My Childhood Bully is a Mafia Boss-Chapter 68

Aidan

Muscles strained against the cords binding my wrists, the fibers of the rope biting into my skin. My chest tightened, a drumbeat of fear and fury thumping through my veins as I watched him – Raphael, that snake – circle Ivy like a predator. Her company, her dream on the line, all because of my own damned mistakes.

Anger surged through me as I had to watch her sign that paper and hand it over to him.

And then, in a not so surprising twist, Raphael announced he was never going to release me in the first place.

Yeah, no shit.

"Running a legitimate business isn’t as easy as you think," Ivy was saying, her voice steady. "You’ll need me to manage it, or it will fall apart. Without me, you’ll lose everything you think you’ve gained."

"You make a compelling argument," Raphael said, grinning. "Which is why I am also making you mine."

I knew it. That bastard was always jealous of what I had.

"Um...I don’t think so. I am not interested in you," Ivy said and tried to step back but Raphael grabbed her arm.

I surged forward, but the ropes around me restrained me, and Raphael’s guard shot me a warning look. "Don’t touch her, Raphael!" I shouted, and my voice came out hoarse and furious.

"Look at you," Raphael’s voice slithered through the room, oily and dark. "The mighty Aidan is helpless against me."

I ignored his taunts, focus narrowing to the tight rope digging into my wrists.

"Did you really think you could outplay me?" His smirk widened as he. "You’re nothing but a romantic fool, Aidan. And fools,"—he leaned closer, whispering now—"they die painful deaths."

"Why are you doing this?" Ivy asked. I could tell she was trying to be brave, but I didn’t miss the tremor in her voice.

"Because he is jealous," I hissed.

Raphael threw his head back and laughed. "Jealous? Of you? Don’t forget who built you, kid."

Ivy’s eyes turned wide. "What is he talking about, Aidan?" she asked me.

Just then, the door burst open, and men stormed in, weapons drawn.

I smirked as I saw James. But where was Joseph?

"Let her go, Raphael," James commanded, aiming his gun at Raphael’s head.

Raphael raised his hands in mock surrender. "Ah, the cavalry arrives," he said with a sneer. "How predictable."

The room erupted into chaos. Raphael’s guards reacted instantly, drawing their own guns and barking orders.

Ivy took the opportunity to dart towards me.

"There’s a small knife in my back pocket. I just can’t reach it," I breathed.

She dug the knife out of my pocket and started sawing through the ropes binding my wrists. The fibers gave way just as the first shots rang out, deafening in the confined space.

I sprang to my feet, muscles screaming in protest but adrenaline propelling me forward. I yanked Ivy behind me, shielding her with my body as I assessed the situation. Raphael’s men were skilled, but James and his team were relentless, their training and determination evident in every move.

One of Raphael’s guards lunged at us, gun raised. I twisted, grabbing the gun barrel and slamming it upwards. The guard’s shot went wide, shattering an ornate chandelier. I drove my elbow into his face, feeling the satisfying crunch of bone. He dropped like a stone.

Raphael retreated behind his guards, a malevolent grin twisting his features. "Kill them all except the woman!" he shouted, his voice a harsh bark over the cacophony.

James’s men pushed forward, a tide of black suits and flashing muzzles. The air filled with the acrid scent of gunpowder and the sharp tang of blood.

Another guard lunged at me, but I was ready. I sidestepped his attack, using his momentum against him to throw him into the wall. A quick jab to the throat, and he went down gasping.

Ivy was still behind me, her eyes wide but determined. She had grabbed a gun from one of the fallen guards and was scanning the room, ready to defend herself. "Stay close," I shouted over the din.

James closed in on Raphael, who was backing away, his earlier confidence waning. "It’s over, Raphael!" James yelled, his gun trained on the crime boss.

But Raphael wasn’t done. With a snarl, he pulled a concealed knife from his belt and lunged at James. I moved to intercept, tackling Raphael to the ground. We rolled, grappling for control of the knife. He was strong, but rage and desperation gave me an edge.

I managed to wrench the knife from his grip and tossed it aside. Raphael’s eyes blazed with fury as he tried to break free, but I pinned him down, pressing a knee into his chest. "This ends now," I growled.

Behind me, James’s men secured the remaining guards. The room fell silent, save for the heavy breathing of exhausted fighters. James stepped forward, his gun still trained on Raphael. "It’s over, Raphael. You’re done."

Raphael laughed, a broken, bitter sound. "This isn’t the end, Blackwood. You know that. There will always be another."

"Maybe," I said, "but you won’t be around to see it."

James’s men hauled Raphael to his feet and restrained him. I turned to Ivy, who looked shaken but unhurt. Relief flooded through me, and I pulled her into a tight embrace. "Are you okay?" I asked, my voice rough with emotion.

She nodded, burying her face in my shoulder. "I am now."

James approached us, his expression grim but relieved. "Sorry, we are late. Had to make some arrangements."

I nodded. "Where is Joseph?"

James’s face fell. "Him...he didn’t make it through the raid."

I sighed. Joseph was rough around the edges and far from a good man, but he was capable and my right-hand man. "You will take his place," I said to James.

James nodded. "Thank you, Boss."

"Take Raphael to the warehouse," I ordered.

James nodded and signaled his men. They dragged Raphael, still defiant, towards the exit. I watched them go, my mind racing with the implications of what had just happened. The immediate threat was over, but the fallout would be extensive. Raphael’s network was vast, and his removal would create a dangerous power vacuum.

I turned to Ivy, who was watching Raphael being led away with a mixture of relief and lingering fear. "Let’s go home," I said.

She looked up at me, her eyes searching mine. "Aidan, what did Raphael mean when he said he built you?"

I took a deep breath, knowing this moment would come. "It’s complicated, Ivy. Raphael and I have a history."

Ivy narrowed her eyes. "I want more explanation than that, Aidan."

I ran a hand through my hair, considering our options. "We can talk about this later. Right now, I need to get you home safe."

Ivy opened her mouth as if to argue but stopped. "Fine. We can talk about it later."

James approached us, his face set with determination. "Raphael’s being taken to the warehouse."

I nodded, my voice firm. "Good. Make sure he’s secured and that no one, absolutely no one outside our trusted circle, knows where he’s being held. We can’t afford any leaks."

"What do you plan on doing with him?" Ivy asked, her eyes wide.

I looked at her and grinned darkly. "Do you really want to know?"

Ivy hesitated, worry flickering her eyes. "I suppose not," she admitted.

I nodded. "Some things are better left unsaid. Trust me, Ivy, this is one of them."

James looked between us and gave a curt nod. "I’ll take care of it, Boss," he said, turning to leave and ensuring Raphael was securely handled.

As James and my men led Raphael away, I felt the weight of the moment settle over me. The adrenaline was wearing off, leaving behind a bone-deep weariness. I turned back to Ivy, taking her hand gently. "Let’s get out of here."

Ivy took a shuddering breath, her body still trembling from the adrenaline of the unexpected turn of events. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

The car ride was filled with a serene silence, broken only by the gentle squeeze of our intertwined hands. As she turned to me and flashed a smile, my heart skipped a beat and then squeezed tightly.

In that moment, I realized how close I had come to losing her and it made me appreciate her all the more.

"Where are we going? This is not the road to go to the house, right?" Ivy asked.

I nodded. "We are not going back to the house. I am taking you to one of my other houses. A safe house."

She gasped. "How many of those do you have!?"

I couldn’t help but chuckle at her reaction. "Enough to keep us safe in situations like this," I replied, trying to ease her mind.

Ivy’s eyes widened with disbelief. "You have other houses? And you never mentioned them before?"

"I didn’t think it was necessary to bring up until now," I explained. "But I promise you’ll be safe there."

She let out a humorless laugh. "Will I ever truly be safe, Aidan?"

Ivy’s question lingered in the air, a reminder of the danger that constantly surrounded us. I reached over and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"I will do everything in my power to keep you safe, Ivy," I said firmly. "I promise."

She nodded, but I could see the worry still etched on her face. I wanted to take it away, to make her feel at ease, but I knew it was going to take more than just words.