The Mafia's Toxic Obsession

***

PROLOGUE

GABRIELLE POV

I crashed onto the floor, gasping in pain, my fingers clawing at the wet floor as the rain poured in torrents around me.

I spat out blood, my insides quaking with every little move I made. I wanted to give up but I couldn't stay down. A Genovese never stayed down, even if I was tired, staying down meant defeat. Defeat meant death. And I couldn't die now, not after everything. Not after all the sacrifices I'd made to get this far.

from the corner of my eyes, I could see Grandfather gazing down at me with a disapproving look on his face as he slowly rubbed at his beard. I struggled to my feet clutching my broken arm, holding my opponent's gaze as I tried to gauge him to find any sort of weaknesses, something I should have done right from the start. I focused my good eyes on him- the other was shut and mangled over from his deadly punch_ trying to anticipate his next move. He was larger than me, an ugly scar marring his hideous face.

He was one of our soldata. An older male, trained by grandfather himself... he'd been my trainer too. I was just a child. But grandfather has always droned it in my head that I was never to be weak, and that my enemies would always be bigger, so what I lacked in size, I was to make up for it with my brain and cunningness.

I took a deep breath as I felt the rage of all the battles I'd been put through coursed through my skin, my veins, and every pore of my being. They feel like nails scratching at me, tearing at my soul with deliberate slowness and driving me mad in the process. The night I lost my father to a rival clan became a living nightmare in my head. The spray of his warm blood as they caught my cheek and soaked up my clothes like flashing images. The hitman had continued to fire shot after shot at him, even though father's chest bled through the dozens of holes he'd already put in. The hitman must have come with the knowledge that he was going to get killed, and on that thought decided to let all his anger soar like fireworks.

Grandfather's men had shot him in the head, but he died with a smile on his face, while I watched in horror as the only man who cared about me crashed to the floor, the life draining from his warm eyes. My father's corpse was unrecognizable, and everything was over in a matter of minutes.

My life changed. For the worst. After some months, all I felt was resentment at my father for allowing himself to get shot, and I being forced to take his place, losing my chance to enjoy my childhood, forced to fight for my life, tortured and forced to torture, locked up in the dark, reconditioned until I lost my humanity.

I glared at my opponent as if he was the cause of the injustice I'd suffered. In a way, he was, and all I wanted to do was make him bleed. He was the one standing in the way of my grandfather's approval anyway.

I dashed for my long-forgotten weapon, a small dagger that I had been gifted on my tenth birthday. He came after me like a predator, taking his time, baiting me. He probably thought he'd already won.

I snatched up my weapon, but instead of lunging for him, I maneuvered out of his grasp and the move caught him by surprise he almost lost his footing, barely managing to strengthen his stance, but then I got my chance, and I went in swiftly, stabbing through his shoulder blades. Warm blood spurted out and I grinned in the knowledge that I'd hit a major artery.

He punched me hard, the impact hitting me like a freight train. My head almost came off my head. I crumbled to the floor. The taste of copper filled my mouth and flowed down my lungs. I clutched at the dirt, trying to hold onto something that would keep me conscious, but I couldn't will myself to move. I rolled on my side, and I felt the world tilt on its axis as blood dripped from my nose.

I tried to ignore the burning pain, focusing rather on being able to breathe again. He came up to me but I felt him stagger, he was losing a lot of blood. That was a good thing because I wasn't sure I had anything left in me. I clutched my dagger, the last spark in my chest frazzling.

His strong hands grabbed my shoulder in a bruising grip. He turned me over, and I used the force to propel myself forward. My dagger sliced at his neck in a clean swipe. He froze, staring eyes wide at me, the only reaction he showed was a twitch at his temple.

He let go of me, staggering a bit, his hands flying up to his neck to try to stop the torrent of blood flowing, eyes widening further when he realized that he was dying. I watched him, on my knees even as I heaved and struggled to stay conscious. His blood spurted onto my face, like warm candle wax, before he crumpled in front of me, life and anger draining from his eyes, leaving only soulless sockets behind.

The rain washed away the blood, washing my sins along with it. I watched Grandfather stand from the corner of my eye. He gave me a dark smile and walked out of the fighting arena.

I lay there for the longest time. The rain fell in a cascade over me until my cries were replaced with hysteric laughter. The empire would finally be mine. I'd endured so much, killed, tortured, all for my grandfather's approval. He'd been holding off on his promise, but not anymore.

He'd sworn on his life that I'd be his heir if I could win. I broke bones, fractured ribs, and almost lost an eye, but I pulled through.

The dark glint in his eyes had hinted at mischief but I was done living in uncertainty.

I didn't care how many opponents he sent my way, none of them would be able to take what I'd earned fair and square. Anyone who tried to take my place will pay with their blood. They didn't know what was coming for them. They had no idea the blaze that would soon sweep through their territory. Grandfather wanted terror and that was what he was going to get.

I was not going to stop. I was going to live. I was going to fucking survive no matter what.

***

10 YEARS LATER.

Gabrielle pulled on a white shirt, watching her reflection in the mirror. Faded scars littered her back, a bullet wound at the side of her hip. A deeper scar from a butcher knife graced her stomach like an eerie reminder of how close she had gotten to death at the hands of her own family. She smiled as she remembered the scream of her eldest uncle as she chopped off his toes and fingers. She had wanted to end him, but he was family and Genovese hadn't given her permission.

She grimaced at the memory. Even if she was the Capomandamento, her grandfather was still- what the weaklings that thought knew their family- referred to as Capo dei Capri, the boss of all bosses. A grin tugged on her lips. It was a suitable name when she thought about it. He wielded all control, choosing only to give pieces of the crumbs to those he felt were worthy. He was a snake. He'd lied to her and he was still lying.

Gabrielle tugged on her three-piece suit, ruffled her short silver hair that highlighted her gray eyes, gave more manliness to her lithe frame, and turned away from the mirror.

Gabrielle's face was what most people described as a work of art because it was perfectly flawless and she'd have had a lot of suitors asking for her hand but for the fact that her eyes were always afire and her jaw set with a stubborn edge that seemed to warn people off. She also never bothered with accessories. She preferred weapons.

Gabrielle did things on her terms when or how it suited her. Those who challenged her authority never lived to tell the tale.

Picking up her wristwatch, she took a last glance at the mirror, turned, and stepped out of her room. The two bodyguards guarding the door acknowledged her with a short bow. They were her most trusted Soldata. They also treated her as an equal, considering how many times she'd come close to killing them in the heat of the moment when they had fight training.

She regarded the two men, looking thoughtful. "Words on the street is that the press thinks I've been skipping work because I want to take over the Genovese cartel. Isn't that the most ludicrous thing you've ever heard?" She fixed her wristwatch, her eyebrow furrowed. "I already own the cartel" she got out, meeting the unwavering gaze of her bodyguards. They both said nothing, their mouth set in a thin line. She smiled. They learned fast. They knew not to answer her when she spoke out loud and didn't direct her speech to either of them.

The two men positioned themselves by her side, as they approached her car. Gabrielle kept her eyes trained for any vulnerable spot. Her rival clan had seemed to be growing more balls as the month rolled by with her quietude. She made a mental note to change the status quo and nip the uprising in the bud. You lay low too much, and children start coming out to play. She shook her head, yanked open the door, and got inside. The guard shut the door and she watched him as he relayed orders to the other undercover guards.

The ride to their only legal enterprise- that was what her grandfather thought- gave her time to make calls to her most trusted Capo Bastone- Luciano Capone. He'd offered to work with her as soon as she became second in command and Gabrielle didn't regret hiring him. He was competent, money flowed from his enterprise daily, and he was also efficient when it came to tying up loose ends.

It was everything she needed from her workers and more. She assigned him new orders, reminding him of the task she had given him an hour back. She knew such reminders always made him scared shitless but that made him more efficient. There were a lot of ways she used to get people's loyalty. At the moment she wielded violence- both physical and psychological. She also surrounded herself with men. They were easier to work with. They knew what she represented, and they respected It.

The ride to the company was uneventful. Once they arrived, she stepped out of the car and for once let the bodyguard do their jobs, making sure the paparazzi came nowhere near her. The paparazzi- whom she had come to regard as hungry vultures- always wanted to get her image since she was the richest woman at present.

Their company was the main exporter of the country's precious stones and jewelry. They had their private mine where they employed labor, helping out the unemployed youths, and acting like they were the good guy. No one knew the shady parts of their life- they had their suspicions, but no one dared to question the Genovese.

Gabrielle also made sure she looked innocent and normal enough. To them, she was just the cartel princess who had everything served on a silver platter. Everyone wanted a piece of the Genovese corporation. They also wanted to unravel the rich heiress that seemed to wield all the powers, the girl who was left in charge of the business despite all the male counterpart Genovese could have had in her place, and whose business ideas brought more wealth to the Genovese empire.

Gabrielle got into the elevator, ignoring the flanks of workers on the lower level who bowed to her in greeting. The ride was noiseless and She stood with her hands in her pants, her thoughts firing off in different directions.

Gabrielle took her cover business seriously, employing only suitable candidates for each position. The business fetched her a lot of money, which in turn helped in facilitating her other enterprises. It was a satisfactory investment. Her consigliere had been the one to plant the idea in her head, and after nights of deliberations, she'd realized that the pros were more than the cons, so she'd plunged everything she could into it. The idea had developed and the pros, as she had predicted outweighed the cons.

The elevator pinged open and She strode out, her gaze fixed on the door to her office, but then she noticed that her assistant spot was empty. Elena quickly ran towards her before she could turn to ask why.

Gabrielle hated incompetence. It grated on her nerves, making her finger itch to do something.

Elena's voice was a quivering mess when she spoke. "The replacement would be here shortly Sir. you had fired Martin without my knowledge that I only found out about it this morning Sir."

Gabrielle glanced at her. "Is that the excuse you wish to use? Because that would show how ineffective you are," she arched a perfect eyebrow and watched as the woman twiddled her thumbs together and visibly squirmed.

"Let this never repeat itself. Also make sure the next assistant you bring to me knows what he's doing".

Elena nodded, her head almost snapping."Yes Sir. And I am so sorry for my incompetence, this will never happen again. I'll work hard on becoming better" " She rushed out, bowing her head.

"Good," she proceeded to her office, Simone getting the door behind her. The two men took a position at each end of the glass door.

Elena rushed back to her seat, her hands trembling and her heart racing like she had run a marathon. The other five workers cast furtive glances at the other but remained silent.

People who worked on the top floor got paid more, but the fear that went with working with the ice-cold rumored killer didn't help them relax. They all knew Genovese was no ordinary man. He was a Mafioso, and Gabrielle being his successor and also a woman was intriguing. It could only mean she was exactly like him or more evil. It was all speculation but they knew deep down, she was more brutal than all the rumors they had heard about her.

Making up rules and finding faults were her trademarks. She made sure everything was done to perfection. She handled negotiations like a pro, always getting the best deals out of them, and those who tried to double-cross her ended up in the news, on the obituary section. Freak accident. Happened all the time.

The elevator pinged open, a man stepping through, and distracting them from their reminisce. Their gasps of surprise were the only sound that permeated the otherwise silent room. They watched in a trance as he walked towards Elena.

The man was fucking gorgeous. He had dark hair, and they were wavy in a sort of mused-up way. His eyes were an Intense blue, that managed to look warm and harsh at the same time. They were such a deep blue, it was hard to look away from. His lips were full, and a sharp jaw completed his flawless striking look.

It was a face that was meant to be gazed at in craving. He was also tall and was almost as built as the bodyguards that stood guarding the door. He looked like he would make a cool Mafia don, especially with the way he carried himself. Elena was almost speechless by the time he got to her and sat down.

"Hi, I am Angelo Andriacchi. You told me to come in today and start immediately" he brought out his file, his voice a low rumble, accompanied by an easy smile.

Elena cleared her throat, licked her suddenly dry lips, and tried her best not to flirt.

"Yes, but you are late and the boss is already inside. But please, can you try not to get fired on your first day of work? Your resumé looks promising, and I really can't afford to look for another replacement for you. Just listen to everything he tells you and try to do it to perfection. You'll be getting paid triple what we do. Try to last by his side for a month at the most"

His brow furrowed in confusion." I don't understand. I thought the boss was a woman... You keep referring to her as he" he pointed out.

Elena arched an eyebrow, a habit she had picked up from Gabrielle.

"Well, I think you will do well here since you're already making such an observation. Just adhere to it. You'll last longer here with such a mindset. Now, go. You've already kept him waiting for too long, and trust me when I say, he doesn't like to be kept waiting" she got out gravely.

Angelo twisted to get a better look at the formidable glass door, noticing the men that stood at either side. He collected his working material, discreetly taking note of all the security details put in place. Everything was top-notch. A small smile played on the corner of his lips. Time to enter the lion's den.

GABRIELLE'S POV

The door to my office swung open, breaking my concentration, and the culprit did not even bother to be gentle when he closed it. I glanced up from my laptop, my reprimand dying on my lips as our eyes clashed.

If it wasn't for his casual appearance, I would have thought he was a Mafia Don or a cop, and no wonder since he carried himself like a person who wielded authority, and wasn't usually on the receiving end of a command.

Was he a businessman? There was no meeting scheduled for me this morning or did Elena forget again?

I assessed him from head to toe as he got closer to my desk. He seemed to have no flaw, and he looked almost too perfect, and that narrowed down to two things in my head, He was either an undercover detective or just some guy my rivals sent as a distraction. They knew the kind of men I liked. This one fits the bills and more.

I watched him watch me. His blue eyes were intense, and he seemed to have no trouble holding my gaze steadily. It was both interesting and weird, and I could feel my blood start to heat up as my heartbeat accelerated.

His physique was nice and as I took in every inch of him, I couldn't help my thoughts turning sexual. He looked so tough that I couldn't help but wonder what he would sound like if I pulled on his hair just right. I also wanted to see how he would react if I told him I wanted to tie him up and mark up his flawless skin. Would he be shocked or disgusted?

I smirked, almost salivating at the idea, then paused. This was new... I've never wanted to dominate anyone from the first moment I met them before. They had to work for my attention and endure a lot of pain to prove that they could take what I had to give. It was a bit unnerving that this man had my attention from the get-go.

He was tall. At least two inches taller than me. He was broader too, so I guess those who sent him might not have carried out their investigation well after all because I preferred my men shorter, and easier to control, especially since I had no patience to coarse and make them submit.

I preferred submissive men. But there were some instances that I had had to sexually dominate masculine men. It happened mostly when I was raging. The stronger the man, the harder I could punish, him without worrying about him dying. Not that I cared, but I tried to avoid the unnecessary.

I only had one partner at the moment and it was purely sexual. He did want more and if he kept pushing for it, I might have to get rid of him.

"Hi, Miss Gabrielle, I am Angelo, your new personal assistant". He said with confidence. His voice was deep, almost sensual. My belly fluttered and I felt as if I was on the edge of something.

Everything about him screamed dominance, but I was always up for a challenge, and I was going to enjoy taming this bad boy, especially if he had been sent by my enemies.

I relaxed into my seat, flipping my pen. "You're late. Why don't I just fire you this instant since you've shown how incompetent you'll be if I let you keep your job"

I saw the wheels practically turning in his head. I knew he could see no reaction on my face to indicate if I was joking or serious, so he was trying to decipher the seriousness of my words.

I tended to be very impassive when I wanted to be. It was an art that I'd mastered over the years. When you had a grandfather always searching for ways to manipulate your emotions, you learned to school your features to avoid it.

He stood straighter. "I am not incompetent, I can assure you of that. I came as soon as I was called in and that would be twenty minutes ago. You've read my resume, I'm sure you've seen those that recommended me. I am very good at what I do".

"Sure you are. But let's get one thing straight, I don't care about your recommendations Angelo. If you were to get fired by me, trust me, you wouldn't be getting any jobs ever".

"Do you always threaten your new assistants, because am starting to see why they left" he got out and I felt a thrill, it went all the way down my spine. He was feisty, and I loved it. I'd like to damage him a little though, but no permanent scars, his flesh looked too gorgeous to be marred.

I sat up, hands on the desk, and held his gaze. "They didn't leave Angelo. they were fired and so will you if you don't learn to follow all my rules." I threatened in my cold dark voice that I reserved for my victims while I tortured them. I won't tell him about what happened to some of the people I decide to fire though. I didn't want to scare him off.

He doesn't flinch, and It was exactly the reaction I was hoping for. I didn't want him to squirm. I wanted him to give me a good fight before he surrendered. I'd get bored if he did surrender, but I'd have had my fun by then.

"Well, I am here to work for you so of course, I have to follow your rules. Do you need me to do anything right now?" He looked around the office, his hands clutching at his case like he didn't know what else to do with them. I'll make those decisions for him, from now on.

"Yes, Angelo. I want you to stand right where you are with your arms behind your back, your knees apart, and also make sure your spine Is straight. Stay still and be quiet for two hours." I ordered, deciding to start small to see how obedient he could be. His facial expressions were precious and comical.

He couldn't decide if I was bluffing or serious and I waited patiently. He gaped at me, his eyes wide and his jaw almost touching the floor.

Such an open book. I was starting to doubt that he was a cop, or maybe he was that good. I love a good game. I stared at him, knowing he was going to rebel, everything about him screamed it.

"Excuse me, but that is not in my job description Sir... err... Ma'am " he almost stuttered and it was a bit comic-like but I didn't find it funny.

He was outright defying a simple order and it did not sit well with me, considering he was just a mere personal assistant that I happened to fancy.

"You clearly don't understand your position here Angelo, perhaps, you need me to explain it to you once more" I drawled and stood up from my desk, stalking towards him. He doesn't move as I get closer. This was interesting. Should I pull out my dagger? I wonder what he'd look like when he was truly afraid. Shame it won't be today, but I was always ready to play.

"You have no job description. you do whatever I want you to, whenever I want you to, and if I want you on your fucking knees, you will get on your knees for me" I was right in his face. He finally stepped back a bit to keep a reasonable space between us. I closed it up. He took another step back. I ate up the space until his back connected with my door, his gaze darted to it as my hands landed at the side of his face, trapping him under my gaze.

I did have to look up at him due to his height and It was fucking annoying. "Do you understand me, Angelo?"

He cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable and I wondered if I affected him the same way he did to me. Looking closely, I could see some signs that he was, for starters, his eyes were a bit dilated, and he was breathing faster than he was some seconds back. A smile almost tugged at my lips.

His voice was laced with anxiety when he finally spoke. "Yes, I do"

I pulled my hand back, moving away from him, and from the corner of my eyes, I noticed him exhaling shakily.

"Good, now do as you're told," I said, leaving no room for argument. He complied, albeit reluctantly. He made a pretty view. I walked back to my desk, contended.

I'd have to work on his reluctance. I needed him to be compliant enough, he should be willing to obey all my orders without me having to repeat myself.

My phone rang and it was Luciano. I answered the call.

He went straight to business. "It's done".

"Good. I am on my way". I ended the call looking up at Angelo and catching him off guard. He had been listening to my conversation. An undercover cop then. I got up and grabbed my suit off the rack.

"Stand where you are until I get back. You'll officially start work tomorrow" I said, walking out of the office. I noticed his astonished face. It was a nice look on him. I wanted to find out all his reactions if I could. Well, I had all the time to figure them out and I was going to.

We left in the company car and as we got under the bridge, I switched cars and then drove undetected towards my safe house. It was more of a torture chamber but I preferred to be more modern about it.

We arrived in no time. From the outside, it looked like a sophisticated modern building with high-level technology, it was, just never go into the basement or the laboratory.

once I got in I turned on all the security appliances. The whole outside perimeter of the house was electrified and anyone who came too close would have no one to blame for their death.

I walked down the stairs with my guards on my tail. once I got into the dungeon, the door clicked shut behind me. I smiled as I saw my victim fighting his bindings, yelling furiously like a rabid dog who wanted to take a bite out of its owner. This was going to be a fun day.