The Alpha Mafia King
Chapter 56

A single teardrop trickled down Alyona’s eye as she frantically searched her mind for an explanation of Alonzo’s actions. She didn’t understand why he would have s*x with her sister. She wondered if that meant she had overestimated her value to him.

Little wonder he never proclaimed his love to her. Earlier, she remembered that he looked uncomfortable when she wanted him to define their relationship. There was a transition of emotion from sadness to anger. Suddenly, there was this urge to hurt Alonzo.

The following day, Leonid Kuznetsov arrived in Italy; Alonzo’s men cleared him before allowing him into the premises.

Alyona and Alonzo stood flawlessly on the balcony, looking down below at the small frame of Leonid’s body, making his way past the bodyguards. Alyona smiled at him. Together, she and Alonzo headed down to the living room.

“Welcome,” said Alyona, going to hug the man.

“Alyona, thank goodness,” he said. “It’s nice to see you again. Don Marcovic, thank you for hosting me and keeping Alyona safe.”

Alonzo nodded and shook hands with the man as he said, “The pleasure is all mine. Please make yourselves comfortable.”

“Are you not joining us?” Leonid asked Alonzo, surprised.

“Sadly, no, there are urgent matters that require my presence-“

“Perhaps later we can join you at the stables, my love,” said Alyona, interrupting him.

“Sure, the both of you are welcome to join me later in the evening; in the meantime, baby, the driver can take you around if it’s getting boring here.”

“Alright,” Alyona said with a twisted grin.

“Okay, see you later,” said Alonzo, pecking her on the lips, but she didn’t k**s him back. He didn’t know that Alyona had controlled the urge to even spit in his face because the gesture irritated her.

When Alonzo had gone, Alyona sat down beside Leonid, instinctively cleaning her mouth.

“Mariyanna-“

“I don’t want to hear that name for now,” Alyona barked, cutting Leonid’s speech. Lady Tanya froze in her tracks upon hearing Alyona’s raised voice. She was about to come to ask if their guest needed anything.

“Okay,” Leonid said. “Can I ask why? The other day, you seemed less aggressive when you spoke about her.”

“Nothing, it’s personal; please tell me something.”

“What is it?”

“Did my father receive a befitting burial?”

“Yes, he was buried honorably. Would you like to visit?”

“Yes, you’ll take me there to pay my respect.”

“I heard he died eating poison in his favorite food,” Alyona said. “Do you know what kind of poison?”

***

“Hello, sir,” Leonardo said. “I’m Leonardo, and Don Alonzo asked me to meet him at nine a.m.”

“Yes, Leonardo, I’ve been expecting you,” said Bianco.

“Really? Where’s the Don?”

“The Don is away; I’m Bianco,” Bianco said. “Don Alonzo, would like you to come work for him?”

“I’ll be honored. Are you his consigliere?”

“What? No,” Bianco said. “I’m his bodyguard. Come with me.”

Leonardo followed Bianco into a waiting car. He got into the backseat of the vehicle, and Bianco sat next to him.

“Put this on,” Bianco said, and Leonardo took the blindfold piece without questioning. He tied it around his eyes. No sooner than he had on the blindfold, the car began moving, and Leonardo felt slightly terrified.

“Sorry for the inconvenience,” Bianco said to ease Leonardo’s tension. “Our destination is highly secretive. We will get there soon, and by then, you can take off the blindfold.”

“Alright,” replied Leonardo, hoping it was true.

The car stopped at different points during their drive. Moments later, Leonardo felt the car halt again. He had no idea why the car was stopping. He wondered if they were stuck in traffic or if they had arrived at the top-secret destination. He guessed he only had to wait a moment to replace out.

Leonardo completed the recital of his vow to join the mafia. He was now inducted after taking the final vow of omerta.

Last night, his life was pointless, but now he had a purpose. He felt washed by the desire to serve the Don. He couldn’t wait to make his bones and climb up the ladder of power.

***

Alyona slipped Leonid a note earlier that day when they were together in the backseat of the car with the driver Alonzo had assigned to them.

At Alyona’s command, Leonid was sent to get botulinum by any means possible. Botulinum was the poison used in killing her father.

“What of Mr. Kuznetsov?” Alonzo asked, surprised to see Alyona alone.

“He has other engagements,” Alyona responded.

Alonzo showed Alyona his famous horse, remarking on how beautiful the horse looked. Alyona forced a smile, nodding in agreement.

Alonzo also bragged that she was the fastest horse, and he couldn’t wait for the next day’s race.

“She’s going to make me a lot of money tomorrow,” said Alonzo, rubbing the horse’s back.

“You speak more of the horse’s ability than the jockey_.”

“Yes, technically, it’s the horse that wins the race for you. Even with an experienced jockey, you can still lose if the horse isn’t in good shape. You talk more of the jockey! Do you have a thing for jockeys?”

“No, I’m just a little curious why you wouldn’t say who the jockey is.”

“I promise tomorrow you will know all about the mystery jockey.”

Mazza had left the premises before their arrival because he didn’t want Alyona to suspect that he was the jockey before tomorrow’s game.

“Have you ever ridden a horse before?” Alonzo asked Alyona, and she shook her head.

“Nothing in my memory suggests that I have,” she whispered.

“Would you like to ride one with me?” he asked.

Alyona considered it and said, “No, I don’t.”

“It would be fun,” Alonzo pressed on.

“I don’t want to; maybe next time.”

Alonzo could tell something was wrong. However, he couldn’t bring himself to ask. Alonzo wondered in silence as they continued their walk around the stables if Alyona’s mood had anything to do with him not being able to define their relationship. Then he also wondered if Leonid had something to do with her mood.

They were about to leave when one of Alonzo’s men came to whisper something to him. Alonzo asked her to wait in the car and that he would be back shortly.

The minute Alonzo left, Alyona sprang into action. She had been planning something all along, and she only needed a moment alone to get it done.

Alyona headed towards the horse Alonzo had shown to her, and the few people who saw her didn’t think it was necessary to question her.

Alyona threw an apple at the horse, and she watched as the horse nicked at it with its nose. Thankfully, botulinum was odorless. The horse ate the apple, and Alyona was dashed back to the car.

No longer than she had gotten there, Alonzo emerged. He had a smile, but Alyona pretended not to observe. He got into the car, and the driver began to take them back home.

“Hey, sorry for the wait,” Alonzo said. “I was called to the gambling station to see something remarkable. Somebody bet a hundred thousand euros that my horse would lose. I’m guessing the person wasn’t well informed.”

“Oh, okay,” said Alyona dryly. “Alonzo, I won’t be around to watch the horse race with you tomorrow.”

“Why?” Alonzo asked, sensing trouble.

“I want to go to Russia to visit my father’s grave. I realized I hadn’t paid my respect.”

How could he possibly deny her the opportunity to visit her father’s grave? He didn’t like the idea that she would be away and possibly by herself, but he couldn’t stop her.

“Alright, sure,” he said. “Can’t it wait? I will be going back to Russia in less than two weeks.”

“No, it can’t,” Alyona said. “I also need to be there to step up to the underboss position.”

“Alright, fine, but I’ll have Vincenzo protect you,” Alonzo said.

“It’s already sorted out that Leonid will take care of my security,” Alyona said.

“I see,” he whispered under his breath. “How long will you be gone?”

“A few days.”

“Alright, I guess I can’t change your mind,” Alonzo said, exhaling noisily.

“No, I’ve decided, please.”

“It’s fine.”

Alonzo’s only concern was for Alyona’s safety. He had no reason to object to her going back to her home. However, the fact remained that Agent Fox was still running loose, and Jerald hadn’t reported seeing the agent yet.

He imagined that Fox could be in Russia or not, but Alonzo had no plans to give up searching for him. He promised Alyona he would kill the man. He wished he had gotten the chance to before Alyona brought the subject of going back to Russia.

“Since you wouldn’t be around to witness the game, I should tell you who the jockey is,” said Alonzo.

“It’s you, isn’t it?”

“Wrong! I already told you I’m not the one.”

“Then who is it?”

“It’s,” Alonzo said, delaying purposefully. “The jockey is Mazza!”

“What?” Alyona said, genuinely shocked. “He’s too old for that.”

“Eh? Do you think so?”

“Mhm,” Alyona said, smiling.

Deep down, she felt a pang of regret for killing the horse. She had assumed Alonzo was the jockey.