Page 55 of Mafia Don's Twisted Union

Carlito’s silence is deafening. His guarded expression tells me he’s weighing his response, calculating whether to share more or shut me out again.

Finally, he speaks, his voice low but resolute. “If there’s a ledger, and it’s tied to Matteo’s operations, then we can’t waste time. I’ll handle it, Mia.”

“No,” I say, standing. The strength in my voice surprises even me. “We’ll handle it. Together.”

Carlito stares at me, his eyes searching mine for something—trust, resolve, perhaps forgiveness. “This isn’t just about youanymore, Mia,” he says quietly. “If you’re in this with me, you have to follow my lead.”

The tension between us thickens, a battle of wills neither of us can afford to lose. But one thing is clear: the secrets between us are no longer sustainable.

His words hang in the air, heavy with expectation. I can feel the weight of them pressing against my resolve. He wants control, and maybe he’s right to demand it—his world is one of shadows and strategy. But I can’t let him shut me out.

“I’ll follow your lead,” I say, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. “But that means no more half-truths. If I’m in this, I need to know everything.”

He nods, though I can see the struggle in his expression. “You have my word.”

For now, it’s enough.

Carlito steps closer, his gaze softening as the tension between us shifts, giving way to something unspoken. He reaches out, his hand brushing my cheek, the calloused warmth of his touch grounding me. “Mia, I know this hasn’t been easy for you—for us. I’ll make it right, I swear.”

I swallow hard, his proximity making it difficult to focus on anything but the way his dark eyes seem to see straight through me. “We’ll make it right,” I whisper, my voice barely audible.

His lips curve into the faintest smile before he leans in, capturing my lips in a kiss that is both tender and searching. I melt into him, my hands instinctively gripping the front of his shirt, pulling him closer. His arms wrap around me, strong and steady, as though he’s anchoring us in the midst of the chaos.

The kiss deepens, his lips moving against mine with a mix of restraint and longing. His hands slide to my waist, holding me firmly but gently, and I can feel the unspoken promises in the way he touches me. This isn’t just passion—it’s reassurance, a silent vow that we’re in this together.

My fingers trace the hard lines of his jaw, memorizing the strength there, before threading through his hair. He lets out a low hum of approval, his grip on me tightening for just a moment before he pulls back slightly, his forehead resting against mine.

“We’ll figure this out,” he murmurs, his breath warm against my lips. “But right now, I just need to know we’re okay.”

“We’re okay,” I reply softly, my voice steady even as my heart pounds in my chest. “We have to be.”

I turn back to the documents, my fingers brushing over the faded ink and yellowed pages. Dominic’s warnings echo in my mind, and I focus on the property map, tracing the outlined borders. Something about it feels off—almost incomplete.

“What is it?” Carlito asks, his sharp gaze catching the slight hesitation in my movements.

“This map,” I murmur. “It’s detailed, but... it’s almost like something’s missing.” I hold it up, tilting it in the light. That’s when I see it—a faint watermark, barely visible.

Carlito leans over my shoulder, his breath warm against my neck as he examines the page. “A watermark? What does it say?”

I tilt the paper further, catching the light just right. The faint outline of letters becomes clearer, forming a name:Villa delle Ombre.

“The House of Shadows,” Carlito translates, his tone unreadable.

“Is that...” I trail off, my heart pounding.

“It’s an old name for the property,” he explains. “Your father called it that in his dealings. He believed it held secrets, but he never told me what they were.”

A chill runs through me as the pieces start to click into place. “If the ledger is there, and Matteo knows it... we’re running out of time, aren’t we?”

Carlito straightens, his expression grim. “Yes. And if Dominic is right, Matteo won’t wait much longer.”

The gravity of his words sinks in, and I grip the edge of the desk for support. My child. My family. Everything hinges on this.

“Then we have to go,” I say, my voice firm.

Carlito’s eyes narrow. “Mia, it’s under control, Leo and I have been working on it for a long time now. Trust me. Acting recklessly won’t work.”

“Waiting isn’t an option,” I argue. “If that ledger is as important as we think it is, we can’t let him get there first.”

---