The Alpha Mafia King
Chapter 44

“I didn’t know when I sent Vladimir to murder Ivan that he was your father,” Alonso said after a lengthy explanation. “I’m so sorry, Taleela; please forgive me, but that mission cost us a deep sense of loss, more for you than for me.”

“Wait,” Taleela said. “I don’t remember, but you’re telling me that you killed my father. You believe that I’m Ivan’s missing daughter.”

“That’s right,” he admitted.

“Well, even if all that was true, I can’t possibly forgive you for what I don’t remember. Besides, I wonder what kind of father he was anyways. Perhaps he was a bad one, which could have been why I went missing in the first place.”

Alonso didn’t know what Ivan’s relationship was like with his children, but he doubted that he was the kind of father that would do something to make his child go missing.

“I’m so sorry,” Alonso repeated.

“Yeah, me too,” Taleela said. “All of this is too much for me to process. I need to try and remember something. Anything that could help make me feel like any of this is real. I need answers, not more questions.”

“I’ll help you get the answers you seek,” Alonso promised.

Earlier, he had believed that when Taleela’s heartbeat jumped out of proportion, she could have been lying, but now he realized several things could have caused that to happen.

“Thank you,” Taleela said, looking into Alonso’s eyes with concealed disdain.

She had to admit, though; she hadn’t expected him to come out so sincere with his crimes. She almost felt like forgiving him, but she was Mafia after all. B***d for b***d. She was finally feeling like her old self again.

“You’ll pass the night here, but tomorrow, I’ll ask Bianco to ride with you in a private jet back to Italy. It’s not safe for you here.”

“No, I want to stay!” Taleela said, losing her cool. She was tired of being treated like a handicap. If Alonso knew who she was, he would have known better than to be in her way.

“There’s no debating it,” said Alonso. “It’s been less than seventy-two hours, and twice an attempt has been made on your life. I can’t risk having you here.”

Taleela was taken aback by Alonso’s statement. What did he mean by twice? She wondered.

“Twice? You’re over anticipating things!”

“Am I?” Alonso said with a scoff. “Come with me; there’s something you need to see.”

Taleela felt herself move along with Alonso. Did someone prey on her, and she didn’t even know it? Whatever Alonso intended to show her, she figured it would be enough to convince her to go back to Italy, which he considered safe for her.

Taleela was in awe of the gamblers. From kids to adults, it seemed everyone just wanted the stress-free money gambling could afford them. However, Taleela knew that gambling was no way to make money, except if you owned the gambling facility. She marveled at the myopic view of them all. People would come out to gamble but won’t think of how they could have their casinos or shares within one.

They reached the administrator’s office, and Alonso headed straight for the screen. He played the video from the night she was poisoned. Taleela froze as she watched it.

“He looks familiar, doesn’t he?” Alonso asked. “Perhaps he’s the same person that met with you at the mall in Italy.”

“But, but that would imply that he followed me here. I can’t believe he would go through the trouble. Honestly, I’m flattered.”

“It’s no flattery if you’re dead to me,” Alonso said, wondering how she could remain calm after everything she had been through in the last few hours.

“Well-“

Bianco opened the door and barged in on them, shortening Taleela’s speech.

“Bad timing?” Bianco asked, poking his head through the door.

“No, it’s fine; come on in!” Alonso said, straightening more as he stood to face Bianco. “Taleela, please, if you’ll excuse me, I will be with you shortly in the bedroom.”

She nodded and left.

“You really shouldn’t have done that,” Bianco cautioned.

“I can’t mix business with pleasure,” said Alonso.

“Really? I thought we were bringing her up to speed on the family business.”

“Bianco, I’m pretty sure you were with me this entire time, so I don’t think it’s fitting to ask you if you’ve been living under a rock,” Alonso said, and Bianco laughed.

“She’s Ivan’s daughter; meh, sorry for the streak of bad luck. I’m afraid I’m about to add one more bad news.”

“Speak,” said Alonso cooly.

“The Makarov family is backing up the current President for a second term,” said Bianco, scratching his head. “It’s already tricky trying to unseat a sitting president, let alone when he has powerful allies. Especially sworn enemies like the Makarov. We will be trespassing on this if you interfere.”

“F**k! Those mongrel heads can’t stop interfering anytime I have Russian deals,” Alonso said, frustrated. He loosened his tie.

“If you asked me, I’ll say let’s start by getting the King a seat in the senate-“

Alonso shook his head and said, “That wouldn’t do. I’m doing this for us. We have to get our hands dirty. The president of Russia is eligible for a six years tenure. Imagine six years of freedom, Bianco. If we are lucky, with the new Russian constitutional amendment, the king could be ruling for up to three terms.”

“Yes, sir,” Bianco said.

“Set up a meeting with the king for me,” Alonso said. “Where the hell is my grandfather?”

“He’s with the head of the kitchen staff,” Bianco replied, snorting.

“Oh yeah,” Alonso said, raising a brow. “Is it just me, or does Mazza have a taste in women and food.”

“Both, sir; I would say that he has a taste in women who can cook,” Bianco said, smiling a wry smile.

“Yeah, I bet you can say that. Have you heard from Lady Tanya? What’s going on back home?”

“Everything seems to be running smoothly, boss. Your secretary left you about a dozen messages yesterday. The deal went smoothly with the American man who wanted to smuggle guns to Africa.”

“Alright, I need you to do one more thing for me, Bianco.”

“Sure, anything, boss.”

“Tomorrow, you’ll fly down with Taleela back to Italy.”

“Yes, boss!” Bianco said. “Would that be all for now?”

“Yes, that would be all for now, Bianco; thank you very much!”

Alonso decided to go and look for his grandfather rather than go to his bedroom. He wasn’t ready to face her yet. As Bianco had said, Mazza was in the kitchen making the cook blush. He had her booked with his boyish charms.

“This is tasty, but it’s missing something,” Mazza said.

Alonso walked into the kitchen, and the staff all stopped what they were doing to reverence him.

“Please carry on,” Alonso said. “Granddad, can I borrow you for a second. Excuse me, miss; I’ll return him shortly.”

“What’s up?” Mazza asked with a huge smile as they strolled around the kitchen. “Seeing your head intact gives me the impression that Taleela took it well.”

“Yeah, perhaps. Taleela says she has no idea who Ivan is. Nevertheless, she’s feeling overwhelmed by everything that’s unfolding. I wish there were something more I could do for her. She might not hate me now, but I fear if she remembers, she will. Just how bad is this amnesia. Sometimes I wish I had it too.”

“Well, you should have said so earlier; numerous times, I’ve felt like hitting your head with a rock.”

Alonso’s eyes caught a glimpse of a pot.

“I doubt that pot would get the job done,” he said.

“With just the right amount of force, who knows, it just might be a good substitute. Taleela won’t hate you for one mistake.”

“I wish I was as cocksure as you are.”

“Obviously.”

“I’m putting her on a morning flight back to Italy.”

“You can take her away from Russia, but you can’t take Russia away from her. She will always be who she is whether you’re comfortable with it.”

“I know, but I’m doing it for her safety.”

“I’m sure you like to tell yourself that, but we both know she will always be a target no matter where she goes. I’ve heard rumors, son, that she was next in line to be Boss of the Makarov family.”

“That’s insightful, thanks. I wonder what you would have me do. What are my options?”

“Use your head; I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”

“Is Vincenzo still tracking Nestor?”

“So far, he hasn’t been able to locate him; Nestor could vanish whenever he wants. I think he has proven that numerous times.”

“Son of a bitch!” Alonso said, hissing. “I better go back to Taleela and see how she’s holding up.”

“Right, do so. I’m going back to my friend.”

“Lady Tanya won’t forgive you if she replaces out.”

“Lady Tanya can never replace out; swear it to me, Alonso!” Mazza pleaded, grabbing Alonso by his collar.

“Stop it; you are embarrassing me!” Alonso said, feeling irked.