Mafia’s Queen Comeback, He Yearns For Me

002

ROSA

I watched him with cold eyes as he moved around the room. His hands carefully arranged boxes of gifts, fine bottles of wine, and trays of food. Every detail was for her, the Russian mob princess.

I couldn’t bear the insult anymore, so I quietly turned to leave, my hand already reaching for the door, when a guard stepped inside. His voice was firm.

“Boss, she’s here. Irina Volkov has arrived.”

The name cut through me like a knife. I froze, my fingers curling against the doorframe, as I found myself unable to move.

Moments later, she entered. Irina Volkov, tall and elegant. Her presence filled the room like she owned it.

Rocco’s face changed instantly. The stern mask he had worn with me melted away. His eyes softened, and his lips curved into a smile I had never seen before.

He walked to her gently, his voice warm.

“Irina,” he said, almost tenderly. “You look beautiful tonight.”

I stood there, invisible, as he took her hand and kissed it. She glanced at me, her lips curling into a smug smile. She wanted me to see, to feel the sting.

Then, slowly, she leaned in and pressed her lips against his. It wasn’t just a kiss, it was more of a claim. She kissed him with pride, making sure I watched every second.

My heart burned, but I refused to bow. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stand tall.

Irina and I had once been friends. We laughed together, shared secrets, and dreamed of ruling our own worlds. But that was years ago, before she showed her true colors. She became manipulative, greedy, always reaching for what was mine. After our fallout, we became enemies. But ever since then, she competed with me at every chance she got, and I always won.

But now, standing in that room, I realized my relationship with Rocco had never been as secret as I thought. She must have found out. And she had used it against me.

Irina’s eyes locked on mine, her lips curling into a smug smile. “You see, Rosa,” she said softly, almost sweetly, “I always get what I want. And now, I have him.”

Her words stung, but I refused to let her see me break. I turned to Rocco, my voice steady even though my chest felt heavy.

“So this is it? After ten years, you choose her?”

Rocco didn’t answer. He just stood there, his arm around Irina, his silence louder than any words.

I straightened my back, lifting my chin. My pride was all I had left, and I would not let them take it from me.

“I’m not the type to fight for something as basic as a man who can’t even fight for us,” I said firmly. My voice echoed in the room with finality.

Irina smirked, leaning closer to him, as if to prove her victory. But I didn’t care anymore.

With my head held high, I looked at them both one last time. “You deserve each other,” I said coldly. “I’m done.” With that, I turned and walked out. I wasn’t just leaving them, severing all ties with the past.

I walked out of the building with my head held high, though inside I was breaking. My chest felt heavy, and my throat burned as I fought back the tears. I refused to let them see me cry. Not Irina. Not Rocco. No one.

Outside, the cold night air hit my face, I pulled on my helmet quickly, my hands shaking, and climbed onto my motorcycle. The engine roared to life, I gripped the handlebars tight, whispering to myself. “He isn’t worth it. He was never worth it.”

Every turn of the wheels felt like I was running from the past, from the betrayal, from the years I had wasted.

By the time I reached my studio, my body was trembling with anger. I parked my motorcycle, ripped off my helmet, and stormed inside.

The place was quiet, filled with memories of Rocco and I.

I looked around at everything Rocco had ever given me, the weapons polished like treasures, the jewelry that sparkled under the dim light, the artworks he had sent to impress me. Each piece was a reminder of his control, his lies, his false promises.

My jaw tightened. I couldn’t keep them anymore. They weren’t gifts, they were chains.

I gathered them all, dragging the boxes and frames into the center of the room. My hands moved fast, almost frantic, as if I needed to erase him from my life before my heart betrayed me with tears.

I took a lighter, struck on it and the flame flickered, and I dropped it onto the pile.

The fire caught quickly, and smoke rose, filling the studio and I stood there, watching it all burn, as my eyes stung in panic but I didn’t cry. I wouldn’t give him that victory.

“This is the last of you, Rocco,” I whispered to the flames manically.

I was done, truly done. The fire in my studio had burned away the last of Rocco’s hold on me. The smoke still clung to my clothes, but I didn’t care.

I picked up my encrypted phone, the one I only used for family business. My fingers hovered for a moment, then I dialed. The line clicked, and after a pause, my father’s deep voice came through.

“Rosa,” he said, calm but firm. “It’s late. Why are you calling?”

I swallowed hard, forcing my voice to stay steady.

“Papa, I need you to listen. I want my name erased from this city. Completely. No ties, no records. Rosa Caruso does not exist here anymore.”

There was silence on the other end. I could almost picture him sitting back in his chair, cigar in hand, thinking carefully. “You sound serious,” he said slowly. “What happened?”

My jaw tightened. “Rocco happened. Ten years wasted. He’s marrying Irina Volkov. He used me, Papa. And I will not stay here as a shadow of his story. I want out. I want my name gone.”

My father exhaled, the sound heavy through the line. “You understand what you’re asking? Once I erase your name, there is no going back. You’ll be invisible in Chicago. No protection. No recognition. Nothing.”

“I understand,” I said firmly. My voice shook, but I pushed through. “I don’t care. I’d rather be nothing than be his discarded lover. Erase me. Wipe me clean. Let them think I never existed.”

Another pause. Then his voice hardened.

“Very well. If that is your wish, it will be done. By tomorrow, Rosa Caruso will be gone from Chicago. But remember, child, once you cut ties, you walk alone.”

I closed my eyes, a single tear slipping down my cheek. “I’ve always walked alone, Papa. This time, I’ll do it on my own terms.”

The line went dead. I lowered the phone, my hands trembling, but for the first time in years, I felt free.