HEART OF THE RUTHLESS - A Mafia First Love

Edward Poletto, the notorious mafia king, sat in the dimly lit courtyard of his sprawling estate, a glass of aged wine in hand. The evening sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the vineyards that stretched as far as the eye could see. It was his haven, a place where he could momentarily forget the weight of his empire and lose himself in the intoxicating aroma of ripening grapes and the rich flavors of his wine.

He took a slow sip, savoring the complex notes of the vintage. His thoughts were distant, entangled with the ruthless decisions that came with his power, yet tinged with a certain emptiness. Edward had everything a man could desire—wealth, power, influence—but love was a foreign concept to him, something he had never truly known or cared for.

As he leaned back in his chair, his eyes lazily scanned the workers toiling in the fields, But then, something—or rather, someone—caught his eye.

A young woman was moving through the rows of vines with a grace that seemed out of place in the rugged landscape. Her hair, dark as the rich earth beneath her feet, was tied back in a loose braid that swayed with each movement. Her skin was sun-kissed, glowing with the vitality of someone who spent her days under the open sky. She wore a simple dress, the fabric clinging to her slender frame as she reached up to pluck the ripe grapes from the vines.

Edward's breath caught in his throat. He had seen countless women in his life, but none had ever stirred anything within him. Yet this woman, this humble worker on his plantation, had ignited something deep and primal in his chest. It wasn't just her beauty, though she was undeniably captivating. It was the way she moved, the quiet determination in her eyes, the aura of strength and vulnerability that surrounded her.

He set his glass down, his gaze never leaving her. For the first time in his life, Edward felt something akin to obsession take root in his heart. He wanted her—no, he needed her. She was a mystery, a puzzle he was determined to solve. And Edward Poletto always got what he wanted.

As he watched her, a thought crept into his mind, one that sent a shiver of excitement down his spine. He would make her his, no matter the cost.

With a swift motion, he stood up, his presence commanding as he strode across the courtyard towards the vineyard. The workers glanced up as he approached, their eyes widening in surprise and fear. It was rare for Edward to visit the fields personally, and they knew better than to speak unless spoken to.

The woman, unaware of the commotion, continued her work, her focus entirely on the grapes in her hands. Edward stopped a few paces away, his eyes narrowing as he took in every detail of her. Then, in a voice that was both smooth and commanding, he spoke.

"You there," he called out.

Cecilia froze, her heart skipping a beat as she heard the voice. She turned slowly, her gaze lifting to meet Edward's. For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. She recognized him instantly—the master of the estate, the man whose name was whispered with equal parts fear and reverence.

"Yes, sir?" she replied, her voice steady despite the nervous flutter in her chest.

Edward took a step closer, his eyes locking onto hers. "What is your name?"

"Cecilia," she answered, her gaze unwavering.

"Cecilia," Edward repeated, as if testing the way her name felt on his tongue. "A beautiful name."

She dipped her head slightly, unsure of how to respond. "Thank you, sir."

Edward tilted his head, studying her. "How long have you worked here, Cecilia?"

"Since the harvest season began," she said, trying to keep her voice calm. She had heard stories about him—about his ruthlessness, his temper. But standing before him now, she felt an inexplicable pull, a magnetic force that both intrigued and terrified her.

"Do you enjoy your work?" he asked, his tone casual, though his eyes betrayed a deeper interest.

Cecilia hesitated, wondering if honesty was wise. "It is hard work, but I take pride in it," she said finally. "It’s honest."

Edward smiled, a rare expression that softened the sharp edges of his face. "I admire that," he said. "There is beauty in honesty, in hard work."

Cecilia's heart skipped again. There was something in his gaze, something intense and possessive, that made her uneasy. Yet she couldn’t deny the strange allure he held.

Edward took another step closer, closing the distance between them. "You intrigue me, Cecilia," he murmured, his voice low. "I have never seen someone like you before."

Cecilia felt a flush rise in her cheeks. "I’m just a worker, sir," she said quietly, unsure of how to handle his attention.

"No," Edward said, shaking his head slightly. "You are much more than that."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them crackled with tension, the world around them fading into insignificance. Then Edward, his voice laced with authority, broke the silence.

"I want you to come to the manor tomorrow," he said. "There are... arrangements I would like to discuss."

Cecilia's eyes widened in surprise and fear. "Sir, I—"

"That’s an order, not a request," Edward interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You will be there."

Cecilia swallowed hard, nodding despite the turmoil in her chest. "Yes, sir," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Edward smiled again, satisfied. "Good," he said softly, before turning on his heel and walking back towards the manor, leaving Cecilia standing alone among the vines, her heart pounding in her chest.

As she watched him go, a sense of dread settled over her. She knew, deep down, that her life was about to change forever. And in that moment, she wasn’t sure if it was for better or worse.

As Edward made his way back to the manor, the image of Cecilia lingered in his mind, haunting him with a force he had never experienced before. The way she moved, the calm resolve in her voice, the quiet strength she carried—it was all intoxicating. His obsession was growing by the second, and he knew he had to learn more about her.

Reaching the grand entrance of the manor, he stopped and turned to one of his most trusted bodyguards, Marco, who had been silently following him at a discreet distance. Marco was a tall, imposing figure with a stern expression, someone who had served Edward faithfully for years, handling matters that required both subtlety and ruthlessness.

"Marco," Edward called out, his voice steady but laced with the intensity of his newfound obsession.

Marco stepped forward, bowing his head slightly in acknowledgment. "Yes, Mr. Poletto?"

Edward took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing as he thought of Cecilia. "I need you to find out everything you can about a worker on the estate. Her name is Cecilia."

Marco's expression remained neutral, but he could sense the urgency in Edward's tone. It was unusual for his boss to take a personal interest in one of the workers, especially someone as insignificant as a grape picker. "Of course, sir. What would you like to know?"

"Everything," Edward replied, his voice low and commanding. "Where she comes from, who her family is, why she’s here. I want to know every detail of her life."

Marco nodded, understanding the gravity of the request. "I’ll get on it right away, sir. It shouldn’t take long."

Edward's gaze drifted back towards the vineyards, where Cecilia had been just moments ago. The thought of her consumed him, filling his mind with questions and a burning desire to know more.

"And Marco," Edward added, his voice dropping even lower, "I want this done discreetly. No one is to know about this. Not even Cecilia."

Marco met Edward's gaze, his loyalty unwavering. "Understood, Mr. Poletto. I’ll be thorough."

Edward nodded, satisfied. "Good. Report back to me as soon as you have something."

With that, Marco turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Edward alone on the steps of his manor. The night was beginning to fall, and the cool breeze carried the scent of the vineyard, mingling with the lingering taste of wine on his lips. But all Edward could think about was Cecilia, and the mysterious hold she had on him.

As he stood there, staring out at the vast expanse of his estate, he knew one thing for certain: he had to make her his, no matter what it took. And with Marco gathering information, Edward was one step closer to unraveling the enigma that was Cecilia. The obsession had taken root deep within him, and it would not be easily quelled.

With a final glance towards the vineyards, Edward turned and entered the manor, his mind already racing with plans for how to claim the woman who had ignited a fire in his cold, unyielding heart.

Edward smiled slyly as the thought of Cecilia lingered in his mind. The image of her delicate features, the way her hair caught the light, and the quiet strength in her eyes were all burned into his memory. He could still feel the electric pull between them, a connection he had never felt with anyone before.

"She is so beautiful," Edward murmured to himself, a sense of possession creeping into his voice. He had always taken what he wanted, and Cecilia would be no different. The thought of her belonging to anyone else was intolerable. No, she would be his, and nothing would stand in his way.

With a satisfied smirk, Edward returned to his seat on the terrace. He picked up his glass of wine, swirling the deep red liquid as he took a long, contemplative sip. The rich, full-bodied flavor filled his mouth, yet it paled in comparison to the sweetness of the obsession growing within him. His mind was already plotting the steps he would take to ensure Cecilia became part of his world, his life, his possession.

Setting the glass down, Edward reached for a cigar, expertly cutting the tip before lighting it. The familiar scent of tobacco filled the air as he took a slow, deliberate draw, the smoke curling around him like a shroud. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed as he exhaled, the tension in his muscles easing slightly. The combination of the wine and cigar was comforting, a ritual that usually brought him peace.

But tonight, the usual calm was laced with a new excitement, an anticipation that made his pulse quicken. He imagined Cecilia in the manor, her presence filling the grand halls, her voice soft and melodic as she spoke to him. He could see it all so clearly—the way she would look at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and awe, unable to resist the pull he had over her.

Edward’s smile widened, a dangerous gleam in his eyes. He was a man used to control, to bending the world to his will. And now, that will was focused entirely on Cecilia. There was no turning back, she had become an obsession, a desire that demanded to be fulfilled.

As he sat there, enjoying his wine and cigar, the night deepening around him, Edward allowed himself to revel in the pleasure of his thoughts. The world was his, and soon, Cecilia would be too. The game had begun, and Edward Poletto never lost.