My Childhood Bully is a Mafia Boss-Chapter 61

Aidan

My cellphone phone buzzed on the glass coffee table next to me. I snatched it up and pressed it to my ear.

"This is Aidan," I answered.

"Mr. Blackwood," a voice stammered on the other end. "There’s been a fire at the Pizza restaurant."

"Which one?" I demanded, my grip tightening around the phone.

"Red Moon Pizza. I’m sorry."

"Damn it," I muttered under my breath, anger bubbling beneath the surface. Red Moon was one of my top places used for money laundering.

"Keep everyone away from the scene. I’ll be there shortly." I hung up without waiting for a response. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

As I sped through the city streets with my men, I could feel a headache forming in my temple. Things were going so well, now this...

When I arrived at the smoldering ruins of Red Moon, I couldn’t help but wince at the sight that greeted me. The restaurant had been reduced to a charred carcass, the acrid smell of smoke hanging heavy in the air. My fists clenched involuntarily, nails digging into my palms as I surveyed the damage.

"Boss," Joseph cleared his throat and asked, "What do you want us to do?"

The smell of fear, sweat, and smoke mingled in the air as I turned my attention to Joseph.

"Talk to me," I demanded as I turned to some of the employees that huddled in the corner. "How did the fire start?"

"Boss, we didn’t see anything," one employee stammered, his hands shaking. "It happened so fast, and by the time we realized what was going on, it was too late."

"Too late?" I gritted my teeth, frustration boiling within me. "You’re telling me no one saw a single thing?"

"Wait!" Another employee piped up, her eyes darting around nervously. "I heard some people talking about Slava earlier. They said his men were seen in the area."

"Slava." The name tasted bitter on my tongue. I thought we were done with him. I gave up my sister to him, for fuck’s sake.

I took another deep breath, trying to contain my rage as I turned to face Joseph. "Let’s go pay him a visit."

Joseph scowled. "Are you sure that’s a good idea? We just settled the war with him."

"We didn’t settle shit. I merely decided to leave him alone because of Ellie. But this fire..."

Joseph interrupted me. "We don’t know for sure Slava did this."

"Then who?" I nearly roared. "Let’s go, now!"

Joseph sighed, suddenly looking tired. "Alright, but please stay calm."

As we went toward the front door of Slava’s mansion, guards rose from their posts, trying to stop us.

"Tell your boss Aidan Blackwood is here to see him," I demanded.

~-~

Slava sat in his leather chair, a glass of scotch in hand, looking every bit the lord of his domain. He raised an eyebrow at my entrance. "I can’t seem to get rid of you, Blackwood. Why is that?"

"You set my restaurant on fire." I spat out the words like bullets.

"Now, wait just a minute," Slava replied casually, taking a sip from his drink. "I didn’t touch your businesses."

"Why should I believe you?" I roared.

Slava sighed as if impatient. "Be-cause, Blackwood. I promised your sister I will leave you alone and I am a man of my word."

I narrowed my eyes, studying Slava’s expression for any hint of deception. "Your word means nothing to me," I snapped, my voice laced with contempt. "And don’t you dare mention my sister."

Slava’s facade of calm cracked slightly, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features. "Look, Blackwood, I may be many things, but I’m not a liar. I had no reason to set fire to your restaurant."

I scoffed, my fists clenching at my sides. "Oh, I’m sure you had plenty of reasons. Maybe you’re just trying to start another war."

Slava leaned back in his chair, swirling the amber liquid in his glass thoughtfully. "Why would I want another war? I’ve had enough of your stupid face. Besides, we technically since you will be my child’s dear uncle."

I winced as I remembered Ellie saying she was pregnant with this bastard’s child.

Slava’s face hardened. "Listen, Blackwood. You and I aren’t on the best of terms. But I want you to understand I am not responsible for the fire that destroyed your restaurant."

"Then who did?" I demanded, my patience wearing thin.

Slava shrugged nonchalantly, taking another sip of his drink. "Who knows? Maybe it was just a random act of arson. Or perhaps one of your other enemies is trying to send you a message."

I gritted my teeth, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. I wanted to argue with him more, but I stopped when I felt Joseph’s heavy hand on my shoulder.

"What?" I barked at Joseph.

Joseph’s voice cracked with urgency as he handed me his cell phone. "Mason just sent me a message, and you might want to see this."

I took the phone from Joseph’s outstretched hand, my heart racing as I read the message. A photo of a familiar face filled the screen, and my stomach churned in recognition.

It was Johnny, one of Raphael Sinclaire’s henchmen, standing casually in front of Red Moon Pizza just moments before the fire broke out. The flames licked at the edges of the frame, sending shivers down my spine.

"What the hell..." I muttered, my mind racing with questions and suspicions.

Joseph peered over my shoulder, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Boss, is that...?"

I nodded grimly, my jaw clenched so tight I thought my teeth might shatter under the pressure. "But why the fuck would Raphael set fire to my restaurant? We had an agreement not to cross each other anymore." My words were laced with anger and betrayal as I stared at the photo, trying to make sense of it all.

Joseph’s brows furrowed in concern as he glanced between me and the phone. "I don’t know, Boss. But it looks like Raphael’s breaking our truce."

Anger surged through me, hot and fierce. I clenched my fists, my knuckles turning white with the force. "That son of a bitch," I growled, the words barely more than a low rumble.

"We need to make him pay for this," Joseph said, his voice steely with determination.

I nodded, my mind already racing with plans for retaliation.

"Well, there you go. Now you know it wasn’t me. Now get the fuck out of my house," Slava barked irritably.

I shot him a glare but then softened my gaze. "How is Ellie?" I asked gently. No matter how much she hated me now, she was still my little sister, and I still worried about her.

"She’s just fine," he replied dismissively.

"If I find out if you’re mistreating her..." I stopped as he raised a palm.

"She is none of your concern anymore, Blackwood," he barked.

I clenched my jaw, struggling to keep my temper in check. "Just... take care of her," I bit out, my voice tight with frustration.

With one last glare, I turned on my heel and stormed out of Slava’s mansion, Joseph following close behind me.

As we made our way back to the car, my mind raced with thoughts of retaliation against Raphael Sinclaire. Raphael was a powerful man, and he wouldn’t make it easy for me to defeat him, but I couldn’t just let him get away with it.

As I pushed open the door to my home, I saw Ivy sitting on the couch. Her normally bright and cheerful face was now etched with worry, her eyebrows furrowed in deep thought. My heart clenched at the sight of her like this. "What’s wrong?" I asked, stepping closer to her.

She looked up at me, her eyes shining with a mix of emotions. "Aidan," she said softly, her voice trembling slightly.

My concern grew as I took in her appearance. "Yes?"

Ivy hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "I...I have something to tell you," she stated nervously.

My mind immediately went to worst-case scenarios, images of Raphael and his threats flashing through my mind. "What happened?" I asked urgently.

She shook her head quickly, causing strands of her hair to fall out of place. "No, nothing bad happened," she reassured me. "It’s...it’s about us."

My heart rate slowed down a bit at her words, but I still couldn’t shake off the unease that had settled in my stomach. "What about us?" I prodded, wanting to know more.

Ivy’s lips pressed into a thin line as if she was still deciding whether or not to share whatever was on her mind with me.

But before she could say anything further, I noticed a tremor running through her body. She was trying hard to hold back the news she had for me.

I sat down beside her, gently placing a hand on her knee, and tried to make eye contact with her. "Ivy," I started softly, "you can tell me anything. We’re in this together."

She let out a deep breath and looked straight into my eyes. "I...I am pregnant." Her eyes flickered with uncertainty as she awaited my reaction.