Chapter 76: Power, and money

Carrie

I'd be lying if I said I wasn’t aware of the magnitude of Alessandro’s response. From his earlier altercation with his grandfather, I could tell that something that broke their family happened two years ago.

So, while Alessandro’s response settled in my mind, I admonished myself to carefully weigh the way I’d react to his coming words.

“Carrie?” Alessandro’s thick accent pulled me out of my thoughts and caused me to stop glaring at the pathway leading to the entrance of the house. “Let’s head in. You shouldn’t stand outside for too long.”

“Okay,” I quietly agreed and allowed the nice feeling of his hand resting against my back.

Once we were inside the house, which was furnished in a way that exceeded my imagination, we headed for the living room, which had simply designed sofas and some minimalist decor filling its space.

“Let me help you with that,” Alessandro swiftly broke the silence in our midst, and he reached to take off my shoes. Once my feet were free and wiggling their toes, the man dashed me a smile of admiration. “You should not have to stress so much over-”

“Oh, can you fucking stop being dramatic? I am sure Sister can take off her shoes by herself,” Eduardo mercilessly ruined Alessandro’s attempt to be cringe and cute.

“What’s your problem? My wife-to-be is with child, and she has to-”

“He is right, Alessandro. I can take off my shoes on my own.”

“Oh.”

I didn’t think Alessandro, this crazy mafia dude, would find my words saddening.

I followed the expression on his face as he sat next to me.

It was indeed weird to see him acting so sullen over something as little as taking off my shoes.

“Well…” I tugged two of his fingers to grab his attention. “For now, I’ll be able to take off my shoes. But my belly might get too big later, and I’ll need your help by that time. Will you be around to do that for me?”

Why does it feel like I am talking to a small child?

And as though I had asked something silly, Alessandro briefly frowned. “Of course.” He shifted closer. “Of course, I’ll be here. I’m going nowhere.”

“Good.”

“Oh God…” Eduardo groaned from where he was, and we faced him at the same time. “Do you two think you are the only ones in a relationship? I also know how to make cheesy remarks and-”

“Don’t interfere when my flower and I are talking. I’ll rip out your tongue if you are not careful.”

“Wow.” Eduardo’s face was blank in contrast to the marvel in his voice. “I am so scared right now. I might not have my tongue the next time I complain about your chumminess.”

“My chumminess?” Alessandro whipped his friend with his eyes.

“Just so you know,” Eduardo crossed his legs, “you are not so much of a lover kind of person. So it’s weird and super creepy to hear you make lovey-dovey statements. It makes me want to tear my ears off.”

“Help yourself out. You’ll hear more of my chumminess from now on.”

I didn’t know how immersed I was in their conversation until I laughed out loud to the men’s surprise.

“What’s so funny, Sister?”

“Nothing. You are both very cute. It’s really hard to believe that you do what you do.”

“Oh, do you mean ruining people’s lives and claiming things that are not ours?” Eduardo shrugged. “To others, what we do is dirty and disgusting. It repels those who think they are living an honest life. But in reality, we are more sincere than them. We don’t hide who we are. The very moment we understood that this world works in favour of those with the power, we fully embraced the beauty of our profession even though it comes with its dangers.”

“So, you are doing this for power and money?” I did not expect our conversation to head in that direction, but I was certainly interested.

“Of course. No matter the profession, a lot of people do the things they do because of money and sometimes, power.”

“Alessandro,” I faced the man who was back to wearing his stoic expression, “is that true?”

“There is no lie in what he said,” he answered.

“So, have you been able to find money and power in your profession?” I questioned.

Eduardo chuckled hard and replied before my man could, “Of course. How else can we afford the life we live?”

“Hmm. What happens now that you’ve found money and power?”

My question was still directed at Alessandro. I guess you can say that I am still trying hard to understand his way of life.

“Carrie,” Alessandro locked eyes with me, “no human on earth is fully satisfied with their accomplishments. Once we conquer one step, once we fulfil a desire, we unlock another and proceed.”

I nodded. In a way, I relate to that. “What’s the new desire you have?”

“To protect you.”

“Oh…” The way my heart thudded could not be ignored. I think Alessandro heard it too. “I uh…” My throat made clearing noises. “I thought you wanted to be the mafia king.”

“A person can have multiple desires. Before you came into my life, I only wished to avenge my brother’s death and to become the king. Now, I want those and to protect you.”

His brother’s death…

“And you are already fulfilling that desire,” I said.

“Yes.” He nodded, his gorgeous eyes staying glued on me in a way that made me feel mushy inside. “I am.”

“Carrie,” Eduardo then butted in with a serious tone, “I know that it’s hard for you to understand us, but we do what we have to do to make sure we remain powerful and alive. Even if we have to get rid of a multitude, as long as we are alive, it doesn’t matter.”

“What if those you’ve killed come back for revenge in some way?”

“What?”

“Getting rid of people obviously equals killing them. What happens when that backfires?”

“Carrie, it seems you’ve misread something.” Eduardo showed great displeasure.

“I have?”

“We don’t kill innocent people. We don’t touch those who don’t have anything to do with us.”

“Oh.”

“Carrie,” Alessandro took over, “we only get rid of those who cross our paths and refuse to do the needful. We are not like the gangs that take bloodbaths to the streets. At CDP, our code ensures we cherish the lives of those who have absolutely nothing to do with us.”

“Oh…” I nodded my head as though I totally understood. “Frank crossed your path. He died because of that.”

“He died because he dared to lay his filthy hands on you. He tried to harm you,” Alessandro’s words came out so harshly, his wrath made my spine itch as if his fury was directed at me.