Chapter 3: Taking Over

~Reina~

I stared at her, my gaze cutting deep, searching for the truth buried beneath her façade. I wasn't like others. I was taught to manipulate, to lie, to get what I wanted-no matter the cost. Killing was just a tool, a means to an end.

I leaned in closer, my voice cold. "Tell me who's really in charge. Or you won't like the consequences."

She signed, a long, heavy breath escaping her lips as she leaned back, as if the weight of this revelation was something she had carried for too long. There was a shift in her demeanour now-less pride and more resignation.

"The Mafia family works in a different way than you have in your brain," she said, her voice tinged with both frustration and exhaustion. "My husband, Luciano, was not the head. Or should I say... he was not the Don of the Mafia."

The words hung in the air, heavy and loaded with implications. I could see the realization in her eyes-this wasn't just a simple power struggle. There was more to the story, something deeper, something that Luciano's role had hidden from everyone, maybe even from her. She exhaled sharply, a little puff of air escaping from her lips, as if she were finally letting go of a truth she had held onto for too long.

I felt the room grow colder, the silence thickening around us as I processed what she had just said. Luciano wasn't the true head? That meant there was someone, something else controlling the strings, pulling the weight behind the family. And I wasn't sure whether to be intrigued or angry.

"Who was?" I asked, my voice quieter now, the tension rising like a storm. "If Luciano wasn't the Don, then who held that power? Who's been calling the shots all along?"

Her gaze flickered away for a moment, as if she were deciding just how much to reveal. But I could see the tension building in her-she was torn between protecting the secrets of her family and the brutal reality that, with the right leverage, I could take control of it all. Her hesitation spoke volumes.

"Don't try to protect him," I added, my voice firm, almost a warning. "If you know who was really in charge, tell me. This could work out a lot better for you if we're on the same page."

She took a moment, her eyes gleaming with pride, as if she were revealing something monumental. The tension in the room seemed to tighten, her words slowly sinking into my mind.

"We are the third family in the Mafia," she began, her voice smooth, almost calculated. "Which means there is a head, Marco Leonard. He would be crowned Don during the ball, and he would have full control of the Mafia."

The weight of her words hit me all at once. The ball wasn't just some high-society event-it was a coronation. A shift of power. The Mafia wasn't a game to these people; it was a kingdom, and this Marco Leonard was about to sit at the top of it. I could feel a ripple of something, something dark and heavy, as the pieces clicked into place.

"No one can defeat him," she chuckled softly, her voice dripping with a mix of reverence and arrogance. She was proud of him, of the power he was about to wield. "And I want my daughter to marry him."

Her words hung in the air, and I couldn't help but feel the weight of them. She was offering her daughter as a pawn, an alliance to solidify their standing, to cement their future in the Mafia's hierarchy. The smug pride on her face only made the offer more sinister.

I leaned back, processing everything she'd just told me. Marco Leonard wasn't just some leader-he was the linchpin, the person who could control everything. And I wasn't sure whether to be irritated or impressed by the way she spoke of him like he was untouchable.

"You think Marco is invincible?" I said, my voice laced with amusement, yet carrying an edge. "And your daughter's marriage to him will make everything secure, huh?"

I studied her, seeing the calculation behind her smile. She truly believed that joining forces with this man, through marriage, would solidify her family's place. But what she didn't realize was that Marco Leonard wasn't the only one with ambitions.

"How sure are you that Marco will accept your offer?" I asked, curiosity piquing, my tone casual but laced with a promise of danger. "And how sure are you that he's the one who will truly lead the Mafia when the time comes?"

I could feel the control slipping into place, everything aligning as it should. But then, her words, unexpected and cryptic, caught my attention.

She mentioned a ball-a damn ball.

"What freaking ball and what is the ball about?" I asked, my voice no longer as cold, but laced with genuine curiosity. It was a shift, subtle but telling. She had piqued my interest now. Whatever game she was trying to play, it wasn't over yet.

I leaned forward slightly, the tension in the air shifting. If this was some kind of last-ditch effort to divert my attention or make me hesitate, it wouldn't work. But there was something about this ball, the way she said it, that made me wonder. What was it really about? And why was she bringing it up now, in the middle of all this?

Her gaze held steady as if waiting for me to bite, to take the bait. I was ready to be enlightened, but I wasn't letting my guard down. Not yet.

The silence hung between us for a moment longer, but I wasn't the one to break it. I had learned long ago that sometimes the most valuable information came from waiting-watching, listening. This ball, whatever it was, could be more important than she realized.

"Explain," I said, my tone a mix of impatience and curiosity, still weighing the power I held.

There was something about Luciano wife, Leonara that was wrong. She seemed relaxed about her husband's death. She didn't even mourn or try to attack me like most people would.

She was different. Why?

"The ball is a yearly organized event hosted by various Mafia families. In the event, many mafia families met and make deals to prolong the affairs of their business. The don is also announced that very day." She said, sipped a little water and continued," the don would have all authority and many would try to make him fall."

"Marco Leornard huh? When is the ball happening?" I asked curiously.

"In a next month. It would be held in Mafia main hall." She answered without stuttering.

"Don't get your daughter to fall in love with a dead man. I'll make sure I kill him; I have to be Donna." I said proudly with a wide grin plastered across my face.

"Call you lawyer and finalize it by tomorrow." I said and banged the door behind me.

The truth is, I never craved the spotlight or the power that comes with it. My intentions were far more personal. I wanted nothing more than to inflict pain on the Stingers for the way they shattered my world. They had always painted this picture of an unbreakable family bond, a sanctuary I could retreat to in times of turmoil. 

But when my life imploded, they vanished without a trace, leaving me to pick up the pieces alone.

Betrayal cuts deep, and in my wounded state, I made a reckless decision. Desperate for revenge, I aligned myself with their most formidable enemies, the Mafia. It was a path paved with darkness, but in that moment, it felt like the only way to find solace and retribution.

I wasn't enough.

I scoffed, shaking off the intrusive thoughts. It was time to find a place to sleep. Wandering through the house aimlessly, I flung open the first door I came across. The room was a stark contrast of black and white, a jarring pattern painted across the walls.

Black, like my soul.

Oh, I'm going to love it here. I closed the door behind me and trailed round the room. I opened the drawer and a folder caught my attention.

Divorce papers?

Only Leonara Luciano had signed it. No wonder she didn't say a word to me or try to kill me because I killed her husband. I laid on the bed exhausted as hell and I thought who are my real parents and why did they dump me. When the stingers told me they found me in a ditch near the dumpster, I really hated my parents but most especially, myself. Maybe if I wasn't born, they wouldn't have to make such grave mistake. I was a like mistake to time.

No, I'm a living mistake.

I shut my eyes, allowing myself to drift into the darkness until I heard a bang with both fists on the door.

"This is my room, get another!" Leonara screamed from the other side. I hissed loudly and didn't say a word. The banging continued and after a while, it seized.

That was when I fell asleep.

I woke up surprised I didn't wake up at night by the nightmare that haunted me every fucking night. Groaning, I dragged my tired ass butt to the bathroom. The bathroom looked like a room could fit in it. I used all the hair and body scrub product. After what seemed like 3 hours being in there, I came out. 

I couldn't wear my fit cause it had blood stains on it. I opened the drawer and saw a pair of brown up and down joggers. There was no need to curl my hairs because it was always curled. Letting it fall to my back, I looked in the mirror and smile. I headed downstairs to find new set of guards, maids and a strange man sitting beside Leonara. They both stared at me like I was the missing puzzle in their conversation. Damn yes, I was.

I was ushered in by Leonara who introduced the man as Reno, Luciano's and her lawyer. A quick smile appeared on my face which I quickly erased.

"Let's get this over with" she said and signed, " I want her to be in charge of everything I have." The way she said everything sounded familiar but oh well I've stayed in this house to be well acquainted with her voice. The man stared at me shocked. His hazel eyes wide open as his pupils dilate. I smiled and didn't blink as I stared at him. I could sense fear but he tried his best to keep his fear locked away.

I feed on fear.

"Are you sure you want her? She's a bitch and a murderer." He said trying hard to whisper.

"How many times do I fucking have to say this? I'm an assassin not a bitch." I slammed my palm against the desk.

He pulled out the documents and handed it to be. I read every word and signed the papers and so did Leonara.

"It's good to be home" I smiled while the rest just stared at me. 

"I'm your big sister, so you'll have to respect me." Marilyn stared at me with a wide grin on her face.

"But I can kill you or..." her grin disappeared and her doe eyes widen, "I can just torture you till you die." 

She told few steps away from me and clung to her mom and hard as she could.

"Now that I am head of this family, I'll have to seduce Marco during the ball, get what I want and kill him." I announced my perfect plan.

"But mom, I'm going to marry him. We are going to be engaged during the ball." A loud devilish chuckle escaped my throat, making everyone stare blankly at me.

"Sweetheart, he is mine, back off" and I made my way out of the meeting hall. 

I stormed off to the room and shut the door tightly. I decided to plan what to say and how to act but that means I needed the help of that little bitch. Around what seemed like 11pm, I left out of my room and headed for that faggot's room. The door was slightly opened and I could hear light moans. I peeped and saw her fucking Mr. Right hand man.

I pretended to video it and walked into the room with the phone still on them. 

"If you don't want this to leak, I suggest you help me get what I want and in turn, I spare you the shame."