Keep an eye on him. All the time. I want an update every six hours, even if it’s just a ‘he’s fine.’”

Dahlia smiled with a slight nod. “Consider it done. You don’t have to worry about him while you’re taking care of business. We’ve got it covered here.”

I forced a smile, though my mind lingered on the plan in front of me, the risks, and the time it would take. “Thank you, Dahlia. It’s only temporary,” I whispered, more for myself than her. “One day, I’ll get us both out of this.”

Dahlia’s warm gaze lingered on me, and I knew she understood. Giving her shoulder a quick squeeze, I turned and headed toward my room, hoping to drown myself in work and strategy. But as soon as the door closed behind me, Sergio’s face came to mind again.

Why did he have to warn me like that? And why did it have to come from him?

I sank down onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. Sergio. He was impossible, that was certain. I hadn’t seen him in years, but one look at him tonight had rattled me in a way I hadn’t expected. It wasn’t just because he was the enemy’s son now or the warning he’d thrown at me. No, it was something more, something that tugged at old memories I’d long buried. Memories of two kids who used to dare each other to climb the highest tree in the park and who used to run through the central park square laughing and teasing.

My hand drifted to my lips, an old habit I’d developed when I was deep in thought, and a wry smile crept up on me.

My first kiss.

Sergio had been my first kiss. The thought was almost funny now, the way we’d hidden behind his family’s big cherry tree, giggling like two fools. The thrill of it was far too much for two kids. I could still remember how he’d looked at me, with those same dark brown eyes—serious, even then. He’d had this way of holding my gaze that made me feel like the only girl in the world.

Stop it, Mirella.

I scolded myself, rolling my eyes. I had no business romanticizing memories of some childhood crush. Those things were innocent and meaningless. Sergio probably didn’t even remember any of it. We’d both grown up and moved on. Yet, the feelings he’d stirred up in me tonight felt anything but childish.

I sat up, rubbing my temples. Maybe he’d warned me because he was… what? Trying to scare me off? Or maybe he was just being the same reckless kid I used to know, trying to play some game. I shouldn’t give him any more thought. He was danger wrapped in that handsome exterior, and I was smart enough to know better.

But you don’t feel like ignoring him, do you?

The thought caught me off guard, and I let out a frustrated groan. This wasn’t how I’d planned things. Sergio was supposed to be just another face in the mob hierarchy, another link in a chain I had to pull tight.

With a huff, I kicked off my shoes and moved to the window, looking out into the quiet night. I had enough monsters to face without adding this man to the list. But it was hard not to think about him. He’d grown up, just like I had. Gone was the boy who’d dared me to steal a basket of oranges from the store. In his place was a man, one whose presence now came with a different kind of thrill—a warning.

But despite my better judgment, I could still see those dark brown eyes, the way they’d looked at me tonight. I hated the little flicker of warmth that rose up when I did. I was ridiculous. I wasn’t some naive girl anymore. I was here with a plan, and I wasn’t about to let the past ruin it.

And yet, the memory of his hand reaching out toward me, the same way he used to, stayed with me.

You’re making connections that aren’t there, I reminded myself firmly, shaking my head as if I could shake him out of it. Sergio and I weren’t kids anymore. Whatever we’d once been was just a story from a lifetime ago.

***

Standing outside the heavy oak door of Don Carlos’s office, I pressed myself against the wall, half hidden in the shadow. I wanted to walk right in, but the loud echoes had stopped me. The low rumble of voices drifted out through the crack in the door, just enough for me to catch fragments of an argument brewing inside. I shouldn’t be eavesdropping, but then again, curiosity had always been my fatal flaw. Especially when it came to Don Carlos—and, well, Sergio.

Sergio’s voice rose above his father’s, rough and accusing. “You had no right to go after him, and you know it! He was unarmed; he wasn’t a threat!”

I raised an eyebrow. Sergio questioning his father? This was a side I hadn’t expected.

Don Carlos’s laugh was dark and hollow. “You’re getting soft, boy. You think anyone in our world gets to play by the rules? You do what’s necessary, no matter the cost. That’s how you survive.”

There was a pause, and then Sergio’s voice hardened. “That’s not survival. It’s a massacre. And it’s wrong. There are lines, and you crossed them.”

The old man scoffed. “Morals? You’re wasting my time with morals now, Sergio? This is about more than you, more than me—this is about our legacy.”

Their voices overlapped, and my pulse quickened. This wasn’t just a fight. It was a challenge. Sergio wasn’t backing down, and I leaned closer, holding my breath.

“And what kind of legacy is it if you’re just butchering people who stand in your way?” Sergio shot back, his tone dripping with contempt. “If this is how you’re running things, maybe it’s time to question who you’re doing it for.”

“Watch your mouth!” Don Carlos’s voice came out in a snarl, and I flinched, even from my hidden spot. “These are the prices we pay for power, for respect, for control. What’s weak, Sergio, is being too soft to pay them. And right now, that’s exactly what you’re showing me—weakness.”

I’d known Don Carlos long enough to recognize the scorn in his tone and the same twisted pride he had in breaking anyone who dared challenge him. I’d never have guessed that Sergio, of all people, would be on the receiving end. I thought he was just like his father.

Then again, I didn’t know much about Sergio at all these days, did I?

“You think I’m weak for calling out your mistakes? For refusing to turn a blind eye when you cross a line?” Sergio’s voice was cold, defiant. “I’m not spineless. I am just not blinded by greed.”

A heavy silence fell, and I waited, breath held, for Don Carlos’s reply.

“You think you’re noble, that you’re better than me because you have principles?” Don Carlos’s voice was low and calculating. “Well, principles are for people who don’t know what they want. When you figure it out, come talk to me. Until then, keep your little ideas about morality to yourself.”

I felt a thrill of something close to admiration as I listened to Sergio stand his ground, even as Don Carlos tried to pull him down. Maybe he wasn’t so much his father’s puppet after all.

Straightening, I decided now was the time to make my entrance. No use pretending I hadn’t heard most of the exchange, though my expression stayed carefully neutral. I knocked, then pushed open the door and stepped inside, meeting Don Carlos’s gaze first. His eyes flickered with an unreadable glint—displeasure, suspicion, or maybe even amusement. But it was Sergio’s steely glare that held me captive. Those dark brown eyes were simmering with defiance.

Don Carlos motioned for me to come in further, his hand settling heavily on his desk as if daring me to step closer. “Mirella,” he began, his tone dangerously smooth, “it’s good you’re here. I was just telling my son that there’s only so much trust I can extend, especially to those who’ve betrayed it before.”

A hint of heat crept up my neck, but I kept my face calm. “Don Carlos, if there’s any way I can prove myself, I’m here to do it. What happened last time was an error in judgment. ”

He gave a small, humorless laugh. “An error. Yes, and what an expensive one it was. You’ll understand if I can’t take your word at face value anymore, Mirella.” He glanced at Sergio, who looked away, jaw clenched, clearly wrestling with whatever storm his father had provoked in him.

I played the part of the naive girl—wide-eyed, almost hurt. “I know you have every reason to doubt me, Don Carlos. But I’m here to make things right. I had no idea... I didn’t mean—”

He held up a hand, stopping me mid-sentence, his expression turning sharp. “Enough with the excuses. Words are worthless, Mirella. It’s actions I’m interested in now.”

My stomach twisted, but I forced a hopeful smile. “Then tell me what I can do. I’ll prove it.”

Don Carlos’s gaze turned calculating as he considered me. “Proving it... that’s exactly what you’ll have to do. I’m putting you on tasks, things I’ll expect you to handle as if your life depended on them. Which it very well might.”

I nodded, bracing myself. “I understand.”

“Good. And as it happens, Sergio here is the best teacher you could hope for.” He gestured toward his son, a cruel glint in his eye. “He’ll be keeping an eye on you, making sure you don’t... slip.”

Sergio’s mouth twisted into a wry smirk, and the pleasure in his gaze was unmistakable. It was as if he were assessing me, already deciding how much trouble I’d cause him. Wonderful.

Of all people, why did it have to be him?

I swallowed, struggling to keep my tone respectful. “I’ll learn quickly, I promise.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt that,” Don Carlos replied smoothly, leaning back with an air of satisfaction. “For your first task, you’ll accompany Sergio. Let him show you what true dedication looks like.”

Sergio turned, eyes locked on me, and the gaze on his face twisted into something almost amused.

Of course, he’d enjoy this.

He gave his father a curt nod. Then, he looked back at me with one eyebrow raised as if challenging me to protest. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

As we walked toward the door, he cast me a sideways glance. “Looks like you’re stuck with me, princess.”

I forced a smile, determined not to let him get under my skin. If he thought he could make this uncomfortable, he was sorely mistaken. But inside, my mind raced with questions, all of them directed at the man walking beside me.

Sergio.