The Mafia King's Possession

★JANIE★

Freaking finally! A small smile crept to the corner of my lips as I read my acceptance letter to NYU over and over again. At last, my dream of becoming a certified nurse was going to come true!

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK.

NYU Rory Meyers College Of Nursing

Office of admission and financial aid

September 3, 2022.

Ms. Janie .H. Braxton

Olvera str, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Dear Miss Braxton,

On behalf of the Dean and the committee of admission, I want to congratulate you on your admission to the school of nursing science of New York University for the autumn semester of 2022. For...

"Janie!"

Dad walked into my room with a bag pack strapped over his shoulder. I stared at him with delight, because he always found one way or another to make me happy. And now, wasn't an exception. He told me last night that one of his friends offered to lend us my tuition fee. Immediately, my once sunken mood elevated into an excited one.

My acceptance letter came in one week ago and there was little or no hope for me. Dad wasn't financially stable, He sells fish at the market to sustain us every day. But these days, his fish business sales weren't that impressive.

On the other hand, the savings he kept in case of any future and urgent situation like this, got stolen from him. Yes, he was defrauded after investing all his money into a small profitable business. Although, when the sad news got to me, it shattered my heart into a million pieces. But I had to shrug it off to console dad. If I showed how furious and sad I was about the loss. I would make him feel worse.

And I do not want that.

I always believe in this notion that; no matter one's mistake, do not dwell on it. Rather pick your shit together and keep moving!

Ever since mom died six years ago, he had been the only one there for me. We prayed together, ate together, and laughed together. I even tag along with him to the market to sell fish.

"What's up, Dad?" I asked, folding my acceptance letter neatly, then I kept it back into the brown envelope.

"What do you mean what's up?" He arched a brow at me. "I thought I told you about my friend's place last night?"

"Of course," I responded with a smile. "I'm done, I just decided to sit here and wait for you to get ready."

"Alright let's go." He instructed and walked out of my room.

Taking a quick survey at myself in the mirror; I grinned in satisfaction and followed right behind him.

We walked out of our rented apartment and dad locked the door with his key. Afterward, his hand latched around mine as we walked hand-in-hand to the busy road to get a cab.

"Like how much is your friend willing to lend us, Dad?" I asked. "You know our rent will soon expire and that creepy old woman would come to rant our ears off."

Dad squeezed my hand softly. "Don't talk about her like that, Janie." He warned and I apologized immediately. "He promises to lend us fifty thousand dollars." He stated.

My pupils dilated in shock and I gasped. "Oh my goodness, that's a huge amount of money, Dad."

"Don't worry, he said I could pay him back gradually. He is rendering us this favor so we could get our life back together."

My heart leaped for joy and I smiled. "That your friend seems like a generous person. I'd like to extend my gratitude to him once we get there."

My dad hummed, then he flagged down a cab. "Taxi!"

The cab's tires screeched to a halt and dad tore his hand away from mine, so he could speak to the driver. Having disclosed the location we were heading to, he beckoned on me to join in from the back seat. While he sat at the front, beside the driver.

Despite lizzo's melodic voice booming from the driver's car stereo, I did not attempt to sing along. Which is very unlikely of me. I'm a sucker for lizzo and I love her songs so much. Ranging from truth hurts, about damn time, and rumors featuring cardi B.

But this time, my mind was filled with various thoughts on how my life would change from the moment I step into campus. I would get to make new friends, and reactivate my social life. But most especially, make the school library my second home.

I could not wait for all of this to happen. Besides, I was looking forward to it. However, I took in a deep breath and let it out in a loud gush as my eyes hovered at the people, cars, and trees we passed by.

All of a sudden, the car screeched to a halt, jolting my attention back to reality. I immediately collected myself and tried to maintain my poise.

"We are here!" My dad declared and my eyes widened as soon as I laid them on the huge mansion;

It was a fair-sized house built of red bricks coupled with the most ingeniously looking picket fence I'd ever seen. Gleamed with the spotless silence of for-company-only and overviewed with a well-cultured lawn.

I walked out of the cab, then I looked back at the seat only to find the brown envelope containing my admission letter lying there. With an inaudible gasp, I picked it up and did a sign of the cross before closing the cab door.

Damn! I almost forgot about it.

Drifting my gaze to the magnificent house once more, I surveyed it; indeed, it was a very big mansion, the kind in which most American kids dreamed of growing up. Secluded among trees in one of the most exclusive streets, it had turrets, gable dormers, balconies, a screened-in front porch, a free-standing garage, and a pool. Oh my goodness! What an American dream.

Plus, I must admit. This house is one of the most beautiful buildings I'd ever seen in Los Angeles. It looked more like the houses in movies. And never in my life, did I for once think I would lay my feet in such a masterpiece.

After my dad was done sorting his bills with the taxi driver, he joined me.

"Let's go in, Janie. " He beckoned on me to follow him and I obliged immediately.

"Your friend is very wealthy," I stated from my observation and Dad nodded in his head.

"Wait till you get inside," Dad replied.

Perimeters of the ground were patrolled by armed security and every inch of the property was wired with cameras,

Security lighting and motor sensors.

I felt uneasy by the massive security and the way these men were dauntlessly holding different types of guns. I swallowed hard then I asked dad again;

"Is your friend a military personnel or some sort of public figure?" I inquired.

Just as Dad was about to give me a response to my question, someone interrupted us.

"State your business here!" A gaunt, tall man asked at the gate, pointing his gun to our faces.

My heart skipped a beat and my breath hitched.

"I have an appointment with Mr. Luciano." Came my dad's response to the seemingly scary man.

If he was as scared as I was, I didn't know. Because he did his best in masking his fear, acting all brave and unbothered.

I watched the man speak into his walkie-talkie, followed by an inaudible hoarse voice.

Seconds later, he hung up and slipped the walkie-talkie into his pocket. Then he proceeded to open the gate for us. With a loud creak, the door parted for us to gain an entrance into the delightful but daunting compound.

"Head straight! The boss said he has been waiting for you." He instructed and my dad nodded his head in response to him.

Walking side by side to the mansion's front porch, I laced my hand with Dad's. Heaven knows how frightened I am of this place. Dad should have told me there were guns and scary men that looked like hardened criminals. Maybe then, I would have braced myself for whatever I met here.

By the time we got to the front door, Dad knocked on the door, twice. Almost at once, the door parted open to reveal a very tall handsome man. Unlike the rest of the men I saw, he was good-looking but also had a physique that instilled fear in me.

I swallowed hard, then I pressed my lip together in a grim line.

"Good morning, Mr. Romano." Dad greeted.

"Good morning." He replied with a curt nod. "Come in."

Thereafter, he stepped aside for us to come into the house. Following right behind dad, I entered the house with my mouth, dropping to the floor.

The house was welcoming from the open door to the wide hallway. Upon the walls were photographs of a very gorgeous man, so frankly serious. The floor was a modern-fashioned parquet with a blend of homely beige, and the walls were the greens of a summer garden meeting a bold creatively done piece of artwork.

"Take your seat." The man my dad addressed as Romano gestures at the comfy-looking sofas in the lounge. "I will get the boss."

"Thank you," Dad added quickly.

Without further ado, we plonked on the sofas, waiting patiently for Dad's friend. My eyes drifted to the velvet curtains draped to frame beautiful high-arched windows that permitted daylight to enter. While rendering a heart-stopping view over the city.

"This is so beautiful. " I muttered under my breath.

Suddenly, a muscular young looking man trudged down the stairs, attracting my attention. He looked the same as the person on the picture frames scattered on the wall.

My instinct told me at once; that he was the one being referred to as 'Boss'. Considering his attitude and composure as he made his way to us.

Dad stood to his feet to greet him. I didn't know if I should stand or sit, so I went with my best option and remain seated.

The man shook Dad's outstretched hands and gave him the briefcase he has been holding.

"I doubled it." Came his deep masculine tone reverberating across the lounge. His voice sent a cold sensation surging through my spine and I shuddered at the sight of him.

"Thank you, sir," Dad added quickly.

From my observation, I noticed dad and his so-called friend weren't that close. That exchange of greetings seemed so formal, and there was no glint of excitement in each of their faces.

"Thank you, sir. " I added too.

My heart was beating faster than usual as my eyes raked over the briefcase in my Dad's hand.

The man said nothing. Instead, he took his seat across from mine and his black eyes bore into the depth of my soul, sending shivers from the sole of my feet to the rest of my body.

"Janie," Dad called to me. "Take this. "

I took the wrinkled paper note he brought out of his pocket and stared at it quizzically.

"What's in it, Dad?" I asked.

He dropped the bag pack from his shoulder to the floor and pulled me into a deep warm embrace. Instantly, I became very confused by his erratic behavior and struggled to understand what he was doing. But I failed miserably.

When he tore himself away from me, I saw a small sad smile darken his face and I knew at that moment that something was wrong.

But what in the world could it be?

★JANIE★

"Please talk to me, dad." I pled with him. "Tell me what's going on."

My dad took my hands in his and squeezed them softly. With a puzzled look, I searched his eyes for answers. This wasn't the reaction, I expected from him. Now that his wealthy and generous friend had been so nice to lend us the money, we should be smiling brightly. Not staring at each other with lots of sadness radiating from our eyes.

"Janie," He held my gaze. "No matter what happens, I want you to know that I love you...." he trailed off, avoiding my gaze.

"I love you too, Dad," I added quickly without letting him finish his statement.

He sighed. "This is for the best. For me, for both of us."

Pressing my lips in a grim line, I replied; "Of course, that's why we came here to lend money from your friend. Isn't it? " I asked.

He inhaled deeply and exhaled afterward. The moment I saw tears welling up in his eyes, I jolted to my feet. Dad has been the strong human I had ever met in my entire life. All through my nineteen years of existence, I can count the number of times I have seen my dad looking this depressed; with tears in his eyes.

The first was during the period of my mom's death. It was a very heartbreaking period for both of us and we both had gone through the trials and tribulations that accompanied her death, all the way to her burial. Then, I saw him cry when I got into an auto accident.

I think it happened six months after mommy died.

On that fateful day, I was in a haste to get to the market and help dad. I was also going to tell him I made A's all through my papers. But my joy was cut short when a reckless lorry driver collided with the bus I was in. All I noticed back then, was the shattering glasses of the bus piercing my face as it tumbled over.

Luckily for me, I sustained a minor injury on my left cheek, my elbow, and a concussion on my head. A lot of people died that day and how I managed to survive that accident, remained a miracle and a mystery to date.

Dad stood to his feet too and he was now facing me with his hands on my shoulders.

"You have to tell me what's wrong, dad," I stated. "Or is it safe to say, these are happy tears? You know I don't like seeing you this way."

He pulled me into an embrace again. "I'm sorry, Janie. I'm sorry. I did this before I realized it, I hope you can forgive me."

He gently tore himself away from me and I stared at him with a frown plastered on my face. I was still fucking confused about this whole situation.

With one last glance at me, he picked up the briefcase and walked out of the door. Panic surged through my veins as I stared after his retreating figure.

Without a second thought, I ran after him but a strong hand latched around my waist, stopping me from taking any step further.

Turning my head slightly, I saw Dad's so-called friend holding me down. "Let me go! Let me go, I want to go with my dad, please."

"I'm sorry, baby girl." came his deep masculine voice against my ears. His warm breath fanned my neck and I stomped my right foot in rage. "Your dad just sold you out."

My heart dropped to the floor and my stomach sank.

What did he just say?

No! No! No! He can't be serious. He is a fucking joker and that was an expensive joke. It wasn't amusing. Rather it made my heart shatter into a million pieces.

"My dad cannot do that to me!" I fired back at him. "He loves me. Dad loves me so much." I said repeatedly, trying to believe what I just told myself.

"Really?" Slowly, he slipped his hand out of my waist. Almost at once, I attempted to run again but with a swift maneuver, he caught me by my left arm.

"Please, I'm begging you." My eyes glistened with tears. "I think there is a mistake somewhere, just let me meet him. He loves me, he can't do this to me. He can't! " I yelled at the top of my lungs.

He clicked his tongue against his teeth. "Tsk tsk.....I wish I can say he loves you, baby girl. But I don't think so. Considering, the way he just chose money over you."

I glared at him with anger surging through my veins. "I am fucking priceless. No money on earth is enough to buy me." I sneered.

"A hundred thousand dollars just did."

He twitched his lips and pouted them afterward. I knew he was mocking me at this moment. But I don't fucking give a damn! All I wanted was for dad to come back to me; and tell me that, this was just a silly prank he pulled on me.

Trust me, I would let this slide. Provided, it doesn't happen again.

"I see you don't believe me." He said, hardening his jaw. "Romano bring the paper on the sofa for the pretty lady. " He ordered.

Romano walked up to me, holding the wrinkled paper my Dad had given me earlier. However, I took it from him with a heavy heart.

"Read it!" The boss commanded and my shaky fingers fiddled with the piece of paper. I was so scared of reading whatever was written in there. My heart was beating rapidly, at this rate; it might as well jump right out of my chest.

To my lovely daughter,

Janie.

I know by the time you'd be reading this, I might have committed this grave sin. Daddy is so sorry for doing this to you. I never wanted this to happen and trust me, I want the best for you. But how can I give you the best when I can't even afford three square meals?

I paused from reading the paper for a moment and tears slipped out of my eyes, cascading down my cheeks. This hurts. Dad shouldn't have betrayed me. I have never complained to him once that I hated the way he was handling us. Deep down, I knew he was trying his best to provide for my needs and fund each of our necessities.

So why the fuck did he do this to me?

I resumed, reading the paper once again.

Please forgive me, Janie. That man right there promise me, he'd take care of you. I need to set up my life and pursue my dream. To be honest, I went there to lend money to him, but he said, he was willing to give me the money for free if I gave him something very precious to me. And before then, I had already confessed you were the most precious thing in my life. He said if I didn't comply, he would come after me and they look so very dangerous. Yet, despite this, I must spill a very deep secret I have kept hidden for a very long time. I AM NOT YOUR REAL FATHER!

Rumpling the piece of paper, I dropped to the floor. What does he mean by he was not my real father? Is it possible for a child to be fathered by two?

I rolled on the floor, crying my eyes out. Someone should please wake me up from this fucking nightmare. Because I might die from the heart attack this was giving me.

"Take her to her room." I faintly heard the boss, instructing Romano, and before I knew what was happening;

He yanked me over his right shoulder like a piece of paper and carried me to god knows where!

"Let me go! Let me go, you pervert! Motherfucking assholes! You can't keep against my will. I don't belong here! I fucking don't belong here! " I yelled at the top of my lungs, struggling to free myself from his grip. But he was too strong.

Opening the door to a room, he hurled me on the bed and pointed at me. "Do not let the boss reprimand me because of you. Because if you do...."

"If I do, then what?" I spat, daring him to do his worst.

With one swift powerful grip, he yanked my hair forcefully and I winced in pain. "Then I'd make your life a living hell!"

"Romano......" The supposedly boss called from the entrance and the fucking asshole instantly released his grip on my hair. "Do not treat her that way. " He warned.

Romano scurried to his feet. "I am sorry, boss. She pissed me off."

He twitched his jaw and balled his fingers into fists. "If she pisses you off, fucking report her to me. Don't treat a woman that way, okay?"

"Yes, boss."

"Now leave." He bellowed.

Immediately, Romano proceeded to saunter out of the room. His head hung low and his hands were planted behind his back. I watched him toss me a middle finger, away from his boss's view then he walked out of the room.

"Janie, that's your name right?" He asked me, but I made no effort to respond.

He walked up to me and tilted my chin to look into his pitch-black eyes. "I can save you from anyone here, but once I'm pissed at you, no one can rescue you from my hands. Don't. Dare. Me!" He warned between gritted teeth.

Without a word, I stared back at him. My head was throbbing with pain and my vision blurred; probably, from crying too much. And before I knew it,

Darkness consumed me, pulling me deeper into a world of oblivion.

★LUCIANO★

Hovering over her as she slept, I studied her closely; She had a sculpted figure which was twine-thin and her hand was placed neatly beneath her oval face. She must be a native, I thought to myself. Because her beauty was deeply mesmerizing. Her crescent-shaped eyebrows inclined slightly as she slept.

I knew her mind was conflicted at this moment. Probably going through the phase of her father's betrayal all over again. Her delicate ears framed a pointed nose and her languid eyelashes of Velvet-black were tightly closed. It was a pleasure to see her flowing, midnight-black hair crashing over her shoulders. And to compliment all her pretty features, she had smooth white porcelain skin.

Indeed, she was the epitome of beauty and perfection. Worthy of every dime I spent to acquire her and a part of me was somewhat delighted my money didn't go to waste. Now, she would be mine and mine alone. I would use her mainly, to satisfy my boredom. Plus, I could not wait for her to regain consciousness.

It'd been two days now, dammit!

The betrayal from her father must have hit her very hard because she passed out soon after he left. Well, I couldn't blame her. She was still a young, charming, and naive girl who haven't gotten accustomed to the reality of life.

In life, anyone can betray you. Plus, the painful part of it, is that- betrayal hardly comes from someone far or distant from you, it's perpetrated from within- Perhaps by; your clique of friends, best friends, and worst of all, your dearest families.

I'd reserve my story for another day.

Placing my hand on her forehead, I observed her temperature. I felt somewhat relieved that she was no longer burning and her fever had subsided. All of a sudden, someone knocked twice, interrupting me from my thoughts.

Hardening my jaw, I stood to my feet.

"Yes."

Immediately, the door opened, revealing my right-hand man, Romano. May I add that we have known each other for years, since our childhood days way back in Italy? He had been my best friend and most trusted accomplice. But still, he accorded me my deserving respect.

"Sorry to interrupt you, Boss."

"Go ahead. "

"We have captured Carmelo and Pablo."

I clenched my fist and bit my lower lip. "Those damn bastards!" I sneered.

I walked towards him and pat his shoulder softly. "Good job, RM. Now, get my persecution box. I'm going to teach those bastards, not to ever betray me in their next life!" I declared between gritted teeth.

Pulling off my black button-down jacket to replace it with my black cloak, I readjusted the collar and turned around to grab the gloves I would use to torture them.

Furthermore, I opened my closet and picked up a pistol that caught my attention amid the battery of guns in my wardrobe.

Those motherfuckers were going to get what was coming to them.

Thereafter, I walked out of the room with Romano following right behind me.

I trudged down the stairs to the dungeon in pure anger and hatred for them.

How could they?

Pablo absconded with my money after I ordered him to deposit it at the bank. A whooping sum of two million dollars!

While Carmelo decided to dine with the devil and snitched on me. He had been divulging all the useful information he could get from my daily activities to my fucking nemesis, Ramos.

Hardening my jaw to give me the intimidating look, I readjusted my gloves and clenched my fist.

The dungeon was chillingly cold and dark, just the way I liked it. Reaching Pablo's cell first, I nodded to the guard who opened the door for me, and I stepped in. There he was; all tied up bloodied and beaten badly. His head hung low, his shirt ripped to pieces and I could see several bloodstains on his bare, bloodied chest.

My footsteps didn't wake him up which further boiled my anger. Nodding towards Romano, I instructed him through my nod to wake him up. One slap was all that was needed and he woke up a stir.

Shakily, he raised his head and his black orb eyes met mine and I smirked to see the light vanish from within them, just to be replaced with nothing but fear and complete horror and I liked it. I liked it when people feared me. That's just how I ruled. You mention my name and people would cower in fear. I feast on fear and drank from the goblet of vile horrors.

I took a few calculated steps towards him to slowly instill the fear within him, when reaching near, I bent till my face was merely inches away from his and uttered the only word in a mere whisper which I know would send rapid waves of chill down his fucking spine, "why?" That was all I had to say before he started to cry. Another poignant thing to see which further spiked rage within me. I was an impatient man and have no time for all this bullshit.

I slapped him right across the face and said, "I am asking you one last time, Pablo, why? You fail to give me an answer, you know the consequences." with a sneer, I added. "Alas, you were one of my most trusted men, so you know what happens when you disobey me."

He remained quiet. I gave him a few more seconds, but when his head hung low and he didn't speak up, I shot at his right foot. Instantly, he began cussing under his breath and yelled in pain. Trickles of sweat beaded his furrowed brow and he swayed back and forth, struggling for freedom.

But I haven't even started yet. With a devilish smirk plastered on my lips, I opened the persecution box held by Romano and picked out the plier. Knowingly, I spun around so he could see what was in my hand.

He knew damn well what the plier was meant for, so his pupils dilated in shock with his lip quivering in fear of what was about to happen to him. I waited a little more to see if he would speak up. Yet, he didn't. I wanted him to plead for my mercy with hot tears, rolling down his cheeks.

Mafias, hardly crack; I knew about that rule, and considering he was once my favorite and one of the strongest henchmen I ever had, he was satisfyingly pulling this off.

But unfortunately for him, I was up for the challenge. I made up my mind to crack him until he begged me to spare his life and heaven know, I wouldn't. No one steals from me and roams free, not even my blood.

Forcing his swollen right eye wide open, I thrust the plier into his eye and ripped out his eyeball, tearing it away from its socket. His loud cry resonated across the four walls of the dungeon and it sounded like music to my ears. Blood oozed out in spurts from his eye socket, soiling my black cloak and his already torn shirt.

Once more, I decided to give him the benefit of doubt. Placing my two hands on the arms of the chair, I leaned toward his face until I was only a few inches away. I needed his one surviving eye to stare into mine, so I could unmask his fear and make him confess.

"Why the fuck did you decide to steal from me, Pablo. Why?"

He tried to speak through his blood-smeared teeth and I noticed he had lost a few already. Good! Another way to add more agony to his pain. I waited a few seconds and when I saw he made no attempt to clarify his actions, with an annoying and disapproving growl, I forced his mouth open. Then I started using the plier to cut off his teeth, unequally. His body jerked uncontrollably, with his chest heaving expeditiously and I could see his ribcage stretching for air. Yet, I did not stop. I yanked off his incisors, molars, and canines. Then I left a few, should in case he made up his mind to state the reason why.

"Your mom's surgery bills, who paid for it? Who sent your brother abroad to study English, who saved you from the verge of death after the loan sharks decided to murder you in cold blood for not paying back their money?!" I fired at him and took two steps away from him. "I did all that, didn't I? But this is how are you fucking repay me?" I asked, pausing only for a moment.

He shook his head solemnly and his one good eye stared intently into mine, begging for mercy. My heart leaped for joy when I noticed he was about to crack, so I chose to hasten the process.

"Since you decided to do this, I think I should retract all the good thing I fucking did for you..." and while pretending to count with my fingers, I said; "I will capture your mom and kill her too, after all, she owes me her life, then I'd withdraw your brother from college and torture him for days, he will be aware that you're the cause of whatever he will go through and he's gonna curse you until he has taken his deep last breath... "

Blabbing incoherently, he yelled out loud. "Boss, please...I'm begging you to spare my family, "

A knowing smirk crept to the corner of my lips as I watched him beg, but he was too late. He should have done that without stretching out my patience. Deep down, I knew I would not lay a finger on his family, in this case, they did nothing to warrant that but if such issues arises, I could take down the whole family in one clean motion.

"So why?" with a curt nod, I beckoned on Romano to give me the tongue tearer, his reason had to make actual sense only then will I spare his tongue but I would still kill him.

He let out a loud grunt and spit out some of his broken teeth, accompanied by blood out of his mouth. "T-there is this girl, B-boss. She is pregnant for me....."

".....So you stole my fucking money for a girl?" I bellowed, casting him a questioning glare. That fucking does it! Without further ado, I forced his mouth wide open and inserted the tongue tearer, clasping it around his tongue. Then with one forceful pull, I yanked out the tool alongside his ripped tongue.

Blood splattered on my black cloak and I cussed under my breath as I noticed his filthy blood had soiled my hand. His body swayed back and forth, jerking uncontrollably on the chair. Then his head hung low with blood oozing out of his open mouth to form a pool of red crimson blood at my feet.

I knew the asshole was already dead but to send him on a farewell journey to hell, I shot him in the middle of his head and huffed.

"Clear him," I instructed Romano, who simply nodded at everything I said. "And where is Carmelo?"

"He is in....."

"Boss, boss, boss." Adriano came running into the cell, panting like prey being chased by an apex predator.

I arched a brow at him. "What?"

"The young lady is awake and she tried to escape."

Having heard that, I tossed Romano my gun and pulled off my black cloak. "Get this cleaned and finish Carmelo off." then I walked out with Adriano following right behind me.

On getting to the exit, I heard Carmelo's loud cry, and a gunshot reverberated after. Good job! Romano, I said to myself.

Now, the young lady gets all my attention.....