Running From My Mafia Family

Episode 002

The pungent, acrid smell of engine oil and burnt rubber assaulted my senses as soon as I stepped through the wide garage doors. It was a familiar scent, one that clung to everything it touched like a greasy ghost—a reminder of the hard work and dedication poured into every vehicle in this space. Lily's small hand was tightly clasped in mine, her steps hesitant but filled with curiosity as she took in the rows of cars gleaming under the harsh glare of fluorescent lights. This was a world so different from our own, one filled with speed, power, and adrenaline. But for just a moment, we were allowed to be a part of it.

A sleek, midnight-black Mustang sat in the centre of the garage, its hood open like a menacing predator baring its sharp teeth. The gleaming body of the car reflected the bright lights above, casting shadows on the concrete floor. A team of skilled mechanics moved around it with a sense of purpose, their movements fluid and precise like dancers rehearsing a routine. The sound of chatter, clinking tools, and occasional bursts of laughter filled the air, creating a symphony of noise that enveloped me. My head spun as I tried to take in every detail of this mechanical masterpiece surrounded by its devoted caretakers.

“Mommy, look at that car!” Lily tugged at my arm, pointing to the Mustang with wide-eyed wonder.

I crouched down beside her, brushing a stray curl from her face. “Pretty cool, huh? But don’t touch, okay? These cars are like treasures here.”

“Like treasure?” Her face lit up with the kind of pure delight only a four-year-old could muster. “Can we drive it?”

A sinister chuckle pierced the chaos, and I spun around to face a towering, muscular figure with grime-coated hands and a menacing smirk striding towards us. "Drive it? Ha! That death machine has more horsepower than an army of raging stallions. Not exactly suitable for innocent children," he sneered, his voice laced with malice and arrogance.

Lily blinked up at him, unphased. “What’s horse-power?”

The man crouched down to her level, his grin softening. “It means it goes really fast. Too fast for little ones like you.”

“She’s not little. She’s brave,” I said, standing and brushing imaginary dust from my jeans. “And you are?”

He wiped his hands on a rag and extended one. “Danny Barnes. Head grease monkey around here. And you must be the prodigal daughter.”

I ignored his hand. “Emma Ortiz.”

“Suit yourself,” he said, shrugging as he stuffed the rag into his back pocket. “Nice to meet you, Emma. You’re braver than you look, walking into this lion’s den.”

“Not bravery. Just...obligation.” The word tasted bitter on my tongue.

His eyes flicked to Lily, who had wandered over to admire the Mustang up close. “Cute kid. Takes after you?”

I hesitated. “Mostly. She’s got her dad’s spirit, though.”

Before he could press further, a voice bellowed from across the garage. “Danny! You fixing cars or babysitting?”

Danny stood, rolling his eyes. “Relax, Vex. Just being friendly.”

Oliver "Vex" Salazar marched towards us with a dangerous aura, his very presence demanding respect before he even uttered a word. He was much older than Danny; his sharp features chiselled with years of experience, and his piercing gaze seemed to bore into your soul. "Friendly? Fine." His voice was laced with warning, making it clear that any trace of slacking off would not be tolerated.

“Got it, boss,” Danny muttered, his grin returning as he walked off toward the Mustang.

I shifted uneasily under Vex’s scrutiny. “I’m here for Alfredo.”

His expression didn’t change, but something flickered in his eyes—recognition, maybe. “He’s in his office. Straight back, top of the stairs.”

“Thanks,” I said, taking Lily’s hand again.

“Kid stays with me,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Garage isn’t exactly safe for little ones. Danny can watch her.”

“I’m not leaving her."

“She’ll be fine,” Vex interrupted, his voice firm. “If you want to see Alfredo, you’re going to have to trust us. Your kid’s in good hands.”

Lily looked up at me, her face a mix of curiosity and worry. “It’s okay, Mommy. I’ll stay.”

“Okay, baby,” I whispered, crouching to kiss her forehead. “Stay close to Danny, and don’t touch anything.”

As I climbed the stairs, my heart pounded like I was marching into a lion’s cage. The office door was ajar, and I pushed it open to find Alfredo standing by a large window, his back to me. The view overlooked the garage, the cars below glittering like jewels under the lights.

“You came,” he said without turning around.

“Don’t act surprised. You knew I would.”

He finally turned, his face as unreadable as I remembered. Time had carved lines into his features, but his eyes were the same—dark, intense, and impenetrable. “I didn’t know anything. It’s been a long time.”

“Whose fault is that?”

He didn’t flinch. “I had my reasons.”

“Reasons?” My voice rose, a tremor betraying the anger bubbling beneath the surface. “You disappeared, Alfredo. No calls, no visits, nothing. And now, after all these years, you expect me to just show up and... what? Pretend everything’s fine.”

“I didn’t ask you to come.”

“No, you just had your lackeys deliver the message. Real classy.”

He sighed, running a hand through his greying hair. “This isn’t about us. It’s about Agustin.”

I crossed my arms. “Then why don’t you start by telling me what really happened to him?”

His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he wouldn’t answer. “Agustin made enemies. It caught up to him.”

“That’s vague as hell.”

“It’s all you need to know.”

“Bullshit. You think I dragged my daughter here to listen to cryptic crap? Tell me the truth, Alfredo.”

His eyes flickered with something—guilt, maybe. Or regret. “It’s not safe for you here, Emma. You should leave.”

I laughed bitterly. “Yeah, because running away is the Ortiz family speciality, isn’t it?”

“That’s enough,” he snapped, his voice like a whip. “This isn’t a game, Emma. You don’t know what you’re walking into.”

“Then explain it to me,” I shot back. “Help me understand, because right now, all I see is the man who left his family to play king in a world of fast cars and shady deals.”

His silence was deafening, and I realised I wasn’t going to get the answers I wanted. Not yet.

Downstairs, the sound of Lily’s laughter reached us, breaking the tension like a sudden gust of wind. Alfredo’s gaze softened, and for a moment, he looked almost...human.

“She’s beautiful,” he said quietly.

“She’s also innocent. And I intend to keep her that way.”

“Then take her and go.”

“Not until I know what happened to Agustin.”

Our standoff was interrupted by a loud crash from below. I turned to see Danny sprinting toward the office, his face pale. “We’ve got a problem,” he said, out of breath.

“What kind of problem?” Alfredo asked, his tone sharp.

Danny glanced at me, then back at Alfredo. “Silver Hawks.”

Alfredo’s expression darkened, and he grabbed a set of keys from the desk. “Stay here,” he ordered me.

“Like hell, I will.”

He didn’t argue, just pushed past me and headed for the stairs. I followed, my pulse racing as I caught up to Danny.

“What’s going on?” I whispered.

He shook his head. “Trouble. Big trouble.”

We reached the garage floor to find a group of men standing near the entrance, their faces hard and unfriendly. The air was thick with tension, like the moment before a storm.

One of them stepped forward, a man with a cruel smile and a scar running down his cheek. “Ortiz,” he called out, his voice dripping with mockery. “Long time no see.”

Alfredo stepped forward, his posture radiating authority. “You’re trespassing.”

“Just came to pay our respects,” the man said, his tone sarcastic. “Heard about Agustin. Tough break.”

“Get out,” Alfredo growled.

The man laughed, a sound that sent chills down my spine. “You don’t give orders anymore, old man. Times are changing.”

The tension snapped like a rubber band, and chaos erupted. I grabbed Lily and held her close, my heart hammering as fists flew and the garage became a battleground.

Danny appeared beside me, his face grim. “We need to get her out of here.”

I nodded, my grip on Lily tightening. “Let’s go.”

As our feet pounded against the hard concrete, my heart thudded in my chest with fear and adrenaline. I couldn't resist the urge to glance back at Alfredo, who still stood his ground amidst the chaos, fighting like a warrior half his age. In that moment, my perception of him shifted, and I began to wonder if there was more to him than what I had always assumed. Perhaps there were layers beneath his tough exterior that I had never allowed myself to see before.