THE MAFIA'S FORBIDDEN THERAPIST

CHAPTER 3: ALESSIO

Perched on the edge of the zinc roof, I closed my eyes and spread my arms wide. A cigarette dangled from my fingers as I exhaled a cloud of smoke, and then I opened my eyes to the breathtaking scene before me. The early morning was alive with the wailing of sirens, mostly ambulances, resonating from below. From this vantage point, I could see plumes of smoke rising from homes engulfed in flames. It was incredible—New York City is a whirlwind of chaos.

I leaned a bit closer to the edge, feeling the rush of adrenaline surge through me at the thought of plummeting from this height. I thrived on that thrill, the sensation of flirting with death, not that I could die. Still steady, I took another drag from my cigarette, letting the smoke escape slowly.

The sky was beginning to brighten, though I had lost track of how long I had been up here. Honestly, it didn’t matter. Sleep and I were never friends, but tonight felt different. Something beyond my usual demons had kept me awake... her. The girl from last night lingered in my thoughts, and I despised it.

Why couldn’t I shake her from my mind?

I ran a hand over my face, my fingers brushing against the mask that covered part of it.

"Cazzo," I muttered, frustration boiling within me as I took a drag. I craved destruction, the exhilaration of the hunt, the primal instinct clawing to break free, ravenous for blood.

"Calmati," I murmured to myself, attempting to suppress the dark impulses. "Respira... non ancora."

I remained motionless, grappling with the turmoil inside me. It wouldn’t be long before I lost my grip... but not just yet, I couldn’t let it happen now.

“Get down from there right now!” a voice boomed, and a smirk crept across my face as I opened my eyes to meet my mother’s fierce gaze. She stood below me, hands firmly planted on her hips, a look of determination etched across her features. “Mama, take a breath,” I replied playfully before leaping down from the zinc roof. I could hear her sharp intake of breath as I descended, landing a few feet away from her, and she exhaled in relief.

“Do that again, and you’ll be holding a lifeless mother in your arms,” she warned her tone a mix of exasperation and affection. I couldn’t help but grin as I stepped closer to her. “You know you can’t die, Mama. Not because you aren't immortal like us, but because the Grim Reaper would have to get through me first,” I declared, placing my hand gently on her shoulder. She shot me a sidelong glance, and I caught the hint of a smile threatening to break through her stern facade.

“Enough of that nonsense,” she retorted, playfully swatting my head. I chuckled, feeling a rush of warmth; I adored this woman. She was the only one in our family I could truly stand. “So, what were you doing up there?” she asked.

“Just trying to clear my mind,” I answered as we began to walk toward the main part of the estate. This sprawling family estate was our home, a place where we all coexisted, though I preferred my own space. I had my own house on the far side of the property, a modest dwelling compared to the grand family mansion, but it was mine, and that was all that mattered to me.

Clearing my mind, I could hear her voice cutting through the morning air. "Alessio, nobody climbs to the edge of a rooftop at dawn just to smoke weed or whatever you call it to ‘clear their head,’” she said, shoving my hand off her shoulder. I could see the anger boiling in her eyes as I simply looked down at her.

“That stunt you pulled up there,” she continued, gesturing toward the roof as if I needed a reminder of my recent actions. She was furious—she rarely swore, but here we were. “That was a cry for help, and I can’t overlook it any longer. That’s why I arranged for you to see a psychiatrist. You need help,” she insisted. I remained silent, just gazing at her, feeling at a loss for words.

“I’ve set you up with a psychiatrist, well, for all of us, but you’ll be getting extra sessions with her, and you’re going to cooperate,” she declared. I had to stifle a laugh at the absurdity of it all. “Do you understand me?” she asked, and I nodded, watching her storm off, muttering about how annoying I was.

I pulled out another cigarette from my back pocket, lit it, and took a drag. “Put that damn cigarette out! It’s morning! Go wash up; she’ll be here soon,” she yelled, turning back toward my building. I took another drag, the smoke curling around me as I watched her retreating figure.

I stepped into the house, and the darkness quickly wrapped around me like a heavy blanket. I let out a sigh, resting my head against the door when suddenly a growl echoed in my mind. He was fighting to break free, clawing his way to the surface. I pressed my hands against the door, desperately trying to keep him at bay. Damn it.

After a few tense minutes, I managed to suppress him and began to navigate through the shadows of the house. “You can’t keep me locked away forever. I need to be free, I… need to feed,” he hissed, but I brushed off his words as I ascended the stairs. “Do you know who I crave…” he taunted, but I chose to ignore him once more.

“I want that beautiful little human you touched; her essence is intoxicating, and I crave her. She could satisfy me for days,” he taunted. I hesitated, closing my eyes, and inhaling deeply.

“No,” I replied firmly, pushing onward until I reached my room. I opened the door and stepped inside. “Why are you resisting, you growing a conscious Alessio? I can sense your desires; you want her again.”

“This could be beneficial for both of us, you could f**k that tight p***y again, and I could claim her soul. We’d never have to see her again, killing two birds with one stone” he urged, as I moved to the bathroom, staring into the mirror. My hand twitches, yearning to remove the mask, the temptation intensifying.

“Just… give in… let’s feed.”