CHAPTER 1

My name was not Lucas anymore; it was a name buried deep beneath layers of deception. In this distant land, far from the clutches of the Italian Mafia, I was just another face in the crowd. The memories of my past life, of power, wealth, and the unforgiving loss that had torn my world asunder, haunted me like relentless specters.

My life crumbled at every point in my life but this was the height of it .I had been part of the Mafia, a name that could make people's heart rumble every time it's was heard but that life had become unbearable after the tragic night when I lost someone I loved dearly.

That night had been crafted into the deepest recesses of my soul, a memory that played on a never-ending loop in my mind. The chaos of a breakout gone horribly wrong, the staccato rhythm of gunshots, and the realization that the person I loved was no longer by my side. The world had turned cold and dark in an instant, and I vowed to never lose that memory of the one I loved most. I lied down while I felt hot tears run down my cheeks as I looked at Aubrey's photos. I kissed her photo and placed it back on my side table. I sat down and cleaned my tears as I heard a knock on my door.

"Come" I said, adjusting my shirt.

"Sir, your dinner is ready." The maid said, looking at the floor.

"I'm not hungry, you guys can take my dinner."

"But sir we ha.."

"I said I'm not hungry, I don't want to eat, just order a pizza."

She said walking out of my slightly dimmed room. The darkest face of my life happened within a blink of an eye. I got up and walked towards my bathroom to take a shower. I wore my robe and walked lazily to the bathtub and had a long shower. Tears filled my eyes as hot water rushed down my spine. I was still sore from the fresh wounds I got from my boss.

Quickly got out of the bathroom and headed to change up. I heard a loud thud from my bedroom. Was it my boss again I thought while in my wardrobe. I quickly rushed into my bedroom.

"What are you doing here?" I asked lean as I saw him sitting on my couch with legs crossed.

"How did you know it's me?" he chuckled, standing up and walking towards me." I'm just here to check up on you, how's my boy doing?" He asked puffing smoke out of his mouth on my nose

I almost puked because of the nasty smell " you can go, I'm alright." I said walking away. "What do you want from me?" I asked as the irritation was clear on my face.

" I got your pizza from the Maid, I was expecting us to talk. As normal people." He said, tossing his cigarette on my floor.

"Talk about what? You're satisfied with what you did or you wanna take my life too?"

"Could you shut up!! You caused your girlfriend's death." He walked over to me." And I certainly did enough to mess her up."

My heart throbbed so fast as the scenes rushed back. " lean with how much I respect you and leave me alone." I said walking away.

" walk any further and you'll be gone too." Lean laughed so hard as he said that.

It was in fact a threat. I stood still turning back to look at him.

"I want you to be my partner." He walked up to me and lifted up my face "would you??" He asked, smiling.

"No!! It's the audacity you have to be standing here and saying such to me. Lean your my boss, with just a blink of an eye you took everything good away from me and you want me to be your assistant? How selfish could you be." I said pushing his filthy hands from my face. "How selfish can you be?"

"You paid the price for disobeying me. And you're doing that as well."

"Lean, I respect you alot but I don't want to." I said, walking towards my bed. "You can leave since you don't feel any remorse for what you have done." I pointed at the door." And don't ever come back." I said with tears gathered in my eyes.

"You'll regret not accepting this offer." Lean said while he walked out of my room. I locked my door and sat down on my bed. Why would he bring such an offer when I'm in grief. I know he's heartless but how could he do this to me. After everything I have done for him.

......…

I woke up gasping so hard for water. That dream hit me so hard I took the bottle of water on the lamp table. I gulped down the water with fear. I guess this was the sign I needed to leave this country. I wore my flip flops and tied my robe, walked to my door and unlocked it. The first thought I had in mind was probably to tell my driver to get the cars ready, I'll be leaving later on today, I can't stay here any longer, the more I stay the worse my nights get, it's just 6am when I normally wake up by 9am. I walked down the marble stairs with my legs clicked against the tiles as I walked down the stairs. Lisa saw me and bowed her head

"Sir, do you need anything, it's a surprise your up by this time." She said to me

"It surprised me too, make breakfast for me immediately." I excused her and walked towards the front door. I sighted my driver from afar " come." I gestured to him.

"Sir, good morning, how can I help you??"

"Get all my cars ready. Immediately." I said as I locked the front door and walked back to my room. Gonna start up a new life In a new city isn't something to play with. Not gonna spend at all before everyone would know his from the famous mafia group in Italy. Best place I can be safe is in the United States, nobody is going to recognise me as a criminal or see that I'm a threat to someone. I entered my dimly lit room. The fresh scent of oud makes my day. I lit up the candle's in my room and headed to the gym.

My breathing was hard, my legs couldn't stop shaking because of fear, it's been one month since Aubrey's death. Aubrey was all a guy could wish for, caring, breathtaking and honest. I honestly don't think anyone could out match her. Her scent still lingered through my nose while walking up the stairs. I wish she didn't leave me.