Dark Obsession

Mia wiped the flour from her hands, surveying the rows of perfectly baked cupcakes lining the counter. The sweet aroma filled her small bakery, making her smile. This was her happy place. Since she moved down from Italy to Greece.

As she piped the final swirls of frosting onto the cupcakes, the doorbell above the entrance jingled, signaling the arrival of her first customers.

Mia's twin sons, Ethan and Eric, giggled and played in the corner, their bright blue eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Mama, can we help?" they chimed in unison, their tiny hands waving in the air.

Mia chuckled, handing each of them a small apron.

"Of course, my little helpers. Let's get to work!" she said.

The customer who walked in looked at the kids with a smile then back at her.

"Good morning, Welcome to your bakery, I presume?" he said, his deep voice sent shivers down Mia's spine.

"Yes, that's right. Welcome to Sweet Delights. What can I get for you today?"Mia smiled, wiping her hands on her apron.

The man's eyes roamed the bakery, taking in the rows of cupcakes, cookies, and pastries.

"I'll have a coffee, black, and...one of those delicious-smelling cupcakes." he muttered with a smile.

"Which flavor would you like?"Mia raised an eyebrow.

The man's gaze locked onto hers, making Mia's heart skip a beat.

"Surprise me." he mumbled, and she smiled, walking over to get his orders.

She returned and handed them over.

"Thank you, sir, please come back again." she muttered, and he handed her the cash.

"I will." he replied, turning to leave, not without glancing at the two boys playing.

Mia sighed and returned to her work, her mind wandering back to the mysterious stranger.

"Who was he?" she murmured, and her eyes drifted toward the closed door.

She couldn't shake the feeling that he'd been staring at her boys with an intensity that made her skin prickle.

Shrugging off the uneasy sensation, she refocused on her tasks.

The door opened once more, and Cassie, Mia's best friend, walked in.

"Hey, girl!" Cassie called, making Mia look up.

Cassie had been a friend to her since she arrived in this town seven years ago with her baby bump. She had been Mia's rock, supporting her through thick and thin.

Cassie's bright smile and bubbly personality immediately lifted Mia's mood.

"Hey, Cass! How's it going?" Mia asked, wiping her flour-covered hands on her apron.

Cassie sauntered over to the counter, her eyes scanning the bakery.

"It's going great, now that I'm surrounded by all this sweetness! I need a coffee and one of those delicious cupcakes. What's new with you?" Cassie asked, winking at Mia.

"Just the usual morning mayhem. The boys are playing hooky today, and I'm negotiating with two tiny dictators."Mia chuckled, shaking her head.

Cassie's expression softened, her eyes filled with concern. "

Rough morning? I'm running on fumes myself. My boyfriend's visiting tonight, and let's just say we're at a crossroads." she said.

"Issues? What's going on?"Mia's curiosity was piqued as she handed Cassie the coffee.

Cassie hesitated before speaking in a hushed tone. "He wants to take our relationship to the next level, but I'm not sure I'm ready."

Mia's eyes widened with understanding.

"I'm here for you, Cass. Whatever you need," Mia said, placing a comforting hand on Cassie's arm.

"Thanks, girl. You've always had a thing or two to say," Cassie replied.

"You've done much more for me," Mia said warmly as her eyes locked on Cassie's.

Cassie's gaze drifted, her thoughts consumed by the looming argument with her boyfriend.

"Have you seen Ryan this morning?" she asked, a hint of distraction in her voice.

"Not yet, but he'll probably swing by soon. He always makes a pit stop here before his morning shift at the hotel downtown."Mai chuckled and said.

Just as Cassie was about to take a bite of her cupcake, the doorbell above the entrance jingled again. This time, it was a delivery person holding a large bouquet of flowers.

"Flowers for Ms. Emilia Gray!" he called out.

Mia's eyes widened as she accepted the flowers.

"Wow, these are beautiful! But I didn't order any flowers," she said, staring at Cassie.

"Maybe it's a secret admirer?"Cassie's curiosity was piqued.

Mia blushed, feeling a flutter in her chest. "I don't think so. I'm not exactly...dating anyone."

The delivery person handed Mia a small card.

"The sender wants to remain anonymous, but the message reads: 'You're being watched.'" Mia's smile faltered as she read the message. Her eyes scanned the room, as if searching for an unseen presence. She felt a shiver run down her spine.

Cassie noticed Mia's unease.

"Hey, are you okay?" she asked.

Mia hesitated before responding, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I don't know...this just feels really weird." she stuttered.

Cassie chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Come on, don't be freaked out! You've got a secret admirer – and who knows, maybe he's a hottie!" she teased, winking.

Mia's expression turned serious, her voice debased with concern.

"Cass, who sends flowers with a creepy note like 'you're being watched'?" mai asked, her eyes scanning the room as she placed the flowers on the counter.

Oh girl, it's probably just a secret admirer who can't resist your awesomeness!" Cassie exclaimed.

"I don't know, Cass. This feels really weird. What if it's not a secret admirer, but someone who's...watching me?"Mia's eyes narrowed as she spoke.

Cassie's grin faltered for a moment before she replied, "Don't be paranoid, Mia. You're just being cautious."

Just then, the door swung open and Ryan walked in, a bright smile on his face. Ethan and Eric, the two rambunctious kids, ran to him, wrapping their arms around his legs.

"Uncle Ryan! Uncle Ryan!" they chimed in unison, giggling.

Ryan laughed, scooping them up in a big hug.

"Hey, my favorite little munchkins! What's all the excitement about?" he asked.

Ethan and Eric looked up at Ryan with wide eyes, grinning mischievously.

"We're playing hooky, Uncle Ryan!" Ethan exclaimed.

"Yeah! Mommy said we could stay home and have a special day!"Eric chimed in.

"Well, I'm glad I get to be part of your special day, then!"Ryan chuckled and said.

As Ryan interacted with the kids, Mia leaned in close to Cassie.

"I'm serious, Cass. I don't like this one bit." she whispered.

Cassie's expression turned sympathetic.

"I'll talk to Ryan about it, okay? He'll know what to do." Cassie replied, loud enough for Ryan to overhear.

"Know what to do about what?" Ryan asked turning to the ladies as He excused himself from the kids.

"Mia received a bouquet with a creepy note that says she's being watched. I tried to downplay it, telling her it's probably just a prank." Cassie explained, sipping her coffee.

Ryan's expression turned serious, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Do you have any ideas who might have sent it?" he asked, looking at Mia.

"No, I have no idea." Mai shook her head.

"Then it's probably an admirer. You've been absent from love, Mia. Since I've known you, it's been all about you and the boys. Maybe this is the universe's way of nudging you to open up to love again."Cassie chimed in.

Mia's eyes met Cassie's, a mix of amusement and annoyance.

"Cassie, stop matchmaking, I'm fine focusing on the boys."she said rolling her eyes.

Just then, her kids, Ethanband Eric, walked up to her, their curious eyes fixed on the flowers.

"Mama, what's that?" they asked in unison.

"Nothing, babies. Just some flowers someone sent." Mia said, trying to downplay the situation.

"Can we see? Pleeease?" Ethan and Eric chimed in unison.

"Sorry, kids. This isn't a toy, I'll just go throw these away." Mia said firmly, scooping up the flowers and card.

She headed outside to trash them.

As she stood by the bin, she paused, her heart racing at the thought of love. Love? No way? She scoffed.

Just then, Ryan appeared beside her, his eyes scanning the surrounding area.

"You okay, Mai?" he asked, his voice low and concerned.

His gaze lingered on her face, and for a moment, they just looked at each other.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just getting rid of this creepy stuff."Mia nodded, forcing a smile.

Ryan's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled.

"Let me help." He took the flowers and card from her, his fingers brushing against hers.

The touch sent a spark through him, but Mia seemed oblivious.

"Thanks," Mia said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Anytime, Mai."Ryan's gaze held hers for a moment before he nodded.

As they stood there, Ryan's heart pounded in his chest. He'd had feelings for Mia for what felt like an eternity, but he'd never mustered the courage to tell her.

Across the street, a black SUV lingered, its tinted windows reflecting the scene.

The occupant's voice was low and urgent.

"She rejected the gift. The boss needs to know." With that, the vehicle melted into the traffic, leaving behind a trail of unease.

*

THE REGENCY

Ryan stepped into the grand lobby of THE REGENCY HOTEL, where crystal chandeliers refracted sunlight and the soft hum of conversation filled the air.

As the hotel's manager, he took pride in its impeccable service and luxurious ambiance.

He slipped into the elevator, and as the doors opened on his floor, he walked out into the quiet corridor. The soft carpet muffled his footsteps as he approached his office. But as he entered, he was surprised to find a love note and a steaming cup of coffee on his desk.

"For you, my love," the note read, in elegant, cursive script.

Ryan's eyes rolled heavenward as he crumpled the note in his hand. It wasn't the first time he'd received such gestures from his admirers at work.

But he couldn't help feeling a twinge of annoyance. Didn't they know he was already taken – in heart, if not in fact?

He tossed the note and coffee into the trash, his mind drifting to the one person who truly mattered: Mia.

Her bright smile and sparkling eyes haunted his every waking moment. He loved her with a passion that bordered on obsession, and he couldn't wait for the day he'd confess his feelings to her.

He walked over to his desk, lost in thought, and began to tidy up the papers scattered across it. As he worked, the door swung open and Scarlet walked in.

Scarlet, his boss's daughter, had been pursuing him relentlessly. She was determined to get him into bed, and Ryan knew he had to be careful around her.

"Ryan!" she exclaimed, her voice husky and seductive.

Ryan looked up, forcing a polite smile onto his face. "Scarlet, what can I do for you?"

"I was hoping we could discuss the upcoming charity gala,I think it would be great if we could work together on the planning committee," she said, her eyes locked on his.

Ryan hesitated, unsure of how to respond. He knew that spending more time with Scarlet would only encourage her advances.

"I'm not sure that's necessary, Scarlet, I'm sure your father would be happy to oversee the planning committee." he said finally.

Scarlet's face fell, but she quickly recovered.

"Oh, come on, Ryan, It'll be fun, I promise." she purred.

Ryan's discomfort grew. He knew he had to find a way to let Scarlet down gently, without offending her or her father.

"I'll think about it, Scarlet, But for now, I really need to focus on my work." he said noncommittally.

Scarlet's eyes narrowed, but she smiled sweetly. "Of course, Ryan. I'll leave you to it."

As She walked out of the office, she suddenly stopped and turned back to him.

"What do you think about my dress?" she asked, her voice dripping with seduction.

Ryan's eyes darted to the dress, a sleek black number that hugged her curves in all the right places. He knew he had to tread carefully.

"It's...very nice," he said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Scarlet smiled sweetly, but a sly smirk played on her lips.

"Thanks, I was thinking of wearing it to the charity gala. Maybe you can escort me?" she said, her eyes locked on his.

Ryan's discomfort grew. He knew he had to find a way to let Scarlet down gently, without offending her or her father.

"I'll think about it, Scarlet," he said noncommittally.

Scarlet's smile never wavered. She took a step closer to him, her eyes gleaming with amusement.

"I'm sure you will," she said, her voice low and husky.

She moved closer still, her body inches from his. Ryan could feel the heat emanating from her, and his unease grew. His mind racing, he thought about Mia and how much he wanted to be with her, not Scarlet.

"But for now, I really need to focus on my work," he said, trying to sound firm.

Scarlet's smile grew wider. She reached out a hand and gently brushed a strand of hair out of his face.

"Of course, Ryan," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I wouldn't want to distract you from your...important work."

Ryan's heart racing, he gently removed her hand from his face.

"Scarlet, I think you should go," he said, trying to sound calm.

Scarlet's smile never wavered. She leaned in close, her lips inches from his ear.

"I'll go,But this isn't over, Ryan. Not by a long shot."" she whispered.

As she walked out of the office, Ryan felt a wave of relief wash over him. But he knew that this was far from over. Scarlet would stop at nothing to get what she wanted, and Ryan was caught squarely in her sights.

As she walked out of the office, Ryan felt a wave of relief wash over him. But he knew that this was far from over. Scarlet would stop at nothing to get what she wanted, and Ryan was caught squarely in her sights.

As he was lost in thought, he suddenly remembered the gala upcoming at the hotel. A spark of hope ignited within him.

"Will Mia agree to come with me?" he muttered to himself, a slow smile spreading across his face.

He felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of asking Mia to be his date. Maybe, just maybe, she'd say yes.

He resumed sorting out the papers on his desk, his mind now preoccupied with visions of Mia by his side at the gala.

*******

MAI'S HOME

Mai stood at the kitchen counter, the scent of sizzling vegetables and simmering sauce fillied the air as she expertly juggled dinner preparation.

The kids' laughter and playful shouts drifted from the sitting room.

She tied her hair in a messy bun, a habitual gesture that brought back memories of a past love.

Memories flashed in her head, and she couldn't help but smile.

"Always tie your hair up, Tutta Mai, you're even more beautiful" a deep, husky voice whispered in her mind.

"But you make me feel beautiful, Mio Eroe." she whispered back.

"You are beautiful, inside and out, Tutu Mai"

Mai's heart skipped a beat as she recalled the way he used to make her feel. His words, his touch, still lingered in her memory like a ghostly caress.

Just as she was getting lost in thought, Cassie's voice broke the silence, snapping Mai back to the present.

"Mai, snap out of it!" Cassie teased, walking into the kitchen with a grin.

Mai laughed, shaking her head.

"Hey! You back!" She wiped her hands on a towel, feeling a bit more grounded after her brief trip down memory lane.

"Yeah, I'm back!" Cassie said, dropping her bag on the counter as she sat down in Mai's cozy kitchen.

The aroma of sizzling vegetables and simmering sauce filled the air, making Cassie's stomach growl with hunger.

"What up with you?" Cassie asked, running her hands through her curly brown hair.

"I'm cool.. How was your day at the restaurant?" Mai asked, stirring the sauce with a wooden spoon as she gazed out the window.

"You know how it is.. Glad to be home." Cassie replied, smiling warmly.

"I'm starving! What's cooking?" Cassie exclaimed, sniffing the air.

"Just making some dinner. You're welcome to join us."Mai chuckled and said.

"Thanks, Mai. I might just take you up on that." Cassie's eyes lit up.

Just then, Cassie's phone buzzed on the counter. She glanced at the screen and rolled her eyes good-naturedly.

"Speak of the devil," she muttered, answering the call.

"Hey, Austin... Yeah, I'm home... Okay, see you soon." Cassie said, chatting with her boyfriend as she walked over to the window, gazing out at the sunset.

"Ooh, boyfriend's home! Love is in the air!" Mai couldn't help but tease her.

Cassie playfully rolled her eyes, grinning.

"Shut up, Mai!" she said, chuckling as she wrapped up her call.

As she hung up, Cassie turned to Mai and said, "Hey, I'm going to head home. Austin's on his way over, and I want to tidy up."

"Okay, no worries. See you tomorrow, Cass." Mai smiled, nodding.

"Sounds good. Night, Mai."Cassie smiled back, grabbing her bag.

As Cassie walked out the door, Mai called out, "Night, Cass! Say hi to Austin for me!" she said.

Cassie waved goodbye, and Mai returned to her cooking, feeling grateful for their friendship.

As Cassie entered the sitting room, she was greeted by the energetic voices of Ethan and Eric.

"Aunt Cass!" they chorused, running to hug her.

"Hey, my little troublemakers! I've missed you two!" Cassie laughed, sweeping the two little bundles of energy into a tight hug

Ethan grinned mischievously.

"We drew on the wall!" Eric chimed in, giggling.

"I'll bet you did,Be good for Mai tonight, okay? I'll see you two tomorrow!" Cassie said ruffling their hair.

As she got to the door, Ryan was also coming in, and the two kids ran into his arms.

"Uncle Ryan's home!" Ethan exclaimed, wrapping his arms tightly around Ryan's neck.

"Hey, buddy! What's all the excitement about?"Ryan chuckled, lifting Eric up onto his shoulders.

"We drew on the wall!" Eric squealed, giggling.

"Oh no! The wall? You two are in big trouble!" Ryan feigned shock.

"Mama's going to kill us!" Ethan grinned mischievously.

Ryan laughed. "Well, maybe we can help you clean it up before Mama sees it!"

Cassie chuckled, looking at the exchange as they shared a look. "Hey, Cass," Ryan called.

"Hey, Ryn! See you tomorrow, Austin's coming home!" she exclaimed, rushing out of the door as Ryan chuckled. The sound of the door closing was followed by the faint hum of the TV in the living room.

"Let's clean this up, buddies! We don't want Mama scolding you two." Ryn said turning to the kids.

The kids nodded, looking sheepish. The aroma of roasting chicken and steaming vegetables wafted from the kitchen, mingling with the scent of crayons and paint.

Just then, Mai stepped out of the kitchen, a spatula in her hand.

"Food is... what in God's name is happening here!" she asked, her eyes widening in surprise as she took in the sight of the drawn-on wall.

Ethan and Eric looked down, their faces flushed with guilt. Ryan tried to stifle a grin, but Mai's stern expression made him think better of it.

Mai's eyes narrowed, her gaze flicking from the wall to the two culprits standing before her.

"Who did this?" she asked, her voice firm but controlled.

Ethan and Eric looked at each other, then back at Mai.

"We did it! We did it!" they chorused.

Mai sighed, shaking her head. "Why did you draw on the wall?"

"I think they were trying to create a masterpiece, Mai."Ryan chimed in.

"A masterpiece?"Mai raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah! We were making art!"Ethan nodded enthusiastically.

Mai couldn't help but laugh. "Well, I suppose it's... creative. But next time, please use paper, not the wall."

"I'll make sure to stock up on paper and crayons."Ryan chuckled.

"Okay, let's clean up this mess. Ryan, can you help me while I set up dinner"Mai said with a smile as she ruffling thekids' hair.

Ryan nodded, and together they began to scrub the wall, the kids "helping" by making silly faces and giggling.

Moment later after dinner.

Mai and Ryn sat outside on the creaky porch swing, the evening air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming lilacs and the soft chirping of crickets. The warm wooden slats of the swing felt rough beneath them as they gently swayed back and forth, the chains creaking softly with each movement.

Ryan couldn't help but steal glances at Mai, admiring the way the fading light danced across her features, highlighting the soft curves of her face.

Mai, oblivious to Ryan's secret admiration, laughed and playfully nudged him with her elbow.

"You're so silly, Ryan. I'm glad we're friends."she said chuckling.

Ryan's heart skipped a beat at her words. Friends. That's all he was to her.

"Yeah, me too, Mai. You're one of my favorite people." He forced a smile, trying to hide his disappointment.

"Aww, thanks Ryan. You're pretty great yourself." Mai said smiling back.

As they sat there, the silence between them grew comfortable, filled with the soothing sounds of the evening: the crickets chirping, the wind rustling through the leaves, and the distant hum of a lawnmower.

For Ryan, the peaceful atmosphere was tinged with a hint of melancholy.

He wondered if he would ever find the courage to reveal his true feelings to Mai, or if their friendship would remain forever platonic.

"I should get going, See you tomorrow at the bakery."Ryan said with a smile as he stood up, the wooden slats of the swing creaking softly as he rose.

"Alright,Take care of yourself, okay." Mai replied.

"I will, Tell the boys I'm gone."" Ryan said.

"Will do, Send my love to Grandma Nancy when you get home." Mai purred.

Ryan nodded, feeling a pang in his chest. Why couldn't he tell her about the gala at the hotel? Maybe he'd try his luck next time, he thought, walking away from the warm glow of the porch light.

Mai watched him go, a faint smile on her lips. She headed back to her apartment, unaware of the secret Ryan harbored in his heart.

*

Night descended, and as Mai prepared for bed, the door creaked open. Her little boys, Ethan and Eric, trotted in, clutching their teddy bears.

"Ethan? Eric?" Mai sat up, surprised.

The boys climbed onto the bed, snuggling up on either side of her. Ethan laid his head on her right shoulder, Eric on her left, and they wrapped their arms around her.

"What's wrong, babies?" Mai asked, holding them close.

"I couldn't sleep, Mama," Ethan whispered.

"Why's that, sweethearts?" Mai asked, gently stroking their hair.

"Can we sleep with you, Mama?" Eric asked.

Mai's heart overflowed with love, and she wrapped her arms around them, pulling them close.

"My sweet babies," she whispered.

"Mama?" Ethan said, his voice sleepy.

"Yes, sweetie?" Mai replied softly.

"Are you okay, Mama?" Eric asked, echoing his brother's concern.

Mai's smile warmed with gratitude.

"I'm fine, my loves. Just feeling grateful to have you two sweethearts by my side." she said smiling warmly.

Eric's gaze lifted, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Mama, when will Dad come home?" he asked.

Mai's heart skipped a beat. She hesitated, unsure how much to reveal.

"Dad is working very hard, sweetie, and he can't come home right now." she replied.

"But why, Mama? Our friends at school have a Mommy and Daddy, and they get to see their Daddy every day. Why can't we see ours?"Ethan chimed in.

Mai took a deep breath, trying to find the right words.

"Sometimes, grown-ups have to make sacrifices for their families. Your Dad is doing that right now." she said finally.

The boys looked at each other, then back at Mai.

"Is Dad okay, Mama?" Eric asked.

Mai's eyes welled up with tears. She nodded, trying to reassure them.

"Yes, baby, Dad is fine. He just needs to take care of some things right now." she whispered reassuringly.

The boys looked up at her with trusting eyes, then nodded in unison.

"Okay, Mama!" they chimed softly.

"Time for sleep, my little loves,Tomorrow's a big school day, and we can't be late!"Mai whispered, smiling as they snuggled deeper into her side.

"We love you, Mama," Ethan whispered, his voice barely audible.

"We love Dad too," Eric added, his eyes closing as he snuggled deeper into Mai's side.

"I love you both too, babies. And Dad loves you very much, even if he's not here right now." Mai's heart swelled with emotion.

As she gently stroked their hair, Mai's gaze lingered on her sleeping boys, but her mind drifted to one person – their father.

She closed her eyes, willing the memories to fade, but they lingered, a bittersweet ache in her heart.

_____

The Mob's Dominion, Italy

An unsettling silence shrouded the area, like a graveyard at midnight. Darkness enveloped the space, yet a lone figure sat in a leather chair, puffing heavily on a cigarette. The acrid smell of smoke hung in the air, but the figure seemed impervious to it, inhaling deeply as if the world was about to implode.

As if on cue, the door burst open, and two gang members, Bullet and Poison, entered with reverence, carrying a black duffel bag.

"We're back, Don," Bullet announced.

With a curt nod, the two members approached the table and placed the bag before their leader, Don Leo.

"Leave," he commanded, his voice low and even.

The members departed without a word, leaving Don Leo alone in the room.

Leo extinguished his cigarette in an ashtray and rose from his chair. He sauntered to the table, taking his time to open the bag. A sly smile spread across his face as he revealed the contents. His plan had come to fruition.

He had dispatched his members on a mission to negotiate with a rival Lord, but Leo's connections had tipped him off to the Lord's treacherous intentions. Instead of falling into the trap, Leo had played along, outsmarting the rival Lord and securing a double profit.

With a self-satisfied smile, Don Leo strolled to the window and gazed up at the starry night sky.

"Mission accomplished," he murmured to himself, basking in the triumph of his cunning plan.

He was Leonardo Marano, known only as Don Leo to those who trembled at the mention of his name.

As the last surviving child of the infamous Marano family, he had inherited not only the family business but also the weight of its dark legacy.

His father, Alessandro Marano, had built the family's crime syndicate from the ground up, forging a reputation for ruthlessness and cunning.

Leonardo's older brother, Marco, had been groomed to take over the empire, but his brutal murder had left a power vacuum that Leonardo had swiftly filled.

Now, at the helm of the Marano organization, Leonardo ruled with deadly precision, crushing any opposition and eliminating potential threats before they could materialize.

His reputation for mercilessness had earned him the respect, and fear, of his peers and underlings alike.

In the shadows, whispers circulated about the Don's unholy power and the terrible consequences of crossing him.

They called him "Il Fantasma" – The Ghost – for his ability to strike without warning, leaving only death and destruction in his wake.

As he stood facing the window, lighting a cigar, the door opened, and his man walked in.

"Don," he said, bowing down.

"Speak!" Leo barked, not turning his back.

"She threw away the flowers," the man stammered.

Leo turned to face the door, the cigar clenched between his teeth.

"Refusing my gifts, Tutta Mia?" he murmured, a hint of menace creeping into his voice.

The man understood the unspoken command and quickly departed, leaving Leo to his thoughts.

"Tutta Mia, you're playing with fire," he murmured, as he drew on his cigar.

The Don's eyes narrowed, his gaze burning with intensity as his mind whirled with the implications of Tutta Mia's bold rejection.

He stepped out of his quarters, walking towards the warehouse. Vinnie his right hand man fell into step beside him.

"Don, the boys are saying the mission went smooth. No hiccups." He said with a low voice.

Leo nodded curtly, his eyes scanning the dimly lit warehouse.

"Prepare the jet, Vinnie. We're heading to Athens tomorrow," he muttered.

Vinnie's expression turned serious, a flicker of concern crossing his face.

"Athens, Don? What's the plan?" he asked.

Leo's gaze narrowed, his voice taking on a sinister tone. "We're going to retrieve... my captive. Someone who's been a thorn in my side for far too long."

"You mean... Mai, Don?"Vinnie's eyes darted to the side, as he whispered.

Leo's expression turned glacial, his eyes freezing Vinnie in place.

"I mean my captive, Vinnie. Don't forget it." he growled.

Vinnie nodded hastily, his eyes dropping to the floor as Leo walked away.

As Leo disappeared into the shadows, Vinnie couldn't shake off the feeling that this mission was more personal than he'd initially thought. The Don's obsession with Mai was well-known, but Vinnie had never seen him like this before.

"Tutta Mai, I'll make you wish you never crossed paths with me.," Leo murmured, his voice dripping with malice.

TBC