Mafia Lord's Ultimate PaybacK

The car rolled to a slow stop in front of a massive white mansion and Jake stepped out right at that instant. Lillian remained in the car, wondering what was happening.

High walls topped with coiled barbed wire and surveillance cameras at every corner of the house. The garden was neatly trimmed, the yard too spacious to be a family home. The garage looked more like a luxury car dealership.

She finally alighted slowly after the car was parked in the garage, her eyes drinking in the new surroundings. Everything about the place screamed wealth and power. She didn't recognize the house, but she guessed it must be the place she'd been brought to while unconscious. She hadn't seen the outside until now.

She moved hesitantly toward the entrance, her heels clicking softly on the stone pathway. As she reached the front door, a loud crash echoed through the house, followed by a piercing scream.

"I swear, all I wanted was to help you, Jake! I couldn't stand by and watch my fiancé being dragged to court!" a woman screamed in Spanish.

Lillian froze with her heart leapt to her throat. She didn't understand what the woman said, but fear and desperation was laced in her voice.

She peeked into the house and saw her, a beautiful woman in a black glittering dress, standing behind a couch like it was a shield.

Lillian took a step inside hesitantly, watching the scene unfolded before her. Jake stood on the other side of the couch, his expression thunderous.

"Why the fvck did you intervene?!" He growled, his voice fiery and full of rage.

The woman cowered, her hands raised slightly. "I'm sorry! Please, forgive me. My love for you blinded me...."

"And that will send you to your early grave." Jake declared with a growl before pulling out a gun.

Lillian gasped audibly from where she stood, her wide eyes on the gun. Her legs were trembling. The woman screamed again in fear, and for a moment, it looked like Jake would actually shoot.

"Miguel!" An older woman's voice rang out. He froze mid-movement. The tension in the room thinned but didn't vanish.

Lillian turned her head and saw a woman, probably in her late forties, descending slowly down a wheelchair ramp. Her skin was brown, her hair braided neatly, and she moved with quiet authority.

Jake didn't turn immediately. He stood there, jaw clenched, his hand still gripping the gun. The woman before him had run for dear life after the old woman showed up.

When the old woman reached the bottom of the ramp, Jake finally turned, keeping his gun back in the holster. And for the first time, Lillian saw something entirely unfamiliar on his face.

A smile.

A soft one.

"You should be resting, momma," he said gently in Spanish, squatting before the wheelchair. He took her hand and kissed it with surprising tenderness, although his breath was still erratic.

Lillian stood in stunned silence. Momma? That was his mother? There was no resemblance at all. And yet, the effect she had on him was undeniable.

They exchanged a few words in Spanish. Lillian kept watching them until the front door opened. The man who took her to the court walked in, silent as always, his face neutral.

Their eyes met, and Lillian gave him a small tight-lipped smile. He didn't return it.

Efren walked over to Jake and bent to whisper something in his ear. Jake nodded slowly, then moved behind his mother's wheelchair and pushed her gently toward another hallway.

"You should learn to control your anger, Miguel," his mother said in English as they passed while Lillian's eyes followed them.

The woman looked peaceful and nothing like her son. Jake said nothing, only kept pushing.

Lillian exhaled, she had been holding her breath without realizing it. She entered the room further and found the maid who brought her food in the basement.

"Hey," She called.

Olivia was walking past carrying a tray of dirty plates. She was visibly surprised to see Lillian standing there, looking all fit and also wearing a designer suit.

"Hi," She said cautiously. She thought that Lillian was at the hospital since Efren took her there late last night. Why was she cleaned up to this level.

"I didn't get to tell you my name. I'm Lily,"

"Olivia." She responded, her eyes sizing her up before entering the kitchen. Lillian gulped before following her.

"Is there something I can eat?" She asked politely. She was really starving but there was a shift in Olivia's demeanor.

"You can warm the leftovers in the microwave," She replied flatly.

"I'm a vegan," Lillian informed her. She had many questions to ask her but the way she wasn't being rude and friendly made her swallow her words.

Olivia turned around with a dramatic smile, "Really? Tell me more about yourself," she said with exaggerated interest.

"Oh, wait. Are you going to tell me how you suddenly get to be on Mr. Hernandez's good side for him to gift you Hernan Luxe? Is that it?"

Lillian blinked. "I was asked to wear this to court. I'm a lawyer. I had to look presentable in court," she explained, then saw the relievedness in Olivia's eyes.

"Is that it?" She asked again to be sure, scratching the back of her head and Lillian nodded.

Her aura changed again before she flashed Lillian a grin, "I'll make you some vegetable stir-fry rice and tofu."

She was about to tell her that she could make it herself when Efren walked in.

"Bring her food to the room when it's ready," He told Olivia, who nodded. He gestured for Lillian to follow him and she did.

She made sure to remain silent. They climbed the stairs and stopped at a door that looked like it hadn't been opened in years.

"Clean it yourself," Efren said, turning to leave.

"Did Mr. Hernandez order me to be brought here?" she asked.

Efren looked at her, gave a single reluctant nod, and turned again.

"I'm Lillian. What about you?" She asked.

She wanted to start by making friends with the household... no allies.

"Not important," He replied.

"Well, thank you, Mr. Always-Frowning for taking me to the hospital."

Efren paused, turning slightly.

"It was Ms. Rose," he said, then walked away.

Lillian frowned. That name again. He had mentioned it before. Who was this Ms. Rose?

Her thoughts churned, recalling what the chief judge mouthed to her. But for now, if she wanted to escape or find her way back to safety, she needed to play smart.

Her gaze shifted toward the hallway Jake had taken his mother through. If anyone could change his mind, it was that woman.

A plan started to form in her mind; get close to the woman who could melt his heart.