Semua Bab The mafia and his hit man: Bab 21 - Bab 30

Rafa’s POV Meetings after bloodshed were always the same. They were loud and defensive. Everyone was talking all at once until I had to remind them who was in charge. This one was no different. My men were scattered around the long table in the meeting room, talking to each other and arguing about what had gone wrong the night before. Everyone had a theory, a person to blame, or a warning to throw out. I let them talk for a while. Sometimes it is better to hear what people have to say when they think they are being useful. Avery was there too, sitting a few feet from me, slouched in his chair. He looked bored, tapping his fingers on the table, pretending he wasn't listening. But I knew better, he wouldn't miss anything. Kane was sitting not too far from Avery, watching everyone arguing as if he couldn't be bothered to join them. The noise in the room was starting to give me a headache. I lifted a hand and everywhere went silent. “Enough,” I said loudly. Then I gestured to

Avery’s POVRafa’s office looked like it had been in chaos for days. The desk was cluttered with papers, nearly empty wine bottles, and a folder he had opened and closed four times in the last hour. The air was heavy with tension that suggested bad news was looming.I sat across from him with my legs stretched out, pretending to read the document he had given me earlier. My mind was elsewhere, and I knew nothing about accounting or whatever the file was about. I think he just brought me here to keep an eye on me.Since the ambush, Rafa had become quieter than usual, which made those around him feel uneasy. The men downstairs avoided him like the plague when he passed by. Even Kane, who was usually blunt, looked tense.It was nearly midnight and I was already feeling tired and sleepy when a knock sounded at the door.Rafa didn't look up from his file. “Come in.”Kane entered, looking tired, not the kind that sleep could fix, but the kind that stemmed from carrying an unspoken burden.“

Rafa’s POVAvery stopped talking to me.At first, I thought it was just one of his moods. He has them sometimes; he would go quiet, withdrawn, and unreachable. But this time, it was different. He didn't just shut down; he froze me out. He didn't even speak to me unless it was work-related—no eye contact, no jokes, no witty comments.I understood why.I said things I shouldn't have after the dock deal went wrong. I’d been angry at the situation, not at him. And when I saw him pull the trigger, my first reaction was to lash out at him.I didn't mean those words the way they sounded, but I said them anyway.Now the silence between us felt heavier than any fight we’ve ever had.That morning, I had a meeting with several suppliers. Kane accompanied me, but Avery didn't. He claimed he had things to take care of at home, which I knew meant he didn't want to see me, so I didn't press the issue.The meeting ended quickly, but the silence in the car on the way back felt heavy. I could tell Kane

Rafa’s POVThe meeting was meant to be routine. It took place in a neutral room, with neutral expressions and discussions about shipments and routes. I chose this setup intentionally because neutral ground keeps tempers in check. Still, in this line of work, you can't trust the word “routine.”Kane sat to my left, and Avery lingered by the door, always observant. His steady face showed he was watching. That's how I prefer him: visible but not too close, always ready.The other men arrived. Old faces and new ones, all with their own reasons to lie. I kept my words brief as we talked about shipments, schedules, and a new route out of Reggio Calabria that would make a lot of people richer. No one wanted violence at the table. At least, that was the story.Halfway through, a man at the end of the table smiled too widely. He reached under the table as if he were adjusting his cuff. I sensed that change before I saw it. The room felt smaller, the air thicker. That moment before violence is

Avery's POV Waking up in Rafa’s arms felt like paradise. His chest rose and fell evenly against my back, slow and steady. The rhythm made me want to stay still and ignore everything outside that room. We went back to sleep because Rafa said it was too early. The nightmare from last night felt distant now, just bits and pieces I didn't want to remember. I tried not to think about it, especially the fear and how it had felt when I heard Rafa’s words. Now, everything was quiet. His breathing, the soft sound of the curtains moving, and his scent. It all felt grounded and oddly safe. I shifted slightly and lifted his arm from my waist, but he tightened his grip, refusing to let go. I sighed, turned to face him, and met his gaze. “Did you sleep okay?” he asked hoarsely. “Yeah,” I said. “Better than usual.” He hummed, still half asleep. “Good.” He leaned in and kissed my forehead. It was a small gesture, but it sent a strange wave through me. We stayed like that for a while, neither