Taken By The Mafia Lord

682 Die Without Regret

“Here, have this,” Adele handed the ice pack to Marcel who took it and pressed it to the corner of his eyes that was swollen.

Sure, with his youth and vigor, he was visibly stronger than his bastard of a father. However, Daniel had experience on his side and Marcel had not exactly been in his right senses when he attacked him, leading to the old man giving him this nasty bruise on his face.

However, Daniel had not gone scot-free either and had injuries that were far more worse than his and it was a satisfying result to Marcel. For the first time, he was not taking that man’s bullshit anymore. Daniel was able to maltreat his mother only because he was young and couldn’t do anything to help her.

But not Arianna. Even if the both of them were not together anymore, Marcel was not going to let Daniel use her for any diabolical plans he had in mind. Thanks to that, Marcel was beginning to wonder if it would be a good idea to get back together with Arianna. He just doesn’t know anymore.

“You know if by chance humans get to have superpowers, I wouldn’t be surprised if you turned out to be the hulk.” Adele laughed all by herself at the joke because the partner by her side didn’t react at all.

And that was awkward.

She cleared her throat, “What I’m trying to say is that I know how hard it is for you right now, but you should work on your temper, you know. Any of your enemies could take advantage of that to bring you down,” She added slowly, “Or even kill you.”

There was still no answer from Marcel, he just kept dabbing at the spot as if it were mere air speaking. So she continued, “If you had accidentally killed Daniel today, my family would have used that against you even though you did everyone a favor. They would want you to give up the position.”

“If I let them,” Marcel answered, finally lowering the ice pack, “They can only kick me out of the position if I let them.”

.....

Adele looked at him in confusion, what was he talking about?

“I can be worse than my father. I would oppress and eliminate every threat to my position. To preserve their lives and that of their children, your family would have no choice but to submit to my rule. Only then would I be the cold and invulnerable Mafia Lord.” Marcel said.

“But then you wouldn’t be Marcel anymore, would you? You would be the perfect emotionless, cold-hearted, killing machine that your father created.” Adele told him, “Killing to defend your family is understandable, but killing your family to keep a spot, that’s crossing the line and you lose everything, including the ones you love. But then, you’re not capable of that, are you?”

They stared into each other’s eyes for a while until Marcel looked away. He asked her, “What do you want?”

“In there a while ago, why did you defend me? Why help me keep my position when you knew well enough that I sabotaged the call from Arianna?”

Marcel arched a questioning brow.

“Yes, I know you knew what I did. You’re not exactly subtle in hiding your murderous looks,” She asked him boldly. “You could just sit there and let my family take care of everything. Good riddance! It would be. And you wouldn’t even need to raise a finger.”

“What do you think?” Marcel told her, “I’m not going to lie, the idea came to me at first. However, I told you from the very start, I admire hard-working women and you look like you have a lot of changes to make around here. Bring this family and organization to modern times. Moreover, I was acting rational, rather than on my emotions.”

“I’m sorry,” Adele finally apologized, “I was not thinking straight then and behaved stupidly. You were doing me a huge favor and I just didn’t realize it, blinded by emotions. Just because of Aziz...”

She corrected herself immediately, “Elijah apologized on a piece of paper, that doesn’t make things right. It doesn’t erase the fact that he used and betrayed me and nothing is going to change that. A blood debt is paid with blood. He should have known that when he caused the death of those men. ”

“Apology accepted. And you shouldn’t abort the baby as well,”

“What?!” Adele’s head whipped around so fast she almost snapped her neck in the process. She stared at Marcel with wide eyes, daring to believe what she just heard.

“You should keep the baby.” He said

Adele’s brows drew together, puzzled “But you said -”

“I know what I said, and I’m saying right now that you should give the child a chance to make that choice.”

“But the circumstances? My family? Our family? What if they don’t accept the child? What if my baby grows up hating me for bringing him or her into this world?”

“Do you hate your mother?” Marcel asked her out of nowhere.

“No!” Adele answered the question too quickly until she looked into Marcel’s eyes and had no choice but to answer honestly, “Maybe? Sometimes? I don’t know. Nonetheless, I’m happy to have come into this earth.”

“In that case, we’d leave that question to be answered years later by the child. And if he or she turns out to be a pain in the ass, I’m always here to straighten that attitude out.”

Yes, she could see, Adele thought inwardly.

“As for our family? You’re the underboss, got that? They get to fuck around with you if you let them. Perhaps, it’s time you realize the authority your position entitles you to.”.

Adele stared at Marcel open-mouthed, a tear slipping down her cheek. Out of nowhere, she threw herself on Marcel and hugged him tightly.

“Ah, better be careful there, otherwise you turn soft. That would be your weakness, you know that?” Marcel teased her.

“Thank you,” Adele chuckled amid the tears. She was so happy that she could die right now without any regret.