Chapter 132

Adrian's POV

Hearing those words from Mia was like a stab in the heart. What kind of life would I live if I was not in the Mafia? What good was I if I was not in that world? How was I going to survive outside of it?

I loved Mia. She knew that, but why was she so unwilling to trust me to care for her, to protect her and our child and to further love the both?

I could barely believe what she had said, but my reaction after she had said those words, and hers too after I reacted to those words further proved ithey were actually said.

I made my way back home in a daze. Moving out of her house, into my vehicle and driving through the roads to my house all felt like a dream.

I loved both stuff and having to choose one over the other was a hassle.

But, at the end of the day, I knew what I wanted.

The Mafia world gave the thrill, especially as a ‘boss’. Mia and the baby, my future family, gave the calmness, the stillness and the peace.

They both are a nice addition to my life, complimenting my life as a top mafia member here in Chicago.

Who was I if I was not the Adrian Sinclair of the Mafia?

There was no identity to hold on to, other than that.

I had worked up everything, building it up brick by brick, corner by corner and holding them all up together singlehandedly, ever since my dad handed them over.

I understood her reservations about my world, but she also had to understand, that we were a family as well.

Myself and the others built up a system that worked for us through everything life threw at us. Only rule, was not to get caught snitching and minding one's business.

I replayed her telling me to let it go over and over again.

Those words rang through my head multiple times and I could barely get them out.

I looked into space, unaware of it myself.

I sensed movements around me, but was too fixated on looking at nothing to pay attention to what was happening around me.

Bending to Mia's demands would mean forfeiting all of these. All of the hardwork I had put in would go to dust and I probably would never know what the future would hold for me in this world.

But not heeding to her words was going to mean staying away from both her and our child. Something I did not want at all. I wanted to experience all the stages of our child's growth, and at different times too.

Being in the Mafia world was going to hinder that, especially since she did not want to be a part of it any longer.

There was no way around it. She had put out her cards on the table and it was left for me to either play or leave the table.

Considering all of my options, I decided, playing was going to be better.

I was probably better off being a father and a partner to our child and Mia, than being a boss to an empire in the Mafia.

It was going to be more fulfilling watching our child grow and go through life just like I had done and with that, I decided I was going to step down.

“Boss!” I heard Christian call. I turned to look at him. He seemed to have been trying to get my attention for the longest of time. I wondered how long he was trying for.

Marcus stood by his side, having the same expression on his face.

I was not going to let him know of my decision now.

I needed to be sure that this was what I wanted before causing an uproar.

“Boss?” I heard him say again.

“Yes, Christian? What do you want?” I asked, smacking myself in the head, after realising how rude I sort of sounded.

“There is a meeting lined up for you soon. It would be necessary for the expansion.”

“Oh! I see. Who is with?”

“Richard.” he answered.

“Ricardo?” I further asked.

Marcus and Christian looked at each other amusedly.

He had a way of making people he considered to be new say his name in the English way.

I let out a laugh. He never changed. He could never.

“I'll be down in a minute.”

They both nodded, before letting me be.

I knew they were wondering what was up with me. They were probably worried about me, if anything.

I went to my bathroom, cleaning up and washing up, before proceeding to put on my cologne and coming back downstairs to see Ricardo.

“Ah! My very good friend, Adrian!” He hollered.

“It has been such a long time, Ricardo.” I said in return, smiling.

He lookede up and down, then proceeded to give me a brotherly hug, one with the tap at the back and all.

I laughed out.

“It has been a while, kiddo. I know I said this before, but you've grown a lot bigger since the last time I laid eyes on you.” He continued in his usual manner.

He called me kiddo as though he was so old. Our age difference was only ten years, but he never seized the opportunity to make me feel the weight of his seniority.

We talked business and soon enough, he stood up to go.

He was going to be back after I was ready to let him know of my terms and quotations.

I stood up to greet him goodbye and soon, he was on his way.

Now would be a good time to let my guys know I was probably not going to be back here. Not for a long time at least.

I was taking a very huge break and probably taking a bow.

Christian, Marcus, Martin and Bethany, amongst others were present while I made the announcement.

They were going to tell the others when I gave the go ahead order. It was probably going to be my last order to these men.

They were shocked, as it was clearly written all over their faces.

I had no idea what was in store for them in the future, but I had no doubt whatsoever that they were going to pull through.