Page 41 of Masked Mafia's Runaway Bride

I thought about what Enzo had said about the risks and the stakes. He wasn’t wrong. But he also didn’t understand what that restaurant meant to me, what it meant to show Don Carlos that Raven wasn’t scared of him. He might think Mirella is, but not Raven. It wasn’t just a place to prove a point. It was a reminder of who I was before the world broke me and who I could be again.

The dress I chose was sleek and midnight black, fitting like a second skin. It wasn’t just clothing; it was armor. The fabric shimmered faintly under the light, a subtle touch that made me feel like a ghost slipping through the night. Over it, I draped a long cloak with a hood that shadowed my face.

Then came the mask. It was delicate, covering my entire face with black feathers fanning out at the edges. Hidden within it was a voice modulator, something I had Dahlia’s friend design for me years ago. When I spoke, it would deepen and distort my voice, giving Raven her signature sound—low, smooth, and slightly menacing.

Finally, the hat. It was wide-brimmed with a veil of black netting that fell just over my mask, adding another layer of mystery. When I caught my reflection in the mirror, I hardly recognized myself. The woman staring back wasn’t Mirella. She was someone else entirely.

Raven.

I pulled the hood over my head and felt a familiar rush of power. Mirella might have been unsure, hesitant. But Raven? She didn’t hesitate. She acted. And tonight, she had a purpose.

The cool night air greeted me as I slipped out of the room. The halls were quiet, with the kind of silence that made every step feel louder than it was. I avoided the main exits, taking the side stairs that led to a back door. It wasn’t my first time sneaking out, and it wouldn’t be the last.

Outside, the shadows stretched long, and I moved between them like I belonged there. In some ways, I did. The streets of this town had seen me at my lowest, and now they would see me at my strongest.

I reached the car Enzo had sent for me. The driver didn’t ask questions or even glance at me as I slipped into the backseat. That was the beauty of being Raven. People didn’t want to know who you were. They just wanted to stay out of your way.

As the car rolled through the streets, I thought about Sergio again. The way his lips lingered on mine, the way his hands had gripped my waist like he was afraid I’d disappear. He was trying to figure me out, trying to reach the parts of me I wasn’t ready to show him. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

But then, I thought about the way he’d looked at me when I told him I needed space like he was willing to step back even though it hurt him. That kind of restraint wasn’t easy, not for someone like Sergio.

The car came to a stop outside the restaurant. My restaurant. The one I’d been coming to for years, hiding in plain sight. I adjusted my mask, pulling the veil down to ensure my face was hidden.

Tonight wasn’t about memories or sentimentality. It wasn’t even about Sergio or his father.

It was about me. Raven.

I stepped out of the car, my cloak billowing slightly in the breeze, and headed for the door. Enzo had done as I asked. The restaurant was dark, save for the warm glow of candles in the windows. Empty, just the way I liked it.

I pushed the door open, and the familiar scent of garlic and fresh bread washed over me. For a moment, I was just Mirella again, a little girl sitting at a table with her father, laughing over stories that didn’t matter.

But that was a long time ago.

Now, I was someone else entirely.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

SERGIO

The idea of leaving Mirella behind didn’t sit well with me. I hated it. I wanted to talk to her. I wanted us to talk through our feelings, but that wasn’t what she wanted. She’d asked for space, and I had given it to her, but every instinct in me told me to stay. The hotel was secure, and I trusted the staff, but I trusted Ryan more.

“Ryan, I need you to stay here,” I said, watching as his jaw tightened.

Ryan crossed his arms. “You sure about this? I’d rather be out there, covering your back.”

“I’m sure. I am just going to stake out the restaurant today. Then, we can come back and strategize. I need to know who I am dealing with first,” I explained firmly. “Ryan, please. She’s important to me, Ryan. If anything happens to her…”

He nodded before I could finish, his expression softening. “Got it. I’ll stay. But you owe me.”

I smirked. “Add it to the tab.”

I walked out of the hotel and into the waiting car. I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach. Mirella would be safe here. She had to be.

The restaurant was exactly as I’d expected—quiet, dark, and radiating exclusivity. If Raven wanted to make an impression,she was doing a damn good job. My instincts told me to keep a low profile, so I parked down the street and waited, watching the entrance.

The minutes dragged. Nothing happened. No one came or went. It was like the place was frozen in time.

I was about to call it a night when a shadow moved near the back entrance. A tall man dressed in black walked straight toward my car and stopped just short of the passenger window. I rolled it down, keeping my hand close to the gun at my side.

---