MAFIA'S MUSE

crumble." He couldn't stop thinking about Giovanni's words. He had s

tter, the music-were missing. Everything felt heavy, and his gu

sion on the always h

apped nervousl

. He had taught him a lot, helped him find his way in life. And now Giovanni h

o's business made Nico's stomach twist with rage. He

e door yanked him o

fro

p a beat. He froze. It was late

e peephole. He saw two men in black suits standing outside. His stomach

xpected thi

ovanni's men didn't knock for small talk. They

crambled. Should I go? Should I face Giovanni now, or tell them to leave? He was faced with those

walking away. But Nico knew better than anyone that Giovanni didn't take kindly to

He took a deep breath an

authority, their expressions unreadable. The talle

said, his tone calm but firm.

o tell them he wasn't ready, that he didn't want to go. But another part of him-the part

and he forced himself

. "Yes. He's w

ning to get the best of him. The idea o

e was no backing out now. He was being pulled deeper into this wor

last time-his small, cluttered space

couch, the half-drunk coffee cup on the counter. It was all so

rounded, the one thing he knew would never betray him. But now, even his music felt

very instinct in him screamed to resist-to tell them to leave him alone. But he knew, deep down,

" Nico muttered, more to

vy against his shoulders. The walk to the door felt like it took longer than it should ha

m to the elevator. Nico didn't speak. He didn't have the words. His mind was spinning with too many thoughts, t

end, taking him further away from the life he had known. The building'

silence between them pressing in on Nico. The city flashed by outs

s anxiety moved to its peak. The

ornate walls and lavish decor only added to the growing sense of unease. Ev

the room seemed to scream wealth, power, and control. The low hum of a piano

his back to Nico, looking out over the city. When Giovanni turned around, his calm smile g

ovanni said, his voice

a swirl of hesitation and uncertainty. He had come this far

d to find his