Maid To The Mafia

he weight of each decision she made, each glance exchanged between the faction leaders. The power dynamics were shifting, and she was at the center of it al

ory, it was clear that they still saw her as an outsider-an interloper who had returned after abandoning the family for years. Trust wasn't something that could be bought or easily earned

und of footsteps echoed through the hallway outside her door. It was an unsettling sound, a reminder that even

ge to it, a slight tension that Isabella immediately noticed. She se

a storm waiting to break. She had seen the way he observed her at the meeting, the subtle shifts in his demeanor that hint

ever leaving hers. For a moment, there was silence between them, a heavy silence that spoke volu

ve stirred things up, gotten their attention. But you can't trust a

onardo. I didn't come back here to make friends. I came back to make sure the family

still think you can take on the world with sheer force. But this isn't just about power, Isabella. You need

e my alliances. I've spoken to the heads of

that's not enough. You need more than just their fleeting s

ou suggest? I can't force them to like me. I can't force them to trust me. But I can make them see

rkness. "It's not that simple, Isabella. There's always someone waiting in the wings, some

ight unfold outside. "I'm not weak," she s

to doing things on your own. You don't need to trust everyone, but y

independent, always relied on herself to get things done. Trusting others had been a lux

uietly. "And I'll make sure that I don'

"I hope you understand the stakes. You're not just playing for your

essing on her. She had never wanted to be in this position. She had never wanted to be the one to make the hard choices, to p

f the older members of the family, and he controls a lot of the lower-tier factions. He's loyal to the cause, bu

owed in thought. "Wh

aurant on the outskirts of the city. It's not far from here, but it's off the radar. H

ll pay him a visit," she said, her tone resolu

l, Isabella," he said softly. "Rocco's not someone you want to

replied, her eyes meeting his one

so many egos, but Rocco was different. He was one of the old guard, someone who had seen it all. And if he was still around, still holding power, it

rough the back entrance. The place was quiet, the low murmur of voices the only sign of life.

e a small door led to a private room. She knocked t

me

im. He looked up as she entered, his face hard but with a flicker of recognitio

a replied, moving to take a seat across fr

s eyes narrowing. "You're not the

. I just stepped aside. But now, I'm back. A

s Rocco considered her words. Finally,

t, kid. And you're not t

aze. "But I've got something none of t

nto a small smile. "W