The Alpha Mafia King
Chapter 16

Last night, Taleela drank in the same bar that Bianco had just walked into. Vincenzo and several soldiers prevented outsiders from coming in even though none of them were heavy. They either asked them to go to another bar or wait at any place within a hundred meters away until their business here was done.

Matteo, the bar owner, came out from his office. He knew pretty well who Bianco was and why he was here.

“Hmm, Matteo,” Bianco said tersely. “I’ve told you to come and see the Don in charge and pay your protection rackets, but you’ve refused; why?”

Bianco was talking about the protection rackets qdemanded from business owners to protect their businesses and from criminals who threatened them. In the real sense, it was just protection from the Mafias themselves because they were the criminals in most cases.

“Look, I got nothing to pay to anybody,” Matteo answered rather defiantly. “I don’t know who you think you are, but I don’t pay anybody to protect me. The police are there to do that.”

“The police, huh?” Bianco asked, raising a brow in Inquisition.

“Of course, if I get robbed, I’ll take it up with the cops,” he went on and on without reasoning. “And if you don’t leave at once, I might have to call them in.”

Bianco smiled and responded, “Alright, sir, I’ll leave, but I do get the feeling that you’ll be more understanding the next time we speak.” He smirks at him as he slyly walker out.

“Let me guess,” Vincenzo said upon seeing Bianco stepping out of the bar. “He did not comply, right?”

“Yeah,” Bianco said, getting into the back seat of the car with Vincenzo.

“Alright then, since he’s playing hardball, let’s get him to comply the hard way.”

“Oh, I love the hard way, my dear brother,” Bianco said, already envisioning how to get Matteo’s compliance.

“So, where should we begin our search for Taleela?” Vincenzo asked as they rode off.

“Let’s just keep driving around and see if we can spot her anywhere.”

“Has everyone else made payment?” Vincenzo said, staring out the window.

“Yeah.”

–

Taleela decided that it was time for her to return to the mansion. About last night, while drinking at the bar, she overheard Alonso’s name come up from two discussing men. They talked about some compulsory fee they had made earlier to the Don.

“Are you gentlemen talking about Don Alonso?” Taleela asked politely, but they gave her a look of skepticism.

“Uh, why are you interested? Mind your businesswoman, we don’t want any trouble with the Don!” said one of the men.

“Trouble? None at all; it’s just—” she paused to think. “See, it’s just I couldn’t help but overhear you speak about a fee, and I’m new in town, and I was asked to pay the same fee, but I don’t get why.”

“Uh, are you a business owner?” the first man asked her, and she nodded.

“Yes, I own a business.”

“Alright then, you do the smart thing and pay okay,” the other man said. “Don Alonso protects your business against criminals for a small fee. That’s all you need to know.”

“Um, okay,” she replied.

“Hey,” the first man called to her. “What kind of business are you into?”

“It’s a discrete business, a brothel, and bar.”

“Ah, nice one, then you need to pay up.”

***

Later in the hotel that she lodged, she made use of their free WiFi to search the internet and confirm her suspicion that indeed Alonso was a Mafioso. Rather than feel afraid, she felt oddly at ease with the revelation.

Mazza, she could not believe that he was into crime. He seemed like a far too excellent and heartwarming man, but then looks could be deceiving, she noted silently.

Alonso had been waiting frustratedly for a businesswoman by the name of Mariyanna. He was slowly starting to lose patience. She claimed she had an irresistible offer for him worth plenty of money. Making money was his primary goal, so how could he refuse her?

Besides, he had already checked her firm, Arilogistics, and it was solid. The fact that he had already turned down several of Dorado’s chemical offers made him more inclined to look into a partnership with this woman.

Then there was his grandfather, who had called him to report twice already this morning that Taleela was not yet back home. Bianco and Vincenzo said they had not seen her, much to his dismay.

Jerald was in charge of the operations in Moscow, but he had asked Piccolo to go and check on things himself. The casino was doing great, and he just wanted his friend to go and have some fun. He was considering going to join him there for the weekend. There was a soft knock on his door.

A few minutes later, Taleela entered the living room, and Mazza leaped up in joy from the couch. He had been so worried about her, but now he was clouded with relief to see her unharmed or unscathed. Like a missing daughter whose father just saw, he hugged her. The gesture was more spontaneous than planned.

“Taleela, where did you go? Why didn’t you tell me before leaving?” Mazza said, letting go of her.

“I needed a breath of fresh air, Mazza,” she said, turning her gaze away. “I’m sorry I didn’t inform you, but-“

“It’s alright, and there’s nothing to be sorry for; I’m not mad at you.”

“Mazza, we need to discuss some things right away,” Taleela said, taking her seat by his side.

“Sure, what’s it that we need to talk about?”

“The night at the party, I remembered something, just a name, and I think he was teaching me how to fight, but I don’t know why I would want to know how to fight.”

“Who was teaching you how to fight Taleela?” Mazza asked, narrowing his gaze looking more intent. He had seen Taleela pin a grown man down, and also, the way she took care of Eureka in such a professional style that daunted him.

“I think his name is Alexi, but Mazza, I don’t even remember how I knew him.”

“Don’t worry, give it some time. I’m sure you’ll remember more,” Mazza said, sounding reassuring.

“There’s something else, Mazza, and I’d rather be blunt than beat around the bush. I know what you are, you and Alonso.”

Mazza recoiled in shock. He and his grandson were many things that he did not yet want Taleela to know about. None of which could strike confidence in the heart of an innocent woman.

“What are you talking about, Taleela?” he asked calmly.

“Come on. I know why everyone refers to you and Alonso as Don. The Marcovic family are Mafias.”

Mazza roared with laughter. “So you figured it out, but we laid it bare for you to see. Are you afraid? There’s nothing to be afraid about. We don’t hurt good people.”

“I’m not afraid of that, Mazza,” she said. “I’m just saying that I know. Don’t worry; nothing has changed. I understand that a man must do what he can to survive.”

“When you put it that way, you seem to be justifying every crime, and yet the Mafia is an organized criminal. We have rules. We don’t just do anything shady to survive.”

“Sure,” Taleela said with a smirk. “Now then, where is my other friend Lady Tanya?”

After Taleela met with Lady Tanya in the kitchen, Mazza remained sitting deep in thought. Taleela was no ordinary woman, but he could not tell why he felt or thought so. He called Bianco to announce to him that Taleela had come back home so he could abort the search for her.

***

Alonso had just finished the meeting with Mariyanna, and both of them were looking at coming years as business partners. She was an intelligent woman, and there was something about Mariyanna after speaking to her that made him want to stay on his toes.

His phone rang as he stood watching her leave and shutting the door behind her.

“Mazza! What is it? It’s not even been a whole day! They would replace her, and if they don’t, then she was never meant to be.” Alonso let out an exasperated sigh.

“Relax, Alonso, I just called to inform you that she’s back!” Mazza said excitedly over the phone. “Taleela is back, and she is meant to be. I know you wished she didn’t return, but she is in the kitchen with Lady Tanya, and you will see her tonight or whenever you get back.”

Alonso felt relief to his amazement. Why am I feeling that? He questioned silently.

“Okay, granddad, good for you.”

Alonso had not heard from Eureka since the party. He hoped that she would forget all about him. He did not need an apology. His life felt comfortably at ease right now. However, he got the suspicion that she would be back.

—

Bianco and Vincenzo went back to the bar they had visited earlier in the day. The bar Matteo owned.

Vincenzo waited in the car. Bianco stormed into the bar and shot the lady bartender on her forehead. Instantly, the place was in a frenzy. He walked away like he had not just committed first-degree murder. His actions were deliberate.

The following day, Matteo’s bar was shut down, and he found himself spending several hours at the police station answering a series of questions. An employee of his had just been gunned down last night. He was in many ways incriminated.

“Mr. Matteo, do you know why she was killed?”

“Mr. Matteo, what’s your relationship with the killer?”

Like hell, he knew anything! He did not even know how she lived her life after working hours. He was only concerned about his business that had been closed down.

He was still paying for the place. He had no other source of income. Everything wrong had just toppled over his head overnight. As he came out of the police station, a man tapped him on the shoulder.

“A word, kind sir?” Bianco said, smiling.

They went into his car. Mr. Matteo had suddenly transformed from a stubborn man to one willing to negotiate and be reasonable.

“I’m so sorry about what happened to you last night,” Bianco said. “We could offer to help you replace the killer. We can close this case and get you back in business in no time! You have to do us a little favor.”

“What kind of favor?” Matteo said, shaking. He had a feeling that he had greatly underestimated Bianco in his previous meetings with the man.

“First, you have to agree to pay me the protection fee, and I assure you that none of such that took place last night will ever happen again,” Bianco said very quickly.

“I agree,” Matteo said without much thinking.

“Then, second of all, your bar will be used for some operations if we wish, and lastly, so I don’t waste more of your time, Mr. Matteo, drinks are free for life.”

“Sure, I can comply with all of that! Just get me off the hook.”

“Ah, but I thought you were friends with the police?” Bianco chided and laughed hysterically. “F*****g fool! Now run along, you half-hearted son of a whore.”

After the man had fled, Vincenzo turned back to face his friend with a smile and said, “You really should learn not to take things too far.”

“Oh, come on! Where’s the fun without the insults?” Bianco asked.

Together, they headed out to a fancy restaurant and barred nearby. Bianco had invited his mate over. When she arrived, time paused, and she stole the very air he was breathing from his lungs.

If Bianco had any weakness, then it would have to be her. Vincenzo whispered to him that he had a dumb look on his face.

It surprised Vincenzo that even the most heartless men, killers, and their likes still felt what it was to be in love. Although, he wondered if Alonso was ever going to succumb.