Mafia's Second Chance Love

Chapter 2: Ace

I sat in my opulent office, the sprawling panorama of London beyond my floor-to-ceiling windows serving as a constant reminder of the city's secrets. But amid all those stories, one story consumed my thoughts—the story of Kira.

Kira had become the epicenter of my life, a presence I couldn't escape. I'd watched her from the shadows, ensuring her safety in silence. With each passing day, my unspoken mission grew more urgent.

It's been years... 8 years, to be exact, since we stopped talking. So sudden, that left me with more questions than answers. I remember when I first laid eyes on her. She was sixteen and just moving into town. She had nobody. It was a small town, so everyone was suspicious of her and her mother. Her grandmother recently passed away, leaving the house to them, as the rumors said. The lost daughter returns from the US. That's what they were talking about.

At school it wasn't easier for Kira to make friends. Everyone avoided her like the plague. It seemed strange to me. Her raven hair flowed like a river of darkness, her eyes weary from endless nights of wakefulness. Her house's lone light was always aglow, capturing my curiosity as I jogged past it in the late hours.

Weeks past when I finally mustered up the courage to talk to young Kira. She seemed nice. Nobody was talking to me, probably because of my father's reputation, and nobody talked to her for unknown reasons. We became friends. And slowly something more.

Until she left to study at London's university. And I have never heard from her since. My thoughts stopped me from working on these contracts again. As soon as I attempted to return to them, two knocks from the doors were heard.

My two employees, Marco and Luca, entered, their demeanor marked by a palpable unease. Their hesitant steps and furtive glances didn't go unnoticed.

"Ace, we need to talk," Marco ventured, his voice laced with apprehension.

I lowered the contract I'd been reviewing, my intense gaze fixed on the two men. "Speak."

Luca took a deep breath, mustering the courage to continue. "It's about Kira."

The mere mention of her name sent a shiver through the room, as if her presence held a weight that eclipsed all else.

I leaned forward, my full attention focused on their words. My fists tightened. "Tell me."

Marco's voice was somber as he began recounting the events of the previous night. "Kira was at the hospital, helping a woman and her son escape an abusive situation. But things took a dark turn. The father showed up, drunk and violent."

My heart clenched as I absorbed the grim details, my fingers tightening around the contract. I'd always known the perils of Kira's mission, but the reality of her danger struck me like a physical blow.

Luca continued, his voice trembling. "He... he punched her, Ace. Knocked her out cold. It was brutal."

A surge of anger and helplessness coursed through me, a potent blend of emotions. I'd watched from the shadows, yearning to protect Kira but bound by the constraints of my covert role. I remember young Kira confessing to me about her struggles. Her alcoholic father hitting her mother and sometimes Kira was now coming back to my mind.

"Is she alright?" I asked, my voice filled with concern and anger.

Marco nodded, offering a glimmer of hope amid the darkness. "She'll be fine. We intervened in time and kept the father away from her. He's now in police custody."

Gratitude welled up within me, but it was overshadowed by frustration. I longed to shield Kira from harm, to ensure her safety with my own hands.

"Why wasn't she protected sooner? Why didn't we keep her safe from the beginning?" My words were measured, but they carried an undeniable danger.

Marco and Luca exchanged uneasy glances, their fear of my disappointment palpable. They'd witnessed my unwavering dedication to Kira, even when she remained blissfully unaware of my presence in her life.

Luca cleared his throat, his voice wavering. "Ace, we did our best to monitor her without drawing attention, but it's challenging. Kira is resourceful. She saw us a couple of times. We tried to be discreet."

My gaze bore into them, a chilling reminder of the consequences they faced if their vigilance faltered. "She's our priority. If something like this happens again, I expect immediate action. Do you understand?"

Both men nodded in unison, beads of sweat forming on Marco's forehead. "We won't let it happen again, Ace. We promise."

With that, both men left my office to continue their mission. The thought of Kira being punched and being helpless swirled through my mind. Her line of work often puts her in danger but this...

'Sir?' Sebastian's voice echoed in the room. I didn't realise he was there.

"Sebastian," I said, my voice carrying a rare vulnerability. When my mother was no longer with us, Sebastian took the responsibility of raising me, since my father was too busy with the family business to even give me a glance. This man knows me better than I know myself. He stayed loyal to my side for years and years. Frankly, he is the only person I trust in my life.

Sebastian's steady gaze met mine, and I could see the years of wisdom and loyalty reflected in his eyes. His presence was a comfort, a reminder of the constants in a world filled with chaos.

I leaned back in my chair, my thoughts drifting back to Kira and the dangerous world she had chosen to navigate.

"I can't shake the image of Kira being so vulnerable.' my tone softened. Sebastian did not answer.

'It's been 8 years. I don't know what drove her away from me, but lately my desire to be in her life is growing. I'm not sure if I can stay in the shadows anymore.'

Sebastian regarded me with a steady gaze, his deep understanding of my feelings evident.

"Sir, I understand your concern for Miss Kira," he began cautiously, "but you must remember that intervening in her life could bring unforeseen consequences. It's a path fraught with uncertainties for both of you. Your line of work is..."

I frowned, not expecting this hesitation from Sebastian. "Sebastian, she's been on my mind for years. I can't just stand by and watch from a distance anymore."

He met my gaze, his eyes filled with a mixture of loyalty and worry. "I've served you faithfully for many years, and I've always respected your decisions. But this, sir, this could change everything. Are you prepared for that?"

My determination only grew stronger in the face of his doubt. "I am.'

Sebastian sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Very well, sir. I'll support you as I always have. Just promise me you'll tread carefully."

I offered him a reassuring nod, appreciating his concern even if we didn't see eye to eye on this matter. "I promise, Sebastian. I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe."

Sebastian's wise counsel remained with me as I resumed my work, but my thoughts continually drifted back to Kira. It had been eight long years since our abrupt separation, leaving me with a void that no amount of wealth or power could fill. My family's reputation and connections offered me countless privileges, yet it was a simple connection with Kira that had eluded me.

I couldn't shake the image of Kira so vulnerable, her resilience tested by the dangerous path she had chosen. Her line of work often placed her in harm's way, and while I had taken on a silent role in protecting her from afar, it was never enough. I yearned to be more than a distant guardian, to be by her side and shield her from the perils that lurked in the shadows.

I remember her back then... So delicate and precious to me. Why did she leave me? Why did she stop talking to me?

As my thoughts swirled in turmoil, I sensed Sebastian's presence by the door once again. He had my tea in hands ready to be served.

"Sir," he began cautiously, "may I offer a suggestion?"

I welcomed any guidance that could bridge the chasm that had grown between Kira and me. "Of course, Sebastian. Please, speak your mind."

Sebastian approached my desk, his expression thoughtful as he poured the fresh tea into my cup. "Rather than intervening directly, why not seek a way to reestablish contact with Miss Kira? A simple connection, an olive branch extended in friendship, may be the first step in bringing her back into your life."

His words resonated with me. The thought of reconnecting with Kira in a way that didn't disrupt her mission appealed to my longing heart.

"Sebastian, you're right," I said, a glimmer of hope dawning. "I need to find a way to reach out to her, to let her know that I'm still here."

Sebastian nodded, his approval evident. "If you decide to proceed, sir, then know I will be by your side at all times.'

It's been some months now that the urge to get back into Kira's life has been itching my brain. Not only to answer my questions that I've had all these years, but I yearn for her touch. The warmness that, no matter how many women I've touched, none of them could resemble the feelings I had with Kira. I still remember her warm lips touching mine, not wanting to break free for much needed air. I still remember her lips on mine, not wanting to break free for much-needed air, her hands playfully tangled in my hair, my own wrapped around her waist, wanting her closer, desiring her body to meld with mine.

We were so much more than friends in the months before we parted for university. And then we were nothing—two strangers in two different locations, unaware of the reasons behind it. Or at least, I didn't know why. Until luck favored me eight years ago. I was waiting to cross the road on a rare outing in the city center to get some fresh air when she appeared on the opposite side. Our eyes locked for a few seconds, but she turned the other way. She had changed; I could see it in her eyes. The dangers and unfairness of the world had changed her. She didn't even recognize me.

With her black hair in a ponytail, wearing headphones, oblivious to the noise of traffic, and a sweatshirt covering her arms, I could still see her sharp collarbones. Her chest bore a full-blown tattoo. I didn't expect that, and the thought of her enduring that pain troubled me. She looked even prettier than I remembered. The green light signaled, but I didn't budge. I stood there, observing her. She started walking toward me, and for a moment, I believed she'd recognize me and come for a hug. Her lips curled into a soft smile that felt like sunrays in the gray of London. She was smiling! My eyes widened. She looks beautiful!

I took a step forward, only to realize she landed in another man's arms. He was taller than Kira, with black hair and a face adorned with piercings. He was grinning from ear to ear. I followed them until they entered a coffee shop and saw them sitting down. Anger boiled inside me. Jealousy? It had been years since I felt like this. Despair. Sadness. Everything rushed in. I called Marco and Luca and told them to meet me immediately. From that moment, Kira never left my mind and never left my grip.

I stayed in the shadows, watching her, witnessing her every move. I even learned the location of the man she met that day. Kira would frequently spend hours there at night, but the apartment was under a fake name, and we had no clue who he was.

But now... After the hospital incident, it has been decided. If he can't take care of her, I will. It's time to get back into her life.

Now, my Kira...

It's time to face the past.