His Forbidden Mafia Princess

Chapter - Eight

Aleena - POV

Right before we left for Long Island, my father called me into his room.

“You called for me, Dad?” I asked, stepping inside. He looked up at me, serious as ever.

“Aleena. Your wedding’s been moved up. It’s happening in a month.”

I stared at him, stunned. “Wait, what? I thought we had six months?”

He scowled. “Angelo’s rushing it. He wants to secure his grip on our business. I’ve been trying to stall, but Anastasia Kirova and her

Family just proposed a new deal, and that greedy bastard is threatening me.” He slammed his fist against the desk. “Our new drug is still in development. I can’t let him get control of it, not yet.”

I understood then Dad needed those six months to delay the marriage and to get Angelo and Nico involved in the business before they got a chance to disrupt anything. That was his biggest fear.

“What do you want me to do?” I asked, trying to keep my voice even.

He looked me straight in the eye. “Same mission. Make him fall for you. A man in love is blind, and blind men are easy to control.”

I raised an eyebrow. “And how do you know that works? I’ve never seen you fall in love. You’re cold, Dad. Always have been.”

Before I could blink, he slapped me so hard I saw stars.

“Don’t talk back to me,” he hissed.

“Your mother was a w***e. She cheated on me. I watched the man who loved her ruin everything. Love makes fools, Aleena.”

I stared at him, shocked. I don’t remember any of that. And honestly? I didn’t believe a word of it.

“You’re lying,” I whispered.

His eyes narrowed. “Do what I asked. Spy on the Bellinis. Report back. And keep Nico away from Anastasia Kirova. If I even

Think you’re slipping up, I’ll make sure Eleanor’s ‘peaceful’ brief life gets shattered. Instantly.”

I didn’t say a word. I just nodded.

***

Later, in the car on our way to Long Island, I was sitting next to my sister El. I was relieved Nico didn’t make a fuss about us traveling together. Honestly, I just wanted some time with El before she headed back to college.

“I can’t believe we’re going to the Bellini mansion!” she said, all smiles.

“You should be more excited to hang out with me,” I joked.

“I am,” she giggled. “But seriously, why are we the only ones in this car? Where’s your fiancé?”

“Sir’s in the other car,” one bodyguard said. Caldwell slid into the front seat, riding shotgun as always.

El and I both turned to look out the window, and there she was. Anastasia, standing way too close to Nico. My sister raised her brows.

“Who’s that all cuddled up next to your fiancé like she’s already wearing the ring?” she asked, glaring. Before Nico could usher her into the other car, El was ready to pounce.

“She’s nobody,” I said flatly, eyes straight ahead.

“Seriously, sis? That woman looks like she’s trying to steal your man.”

“She’s just dramatic. Don’t make a scene.”

“I should go out there and put her in her place,” El muttered.

I stopped her before she could open the door. Nico had already gotten into his car.

“Drive,” I said. The car pulled off, and El just stared at me, fuming.

After a minute, she asked, “Do you even *like* Nico?”

I hesitated. “I do.”

She gave me a look that she wasn’t buying it. “You’re hiding something from me. What’s going on?”

“I’m just tired, El. I need some rest,” I said, brushing her off.

“Fine, keep skirting around the topic,” El mumbled. “But I’ll figure out the truth, eventually.”

That night, I pretended to sleep with one eye open. Caldwell had returned, and my mind wandered back to what Anastasia said. “I know Caldwell too.” But I don’t remember ever meeting her. Is she lying? Or is there a piece of the puzzle I still haven’t figured out?

As soon as we pulled onto Long Island, the first thing that hit me was the sheer size of the mansion. Guards were everywhere, patrolling with rifles like it were a fortress. The Bellini estate stood proud of its symmetrical stone façade, tall arched windows, wrought-iron balconies, and grand mansard roof, all tucked into pristine, manicured gardens.

As the car rolled to a stop, I stepped out. A butler grabbed our bags while El’s eyes locked onto Nico. She was glaring. Nico glanced at her, then at me, silently asking, “What’s her deal?”

I didn’t see Anastasia anywhere. Maybe my father arranged an unfamiliar car for her.

“I’ll show you to your rooms,” Nico said. El and Caldwell followed us inside.

The place gave me chills not because I hadn’t seen danger before, but because everything here felt amplified. The men here looked

colder. Armed. Dangerous. El, on the other hand, looked nervous. She’s never been around men like these. She gets scared easily. I reached over and took her hand. She gave me a grateful look.

“This is my wing,” Nico said. “Don’t cross to the other side. I’m warning you.”

“What’s over there?” El asked curiously.

He paused.

“My stepbrother lives there. That side’s his; he runs illegal fights and... other things you don’t want to know about.”

Stepbrother? My heart skipped. Nico has a stepbrother? How did I not know this?

“What’s his name?” I asked.

“Sebastian,” he said simply.

“El, your room is next door,” he continued, showing her the room. Then he turned to me. “This one’s yours, Aleena. Caldwell is

across the hall.”

He pointed to another door. “Mine is connected to yours through that door.”

I looked at it. Caldwell’s body tensed. Nico caught it immediately.

“You won’t be staying in her room,” Nico said coldly, eyes on Caldwell.

Caldwell gave him a look but nodded without a word.

They were about to leave when I spoke up.

“Hold on, you two.”

They both turned to face me, and for a moment, the tension was heavy. Their dangerous and unreadable presence felt suffocating.

“I need to talk,” I said, standing tall as the staff finished placing the luggage and quietly left the room.

“Last night, what did Anastasia mean?” I asked.

“She was drunk. Talking nonsense,” Nico said flatly.

I narrowed my eyes. Liar. There’s more to that story. I need to find my old diary, if it still exists.

“I see,” I said coolly, then turned to Caldwell. “You believe Nico?”

“Yes,” he answered without hesitation.

That only made me more suspicious. “Alright,” I said, though I didn’t buy it. As they stepped out, I could still feel both of their eyes lingering on me.

I’ll go to Nico’s room tonight. If he won’t talk, I’ll ask Caldwell.

Later, El was in her room studying; her spring break was almost over, and exams were coming. I wandered the halls, surprised

Caldwell wasn’t trailing me like usual. I figured Nico told him to back off.

Maybe I should snoop around the Bellini property and find something useful for my father. He wants results. If I give him something good, maybe he’ll back off El... not ruin her life like he did mine.

As I stepped out of Nico’s wing, the atmosphere changed. The air on the left wing was colder. Darker. I heard cursing in Sicilian, voices sharp and angry.

I crept closer until someone grabbed my wrist.

“Alee.”

I turned and found a pair of striking green eyes. He wore a loose white T-shirt and pajama pants. His voice was low, cold.

“What are you doing on this side?”

“I was just exploring the estate,” I replied, trying to sound casual.

“I told you this side is off-limits,” he said, narrowing his eyes with suspicion.

“Oh, right. Sorry. I meant to mention it earlier.”

I turned to go, but he didn’t let go of my wrist. His grip wasn’t tight but firm enough.

“You sure that’s the real reason?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said, looking him dead in the eye. I didn’t flinch, even though it felt like he was trying to stare into my soul. After a moment,

he let go.

He walked beside me as I headed back, slower this time.

“Nico,” I said softly. “Can you tell me what happened to me?”

He didn’t respond.

“I mean,. I have these vague memories. There’s one in particular that haunts me.”

I paused, not wanting to go into detail. I’m not ready. Most of my memories are scattered—bare fragments.

“I don’t want to drag you back into the past,” he said quietly. “It’s painful for everyone.”

“Isn’t that unfair?” I asked. “You all remember. I don’t even get to know what happened.”

He looked away, unreadable.

“Alright, how about this,” I said, changing tactics. “I’ll tell you what I do remember. And in return, you help me fill in the blanks. We could go on a few dates... get to know each other again.”

He blinked, eyes narrowing.

“If I wanted to date you, I would’ve already. I’m not interested in dating or this marriage.”

There it was. Rejection is cold and direct.

“So you already know Dad moved up the wedding to next month?” I asked. He didn’t look happy.

“I know,” he muttered.

“Do you love Anastasia Kirova?” I asked suddenly. “Because of the way you looked at her during the dance, you had feelings, didn’t you?”

He didn’t respond. Just walked faster.

“So you don’t trust me at all?” I snapped. “Did I hurt you that badly?”

He stopped.

“You told me to leave you alone, Aleena. You broke our friendship. Now we’re just strangers forced into an arranged deal.”

His voice was bitter and detached.

And for the first time, I realized maybe I broke more than just a friendship.

As I stepped back into the room, I saw Caldwell coming out of it. He looked tense, almost startled, but the moment he saw me, there

Was a flicker of relief in his eyes.

“Where have you been?” he asked.

“None of your business,” I replied coldly, brushing past him and walking inside.

He grabbed my hand, stopping me. “Do you want me to stay in your room and watch you like a hawk?”

I glared at him. “Nico won’t let you. You know that.”

“I don’t care what he orders,” he said, voice sharp and cold. “I don’t work for him.”

It was the first time in the fifteen days I’ve known Caldwell that he spoke with such intensity.