chapter[44]

chapter[44]
CHAPTER 44

Noah.

Hello, and welcome to my second land—Russia. This vast and formidable nation stood as a beacon of monumental importance to us after our dealings in Italy. Here, in this sprawling expanse, the mafia members and the sly businessmen operating in the shadows were often shielded by the very authorities meant to uphold the law and maintain order. In our world, we engage in the intricacies of politics, and through this engagement, we maintain a delicate balance on this earth. Russia was the best at playing this dangerous game. They understood the intricate dance of power and control that governs our existence, recognizing that to gain something significant, one often has to relinquish something else. In this case, they opted wisely not to attack us. Instead, they forged a strategic agreement with us, protecting our interests in exchange for a share in the control of the world around us—a mutually beneficial arrangement that neither of us could afford to break.

They recognized that making us their enemies would be a grave mistake. Sure, they were strong, perhaps even more militarily capable than many, but we were a family—a powerful family that held sway over a vast number of countries and territories. Our influence was not solely the result of illegal operations; we wielded power through vast wealth, legitimate business dealings, and by securing the highest positions within various governments. Among us were governors, mayors, and ambassadors, each one a pawn in the larger game we played. The most remarkable part of it all was that I controlled each of those men. I was the mastermind, the strategist, the king of this mafia family. I am Noah Blanco Corsini, the most feared man alive in the underworld.

As soon as my feet touched the soil of Russia, I inhaled deeply, filling my lungs with the rich, crisp air that always bolstered my sense of authority and power. There was absolutely no question in my mind that the Russians were unparalleled in their ability to manufacture weapons. Their military forces were the strongest, standing head and shoulders above all others in sheer might and technological advancement. By forming an alliance with our family, they had become an unbreakable force, undefeated and formidable, a bulwark against any that would dare oppose us.

The intricacies of this power play were immense and complex, but I was the best to have ever held this title. I had battled against small, dirty gangs for years until I finally achieved my current position five years ago. I was the youngest in my role, yet I was the most dominant because fear had never been a companion of mine. I had never been afraid of death, and that fearlessness was what drew me, almost effortlessly and unconsciously, to Selena. She was everything I was, but in a purer form, a counterbalance to the darkness that surrounded me.

She was the angel, and I was the devil. She radiated love for everyone, casting an ethereal glow wherever she went, while I nurtured a deep-seated disdain for humanity. She cared for others deeply, while I barely acknowledged their existence; when I did, it often meant their end. She held a gun to protect lives she didn't even know, while I wielded mine to extinguish lives, even those of people I might have once called friends. Our worlds were starkly different, yet somehow they intertwined, and I was both captivated and terrified by that connection.

Selena was beloved by all, while I was despised by anyone who even heard my name. Sure, a few men and women in the business world had pursued me under the guise of affection. But they were after the top of the cake; they wanted everything, including me. It wasn't true love—they were merely after power, status, and the influence that came with associating with someone like me. Honestly, I didn't know what real love was. Maybe it was because I had never cared enough to find out. Perhaps some of them genuinely loved me, but I had no intention of delving into that emotional mire. I felt no urgency to share my life with anyone, believing that solitude was my ally, until Selena stepped into my world.

But with Selena, everything was different. I longed to share every part of me with her, every secret, every fear, every twisted thought and ambition. Yet, fear gripped me. Yes, the most ruthless, heartless man in the world was afraid—afraid of the one person I loved. It pained me to conceal anything from her, but I felt I had no other choice. I had no clue how she would react to the truth of my identity. I knew she had supported me in the past, but she had made it clear: if she ever discovered that I was still involved in illegal business, she would walk away from me forever, leaving me in a pit of despair.

Deep down, I knew she wouldn't go anywhere. I knew that if she did, I would somehow manage to win her back on the very same day. But I couldn't force my wife, my heart, my soulmate, to stay. The thought of looking directly into her eyes, only to see disappointment and blame, sent chills down my spine. I lacked the courage to face her in that moment. My addiction to her was overwhelming—an insatiable hunger that gnawed at my very being.

When she raised her voice at me, when she commanded me to do something—she was the only person bold enough to do so, because I willingly surrendered myself to her. She was the commander of the commander. If only she realized that she could rule the world through me, if only she could navigate the depths of my mind and support me in my endeavors, we would undoubtedly conquer the world together, ruling over empires built on fear and admiration.

These thoughts consumed me, daydreams and overthinking fueled by the guilt that plagued my mind, all stemming from the secrets I kept from her. Eventually, I snapped back to reality as I arrived at my castle in Russia. Yes, a castle, complete with an army of loyal soldiers and trained enforcers. It was conveniently close to my airport—an asset for my business dealings and clandestine operations. I couldn't allow anyone to trace my movements, which is why I owned one of the largest airlines in the world, providing me the mobility I needed to stay one step ahead of my enemies.

I instructed my men to arrange the gathering earlier than usual because I wished to return home swiftly. Ideally, I wanted to complete this in less than two days. However, sometimes these matters extended beyond a week, dragging on with the weight of unresolved issues and lingering animosities.

As I entered, my men welcomed me warmly, and I reciprocated with a nod, a silent acknowledgment of our shared purpose. I hurried inside, eager to meet the others in the meeting room. They were waiting with palpable anticipation, the air thick with tension and expectation, every man aware of the stakes involved.

I signaled for them to take their seats; meetings always commenced with the leaders—those in charge of every territory we controlled, each one a vital piece in our grand game of chess. Afterward, we would move to a ballroom, allowing our second-in-commands to learn the outcomes of our discussions and understand their roles in the upcoming strategies we would implement.

This time, however, there was an air of worry among them. Business had taken a downturn since my marriage. My enemies believed they could easily bring me down, convinced that my love would render me vulnerable, an easy target for their schemes. But they were mistaken. Yes, Selena was my weak point, but I had proven to them that I was far from weak.

Sam, the man who controlled Russia, stepped forward, his expression grave. "Welcome, Mr. Noah. I have an urgent matter to discuss with you," he said, urgency lacing his voice, a note of fear that was difficult to ignore.

I nodded, gesturing for him to continue, my mind racing as I anticipated the nature of his concerns.

"Sir, this issue isn't even based in Russia. There are intruders—one of our own has exposed us to our enemies," he explained, his voice strained with the weight of the revelation.

I narrowed my eyes, perplexed and alarmed. "What do you mean?" I demanded, my tone sharp as I leaned forward, intent on understanding the gravity of the situation.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady his emotions. "Sir, you need to deal with Gareth. I don't understand why you let him go so easily. Nobody enters this family and lives to tell the tale. That’s the first rule. Now, he’s killed a few of our men and attempted to sabotage one of our biggest deals ever. I’ve heard he’s planning to kill your wife,” Sam revealed, his worries evident in his trembling voice.

I stood up, slamming my hands onto the table with a force that startled everyone in the room. "What the hell are you talking about? Who told you this? Why didn’t you alert me sooner?" I advanced toward him, gripping him by the neck, my rage bubbling to the surface.

He struggled to breathe, panic flashing in his eyes. "Sir," he croaked, his words barely escaping his lips, filled with desperation.

I released my grip, allowing him to breathe as I awaited his explanation, my heart pounding in my chest. "We took his second-in-command hostage, and he informed us that Gareth plans to kill your wife to destroy you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, each word sending a chill down my spine.

I gritted my teeth, rage boiling within me, a tempest of fury and fear. "Then he will be dead! I let him go because he was my best friend. I never imagined he would—my wife? She is my life. She is not my weak spot! He is dead wrong. If anything happens to her, I will kill every single one of you and dismantle this so-called mafia!" I declared, my voice calm yet dripping with menace, leaving them all in stunned silence, the gravity of my threat hanging in the air.

I nodded to reaffirm my intent. "Yes, I will ensure that none of you survive, and I will torture every last one of your families. Trust me, I am more powerful now than I was before." A devilish smirk crossed my face, a promise of the chaos I would unleash.

One of my men stammered, "But this means—"

I silenced him with a pointed finger, my patience wearing thin. "No more words. I am loyal to this family, but the first rule is that we are a family, and we must protect one another, especially the king. Now, if you couldn't protect me and my wife, what does that say about you?" I glared at him, my eyes fierce and unyielding.

He nodded, agreeing with my sentiment but remained silent, the weight of my words pressing down on him. The room was thick with tension, but I kept my emotions in check. Deep down, worry and anger coursed through me. I knew I had to eliminate Gareth before his treacherous hands could touch my wife, before he could turn my life into a nightmare I could not escape.

I sat back down, redirecting the meeting to other pressing matters, trying to maintain control over the unfolding chaos. I decided to defer discussions about my wife until I was with all the second-in-commands; it was a topic best discussed in their presence, where loyalty could be tested and alliances solidified.

After more than eight grueling hours, the meeting concluded. My men were exhausted and needed a break, and so did I. But rest was a luxury I couldn’t afford, not when I was away from Selena. I instructed them to move to the ballroom immediately; I needed to resolve this tonight, before the sun rose and risked losing everything.

I called my men to check on Selena and learned that she was sleeping peacefully. I refrained from waking her; she deserved her rest, especially given how exhausting this pregnancy had been for her. It was a time of great change, and I wanted to shield her from the darkness that surrounded my life.

As I made my way to the ballroom, I began gathering suggestions on how to deal with Gareth before he could make his next move. However, everyone was on edge, claiming there was an intruder among us—someone had betrayed us to Gareth. I didn’t have the luxury of conducting loyalty tests; trust was a fragile commodity in this world, and I couldn’t afford to lose any more men.

I laid out my plan but altered the timing, as I intended to return to Italy first to be with Selena. It was a risky decision; I wouldn’t jeopardize her life. I felt a fierce protectiveness rise within me, a primal urge to shield her from the consequences of my choices.

Within a few hours, everything was set. I tried to call Selena to inform her I was on my way home, to reassure her that I was safe and that nothing would come between us. But she didn’t answer. After several attempts, I received a chilling text from her phone: "This kid will never be born. She is mine forever."

Each word felt like a dagger plunging into my heart, shattering my world into pieces.