Page 39 of Marked By Mayhem

She leans back in her seat, still eyeing the cars behind. "Must be some job," she mutters under her breath. I share a knowing look with Francesco, who glances at me from the rear-view mirror.

Security is a necessity in my world, but revealing the extent of it would only add to her already mounting questions. For now, it's best to keep her in the dark about certain aspects– a life she's inadvertently become entangled with.

As the car smoothly glides through the city, she speaks again. "So, do you have people following you around all the time?" she probes.

I meet her beautiful blue eyes. "Not all the time," I reply, "but when the need arises, they are here for me. Loyal to me." Upon arriving at the headquarters, I guide Ella through the discreet entrance, the heavy doors swinging open to reveal the inner altar of my world. Her steps are hesitant and she looks timid for the first time.

The air inside the building is a blend of leather, faint cigar smoke, and the subtle undertone of polished wood. We step into the main room. The lighting is a careful balance — not too bright to betray, not too dim to obscure. The men, my trusted confidants, are engaged in their tasks. The click of Ella’s heels against the polished floor is something new.

"This is where my meetings take place," I explain, gesturing to the room. Ella's gaze moves across the space, absorbing the rich visuals — the mahogany furniture, the meticulously arranged charts on the walls, men in tailored suits everywhere. Why doesn’t she say anything? I nod and smile at one of the two men standing at the entrance of the meeting hall.

“Who’s that?” she says. Finally.

“A new recruit.” Ella scans the surroundings, taking in the subtle signs of solidarity that bind my circle. The men exchange nods with me and acknowledge her presence by greeting her politely.

"So, these people… who provide security for you, are they just loyal to you? What do they get in return?" she inquires suddenly. I pause, considering her question.

"Loyalty is a two-way street," I begin. "These men, they have their reasons. It could be a debt owed, a sense of belonging, or even a shared history. They're not just my employees; they're part of the family." Her eyes widen at the word. She clearly wasn’t expecting that.

“Why would they risk their lives for you?”

I offer her a cryptic smile. "In the Cosa Nostra, loyalty is currency. They gain protection, a sense of family, and sometimes, the chance for a better life. It's a pact, a bond that goes beyond mere employment."

She absorbs my response, still grappling with the notion. "A better life?" she presses.

I pause for a moment, choosing my words carefully. "Sometimes, it's about escaping a past that haunts them. Other times, it's the allure of influence and the promise of a secure future. Loyalty is a powerful motivator; it ensures their interests align with mine."

Ella leans forward, her eyes searching mine. "So, you offer them a way out… a chance for something more?" That’s one humble way to put it.

I nod. "Exactly. It's a symbiotic relationship. They protect me, and in return, I provide them with protection and opportunities they might not find elsewhere."

Her gaze remains fixed on me, a mix of fascination and skepticism in her eyes. "What if… they decide they don't want to be part of this anymore? What if they want out?" Too inquisitive, again.

I meet her gaze with a level stare. "Leaving is not as simple as handing in a resignation letter. Loyalty in this world comes with a commitment. Once you're in, it's not easy to walk away." I take her to Francesco’s office next.

“This is Francesco’s office, my underboss. You have already met him.” She nods and looks around, surprised, probably by the bank of CCTV monitors on Francesco’s desk.

“And this is Dante, my advisor.” I nod at Dante, standing outside with a couple of men, probably guiding the new recruits on patrolling the restaurant. Dante smiles at Ella but she doesn’t smile back. She is taken aback by everything.

“Our allies have been briefed–” Dante starts but halts as he notices my expression saying not now.

“Have a good day, boss.” He smiles and leaves us alone.

“Allies?” I knew she’d probe again.

"The other clans, members of Cosa Nostra, who are allied with me," I say, allowing a rare vulnerability to surface. She still looks at me curiously.

“Allied in what?”

“My operations.”

“Legal operations?” she stresses on the word.

"You already know the answer to that.” Her expression changes and I see a hint of revulsion on her face. “This is a world where everybody wins in their own way, Ella. And it can’t be through a hundred percent legal way each time. We can’t afford the luxury of that."

Chapter Twenty

ELLA

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