My Childhood Bully is a Mafia Boss-Chapter 65

Aidan

"Raphael is gone," I barked on the phone. "But I am going to keep looking around the house. You do the same," I said to Joseph before hanging up.

I moved swiftly through the rooms, searching for any sign of that bastard. My eyes darted from corner to corner, every shadow and every sound fueling my heightened senses. The scent of stale cigars and something metallic hangs in the air, making me want to gag.

"Come on," I muttered under my breath, frustration mounting. "Fucking coward."

I searched all the rooms and then reached a door that was closed. I flung it open only to find a set of stairs leading down.

A basement.

I carefully climb down, nearly holding my breath. I could hear my men upstairs, scuffling about.

The damp stench of the basement assaulted my nostrils as I approached the door, and then I heard it – a faint sound, barely audible. A muffled cry for help.

"Who’s there?" My voice was steady, but inside, adrenaline surged through me like a wild river.

"Help... me..." The plea was weak, barely more than a whisper.

Gripping my weapon tightly, I descended the stairs into the darkness, each step echoing in the confined space.

"Where are you?" I called out, my eyes straining to make sense of the shadows that cling to the walls.

"Over... here..."

The voice grew louder, and so did my determination.

"Please... hurry..."

I reached the bottom stairs and paused, scanning the dimly lit room for any sign of danger. But all I see are some boxes.

But then, my eyes were drawn to a figure huddled in the corner, bound and bruised, her face etched with a silent plea for rescue.

Raphael, you sick bastard.

"Who are you?" I growled.

"Please get me out of here," she whispered, her voice shaking. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"Where is Raphael?" I asked, my rage simmering just below the surface, threatening to explode.

"I-I don’t know," she stammered, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I want to go home."

"Shit," I hissed through gritted teeth as I walked toward her.

The girl was badly beaten to the point where bruises covered her entire body. Did Raphael have no honor? Bile rose up my throat. I should’ve never called it a truce with him. I was no saint, but I never tortured a woman like this.

"Thank you," she said as I worked to free her.

"Almost there," I murmured, trying to reassure her as I loosened the last knot. "Just hold on a little longer."

The knot on her arms finally gave way under my fingers as I untangled the last of the ropes that bound her. My hands were steady, and I stayed calm. I moved to unbound her feet.

I suddenly heard a faint noise behind me, so I turned around. My body tensed, adrenaline surging through me like wildfire, and I instinctively stood up.

I locked eyes with the shadowy figure, my body coiled like a spring, ready to react. A twisted grin spread across the man’s face, and recognition hit me like a punch to the gut.

"Johnny," I snarled, my anger boiling over at the sight of Raphael’s right-hand man.

"I see you made it, Aidan," he taunts, his words dripping with venom. "Didn’t think you’d make it this far."

"Save your breath." My voice was ice-cold as I maintained my defensive stance. "Where is Raphael?"

"Somewhere safe," Johnny sneered, but there was a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. I’ve faced him before, and I could tell he remembered the pain I inflicted.

"Tell me where he is, Johnny. You don’t want to fight me," I said.

"Sorry, Aidan. Orders are orders." With those words, Johnny lunged at me, his movements fluid and calculated, intending to strike me down where I stood.

But I was ready for him. My reflexes sharpened by years of training and experience, I managed to evade his initial blow, feeling the rush of air as his fist grazed past my face. I countered with a swift punch to his midsection, the satisfying crunch of bone meeting flesh echoing through the basement.

"Is that all you got?" I taunted, trying to throw him off balance. All the while, my mind raced, calculating the best way to protect the woman and capture Johnny so he would lead me to Raphael. I couldn’t afford to fuck this up.

"Hardly." Johnny grunted, gritting his teeth against the pain. His eyes narrowed as he prepared for another assault, determination etched onto his bruised face. "This is far from over."

"Bring it on," I challenged, my heart pounding in my chest as adrenaline coursed through my veins.

And so, we clashed once more. I kicked him, sending him flying across the room.

He recovered quickly, his lips twisted into a snarl, and he launched himself towards me. I dodged his first strike, pivoting to the side before retaliating with a powerful blow to his ribs.

The sickening crunch reverberated around the room, but Johnny didn’t falter. I had to be impressed. The man was undeniably strong.

"Is that all you got?" Johnny gasped, feigning nonchalance despite the pain etched onto his face. "Pathetic."

"Your loyalty will be your downfall," I retorted, lunging forward to deliver another punch. But he was quick, ducking under my arm and landing a solid hit to my jaw. Pain exploded through my skull, and I staggered back, momentarily dazed.

"Fuck off, Blackwood," Johnny sneered, circling me like a predator.

He charged at me once more. We traded blows, our movements a blur of aggression and skill. Grunts and impacts echoed through the basement, drowning out the sound of my ragged breaths and the woman’s frightened whimpers.

My thoughts raced, trying to anticipate Johnny’s next move, searching for an opening that may never come.

"Last chance, Johnny," I warned, my voice barely audible over the chaos of our battle. "Stand down and I might take it easy on you."

"Go to hell!" he snarled, launching himself at me once more. But it was a mistake - one that proves fatal. With a final, brutal blow, I brought him crashing to the ground, and the fight was finally over.

I stood there, panting, sweat stinging my eyes.

With Johnny’s lifeless body sprawled across the floor, I turned back to the woman. But before I could take a step towards her, a gunshot rang out, echoing through the basement. The impact sent her body crumpled to the floor, lifeless and still.

"SHIT," I shouted, realizing what was happening.

The sound of the basement door slamming shut echoed through the room. I looked up from the woman’s lifeless body, my heart pounding as I faced the stark reality: this was all a trap.

"Bravo, Aidan!" a mocking voice called out from above, and I clenched my fists, rage in my veins. "You’ve played your part perfectly."

"Show yourself, you coward!" I shouted, my voice cracking with fury. But there was no response, only the cruel laughter echoing in my ears.

I looked at the dead woman.

"Damn you, Raphael," I muttered under my breath, searching the dimly lit basement for any signs of an exit.