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My heart skipped a beat. Mancini soldiers were looking for me? In a public building? That was not a good sign.
"What do you mean, looking for me?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite my rising concern.
"They were searching for you. Banging on doors. Getting aggressive." Enzo explained. "However, when it became obvious that you were no longer there, they left.”
I leaned back in my chair, absorbing this news. Why wouldn’t they leave me alone? Was I the only member of the Fiore family? It was honestly ridiculous at this point.
In a strange twist of fate, I found myself feeling fortunate for the urgent summons from my father, who had pulled me from the hotel in the early morning hours. Even though I didn’t want him to know, he had caught wind of the Mancini gang having pursued me a couple of days ago, and that prompted his call.
"However," Enzo continued, his voice tense, "there was a casualty. One of the occupants in the room adjacent to yours was shot."
Suddenly, my thoughts drifted to Griselda.
Fuck!
Griselda had been in the hotel! Was she safe?
Enzo's words hit me like a ton of bricks. A casualty!
Panic coursed through my veins as I thought about Griselda, the girl I had left alone in that very hotel. My mind raced with horrifying possibilities. Was she caught in the crossfire? Was she hurt? Was she even alive?
"Who was shot?” I asked with panic.
“A man whose room was next door to where you stayed,” Enzo replied, confused at my reaction.
“What about Griselda? Is she okay? Is she safe?”
Enzo's eyes widened in surprise. "Griselda? Who is she?"
"The woman I was with last night in the hotel," I replied, my anxiety making my words rushed.
Realization flickered in Enzo's eyes, and his eyebrows shot up in surprise. He was clearly taken aback and surprised by my urgency and concern for someone he knew nothing about. He was trying to grasp the sudden revelation.
"You were with a woman last night? Emilio, you've got to explain. Who is Griselda?" he pressed.
My frustration flickered, ready to burst out, but I knew I couldn't fault Enzo for his confusion. This situation was unusual, and I had never been the type to worry about a woman's safety before, let alone with such desperation.
Because of my ties to the mafia, I had grown accustomed to a certain way of life. Committed relationships weren't something I pursued; only occasional encounters to satisfy my desires.
However, explaining all of this to Enzo so that he could comprehend this sudden change in me would have to wait. Griselda's safety was paramount, and it took precedence over everything else.
I took a breath, quelling my impatience, and spoke firmly, "I will explain everything later, Enzo. Right now, please do what I asked. Find Griselda. Confirm she's safe."
Enzo nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. He knew when to let matters rest for a while. "Alright, Emilio. I'll get on it immediately."
“We need to find her. Make sure she's safe," I urged again, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. We couldn't afford to waste any time.
"I'll do everything I can," Enzo assured, now fully grasping how serious I was.
He turned and walked towards the door, but before he could leave, I added one more thing. "Enzo, please... Let me know as soon as you find anything about Griselda. I need to know that she's okay."
As the day went on, my focus shifted between my responsibilities at Royalty Rentals and my lingering worry for Griselda. I knew I had to find a way to quicken my exit from the mafia life.
Guilt gnawed at me for the person who had lost their life in the crossfire. I had never intended for an innocent person to be caught up in my world. This was the reason why I wanted to extricate myself from the criminal underworld.
I came to a resolute decision. I would confront my father’s past, face the dangers head-on, and ensure that innocent lives were protected. That was easier said than done, but I had to find a way to sever the ties that bound me to this life, to create a future where people like Griselda wouldn't have to be afraid of my shadows.
My thoughts kept circling back to the night when I had followed that Mancini mafioso to the old Chinese restaurant—that night had revealed a potential faction within the Mancini family.
