Crush on the Mafia Boss

You know, there's nothing quite like realizing your entire life has been a lie. I used to believe in loyalty, in family, in Max—my boyfriend.

Wait. Is he still my boyfriend? His name makes my stomach turn now. Well, I guess... shit happens.

Anyway, here I am, sitting in this dark safe house that isn't so safe anymore. I wonder how everything went so wrong. But it started like any other night.

Max and Sandy were out, celebrating some deal or another.

"You stay put, Valentina," he always said. "It's safer here for you."

And like the fool I was, I believed him. But how could I not? When you get yourself a boyfriend, you're supposed to believe everything he says. Otherwise, why get one?

I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard a shot. A gunshot, to be precise.

I wasn't nervous, though. Guns, bombs, grenades, you name it! I'm a member of the mafia, so I'm used to it. I thought it was just a drill, so I was fine.

But when one shot became two, and the next penetrated directly through my window, I panicked.

What the hell was happening?

I grabbed my gun, fully alert. I moved quietly and peeked out the windows.

Who did I see? No one. All I saw were shadows and the flashes of muzzle fire.

Slightly scared, I dialed Max's number.

"What do you want, Val?!" His voice was irritated when he answered, and I could hear laughter in the background. Sandy's laughter.

"Max! We're under attack! I need you here!" My voice shook. I was desperate.

But he laughed. I said I was in danger, and he actually laughed! Good Lord!

"Val, chill out. I'm sure you can handle it. Besides, I'm a little busy here."

"Busy? Busy with Sandy?"

"Yeah, with Sandy," he replied, his tone mocking. "She's more fun than you, anyway."

And then he hung up. Just like that. Five years, and he couldn't even be bothered to care if I lived or died.

I felt bile rise in my throat, in anger and in fear. I was alone. No, not alone—betrayed. When I glanced around the room, the shadows crept closer. Then, I heard the door crash open behind me.

Fine! I'm doing this alone!

No choice, I held my gun and spun around. Sadly, there were too many of them. I fired and hit one, but the others kept coming. Out of ammunition, I backed up.

Suddenly, the man pointed his gun at me. At this point? All I could do was breathe, gasp, and pray.

Damn. I'm dying! This might be it.

But just when I thought it was over, a mysterious man showed up, half his face covered, and took the gunman down.

"Are you stupid? Will you just keep standing there, waiting for your death?"

He didn't look at me, just the mess around us.

"Who the hell are you?" I demanded, my voice shaking.

"Someone who's not going to let you die tonight," he said simply.

I don't usually trust strangers, but at that moment, I didn't care.

He was my way out.

After taking down one enemy after another, he walked over, grabbed my arm, and led me out of the safe house. Soon, the cool night air hit my face. Damn. Free at last!

Once we were a safe distance away, he stopped and released my arm.

Curious, I asked, "What's your name?"

But he only shook his head slightly and smiled. "You don't need to know me," he replied, his voice low and calm. "Just remember my voice because this will not be the last time you hear it."

"Why? Why won't you tell me?"

The man took a step back. "Because in our world, knowing too much can be a dangerous thing, Valentina. Just know that I'm watching, and when the time comes, you'll see me again."

After saying that, he disappeared into the night.