THE MAFIA'S VENGEANCE

Today, my son, Leandro, officially turns three, and I'm spending most of his birthday at work. What kind of mother does that make me? I just want to spend what's left of his birthday with him, so I hurry out of the minimarket where I work, eager to get home. Leandro must already be pestering Nonna and Nonno, asking when I'm coming home so we can blow out the candles together. The only things accompanying me on my walk home are the sound of waves crashing against the shore and the dim glow of streetlights lining the street. That's life in a small coastal town. Quiet. Almost too quiet. Halfway home, I run into one of the locals. “Hey, you should probably take another road,” he says. I furrow my brows. “Why?” “There’s a group of people gathered up ahead. They look kind of scary.” “Scary?” A strange uneasiness settles in my chest. “They're not from around here?” “No. All men. They're all wearing black.” At that, my heart begins to race. What kind of people would come to a small coastal town like this? “Thanks for letting me know,” I say, giving him a faint smile. The local nods before walking away. I freeze, debating whether I should keep walking or take the other road, which will only make my journey home longer. I consider calling Nonno to come pick me up, but quickly dismiss the thought. They can't be bad people, can they? This town has always been safe. Nothing like this has ever happened here before. I reach into my tote bag for my mask and put it on before pulling my hood over my head. It's a habit I've developed over the past few years—a small form of protection I use whenever I cross paths with unfamiliar men. After walking for a while, I spot a group of men in the distance, gathered around three cars beneath the streetlights. Their appearance and the way they carry themselves are all too familiar. Having grown up in that world, my instincts immediately warn me to be wary. But I try to push my uneasiness aside and keep walking. I can't let my fear get the better of me. Leandro is waiting for me at home, and I don't want him to wait too long and fall asleep before I get there. As I get closer to them, I lower my head and quicken my pace, trying not to draw any attention to myself. A few whistles follow, but I pretend not to hear them. I just need to keep walking. The alley leading to my home is already visible up ahead. “Hey, hey! Why are you in such a hurry?” one of them calls out, stepping in front of me and blocking my path. My heart feels like it's about to leap out of my chest. I try to move around him so I can keep walking, but he grabs my tote bag. The sudden contact makes my entire body stiffen, my breath catching in my throat. “Please... just let me go.” He chuckles. “Don't be shy. Take off the mask. Let's see what we've got here, then I'll let you go.” I shake my head, trying to push his hand away as he reaches for my mask. Unfortunately, I'm not strong enough to stop him. He finally manages to pull my mask down, then pushes my hood off as well. “There you are,” he murmurs, his hand gripping my chin. I freeze. All I can do is close my eyes, too afraid to look at him. “I never thought a small coastal town like this could hide a gem like this.” Then I feel an arm wrap around my waist. I bite the inside of my lip, trying to hold back my tears as someone squeezes my butt. Every instinct in my body screams at me to fight back, but I'm too afraid they might go even further. I pray that someone will pass by and save me from this terrifying situation. But the street is deserted. Summoning what little courage I have, I try to push their hands away from me. “Please… don't do this.” I seize the chance to run, but it's useless. They catch me before I can get away and start dragging me back. “Why are you being difficult? We just want to talk.” Then I hear the sound of a car door slamming shut. Hard. “Take your hands off her!” The shout cuts through the air, silencing everyone at once. The men who have been harassing me immediately step back. I freeze. That command. No. That voice. It's too familiar. I swallow hard. I must be imagining things. It can't be him. Or maybe... no. I don't want it to be either of them. It's been so long. They can't possibly have come all the way to a remote coastal town like this. I want to make sure, but I can't even bring myself to lift my head. I'm too afraid. A moment later, a pair of polished black dress shoes comes to a stop right in front of me. My breath catches. “Looks who's alive,” he murmurs. At that moment, I feel like I could cry. There's no doubt about it anymore. Slowly, I lift my head. The moment our eyes meet, I'm trapped in that familiar, half-lidded gaze. It's him. Lorenzo Arcelli. He's found me. My entire body goes rigid. My mind goes blank. “Isabella Valentini.” My name. He says my real name. It's been years since anyone last called me that. Even after going so far away and changing my appearance, I've still been found and recognized. Suddenly, I'm painfully aware of my short hair, which I've barely bothered to dye lately. My body trembles. Is it too late to pretend I'm someone else? “You know her, Don?” Don. He's become the Don. He stares into my eyes for a moment before answering. “My plaything. From years ago.” My chest tightens. A plaything. His plaything. His expression hardens as his gaze shifts to the men beside me. “And you dared to put your hands on her.” “O-our mistake, Don. We didn't know she was yours.” Before I can process everything he's said, the next words from one of his men make my world come crashing down. “Want us to find you a hotel nearby after this? A little reunion before you officially become someone's husband next week, maybe?”