The Cost of Power

Rome, Italy.

Carlos's pov:

Another woman was in my bed the next night. Being in the mafia comes with its fair share of pros and cons, but the advantages are undeniable. For the first time in my life, I don't have to ask for anything, I just take it. I own multiple businesses, each one bringing in millions almost effortlessly. But this life isn't just about wealth. Money is only a tool, a stepping stone to something greater. What truly matters is power, influence, and the ability to control what others can and cannot do.

I've always craved power, not just for the sake of having it, but because, in this world, control is everything. Owning businesses is one thing, but I want more than that. I want partnerships with powerful people. I want control over banks, the kind of influence that makes governments pay attention. Without power, I'm just another name on a list, another target waiting to be erased. In a place like Rome, where betrayal is as common as the air we breathe, a lack of control can mean a brutal and sudden end.

I've been on probation before, and honestly, it wasn't the worst thing in the world. Sure, there were restrictions—places I couldn't go, things I couldn't do—but when you've seen what happens to those who get locked up, you realize that any alternative is better than prison. I've been to prison twice—once for violating probation and once for hiring a hitman to take out the person who murdered my parents.

Let me tell you, prison is one of the most miserable, filth-ridden places you could ever end up. The food is barely edible, the drinks taste rancid, and privacy doesn't exist. You're lucky if you get to shower once a week, and there's no heat to keep you from freezing at night. The beds are stiff, the blankets are filthy, and the less said about the toilets, the better.

Thankfully, I was released within the last two months—not that it came as a surprise. Vincent Moretti is the best lawyer I've ever had, and he's been by my side through every mess I've found myself in. No matter the situation, he always finds a way to pull me out. For that, I pay him what I'd call a modest fee around $12,000 per case. Worth every cent.

If it weren't for him, I'd still be behind bars. But enough about that insignificant case, it's starting to give me a headache. I have bigger things to focus on, work to handle, and business to keep running. To be honest, I don't pay much attention to my companies these days. With all the promotions, collaborations, and deals constantly in motion, I leave most of the management to someone I trust completely, my best friend and brother, Kai.

Kai and I go way back. We grew up together, did almost everything side by side, and never once let each other down. But his childhood wasn't easy. His father was a violent alcoholic, and his mother, though not abusive, was consumed by her addiction to drugs. It got so bad that CPS eventually stepped in, removing Kai from his home and placing him with my family. From that moment on, he wasn't just my friend, he was my brother. Kai is closer to my biological brother than my adopted brother.

We would always be there for one another when we needed it. We both assisted each other and managed to succeed together. The main difference between Kai and me is that Kai is extremely intelligent. I never had the chance to go to school, but that wasn't the reason I chose this life. The truth is, I was born into it.

My family tree is rooted in the mafia, it's in my blood. My father was a powerful boss, and my mother was the queen by his side. They weren't just feared; they were respected, even loved, by the people of Rome. I remember seeing their faces everywhere; on billboards, in the streets, inside shopping malls, on the news, and in advertisements.

To the citizens, they were everything. They ran this city, kept order, and did whatever was necessary to protect it. At least, that's how people saw them. But power invites enemies, and their reign ended when criminals took their lives. That brings me back to the second time I was locked up.

Some nobodies thought they could break into our mansion, hoping to rob us just because we were rich and powerful. I was too young to understand what was happening at the time, and so was Kai. We were just kids, sitting in the theater room, watching TV like any other night. Then, out of nowhere, we heard a loud thud from downstairs.

Before my parents even had a chance to see what was going on, the bodyguards initiated a full lockdown. Kai and I were immediately sent back to our rooms, the doors locked behind us. Two guards stayed inside with us, and two more stood watch outside. We weren't allowed to see or hear anything. No gunshots, no shouting, just silence. I didn't even witness my parents murder.

It wasn't until the next morning that one of the bodyguards finally told us what had happened. He told us how my father and mother both got stabbed to the point where they couldn't survive since the wound was deep. My father has been stabbed in the neck, and my mother was stabbed in the waist. Once Kai and I heard this news, it broke both of our hearts and managed to make us depressed for some time.

A year later, I'd say I've acknowledged their deaths because, as a mafia, you never show your weakness to the hostiles. Kai acknowledged their deaths a year and a half later, and I was forced to tell him numerous times that they were gone and could not be revived. We had to spend a long time telling the citizens that the mafia's king and queen had been assassinated.

We couldn't announce it right away, it was too soon. As their son, I needed time to mourn, and Kai mourned with me. I didn't want the citizens grieving alongside us, not yet. This loss was personal. For a while, it felt like time had stopped, like the world had gone silent. But when we finally told the people, everything changed. The city wasn't the same after that. No one dared to step outside after the funeral. It was as if Rome itself had fallen into mourning.

That's how much my parents were loved, how deeply they were admired.

BANG!

A loud thud snapped me out of my thoughts, and I rolled my eyes as I sat up in bed. The girl from last night had fallen onto the floor, but instead of looking embarrassed, she just grinned. "Damn, babe, you fucked me so hard my whole body went numb," she teased. I frowned, unimpressed. "We only went one round. I don't see how that's possible."

She stretched lazily before climbing back onto the bed. "You were rough," she said with a playful smirk, but I wasn't in the mood for conversation. "I'm going to need you to leave," I said, nudging her away. She wrapped the sheets around herself, staring at me in disbelief. "Are you serious?" I met her gaze, already irritated.

"Did I stutter?" Her expression shifted, a mix of frustration and disappointment. "So I was just a hookup to you?" she asked. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "We talked about this last night, sweetheart. Just sex. Nothing more." I knew she remembered everything; she was just acting dumb, like every other girl I'd been with. They always think that just because we hook up, it means we're something more.

"I know, but..." she started, but I cut her off before she could make any more excuses. "You already knew what was said. So don't try to change my mind now," I said, walking toward the closet. I could hear her groaning, muttering to herself, but I didn't care. That's how it always goes with girls like her, stubborn and whining when they don't get what they want. I walked back out, just to see if she was still there. She was.

"Listen, you need to go. If you don't leave, I'll have the bodyguards escort you out," I said, my patience running thin. "Do it," she snapped back, challenging me. "Alright, don't say I didn't warn you," I said, flashing a smile before pressing the button near the bed. Moments later, AJ and Denzel, two of my biggest bodyguards, swung the door open.

"Please get her out of here," I said. They didn't hesitate, grabbing her and dragging her out as she screamed and kicked. I rolled my eyes, muttering to myself, "So fucking immature," before shutting the door behind me.

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Ontario, Canada.

Alliana's pov:

I groaned as I woke up, my eyes scanning the room. My bedroom was clean and well-organized, just the way I liked it. Being a lawyer, though, is anything but orderly. The job is hectic; piles of paperwork, endless regulations, and hardly any time for myself, let alone anyone else. After all, being a lawyer means you're always in charge, but it comes at a cost.

I sat up in bed and began searching for my phone. Despite my room looking neat, I always seem to lose track of it. After a few minutes of searching, I found it tucked near the bed frame. I unlocked it and started going through my emails, checking to see if any clients had reached out. Only three messages popped up; two were about payments, and one was regarding a conference.

Today, I had a scheduled meeting with one of my clients to discuss his case. What was his case, exactly? Well, it's a long story. He got into a car accident with another vehicle and ended up being sued over it. I've handled plenty of cases like this, so it doesn't faze me if they don't have solid proof. I put my phone down, fighting the urge to fall back asleep.

I followed my usual routine: getting up, showering, changing, and grabbing a quick bite to eat. Just to give some context, I don't work in a traditional office with other lawyers. Instead, I have my own setup downstairs in my lounge. No bosses, no co-workers. I find it pointless to have them when I work solo. Well, not completely solo. I do have an assistant, Souline, to help keep things running smoothly.

Souline Marie is the best assistant I've ever had, and I consider myself incredibly lucky to have found her. She arrives early, handles important calls, schedules appointments, and negotiates solid deals. And if that wasn't enough, her cooking is on another level. Sure, Ontario has some amazing restaurants, but when Souline cooks, it's like paradise on a plate.

She can make anything, and I guarantee you'd want her as your personal chef. But beyond her skills, she's also an incredible best friend. Even when you don't think you need her, she's there, reliable, thoughtful, and full of surprises. Every day, I learn something new about her, and that's what I admire the most. After finishing my morning routine, I got dressed for work, ready to take on the day.

I headed downstairs to make myself some breakfast when the door opened. I glanced over and saw Souline walking in. "Hey, mama!" she greeted cheerfully, giving me a quick peck on the cheek before setting her things down on a chair. "Morning, Soul. How are you?" I asked, cracking an egg into the pan. "I'm good. What about you?" she asked. "I'm fine, just getting started on breakfast. Want something?" I asked, but before I could say anything else, she was already stepping toward me.

"Sit down, girl. Let me handle this," she said, nudging me away from the stove. "But—" I started, only for her to cut me off with a pointed look. "Nope. Go start your work," she insisted, motioning toward my desk. "I'll whip up something quick, just get started." Knowing better than to argue, I sighed and took a seat, powering on my laptop. 

RING, RING, RING!

I quickly grabbed my phone from the tabletop and answered the call. "Thank you for contacting Mercedes Central. My name is Alliana Mercedes. How may I assist you?" The caller responded, "Hello, I'd like to schedule an appointment with you." I reached for my planner, flipping through the pages to find an available date. "I appreciate your call. I have an opening on October 3rd," I said, marking it down. "That works. What time?" the caller asked. I glanced at my schedule. "I'm available any time that day, but I'd recommend early in the morning," I suggested.

After hanging up the call, Souline walked over and took a seat. "Who was it?" she asked. "Someone requesting an appointment," I explained, setting my phone down. She nodded. "Nice. The food should be ready in about fifteen minutes." I gave a quick nod and took the time to tidy up my desk while waiting. Fourteen minutes later, Souline placed a plate in front of me with three pancakes and a glass of orange juice. My stomach immediately reacted, and without hesitation, I started eating.

"Slow down," she chuckled, watching me devour the food. "You don't want hiccups, especially when we have a client coming in." I slowed my pace slightly but kept eating, enjoying every bite. There was something about Souline's cooking that made even the simplest meals taste incredible. I finished in seven minutes and cleaned up. I drank the orange juice slowly and waited for it to metabolize. I stretched and dashed to the kitchen to put away my plate.

I returned to my desk and quickly sanitized everything, making sure my workspace was neat and organized. Brushing myself off, I sat down and prepared for the client's arrival. With everything set, I took out the necessary documents and paperwork, knowing that the sooner I wrapped up this meeting, the sooner I would get paid.

THUD, THUD, THUD!

Souline quickly opened the door and greeted our client with a warm smile. "Hello!" she said, stepping aside to let him in. "Hello," the client responded as he walked in. "Ms. Mercedes will be assisting you shortly," Souline assured him while guiding him toward my desk. As he approached, I stood up and offered a polite smile. "It's good to see you again!" I said, extending my hand for a handshake.