Trapped in a mafia’s obsession

Rafael Mercer’s hands were slick with blood, his or theirs, he couldn’t tell. The bullet holes in his car told a story of their own, a reminder that he had barely made it out alive.What was supposed to be a private meeting had turned into a bloodbath. A setup. His allies were scattered, trapped in their own hells, and he was tearing through the streets at full throttle, heart pounding like a war drum.His car roared down the asphalt, tires screeching as he pushed past dangerous speeds. He had escaped, for that moment.A sudden beep on his dashboard.Fuel low."Fuck! Not now," Rafael hissed under his breath. He knew he was being followed, but he couldn’t risk breaking down in the open. He needed gas.His sharp eyes scanned the road. Then he saw it.An old, lonely gas station, flickering lights barely illuminating the night. A girl stood behind the counter, her figure outlined by the dim glow.Celia Romano leaned against the counter, tapping her nails against the surface. It had been a

Celia trembled violently, every nerve in her body screaming with fear. But what clawed at her chest more than the terror was the sheer unfairness of it all.She was going to die for something she didn’t even understand. She felt frustrated.She had spent her whole life struggling, scraping by, working her fingers to the bone just to survive. She had never been reckless. Never invited trouble.She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the reality of the cold metal pressed against her temple. But it didn’t help. The rough grip of the chair beneath her, the tight ropes biting into her wrists, the acrid stench of sweat and gunpowder, everything was a reminder that this wasn’t a nightmare. It was real. And soon, she wouldn’t be. Her thoughts drifted to Nico.Would he even notice she was gone? No, notthat night. He wasn’t home.He had gone to his friend’s place for a gaming night, probably laughing, shouting at the screen, and stuffing his face with junk food. Completely unaware tha

Rafael returned moments later, gripping a small black bag filled with medical supplies. Blood seeped through his shirt, his movements slower now. He was losing too much of it. But the moment he reached the car, his already frayed patience snapped. Celia was in the driver’s seat. His grip on the bag tightened. “What the hell do you think you are doing?” She didn’t even flinch. Instead, she reached for the gear shift. “I will drive.” Rafael was too weak to argue. He slid into the passenger seat, his head leaning back as he projected the GPS to his house. His voice was hoarse but firm. “Follow the location.” Celia barely spared him a glance. “Noted.” Then, she threw the car into reverse and slammed the gas. The tires screeched as the car shot backward, then she spun the wheel and sped off in the opposite direction of the marked route. Rafael’s eyes snapped open. “Where the fuck are you going to?” Celia kept her eyes on the road, gripping the wheel tighter. “Relax. I’m

Rafael didn’t look at him. His jaw was locked, his mind made up. “If people think she’s my weakness, then I would rather have her where I can control the situation.” Mason shook his head, stepping in front of him. “That’s not control, Rafael. That’s attachment.” Rafael’s grip on his keys tightened, his eyes flashing with warning. “I don’t get attached.” Mason scoffed, unconvinced. “Then what the hell do you call this?” Rafael didn’t answer. Because for the first time, he wasn’t sure himself.Mason drove, following Rafael's description. Meanwhile, Celia sat in her living room, lost in thought. She kept trying to justify the money she received, convincing herself it was a good thing, but deep down, it still unsettled her. She closed her eyes, hoping for sleep, but all she saw was Rafael, the gunshots, the lifeless bodies hitting the ground. She jolted awake, her heart racing. With a sigh, she stared at the ceiling, waiting for dawn to break and for her brother to return. M

The car was silent except for the occasional sound of Mason tapping his fingers against the steering wheel. Nico remained glued to his phone, completely unfazed, while Celia sat stiffly in her seat. Her stomach churned with unease, a growing sense of dread creeping over her. She didn’t know if it was just paranoia or a real instinct warning her that something was wrong, but either way, she couldn’t shake the feeling. Her palms grew clammy, and before she realized it, beads of sweat had begun to form on her forehead. Mason, catching sight of her tense expression through the rearview mirror, spoke in a calm voice. “Relax, Celia. You are in safe hands.” Celia swallowed hard, nodding slightly, but his words did little to ease the tight knot in her chest. Just then, her phone rang, breaking the heavy silence. She fumbled for it, glancing at the screen before answering. “Girl, I’m at your place. Where are you?” Lilly’s familiar voice came through the line. Celia felt another wave