My Childhood Bully is a Mafia Boss-Chapter 63

Aidan

My pulse hammered as I stalked across the study, rage simmering in my veins.

How dare Raphael threaten me and destroy one of my properties? He will pay for this. I swear it.

My fingers flew over the keys, scanning listings for safe houses tucked away in secluded locations. Miles from anywhere Raphael might think to look.

I had to keep Ivy hidden, even if it meant keeping her away from me.

There. A cottage deep in the forest, outfitted with a security system and hidden behind a thicket of overgrown brush. Perfect.

I snatched up my phone and barked orders at Joseph to prepare the cottage immediately. Stock it with supplies, arm the security system, and get it ready for our arrival.

Within the hour, we would be far from Raphael’s grasp. Safe and secure in our refuge. My men will keep her safe. Protect her and my unborn child with their life. And once I knew they were secure—

Raphael will face my wrath. He will know what it means to cross me. To threaten what was mine.

I slammed my fist against the desk, rage pulsing through my veins. How dare he. How dare—

"Aidan?" Ivy’s soft voice cut through my anger. I turned to find her in the doorway, concern etched across her delicate features. "What’s going on?"

I crossed the room and took her hands in mine, squeezing them gently. "I found a safe house for you. I will move you there as soon as possible."

She pulled back, searching my face. "Oh." Her hands cupped my cheeks, her eyes pleading. "Promise me you won’t risk your life trying to fight that man."

I took her hands in mine, squeezing them tightly. "I have to protect you." My voice was rough with emotion. "Both of you. Raphael has to be stopped."

"Not at the cost of your life." A tear slid down her cheek. "Please, Aidan. Promise me."

I brushed the tear away with my thumb, torn between my need to shield her from harm and my desire to keep her from worrying. "Ivy—"

"Promise me." Her voice broke into a sob. "Or I won’t go."

I closed my eyes, struggling against the vow she was demanding. But one look at her tear-stained face, and I knew I could deny her nothing.

With a resigned sigh, I pulled her close once more. "I promise," I whispered against her hair. "I won’t confront him and I won’t let myself get killed."

She relaxed against me in relief, her arms winding around my waist. "Good," she said.

I held her in silence, wrestling with the lie I had told. The need to protect burned in my veins, demanding justice. Demanding retribution.

I knew Raphael, with his relentless determination and sharp mind, would surely come after Ivy eventually.

Despite not knowing about her carrying my child, he would already piece together that Ivy held a special place in my heart. I could sense the danger looming closer as he neared, like an ominous storm building on the horizon.

But I was prepared to face him for her and our unborn child, ready to defend them with all my strength and love.

I released Ivy from my embrace and strode over to my desk, grabbing my phone. My fingers flew across the screen as I sent a text to Joseph, instructing him to arrange our departure.

When the details were arranged, I shoved the phone into my pocket and turned back to Ivy. Her eyes were red-rimmed but determined, her chin lifted in quiet defiance. She knew I hadn’t given up my plans despite my promise.

I crossed the room in three swift steps, grasping her shoulders. "We’re leaving. Now."

Her eyes widened, but she remained silent. With a firm grip on her arm, I led her out of the room towards the stairs, my senses on high alert.

I ushered Ivy into the waiting car, sliding in beside her. "To the safe house," I barked at the driver before securing the door.

Ivy’s hand found mine, her fingers intertwining with my own. I gave them a reassuring squeeze, my thumb rubbing circles against her skin.

Her lips curved into a shy smile, gratitude and worry mingling in her gaze. I lifted our joined hands and pressed a kiss to her knuckles, holding her eyes with my own.

"I will keep you safe," I vowed softly. "No matter what it takes."

She nodded, blinking back fresh tears. I drew her against me, wrapping my arms around her as the car sped off into the night.

We arrived at the safe house under cover of darkness. I scanned the area for any signs of disturbance before helping Ivy out of the car.

"Everything had been prepared as ordered," Joseph informed me.

Ivy hovered on the front step, her arms wrapped around her middle. I strode over and scooped her into my arms, kicking the front door open.

"No more running," I vowed, gazing into her eyes. "This is our haven now."

She smiled, relief shining in her eyes. I set her on her feet, turning to lock and bolt the door behind us.

"I’ll start unpacking," she announced.

I nodded, pride swelling within me. My fierce, resilient Ivy. "I’ll finish securing the house and join you soon."

She disappeared upstairs as I made my rounds, checking doors and windows and verifying the security system was online. By the time I entered our bedroom, Ivy had already unpacked and had changed into her night clothes.

She was staring out the window into the dense woods surrounding us, lost in thought. I came up behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist and pressing a kiss to her neck.

"All safe?" Her voice was soft, threaded with weariness.

"All safe," I confirmed.

She sagged against me in relief, her hands covering mine. I held her close, gazing out at the shadows clinging to the trees.

Somewhere in the darkness, Raphael was waiting.

Biding his time.

"Get some rest," I urged gently, leading her towards the bed.

She curled up on the mattress without argument.

I stood rigid by the window for a time, senses straining for any signs of intruders. The woods were eerily silent, devoid of life. I knew better than to be lulled into a false sense of security. Raphael was out there, plotting his next move.

When Ivy’s breathing evened out into sleep, I forced myself to relax. She needed her rest, and I needed a clear head if I was going to outplay Raphael.

Ivy shifted on the bed behind me, murmuring in her sleep. At the sound, the anger receded, replaced by a surge of tenderness.

I moved to her side, gazing down at her sleeping form. Her chest rose and fell with each breath, her face calm and peaceful. The fierce protectiveness rose once more, reminding me why I had to end this—for her safety, for the life we could build together, free of threats and danger.

She stirred in bed. "Come to bed, Aidan."

I smiled to myself and got in the bed with her.

~-~

My knuckles turned white as I gripped the cold steel of my pistol. My men stood before me, waiting for my instructions.

"I won’t wait for him to attack me in my home. So tonight, we ambush him," I declared.

A surge of grim satisfaction rippled through the group. My men always had a knack for violence.

I slammed my fist into my palm. "You all know your roles. Remember, we strike fast and hard. No mercy."

A few hours later, we stood before Raphael’s house.

I signaled the attack, and the night erupted into chaos. The crack of gunfire shattered the silence, acrid smoke billowing into the air as my men stormed the house.

I burst through the front door, pistol raised.

The foyer was empty, but I sensed movement more profound within the house. My men had breached the perimeter, and Raphael’s guards were distracted - now was my chance.

I strode down the hall, alert and poised. My finger rested on the trigger, pulse pounding in anticipation.

At last, a flicker of movement caught my eye. A guard emerged from one of the rooms ahead, pistol drawn - but not quickly enough.

I squeezed the trigger without hesitation. A single shot rang out, and the guard crumpled, lifeless, to the floor.

The sharp sound of my pistol echoed through the hall, and I braced myself for retaliation. Yet no counterattack came. An eerie silence descended, broken only by the sounds of combat outside.

Raphael knew I was here. He was waiting, biding his time.

I picked up my pace, muscles tensed, ready to confront him.

At the end of the corridor, a door stood slightly ajar. My eyes narrowed, and I raised my pistol once more, advancing slowly.

With one swift kick, I flung the door open and burst into the room - only to find it empty.

A cold fury rose within me as realization dawned. Raphael had escaped.