The sound of the door shutting behind me echoed in the grand hallway of my estate. I removed my jacket, tossing it carelessly over the back of a chair, and loosened my tie. My mind was still reeling from the events of the night. Killing that man in the club wasn't part of my plan, but the sight of him so close to Elena had driven me over the edge. No one touched what was mine.
"Signore," Marco's voice interrupted my thoughts as he stepped into the hallway. "We've taken care of the situation at the club. The authorities won't trace anything back to us."
"Good," I replied, my voice cold and detached. "What about the girl?"
"She's safe," Marco assured me. "Our driver dropped her off at her house. She's probably still in shock from what happened."
I nodded, feeling a mix of satisfaction and frustration. Keeping Elena safe was my top priority, but the thought of her being scared and confused gnawed at me. She was too precious to be caught up in my world of violence and crime.
"Any updates on the Mexican cartel?" I asked, changing the subject.
Marco's expression turned serious. "We've intercepted another shipment. They're trying to push into our territory, but we're holding them off for now."
I clenched my fists, anger boiling inside me. The cartel had been a thorn in my side for too long. They were the reason my parents had died, and I had sworn to avenge their deaths by any means necessary.
"Double the security on all our operations," I ordered. "I want every move they make watched."
Marco nodded and left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I poured myself a glass of whiskey and walked to the large window overlooking the city. The lights of Rome twinkled in the distance, a stark contrast to the darkness that consumed my soul.
As I sipped my drink, my thoughts drifted back to Elena. She had no idea the lengths I would go to protect her, to keep her safe from the shadows that lurked in my world. She was the light in my darkness, the one thing that made me feel alive.
My phone buzzed, pulling me from my reverie. It was a message from one of my informants.
"New intel on the cartel. Possible lead on their next move."
I smirked, the thrill of the hunt igniting a fire within me. The cartel would pay for what they had done, and I would make sure they never threatened my world again.
But first, I needed to see Elena. To make sure she was truly safe.
I finished my drink and set the glass down, determination hardening my resolve. No one would come between me and my tesoro. Not the cartel, not anyone.
***
I parked my car a few houses down from Elena's and watched as the lights in her bedroom flickered on. She moved around the room, her silhouette graceful and delicate. The sight of her brought a sense of calm to my chaotic mind.
I wanted to rush to her, to hold her . But I knew I couldn't. Not yet. She wasn't ready to know the truth about me, about the darkness that surrounded my life.
As I sat there, watching over her like a guardian angel, I saw the large flower bouquet and gifts I had sent her earlier that day. The bouquet was a mix of her favorite flowers—roses, lilies, and orchids—carefully arranged to convey my feelings. The gifts included a delicate bracelet, a book of poetry, and a handwritten note.
The note read:
*"To my Tesoro,*
*I hope these flowers bring a smile to your face, as your presence does to mine. The gifts are just a small token of my appreciation for the light you bring into my life.*
*Yours,*
*E"*
With one last look at her window, I started the car and drove off .
After leaving elena's neighborhood, I got a call from Marco. "Boss, there's an issue with the cartels."
"I'll be there soon," I replied, shifting my route towards the warehouse.
When I arrived, Marco stood in front of a man tied to a chair, his face contorted with fear. "He was one of ours but tried to sell our information to the Mexicans," Marco explained.
My blood boiled. Betrayal was the worst crime in my world. I walked towards the traitor, my face a mask of emotionless calm. "You destroyed your fate with your own hands. Now you'll beg for death, but I won't grant you that mercy."
I extended my hand, and Marco handed me a knife. I slid the knife's tip lightly over the man's face, his eyes wide with terror. He babbled apologies, promising never to betray us again. But there were no apologies in my book for disloyal people.
With a swift motion, I cut off his right hand. His scream echoed through the room, and a smirk curled my lips. Without hesitation, I sliced through his other hand. "Take care of him. Don't let him die," I ordered, leaving the man screaming behind.
Marco followed me to my office. "Bro, is there something you want to share?" he asked. "See, I'm your best friend, and I know something's bothering you. Is it that girl?"
I looked at him, surprised by how well he knew me. "Actually, she's driving me insane. I want her with me, but she won't accept me if she knows who I am. Besides, her father was one of our men. I want her to know the truth, that our rivalry caused her parents' death. She's so naive, Marco. I don't want to ruin her with my darkness."
Marco stared at me before finally speaking. "Since when did you start thinking about these little things? The Enzo Moritz, the coldest man ever, is worried about someone's feelings. Man, you're deeply in love with her, and there's no coming back from this."
I laughed at his statement. Was I really changing because of her? Even when she's not in my life, she has such an influence on me. Marco was right; the day I first saw her, I knew there was no turning back.
We discussed our land projects and legal businesses, and time flew by. By the time we finished, it was already 2:30 in the morning.
As I headed home, I decided to check on Elena. It was late, and I knew she must be asleep, but my heart pulled me towards her. I parked my car just below her balcony. The lights were off, and there was no movement. She must be sleeping.
I stood there, staring at her balcony. She had decorated it with flowers, a bookshelf, a little coffee table, and a vase—my flowers in that vase. I was lost in thought when the balcony door opened, and there she was. Her sleepy eyes, red from crying, in a cute night suit—shorts and a sleeveless top. She looked so adorable, yet I wanted to hold her and rip off her clothes.
I was so absorbed in admiring her that I didn't notice her looking at me with a strange expression. Oh shit, I was being a creep. I mean, I'm always a creep by stalking her, but this time it felt awkward. She stared at me, clearly needing an answer as to why I was there at this late hour, staring at her balcony.
A smile crept onto my face. She couldn't see me clearly because my cap obscured my face. As she was about to yell, I got back in the car and left.
---
After leaving Elena’s place, I drove back to my mansion. My mind was still filled with the image of her standing on the balcony, her red-rimmed eyes searching for answers. I needed a distraction, something to take the edge off this restless feeling gnawing at me.
As I entered the mansion, I headed straight for my private room, the one only I had access to. Inside, the walls were lined with monitors displaying live feeds from various locations. One screen showed Elena's bakery, another her college campus, and several more showed different angles of her home. I had every inch of her life under surveillance.
I sat down in front of the screens, my eyes fixated on the one showing her room. She had gone back inside, but the lights were still on. She was pacing, probably trying to make sense of what she saw earlier. The thought of her thinking about me, even in confusion, sent a thrill through me.
I picked up my phone and dialed a number. "Marco, I need you to keep an eye on the Mexicans. They're getting bolder, and I don't want any surprises. Also, have someone check on Elena's safety discreetly. No one gets close to her without my knowing."
"Got it, boss. Anything else?"
"Yeah, I want a detailed report on her routine. Every place she goes, every person she meets. I want to know everything."
"Consider it done."
Hanging up, I leaned back in my chair, my gaze never leaving the screen. There was something about her, something that made me want to protect her, but also possess her completely. She was my weakness and my strength.
As I watched her finally settle into bed, I made a silent vow. I would keep her safe from everything, even if it meant protecting her from myself. But one day, she would know who I am, and why I’m in her life. And when that day comes, I’ll make sure she understands that she belongs to me, body and soul
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