Chapter 15: A mission to accomplish

Ana
I woke up to the first rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains in the room. For a moment, I felt disoriented, not remembering exactly where I was. But the warmth of the bed and the tempting aroma of something delicious brought me back to reality.
When I opened my eyes completely, I found Paolo standing by the bed with a breakfast tray in his hands. My surprise was so great that I sat up abruptly, forgetting for a moment the accumulated fatigue of the last few days.
"Good morning, Ana." Paolo smiled, his expression soft and relaxed. "I thought you could use a good breakfast after the night we had."
"You... you brought me breakfast in bed?" I asked, still incredulous.
"Yes," he replied, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Why are you so surprised?"
I leaned back against the pillows, trying to process what I was seeing.
"Because it's not something you'd expect from a mobster," I said with a soft laugh. "This seems like something out of a fantasy, not the life we lead."
Paolo placed the tray on the nightstand and sat down next to me, his eyes fixed on mine with an intensity that took my breath away.
"Sometimes, even in our life, there is room for small moments of normalcy and care. I want you to know that you can stay here as long as you want. You don't have to face everything alone."
His words touched me deeply, awakening a mix of emotions that I had been trying to keep under control.
"Paolo... I don't know what to say," I admitted, my voice barely a whisper.
"You don't have to say anything. I just want you to know that I'm here for you, for anything you need."
The breakfast consisted of a variety of fresh fruits, freshly baked bread, and a steaming cup of my favorite coffee. As we ate together, Paolo and I talked about everything and nothing, enjoying the rare opportunity to just be ourselves, without the masks we wore in the outside world.
"This coffee is amazing," I said, savoring each sip. "I don't remember the last time I could enjoy something so simple."
Paolo smiled, pleased.
"I'm glad you like it. I wanted you to have a quiet morning before today's mission."
Remembering the mission brought me back to reality, but instead of feeling overwhelmed, I found comfort in Paolo's presence by my side.
"Thank you, Paolo. Not just for the breakfast, but for being here. I really appreciate it."
"Always, Ana," he replied, gently squeezing my hand. "I'll always be here for you."
We sat in silence for a moment, enjoying the peace of the morning. I knew that the day ahead would be difficult, but for the first time in a long time, I felt like I wasn't alone in this.
"So, are you ready for today?" Paolo asked, his tone serious but with a touch of tenderness.
I nodded, determined.
"Yes. And with your support, I know we can do it. We'll be a strong team."
Paolo smiled, his confidence in me evident.
"That's right. Together, there's nothing we can't overcome."
We finished breakfast and got ready to face the day. As I got dressed, I found myself looking at Paolo, who was organizing some papers on the desk.
"Paolo, how do you manage to stay calm in the midst of all this?"
He turned to me, his gaze soft but firm.
"Because I know that every decision I make is for a greater purpose. And now, that purpose includes protecting you and making sure our alliance is solid."
His words gave me strength and determination. I knew that with Paolo by my side, I could face anything the day brought. As we left the room together, ready for the mission that awaited us, I felt a renewed sense of hope and confidence in what we were building.
After our quiet breakfast, Paolo and I got to work preparing for the mission. His behavior had been surprisingly tender and human, a facet he rarely showed. But now, as we got ready, his imposing and authoritative nature resurfaced, reminding me that I was facing a man feared and respected in our world.
I quickly dressed in appropriate clothing for the mission: dark, fitted clothing that would allow me to move easily. Paolo, for his part, looked imposing in his black suit and determined expression. As he adjusted his watch, I noticed the intensity in his gaze, a mix of determination and ruthlessness that only he could master.
"Ana, today is a crucial day," he said, his voice firm. "We must be prepared for anything."
I nodded, adjusting the belt with my weapons.
"I'm ready."
We left the house and got into the car that would take us to the meeting point. The ride was silent, both of us focused on what was to come. Finally, we arrived at the agreed-upon location, an abandoned factory on the outskirts of the city.
As we got out of the car, I saw my uncle Marco and Dante waiting for us. I felt a mix of emotions seeing them, but I focused on what was important. I walked straight over to Marco, leaving Dante in the background.
"Uncle, everything is ready," I said without hesitation. "Paolo and I are here to do our part."
Marco nodded, his gaze assessing both Paolo and me.
"Good, Ana. I trust you will do what it takes to make this work."
Before I could respond, I heard Dante approach and address Paolo with a threatening voice.
"Paolo, you better not try anything," Dante said, his tone icy. "If you do anything that puts Ana in danger, you'll regret it."
Paolo turned to him slowly, a sardonic smile curving his lips.
"Dante, do you really think you intimidate me?" His voice was soft but full of menace. "Don't forget who you're talking to. I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty if necessary."
The silence that followed was tense, charged with a latent violence that could explode at any moment. However, before the situation could escalate, I intervened.
"Enough. We're here to carry out a mission, not to fight each other. Leave your differences aside for now."
Dante looked at me with a mixture of frustration and concern, but he stepped back, yielding to my authority. Paolo, for his part, simply nodded, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that made me shiver.
"As you wish, Ana. I'm here to support you, as always."
I took a deep breath, knowing that the real test was yet to come. With Paolo by my side, I felt safer, but I also knew that his ruthlessness could emerge at any moment. As we prepared to enter the factory, I felt a mix of anticipation and nervousness.
The abandoned factory turned out to be a mere meeting point. Our real objective was a bar in the city center, a discreet place where a small rival mafia met to conduct their business. The plan was simple but dangerous: to enter, steal a briefcase full of documents, and get out before anyone could stop us.
Paolo and I moved silently, our footsteps barely audible on the dark streets. When we reached the bar, Paolo told me to stay back while he took a look around.
"Wait here, Ana," he said in a whisper. "I need to make sure the coast is clear."
I nodded, watching as he moved with the agility and precision of a predator. After a few minutes, he returned and gestured for me to come forward.
"All clear. Let's go."
We entered the bar with a cold determination. The atmosphere inside was oppressive, full of smoke and the low murmur of conversations. We quickly identified our target: a burly man in a corner, surrounded by bodyguards.
"There he is," I murmured, nodding my head. "The briefcase is with him."
Paolo nodded, his gaze fixed on the target.
"Leave it to me," he said, his smile cruel.
He stepped forward without hesitation, moving with an imposing confidence. When he reached the table, the bodyguards tensed, but Paolo was not intimidated.
"Good morning, gentlemen. I'm here for that briefcase. It would be best if you cooperate."
The burly man stood up, his face twisted with anger.
"Who the hell are you to come here and give us orders?"
Before he could react, Paolo moved with lightning speed, drawing his weapon and pointing it directly at the man's head.
"I'm Paolo Di Marco," he said coldly. "And I'm not here to ask permission."
A shot rang out in the bar, and the man fell to the floor, dead before he hit the ground. The bodyguards tried to react, but I was already ready. In a matter of seconds, two of them lay on the floor, wounded or dead.
"Ana, the briefcase!" Paolo shouted, covering me as I lunged towards the table.
I grabbed the briefcase and the documents, quickly stuffing them into a bag. I knew we didn't have much time before reinforcements arrived.
"Let's go!" I said, turning back to Paolo.
We moved quickly towards the exit, shooting anyone who tried to stop us. Adrenaline coursed through my veins, every shot and every move precise, lethal.
We burst out of the bar and made our way to the car we had left nearby. We got in and Paolo started the engine, speeding away from the scene.
"We did it," I said, letting out a sigh of relief.
Paolo smiled, his eyes filled with pride.
"Yes, we did. Good job, Ana."
As we drove, my mind kept returning to the factory, to the tension with Dante and my uncle Marco. I didn't want to face that yet. I needed time to process everything that had happened.
"Paolo, I don't want to go home."
"Are you sure?" he asked, though his tone indicated that he already knew the answer.
"Yes. I need a break from all this."
Paolo nodded, changing course without saying another word. We headed to his house, leaving behind the chaotic night and the dangerous world we inhabited, at least for a moment.
As we approached his home, I felt a mix of relief and anticipation. I knew that being with Paolo would provide me with the calm I so desperately needed, even if only temporarily.