My Childhood Bully is a Mafia Boss-Chapter 93

Ellie

My head was spinning as I returned home. Giovanni’s words were like a broken record, repeating over and over again.

A family. With him?

I laughed out loud at the absurdity of it all. Who did he think he was, my knight in shining armor?

Aidan was waiting for me in the living room. He shot out of the chair when he saw me.

Meanwhile, Ivy sat on the couch with her eyes wide open, waiting for the drama to unfold.

"What did that asshole say to you?" Aidan demanded with a growl.

I looked at Ivy. "Sometimes I think men are great idiots," I declared, earning a snort from Ivy.

Aidan’s face twisted with confusion and concern. "What do you mean by that, Ellie?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

I shook my head, trying to make sense of the chaos in my mind. "Giovanni... he said he wants us to move in with him. All of us. Me, Elora, and Lucas. He wants to be a family."

Aidan’s expression darkened, his fists clenching at his sides. "What?"

"Yup. and what’s worse is, I think he is actually serious!" I exclaimed.

That arrogant bastard thinks he can just swoop in and take over our lives? Absolutely not!"

Ivy’s eyes widened even further if that were possible. "He really said that? And you didn’t... I don’t know, punch him in the face or something?"

I couldn’t help but laugh. "No, I didn’t punch him. But I told him he was insane. I don’t know what he’s thinking, Ivy. He’s delusional if he thinks I’ll just pack up and move in with him."

Aidan stepped closer, his voice softening. "Ellie, you know you don’t have to do anything he says, right? We’re here for you. We can protect you."

I nodded, feeling a bit of the tension ease from my shoulders. "I know, Aidan. But it’s not just about protection. It’s about understanding what he really wants. He said he cares about me, about Elora. And part of me wonders if there’s some truth to that, twisted as it might be."

Ivy, her gaze intense, leaned forward. "So what are you going to do, Ellie?"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I don’t know."

"Why don’t you get some rest? I am sure it has been a long day," Ivy said softly.

I retreated to my bedroom. As soon as I closed the door, I collapsed on my bed, feeling completely drained. My mind was a jumbled mess of thoughts and emotions, and I couldn’t make sense of anything.

Part of me was angry at Giovanni for even suggesting the idea of us being a family. It felt like he was trying to manipulate me, using Elora as a way to get what he wanted.

But then there was another part of me that couldn’t help but wonder if there was any truth to his words. Did he really care about us? And if so, what did that mean for our future?

But despite my initial dislike of him, there was something about him that drew me in. Maybe it was his charm or the way he seemed genuinely interested in Elora’s well-being.

Or maybe I had lost my goddamn mind.

I lay there, staring at the ceiling, my thoughts a tangled mess of confusion and frustration. Giovanni was a dangerous man, and yet there was something undeniably magnetic about him. His presence was overwhelming, his words a strange mix of menace and affection. It made me question everything.

I buried my face in my pillow and screamed into it.

Right away, I heard Elora cry in the next room.

Oops...

I sprang up and rushed to Elora’s room. Her wails echoed off the walls. Scooping her up in my arms, I held her close, trying to soothe her back to sleep.

"I’m sorry, sweetheart," I whispered, rocking her gently. "Mommy’s just a little overwhelmed right now. I didn’t mean to wake you up."

Her cries began to soften as I hummed a lullaby, her tiny body gradually relaxing in my arms. The warmth of her against me, the steady rhythm of her breathing as she calmed down—it grounded me, reminding me of what truly mattered.

Giovanni’s words might be a confusing mess in my mind, but my priority was clear: my children. They were my world, and nothing and no one, not even Giovanni with all his charm and menace, could change that.

Once Elora was back asleep, I placed her carefully in her crib and stood there for a moment, watching her. She was so small, so innocent. I couldn’t trust her around someone like Giovanni!

But then again...Slava wouldn’t have been any better either.

Returning to my room, I tried to clear my mind. I needed to sleep.

~-~

The next morning began with a sense of unease lingering in the air. As I woke up and went to check on Elora and Lucas, a sickening feeling weighed heavy on my chest. I could already hear the sound of Ivy’s voice in the dining room.

"Morning, Ellie," she greeted me, her eyes scanning my face for any signs of distress. "How did you sleep?"

"Not well," I confessed, trying to mask the fear creeping into my voice. "But I’ll manage."

"Pancakes!" Lucas said enthusiastically.

I couldn’t help but smile at his excitement. "Your favorite," I said.

"Eat up, everyone," Ivy said, matching Lucas’s enthusiasm.

"Can Elora have some too?" he asked.

I laughed. "No, honey. Elora is just a few days old. She can only drink milk."

Lucas pouted for a moment, but then his face brightened with a determined look. "When she’s older, I’ll share my pancakes with her," he declared, making me smile.

"That’s very sweet of you, Lucas," I said, ruffling his hair. "I’m sure Elora will love that."

We settled into breakfast, the warm, familiar routine providing a small comfort amidst the turmoil. But the sense of unease didn’t dissipate. I kept glancing at the window, half-expecting something—or someone—to appear.

Would Giovanni try to call me again today?

I cut a piece of pancake and put it in my mouth.

Despite the sickly sweetness of the syrup, my restlessness only grew more intense. Suddenly, the screeching of tires shattered the peaceful morning, sending my heart racing. Instinctively, I pulled Lucas closer and held Elora tightly against my chest.

Without warning, the door exploded in a shower of glass shards, as if hit by a wrecking ball. In a split second, our tranquil morning had turned into a chaotic action scene ripped from a nightmare.

"Upstairs, now!" Aidan barked through clenched teeth, pulling out a gun from his pocket.

It took me mere seconds to realize that we were under attack. Our safe haven was no longer safe, and we were thrust into a fight for survival.