Chapter {36} Antonio

Only one person would dare walk into my establishment, shooting without a care in the world, and not only threaten my patrons but the one person who made me wear my heart out on a sleeve.

Izan.

"Amore, I need you to crawl into the concealed underground escape, located within the kitchen. Once you are in the kitchen, proceed towards your furthest left. You will come across a nondescript brown cabinet door lacking an opening knob. Tap on it thrice, and you will be presented with a code screen, just enter three digits '692' and it will slide open. Once inside you will find yourself in an elevator which will automatically lead you outside. From there, you must make a secure journey back home and ensure that all your  doors and windows are firmly locked."

I was desperate to keep her out of harm's way, caught in the dangerous crossfire. If Ivan were to find her, he would exploit her vulnerability, using her as a pawn in his twisted game. She was my only weakness, and any harm that befell her would unleash chaos and spark a full-blown war between our rival Mafia factions. Countless lives would be lost, a grim outcome I desperately wished to avoid. However, I couldn't help but wonder if Izan, who had once been confined to a mental asylum, would even care.

"But what about you? Giovanni, Margaret, Susan, Lucia, and everyone else?" Destiny's selflessness shone through, even in the face of imminent danger. She always put others before herself, even as her own life hung in the balance. But I needed her to escape, to protect the one who held my heart from any harm.

"Don't worry about us. We'll be fine. Margaret, Lucia, and Susan will accompany you, and I'll take care of the rest," I reassured her softly, aiming to ease her worries. Margaret, Susan, and Lucia could escape alongside her, but I couldn't let Giovanni leave. He was not only my brother but also the one person I trusted with my life.

"We are?" Susan, Lucia, and Margaret asked simultaneously, their brows raised and eyes narrowing sceptically. They were a force to be reckoned with, always questioning and challenging the situation.

"Yes, you are," I asserted firmly, leaving no room for debate. I began outlining a detailed plan for everyone's escape, including my own. It was essential to ensure their safety and evade capture.

"Why don't we just call the police?" Destiny's innocent honey-coloured eyes gazed into my deceitful ones, unaware of the dangerous world I inhabited. If she were to discover the truth, would she still choose to be with me, or would I lose her? That was a question for another time.

"Because involving the police would draw too much attention and jeopardize our chances. The people holding us hostage wouldn't take kindly to that and would respond with force," I fabricated my response, lying through my teeth without a hint of hesitation because I knew that the police would not hesitate to search the restaurant thoroughly and they would find the illegal machinery hidden in the store room thus leading to our arrest. A strange pang of guilt churned in my stomach. Was it because I had just deceived Destiny?

She averted her gaze to the ground, her voice barely audible as she replied, "Okay."

"Amore mio, please don't cry. When you return home, just go to sleep, and when you wake up, I will be right there by your side," I promised, my determination unwavering. I would not hesitate to confront the men before us, to protect Destiny at all costs, just so I could be with her once again.

As expected, she wiped away her tears, and I gently held her precious and breathtaking face in my hands before pulling her into a tight embrace. It was a silent pledge that I would return to her, no matter what.

"Can I pray for you and everyone else?" she asked, her beautiful brown eyes looking up at me. I knew I couldn't refuse her request. How could I deny her anything?

"Yes, amore, you can pray for us," I replied, my voice filled with tenderness.

For the first time in my life, I closed my eyes with unwavering belief and faith that a God I had never seen would answer Destiny's prayer. I trusted that He would somehow protect us in the face of danger.

"Father, we come before you today, surrendering our lives to you, knowing that you will hear our cries, for your hand is not too short to save, nor is your ear too heavy not to hear as your Word says Isaiah 59 verse 1. Heavenly Lord, we believe that just as you led Paul and Silas out of prison, you will lead all of us out of this situation, singing your praises, unharmed. Thank you, Mighty Lord, for I declare it done in the mighty and powerful name of Jesus Christ... Amen."

A tear escaped my eye as I hastily wiped it away, moved by Destiny's heartfelt prayer. A newfound sense of confidence and determination surged through my veins. It was a feeling unlike anything I had ever experienced before—a resolute assurance that we would exit this building without shedding any blood.

"I love you," I whispered to the love of my life, taking her velvety smooth hands in mine and gently kissing them. My eyes remained fixed on her, unable to look away from the beauty I was fortunate enough to call my own. Her eyes spoke volumes of unspoken love and assurance that I would come back to her.

"And I lo-" she began to respond, but I interrupted her, placing my index finger gently on her soft lips.

"Don't say it now. Save those words for when I have returned safely to your loving embrace," I requested, my voice filled with a mix of vulnerability and determination.

"Okay," she smiled, her mind and heart now settled and calm, knowing that no matter what transpired, I would find my way back to her.

"You love her?" Lucia, Margaret, and Susan asked incredulously, their voices filled with disbelief. However, we paid no attention to their comments as the sound of shattering glass reverberated through the restaurant. One of the masked men had thrown a glass to the floor, dangerously close to where I stood.

"Go, my love," I urged Destiny, rising to my full height and turning to face the masked intruders as the other girls sought safety behind me.

Finally, after a prolonged period of contemplation, I began to entertain the notion that resorting to violence against your clientele would serve as an effective message, thereby compelling you to reveal yourself," one of the physically imposing men stated in a heavily accented voice, laced with deep Russian undertones, making his speech somewhat difficult to comprehend.

"Should you have dared to take such action, I would not hesitate to show you no mercy," I declared, closing the distance between us. The man in question held a gun pointed at my head, but I remained undeterred, and Giovanni stood steadfastly beside me, marking his unwavering loyalty in my life.

"As would I," my brother replied, his voice devoid of any wavering or fear. He stood tall and drew his own weapon from its holster, aiming it at the gunmen. The patrons cowered beneath their tables, causing me to refrain from retrieving my own firearm, as doing so would attract unwanted attention and tarnish my carefully cultivated reputation.

"What is it that you desire?" I inquired, getting straight to the point. With each passing moment, my patrons grew increasingly restless, and it wouldn't be long before they summoned the authorities. I simply couldn't allow that to happen.

"We want you," came his immediate response, although it lacked conciseness. However, I understood his underlying meaning. He had been sent by Izan to eliminate me, for without my presence, our mafia would crumble, paving the way for the Russian Mafia to seize control.

"And I want you to vacate my establishment," I retorted, locking eyes with the men and women caught in the perilous crossfire. However, my heartstrings were tugged when I caught sight of a young boy, no older than Avelina, shedding tears beneath a table, his eyes desperately scanning the room for his parents, undoubtedly consumed by worry.

I needed to bring an end to this.

"If you allow all these people to depart unharmed, I will accompany you," I negotiated, fully aware that the circumstances would inevitably work in my favour.

"Why should we trust you?" the shorter and less talkative of the men inquired, his accent irritatingly familiar, reminiscent of Samuel's. However, I refused to jump to conclusions.

"Because you stand to lose everything if you don't. Engaging in a firefight would result not only in the loss of your lives but would also prompt me to declare war on your mafia."

They appeared to contemplate my words for a few fleeting seconds, their trembling hands betraying their concealed anxiety.

"Very well, but don't attempt anything foolish. Surrender your phones and any weapons you possess," they suggested, believing themselves to be clever. However, they were simply being foolish.

After subjecting us to a thorough search and confiscating everything they desired, including demanding access to our phones, they herded all the people, including ourselves, out of the building in a less-than-dignified manner, grouping them together without a shred of concern. Yet, amidst the chaos, the young boy caught sight of his mother, her bloodshot eyes a testament to her profound worry. They embraced for a fleeting moment before they were roughly torn apart by the shorter man, and an overwhelming desire to put a bullet in their heads coursed through me.

As soon as the opportunity arose, everyone seized the chance to flee to safety, while the men prepared to close the door behind us. However, at that precise moment, ten distinct cars of various colours arrived, their occupants swiftly aiming their weapons at the gunmen. They were my men.

In the blink of an eye, I had both men in a chokehold.

"I shall be sure to inform your boss that he ought to have dispatched more competent individuals who possess a grasp of what needs to be done, rather than imbeciles such as yourselves," I whispered into each of their ears, savouring the sight of their once-confident demeanour crumbling into one of abject fear. They knew all too well that Izan would not hesitate to end their lives, even while they were within my grasp. The Russian Mafia harboured little tolerance for failure, and it was their custom to teach members a fatal lesson in the event of a fiasco.

"No, boss, please don't inform him. He will kill us," they pleaded, dropping to their knees and grasping at my feet.

"Precisely my point. You shall either perish by my hand or his. However, I have no intention of killing you, so I shall grant him the honour," I stated with a wicked glimmer in my eyes, accompanied by a sinister laugh.

"Boys, lock them up in the cells," I commanded, and five of my men swiftly approached, taking the captives into custody.

You may be curious as to how my men became aware of the danger we faced. While conversing with Destiny, I discreetly sent a coded message to my men via my phone, alerting them to the peril I encountered and providing them with precise details of my location. Subsequently, I deleted the message, ensuring its secrecy.

*****

I found myself in a serene setting, observing my beloved as she peacefully slumbered. Thato had allowed me entry and informed me that she had been engaged in prayer before drifting off to sleep.

Her eyes remained closed as she fluttered in a state of tranquil repose, emitting a soft snore. Witnessing a smile grace her beautiful countenance brought me immense relief, for it indicated that she harboured no worries about my well-being. I felt an overwhelming desire to watch her sleep indefinitely, but time was a precious commodity, scarcely bestowed upon anyone. Reluctantly, I knew I had to rouse her from her slumber.

"Amore," I gently shook her for a few minutes, realizing she possessed a deep-sleeping nature.

"Nio?" she murmured, her eyes still shut. Then, gradually, she opened them, and I found myself captivated by their mesmerizing allure—truly, they were breathtaking.

"Nio?!" she exclaimed, abruptly sitting upright on the bed and enveloping me in a tight embrace. It was as if she couldn't believe her eyes, beholding my presence before her.

"Thank you, Lord," she whispered, while I soothingly rubbed her back with my hand.

"Are you alright?" She released herself from the embrace and scrutinized me, searching for any signs of harm. Upon finding none, she let out a profound sigh of relief.

"Yes, I am unharmed. How could any harm befall me when you stand by my side?" I posed the question tenderly, gently caressing her hand with my thumb.

"I stood by your side, and so did God. We owe our gratitude to Him, for He was watching over you," she replied, her gaze filled with tenderness.

Silence enveloped us as we continued conversing until I recollected that there was still an unanswered question lingering between us.

"Nevertheless, I yearn to hear you say the words—I love you—because you have never spoken them before," I playfully teased, provoking an eye roll from her, and I couldn't help but shake my head at her. She had a way of bringing out a different side of me.

"Yes, Nio. I love you," she responded with a gentle gaze and an enchanting smile.

Truly, I adored this remarkable woman.