FelixI can’t believe what I’m seeing.Emily has done what I was afraid of - gotten herself in trouble and all for what; for something that could have waited.I was driving back to my house when I was notified that 60,000 dollars had been debited from my account. What the fuck?“Angelo,” I call, fearing another cyber-attack. “Who is in at work? What’s this charge?”“That account is only accessed by Emily, boss,” says Angelo.“Where the fuck is Emily?” I ask, my voice going stone cold.“She went to the Lucchese party boss,” said Angelo, his voice dimming lower with every word. “She told me you gave her the green light.”“You fuckin fool!” I scream into the phone. “When, just when, have I ever gone back on my word? You should have called me immediately.”“But...she convinced me, boss.”“I’ve got to go. You fucked up, Angelo. If there’s a single strand of hair hurt on her head...” I cut the call without needing to finish my sentence. Angelo’s known me long enough to know just how mad I a

EmilyI watch as Felix brings the room to attention.“Friends,” he says, “we wouldn’t have been here without Emily’s excellence in corporate espionage. This is why sometimes, the mafia needs someone from not around here because while we may have the brawns, they have thebrains!”Sounds of laughter, claps, and “here, here’s” chime around the room.I blush. All of this, everything, it’s for me.“Emily,” says Felix. “You deserve a commission for the money you won us back. Doesn’t she, folks?”“Damn right she does,” says Angelo, grinning at me.Angelo. My friend. My confidante. This room feels like home now, and I am saddened at whether I may be here tomorrow or night.When I tell Felix who I am tonight, I don’t know how he’ll swing - toward forgiveness or banishment?Sadness fills my soul in this moment of joy. I try to shake it off, but it’s always lingering.“Today is a well-deserved day off. All of you, get out of here. Get back to the spouse and kids.”Soon, everyone scatters. Felix

FelixI walk in through the cafe, my eyes darting for her.The moment I received the call, I rang Angelo.My men stand right behind me.Where the hell is Emily.My eyes first scan over her and then perform a double take.“Emily?” I ask loudly. She looks up. Yup, that’s her.My body is fuelled with rage as I go closer to her.She’s positioned on her chair, her face pale and eyes wide.I’m about to ask her what happened exactly, word for word, when I notice the cuts and bruises on her arms and legs.She looks like a wreck - blood seeping through her clothes.“My god,” I gasp out, my voice a loud whisper in the cafe.“Emily, who did this to you?” Tears are streaming down her cheeks, and she shakes her head.She can’t speak. My heart tightens in anguish as I look closer at the damage to Emily’s body.I look around for whoever did this to her. I know no one is here now, but if they’re still alive...Emily shakes her head, unable to speak. “Was it your ex?” I ask.“I ... I don’t know,” she sa

FelixI walk in through the cafe, my eyes darting for her.The moment I received the call, I rang Angelo.My men stand right behind me.Where the hell is Emily.My eyes first scan over her and then perform a double take.“Emily?” I ask loudly. She looks up. Yup, that’s her.My body is fuelled with rage as I go closer to her.She’s positioned on her chair, her face pale and eyes wide.I’m about to ask her what happened exactly, word for word, when I notice the cuts and bruises on her arms and legs.She looks like a wreck - blood seeping through her clothes.“My god,” I gasp out, my voice a loud whisper in the cafe.“Emily, who did this to you?” Tears are streaming down her cheeks, and she shakes her head.She can’t speak. My heart tightens in anguish as I look closer at the damage to Emily’s body.I look around for whoever did this to her. I know no one is here now, but if they’re still alive...Emily shakes her head, unable to speak. “Was it your ex?” I ask.“I ... I don’t know,” she

FelixI pace the marble floor of my dining room, barking orders into my phone.“I want eyes on her at all times. Do not let her out of your sight for even a second.”My security team knows better than to fail me.If anything were to happen to Emily, they’d regret the day they were born.When I glance up, Emily waves to get my attention from the corner of the room.She mouths the words “going upstairs,” before disappearing down the hall.An hour later, I’ve assembled my best men in the living room.Thirteen of my most trusted soldiers stand at attention, their eyes fixed on me.I dial Emily’s number, waiting impatiently for her to pick up.“Come downstairs,tesoro. There are some people I want you to meet.” She is my treasure, after all.A few moments later, Emily descends the stairs in jeans and a white t-shirt, her hair tumbling casually over her shoulders.Emily’s eyes widen when she sees the small army assembled in our living room.“What’s going on?”I pull her close, wrapping an arm