Lethal Business: Mafia's Love Game

Ariana

The air outside was different. I stood at the train station, clutching my suitcase and staring at the departure board. My heart skipped a beat as I confirmed the schedule. Today was my 20th birthday, and I had a surprise for Mom and Dad.

I stepped off the plane at JFK Airport, my heart racing with excitement. Over ten years had passed since I'd last seen my parents. I'd wondered why they sent me away to boarding school in Switzerland.

The memories of our life together were fuzzy, like a watercolor painting left out in the rain.

I remembered the day Mom and Dad sent me away to boarding school in Switzerland like it was yesterday.

"It's for your own safety, sweetie. You'll have the best education and care," was the only thing mum said.

Daddy on the other hand had a stone cold expression, "We'll visit soon, Ariana. Promise." They never did.

Life abroad was a mix of loneliness and routine. I excelled academically, but friendships were fleeting. Letters from Mom and Dad were rare and always filled with vague updates.

Until a week ago when they sent me a cryptic letter after six months of not hearing from them. It was written in Morse code. My curiosity piqued. I decided to confront them myself. After all, I graduated early, I had no business in school anymore.

The flight across the Atlantic felt like an eternity.

The crisp New York air enveloped me as I exited the terminal. I breathed deeply, feeling the city's energy course through my veins. Even at night New York was beautiful. A chauffeur, dressed in a sleek black suit, waited for me, holding a sign with my name.

"Ariana Morales?" he asked, smiling.

"Yes, that's me!" I replied, beaming.

The city whizzed by in a blur of lights and sounds.

"Happy birthday to me," I whispered, smiling.

The car stopped in front of the estate. The place looked bigger than what it used to be. But I was child when I was sent away, so it's probably my eyes.

The driver whisked his head back at me, "Ma'am, are you sure this is the location?" he asked me with this dangerously concerned look.

"Yes." I said flatly, obviously I knew what my parents house looked liked, I'm not lost.

"Okay, but I can't drive further unless you get permission from someone on the inside."

"Wait here," I said to him before alighting. As I approached the manor, I couldn't but notice the heightened security measures: Discreetly placed surveillance cameras tucked seamlessly into the landscape, a massive perimeter wall and strategically positioned guards, dressed in suits?

There were two imposing figures right in front of the Morales Manor. Their presence commanded attention and serious unease. They did not look like ordinary body guards. They looked like the kind of secret service officers that escorted my international classmates whenever they left campus.

With their rugged physique, it looked like they had years of military and special operations training, or maybe they just ate granite for breakfast.

The taller of the two, stood at over 6'5" with a shaved head and piercing blue eyes that seemed to bore into my soul. His sharp jawline and angular features added to his intimidating presence. His name is now Blue.

The other one had a weathered complexion and jet-black hair. His eyes, a deep, piercing brown, seemed to absorb every detail, missing nothing. Obviously this is Brown.

Both men wore tailored black suits, crisp white shirts, and slim ties, their attire understated yet unmistakably expensive. Their gold cufflinks glinted in the fading light. Daddy must have been paying them a lot.

"Ma'am, you are not allowed within ten feet of the property, I suggest you get into your cab and start heading back, this is private property." Brown was the first to speak.

His tone flipped a switch in my head, why does everyone seem to think that I'm some sort of lost kitty?

"I'm sorry sir, I know you're just doing your job. I also know that this is private property because my daddy owns it, and maybe he owns you too." The spoilt brat in me was quickly activated.

They shared a look that spoke millions but didn't change their demeanor. The first guy pulled up his suit jacked revealing a Glock 22. It's the standard weapon for law enforcement. Obviously it was a decoy, their real arms would be on their ankle strap.

My head flicked up at the block of muscles subtly threatening my life on my birthday.

"If you don't leave now, I'll be forced to use violence." Blue seemed to be in a bad mood.

"Ariana Morales," I said sharply looking back at the taxi to make sure he was still there if this went south.

"My name is Ariana Marcella Morales, I'm not dumb enough to play with my life right now."

Brown exhaled. He looked at me with something that resembled pity, I knew that look all too well. When people realize you've been living in a boarding school since you were ten and have never had anyone visit you, they start to treat you like an orphan, and sure enough that was how I felt.

His eyes moved away from me for a second before finding them again. "Check!" was the only word he told Blue.

Blue nodded curtly narrowing his eyes. He whispered into his collar for a moment. After a while there was feedback. His eyes widened. I the twenty minutes I've been here this is the first time the guy has changed his expression.

"I am incredibly sorry for the misunderstanding ma'am."

Those words made me exhale all the air I had been holding.

"A car will be here for you shortly, please send the cab away."

I paid the cab driver and attempted to take my things out of the car when one of the large figures grabbed my suitcase. In a moment, a car drove out of the estate gate. The whole car was tinted and probably bulletproof.

As I stepped out of the car and onto the winding driveway, the grandeur of my family's estate unfolded before me. The Morales Manor was a sight. It looked like it emerged from the very woods themselves.

Tall trees formed a natural canopy above the driveway. The air was crisp and clean. It was filled with the scent of blooming flowers and fresh-cut grass.

The driveway opened up to a circular courtyard with a majestic fountain. The place looked like a sanctuary, hidden from the ordinary man and protected by layers of security. It looked nothing like the place I grew up.

"This way ma'am." A man who I assume is the butler led me to a stairway.

I climbed the grand staircase, my heart pounded in my ear. As I reached the top, I saw Mom and Dad standing in the doorway of their bedroom, they didn't look the least but excited.

"Ariana," Mom whispered, her voice trembling.

Dad's eyes widened, his face frozen in shock.

I halted, taken aback by their reaction.

"Surprise?" I ventured, attempting a smile.

Mom's hands flew to her mouth, stifling a gasp. Dad's gaze darted around the room, as if searching for an escape.

"Ariana, what are you doing here?" Dad asked, his voice low and urgent.

I felt a chill run down my spine.

"Happy birthday to me, right?" I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Mom's eyes welled up with tears.

"Ariana, sweetie, we didn't expect you," she stammered.

Dad's expression was hard to read. I couldn't understand what he was thinking till he spoke. "How did you get here?" he demanded.

I frowned, my confusion was growing by the second.

"Plane, taxi, and a surprise visit?"

Mom stepped forward, extending her hands. "Ariana, darling, we need to talk."

The tension was, suffocating.

"What's going on?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Dad's eyes locked onto mine, filled with a mixture of fear and desperation. "Ariana, you shouldn't be here. It's not safe."

"Andy!" They called out.

My brother Andy Antonio Morales had grown so much he was bearly recognible. His face lit up momentarily when he saw me.

"Jenkins, please escort Ariana to her room," Dad instructed, his voice was laced with unease.

Jenkins nodded discreetly.

"Right this way, Miss Ariana."

I hesitated, feeling dismissed and confused.

"But... I just got here. We need to talk."

Mom's eyes darted between Dad and me, her expression was strained. "Later, darling. We'll discuss everything later."

"Jenkins, ensure Ariana's luggage is brought up."

Jenkins gestured toward the hallway, "Follow me, Miss Ariana." I knew this path all too well. There was a large painting at the end of the hall, it was a door that led to another part of the mansion.

I reluctantly trailed behind Jenkins, feeling like a child being sent to timeout because that was what was happening. As we climbed the stairs, I whispered to Jenkins: "What's going on? Why are they acting so strange?"

Jenkins' expression remained neutral.

"I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to discuss family matters, Miss Ariana."

We reached my bedroom door, and Jenkins opened it with a courteous gesture.

"Jenkins?"

He turned, his eyes softening.

"Yes, Miss Ariana?"

When I said nothing, he locked the door from the outside. My heart leaped out of my chest. I sat there for hours on end till night fell. I paced, trying to make sense of the eerie atmosphere and my parents' behavior. Something was terribly wrong.

There was a loud bang which sounded a lot like gun shots. I could hear the sound of tires screeching. With how heavily guarded the estate was it would take military grade equipments to break down the doors.

I froze, my heart raced. The sound of gunfire shattered the evening calm. Panic set in as I rushed to the window, pulling back the curtains. Below, chaos erupted.

Cars, their headlights blazing, careened up the driveway, spewing forth armed men. Bullets ripped through the air, ricocheting off the manor's walls.

More gunfire erupted, this time closer. I heard shattering glass, screams, and the thunder of footsteps. I was living in a nightmare.

Xavier

"Everything is ready, sir. Should I take care of it? Or do you--"

I shot my head up at the direction of my underboss, Enzo. "No, I want to have some fun with this one, Enzo. My face should be the last thing that he sees."

Those words hurt me to say, but I have to exert my dominance. Being weak is not an option. No one crosses Xavier Castello and gets away with it. Honor and loyalty are two words we hold dear in Cosa Nostra.

I can tolerate just about anything, but betrayal is definitely not one of them. If I let go of everyone who crossed me because of sentiments, I would be a dead man.

I didn't get my title as don from being a weak little bitch.

"Let's go!" I ordered, getting up from my swivel chair and shutting the door to my study. Our convoy moved with speed and stopped right outside the estate of one of my father's most trusted men, Benicio Morales.

I walked into his room where he and his wife Beatrice, were sleeping soundly. How could the damn bastard sleep after stealing from Don Castello? His peace infuriated me.

Two of my men stood on either side of the bed. Four more are at the door frame, waiting for orders. The ones who aren't manning our cars are taking care of the house staff and flimsy guards situated on every side of the house.

The bastard had already tripled his security while planning an escape. All the muscles in my face constricted.

Taking the gun out of my holster, I shot his dear wife in the head to give her a quick death. I was very fond of her, so there was no need for suffering. I'm sure she had no idea what her husband was doing.

The sound jolted him awake. He turns to me with fear in his eyes, knowing what his fate will be. His eyes go back to his wife's lifeless body. Tears stream down his face. I'm sure he's already sorry for stabbing me in the back.

Before I can speak, my men take his wife's body away.

"Don Castello," he said, fear lacing his voice. The murderous look in my eyes tells him that I'm not ready for a conversation.

"I can explain." his words fail him as he tries to speak. I took a clean blade handed to me by Enzo and swing it around, showing off my knife skills.

The high-pitched screams from downstairs are like music to ears. No one, not a single soul, would be left alive. It wasn't because they were guilty of anything, their only mistake was working for a filthy thief.

In a moment, the whole house goes quiet. I exhale deeply before burying my knife in Benicio's palm. He screams like a little princess. When he has overcome the shock from what I had just done, I pulled the knife out.

His blood coated his whole palm and most part of my face, covering my eyes. I clean the blood off my eyes and lick the one on my lips, then move back to my prey.

He's crying like a child, but I can't seem to feel anything. Nothing at all. It makes me scared for myself.

To put an end to his suffering, I take a clean sweep across his neck, tearing one of his jugular veins. Within seconds, he stops moving.

I walk out of the room, Enzo following behind me. As I get downstairs, Mateo, one of my trusted men, approaches, walking me through an array of bodies neatly positioned in different parts of the house. He had painted the whole place red, all because of Benicio fucking Morales.

Not only did he steal from me, he had been selling information to Arturo Lopez!

I had already spent some time torturing some of the men that worked under Benicio. In no time, they had divulged all the information they gave to Arturo.

The idiot who put my mother in a wheelchair and murdered my sister in a game of Russian roulette. Sent me her head in a fucking parcel. That's why no one can make it out alive.

"Ready to report?" Enzo asked me as I examined the level of bloodshed. I nodded. "I think we did good."

Enzo handed me my phone. "It's done!" I say to my father, Joseph Castello. This vengeance was not just for me, but for him, too. The Morales family was just the start. I will not stop till the whole Lopez family is six feet under.

The Lopez's were trusted allies, but they got so power hungry. So much so that they bit the hand that fed them.

"Are you sure they're all dead? Every single one of them?" he asked for clarity's sake. To make it crystal clear, I sent a picture of Benicio's son's fucking lifeless body.

"Good!" His voice is firm. Before I can say anything, a shrill cry interrupts me. I clench my fists into balls.

"Get your hands off him!" she demanded.

"Goodbye, father." It's better to put an end to the call before he can notice whatever the background noise is.

"Did I say you could hang up?" His asked in a stern tone. The man never wants me to forget that he is my father, always exerting his damn authority all the time.

"I'm sorry."

"I want you to come see me this weekend."

"Oh, that's why you're being like this. Because you miss me."

He coughed. "Shut the fuck up!" My remark earned a chuckle. "Goodbye Lucky." I bit on my lower lip. He called me fucking Lucky!

My attention went back to the distraction that interrupted my call. Enzo held her down while she struggled uncontrollably. He pulled the gun she clutched in her hand.

"Who the fuck is this?" I ask, examining the honey skinned brunette who tried to bite her way out of Enzo's grip.

"I don't know boss, she was hiding out in the wine cellar."

My eyes fell on her. "Who are you?"

She rolled her eyes. "Fuck you!" Her voice was shaky. I can see the fear no matter how hard she tries to hide it.

Enzo took his gun out of the holster and placed it very close to her head. Disrespecting the Don like that would earn anyone a bullet in the head, but I'll let it slide, just this once.

She shoots an elbow in Enzo's stomach, causing him to loosen his grip on her. She tries to run away but just ends up right in front of me. Her eyes trail my body and stay on my face. She's trembling. The fear she's exuding seems to get me excited, too excited.

I lower myself close enough to meet her eyes, "I'll ask again, who the fuck are you?"

She takes her eyes off me. "I don't owe you an explanation. Get out of my way!"

My patience had run thin by now. Instead of exchanging words with her, I grab her by the arm, bending it in a very uncomfortable way. She tries to squirm her way out. When it doesn't work, she sinks her teeth into my hand.

I pick her up from the ground and throw her over my shoulder. My hand hurts like hell. "Since you don't know who you are, you're coming with us!"

I throw her in the back of the car and slammed the door shut. Mateo slipped into the car. "What are we going to do with her?"

"I don't know yet. Tape her fucking mouth shut! And tie her hands if necessary."

A smile spread across my face. She's the most fascinating thing I've seen in a while. The way she clutched that gun in her hands, she didn't look like an amateur. Maybe she can more than just bite with that mouth of hers.

Xavier

The ride back to the estate was excruciatingly painful with that little bitch kicking and screaming like a toddler.

Enzo kept giving her death glares but she didn't seem to get the memo. We pulled up in front of the mansion and the cars filed up in order.

I turned back to catch her staring daggers at me. No one looked me in the eyes, absolutely no one. But this girl, there was something about how she looked at me.

"Stop it!" Enzo ordered.

She ignored him completely. Her audacity was unmatched. She obviously didn't know who she was messing with. I didn't blame her.

"You look fascinated," Lorenzo said as I made my way out of the car.

"Wipe that smile of your fucking face you bastard!" He was right, but he didn't have to know that.

I turned my attention to Mateo who was walking towards me, "Sir, she's being difficult."

"You're telling me that you can't handle a little girl" I barked out in irritation.

Lorenzo's eyes moved to my hand. I followed it and found his eyes resting on the bruise that mystery girl gave me.

"I will fucking blow your brains out if you play with me!" She bit me, and couldn't fucking react. Have I gone soft? She was lucky I didn't hit women.

"Come on boss, why are you being like this? I was just--"

Before he could finish his sentence, a loud sound filled the air. My eyes fell on the ground meeting hers. Her eyes blazed with tears, chest heaving uncontrollably. Something inside me snapped.

I strode towards Beto, the man who had dared to lay his hand on my guest.

"Did you slap her?" was the only question I asked.

His lips quivered, "Beto, you know I hate to repeat myself!"

His eyes fell to the ground.

"Look at me!" I demanded.

I crotched down to examine the mark on her face. Her cheek was throbbing. And I'd expect that. Beto was over six foot with the body of a sumo wrestler. One of my best enforces.

"Kneel!" I barked out and he did just that. "When did we start hitting women Beto?"

He stayed quiet.

The more I stared at her, the worse my anger got. I took off my leather gloves, handing them to Lorenzo. I took a swing and my hand connected with Beto's jaw.

"I think this equivalent to what you did to the girl. Is it?" He nodded and remained on his knees. There was no way he'd stand up without my order.

I walked over to the nameless girl who laid helplessly on the ground. I loosen the rope and duck tape, then pull her by the hand into the mansion.

She still struggled a bit before eventually calming down. I push her into one of the guest rooms.

"Let me go!" she said through gritted teeth. She was getting on my last nerve but I seemed to be unusually patient with her.

I grabbed her by the shoulders, my grip tightening by the second, "Hey! Look me in the eye when I talk to you. Those men out there will not hesitate to make you worm food. So, when I talk to you, show me some damn respect!'' With that, she stopped struggling.

"What is your name?"

She swallowed hard, fear evident in her eyes, "Aria, Ariana Marcella Morales."

Before I could react, I heard Lorenzo calling from the other side of the house. He was the only one who could refer to me by my name, anyone else would get the death penalty.

I was about to walk out of the room when I felt her delicate hand grab onto my forearm. Her hands were so soft that I had goosebumps. My eyes traveled to meet her's. She looked so attractive that I have to snap myself back to the fucking present.

There was nothing stopping me from making her touch her toes, right here, right now! She was in my house anyway, but I couldn't touch a woman without her permission.

"How about you?" she asked.

"What?"

"How about you? What's your name?"

"My name," I paused. Never in my life have I ever had to introduce myself. "My name is Xavier Lucky Castello and I'm your savoir. Don't ever forget it!"

"Nice to meet you Lucky. Thank you for helping me."

This was the second time in one day someone was calling me that. It didn't sound half bad coming from those plump lips of hers.

As I'm about to speak, Lorenzo's voice becomes louder. "Boss, boss," he pushed the door open, "Arturo's men just raided one of our casino's. They too ever time and killed all our staff. The FBI is asking for our books.''

The blood visibly drained out of Aria's face. She seemed sincerely shocked by what she heard. It was obvious that Benicio never introduced her to his line of business. This life seemed foreign to the little girl. Maybe I was wrong about her. She was just a scared kid. But still, she seemed so fascinating.

"We're not finished!" I said to her, then followed Lorenzo out, brushing a frustrated hand through my hair.

"Have someone watch that girl. I don't trust her one bit." I said to Mateo before getting into my car. My men followed behind me.

Lopez was getting on my last nerve. He thinks he can mess with my business and get away with it? My head hurt from all thinking.

My mind couldn't help but wander back to her. She said her name was Aria Morales. Was she his niece? There was no way she was Benicio's daughter. From what I know he only has one kid. Or in this case, had. I blew his brains out myself.

I pushed the thought away and focused on the task at hand. Why am I so bothered by her?

We arrived at the casino. It was just as Enzo had said. The whole place was covered in blood. It was a good thing law enforcement was on our payroll, if not, this would have ended badly.

"Have someone clean this up, and take care of that FBI thing--"

"Williams is not picking up sir."

"What do you mean he's not picking up?" Williams was the police chief. He took care of covering up crimes so they were never reported. No matter how much investigation was done about me, it always ended with me being escorted out of the station a free man.

I've paid a lot of money over the years. The whole police force was literally financed by me.

"I think Arturo got to him." Damn bastard! After all the money I've put into this, he dares betray me! I'm going to show him that's it's impossible to switch sides.

"Then I think we need to get to him. You know, pay him a little visit." A smirk appeared on Lorenzo's face. I think he likes the idea.

I grind my teeth and head to the car. The frustration was evident in my expression. Everything seemed to be going fucking wrong!

The house was surrounded by some of Arturo's men.

Lorenzo scoffs, "So he put his life at risk, for how much?'' He seems more frustrated than me.

Lorenzo Lombardi had been my best friend since the day he too a bullet for me. He's the only person I trust with my life.

"What do we do boss?" His blood seemed to be boiling over.

"Let's go!"

Within moments of our arrival, Arturo's men were down. The only thing I could hear was sound of bullets finding their way into the enemy's body. I would expect nothing less, after personally training the best gun men in the city. My men began cleaning up while I and Lorenzo made our way upstairs.

Williams and I had been doing business for a long time, so I know my way around his house. The room door was locked but he knew a little door wasn't going to stop me.

Lorenzo broke down the door. When we got in, Williams was clutching a gun in his hand. I could see his daughter under the bed holding her hands over her ear. She's twelve years. Smartest middle school kid I ever met.

My eyes leave her and land on her father. I drag him out of the room without remorse. There's no need to traumatize his little girl.

"Please Don Castello! I was threatened!"

I attach my silencer. Before he can finish explaining himself, my gun is in his mouth. The lifeless look in his eyes as I pull the trigger gets my blood rushing. It was fucking exhilarating.

"He'll need a proper burial. Maybe burn his body and give his daughter the ash."

Lorenzo nodded.

"Boss about the girl you took, what are you going to do with her? I can think about a number of things!" Lorenzo's eyes were filled with pure lust.

"Don't even think about it Enzo, she's mine!"

I don't know when those words escape my lips but I know I mean them with the whole of my being.