I wake up after a restless night, feeling more exhausted than rested. If the pain didn't wake me up, the nightmares did. Each time, Ezio managed to calm me down, allowing me to fall back asleep reassured, but the cycle would repeat an hour later.

After a few seconds of regaining consciousness, I finally open my eyes and notice Ezio's spot is empty. I get up with difficulty, the pain from the lacerations on my back hurting like hell. With my feet on the ground, I slip on Ezio's shirt. Its lightness doesn't worsen my pain, and its scent intensifies my comfort. I then head downstairs to find him in the kitchen.

"Hey Ezio, did you sleep well ?"

He turns around, looking surprised.

"Hey, sweetie. It's you who should be asked that after the night you had."

I approach him and curl up in his arms, careful of my back. Nestled in the crook of his neck, all my woes seem to disappear, and I feel at peace.

"Honestly, I don't know. I feel strange. Stronger and yet foreign to myself. I keep seeing his face. Even if he deserved to die and it felt relieving at the moment, I feel horrible. I don't recognize the person I was yesterday. I'm afraid this has changed me forever, and knowing I'm capable of the worst scares me."

"What you're feeling is normal. Killing a man isn't easy, especially when you're not from our world. I don't know if this will reassure you, but I remember every detail of my first time, as if it were yesterday. I see my victim's face every day. His face hides behind my eyelids, haunting me every time I close them. You'll never forget, but time will help you stop suffering from it. This man knew he was risking his life every day, like we do. In gangs or the mafia, we know every day could be our last. With all our enemies, troubles, and dangerous situations, we constantly have a target on our foreheads. So that man was going to die one day or another, and thanks to you, it happened sooner. Unfortunately, you'll have to get used to it if you want to continue what you've started and if you want to stay by my side. The question is, are you ready to live like us? To live a life of danger, adrenaline, violence, and risks ? Are you ready to wake up every morning wondering if it's your last ? Is it really worth it ?"

I reflect and realize the fleeting nature of this life. That in a second, everything can change for someone else or for me.

Isn't this what attracts me ? Deep down, am I not embracing my destiny ? Why have I never felt more alive and at home than since Ezio came back into my life ?

"I think subconsciously, my mind knew all this. Otherwise, I don't think I would have followed you. At the fire in my apartment, I would have collapsed even more and wouldn't have wanted revenge. The shock of reality is hard, and I fully realize that this is not a game, far from it, but I've never felt more alive and at home than when I'm with you. The cost is demanding and tough, but I'm ready to endure all this and harden myself to be with you."

My words seem to be what he wanted to hear because an enormous smile lights up Ezio's face, and he kisses me passionately in response. Through his kiss, I feel all his emotions: his joy, his anger, his worry, and also his fear of losing me.

"Am I interrupting ?"

We quickly turn to find Raphael standing alongside Isabella.

He's really good at showing up at the worst moments.

If our skin could actually turn green with jealousy, Isabella would make the most vibrant green plants look pale.

"May, go change. I don't want to discuss business with you in that attire."

Still intimidated by his presence, I comply without a word, suppressing my rebellious side.

So, does this mean he truly accepts me ?

Once changed, I return to join everyone.

"Good, we can begin."

I join them in the living room where Isabella sits next to Ezio on the couch, and across from them, Raphael leans against the fireplace. I take a seat in the armchair to the right of the couch.

"May, first, let me congratulate you on successfully completing your mafia initiation. You achieved our goal with flying colors. I will remember this, though you will need to do more to become a full-fledged member of our circle."

"Just because you killed a man doesn't make you one of us. You are far from having mafia blood in your veins, and your presence here is solely thanks to Ezio. All of us, the other members of the circle, do not desire your presence. You will bring us media problems and many other unforeseen issues. Sooner or later, it will backfire on us, and we'll know where to find you." Isabella adds with a condescending tone.

Silently, I shoot daggers at the silicon-stuffed witch. The recent victory with Raphael keeps me from giving in to the overwhelming urge to put her in her place.

With all the plastic in your body, climate change has real worries.

"Thank you for your input, Isabella. If I needed to hear your hissing voice, I would have asked." Raphael retorts.

I barely conceal the satisfaction Raphael's intervention brings me. Isabella sinks back into the couch. Ezio lowers his head, trying to stifle a mocking smile, which makes me smile in turn, but it quickly fades when I hear the patriarch's voice resonate again.

"As I was saying, you will need to prove more than once that you can truly be one of us and worthy of our complete trust. However, with what you have accomplished, you deserve to be part of our meetings and plans. We reserve the right to exclude you if we have doubts about your reliability or the potential media consequences."

I then realize that my notoriety will always be a problem for them, no matter what I do for them. The irresistible urge to prove them wrong rises within me, to show them that despite my celebrity status, I can keep my private life discreet and protect their circle from the media. I will silence their doubts and prove my reliability.

"I will prove to you that I am trustworthy, that my private life can remain far from any media frenzy, and that you will never have the spotlight on you and your affairs."

"Your words are wise, but don't make promises you can't keep. You cannot predict the future, so save your words. We will focus more on your actions. Only they will determine your legitimacy within our family."

I nod, remaining impassive, not wanting him to see that his words, like arrows, have struck directly at my ego.

"Now, what do we know about the mole ?"

"All I managed to extract from him is that he received calls from a masked number and that a woman's voice on the other end provided the information."

"Well, there aren't many options. In our circle, there's you, Isabella, Pia, Valentina, and Giulia. It must be one of you." Raphael accuses.

"You're not seriously suspecting me, are you ?" Isabella exclaims, eyes wide and mouth agape.

If she didn't inspire such contempt, I might almost pity her, but instead, I relish the suspicion she arouses, secretly hoping she is the infamous voice.

"And why not ?" Ezio retorts sharply, glaring at her.

"But because... well..." she pauses to form a coherent sentence, be serious for a moment. "I wouldn't betray you. Since Giuseppe's death, I've only helped and invested in the plans. Why would I undermine all that and stab you in the back ?"

"Sorry, Isabella, but we have to doubt everyone. I'll need you to hand over your phone for verification. Simple check, you understand ?" Raphael replies, calming the situation.

Isabella complies, and Ezio takes her phone. After scrolling through the call log for a few minutes, he shakes his head negatively. Disappointed she isn't the mole, I watch him return the phone to its owner, who remains silent.

"Good. Now that you're cleared of suspicion, we will have to check every girl's phone and find out who betrayed us."

With those words, Raphael leaves the living room with Isabella trailing behind.

"Meet me at my place in an hour for a gathering with the girls. We will get to the bottom of this."

As we watch them disappear into the elevator, I ask:

"Why do your father and Isabella often come together ?"

"That's a very good question, but I think I have the answer."

I raise my eyebrows and question him with my eyes.

"Earlier, while scrolling through her call log, I saw the same number come up numerous times, and it's my father's."

"Do you think they are... together ?"

"If that's the case, Isabella is even more power-hungry than I thought, and my father is even more desperately lonely than I imagined."

His words echoes the spark of ambition I had seen in her eyes. If Ezio has the same perception of her, knowing her better than I do, then what does she really want ?

"Do you honestly think she's innocent and has nothing to do with this ?"

"If we're right about their relationship, Isabella is definitely someone to keep a closer eye on."

On the way to his father's manor, his words kept resonating in my mind, isolating me in my thoughts.

Secluded from civilization, Raphael's residence is on the outskirts of the city. After driving for a while, we arrive at an imposing house in a colonial style that clashes with traditional Sicilian architecture.

Without breaking our silence, Ezio ring the doorbell, its muffled echo seemingly lost in the manor's vastness. The creaking sound merges with the distant cawing of crows. The infectious smile of the maid then appears. We step into the entrance hall, dominated by a grand staircase. On either side, massive dark wooden doors framed the scene. Ezio take my hand and guide me through one of them on the right.

We find ourselves in a large room with a dizzying ceiling height from which a majestic chandelier unfolds its crystal. In the center stands a large table, indicating that we're in the dining room. Alongside is a beautiful stone fireplace. To our right is a sitting area where leather sofas gleam in the firelight. Raphael and Isabella are comfortably seated there.

"Finally, you're here. Right on time, we can start. Yolanda, please fetch our guests."

A few minutes later, the maid returns with three women, whom I presume to be Giulia, Pia, and Valentina.

"Thank you, Yolanda. You may go. Ladies, please come in. This is May. She's the one who got the information about the mole."

The three women exchange perplexed and worried looks, then glare at me.

"How did the slut get that information ?"

My eyes widened, unable to find any words. Only Isabella's mocking laughter pierces through the tension that filled the room.

"She's not a slut; she's an ally." replies Ezio, steady fists.

"She sleeps with you, right ? And who knows what she had to do to get that information. To me, she's just a..."

"Finish that sentence, and I swear I'll impale you with the fire poker !" Ezio threatens, stepping towards her menacingly.

"To answer your question, Pia, we are certain of May's source, and the rest is none of your concern," intervens Raphael, putting an end to the childish exchange.

Pia crosses her arms and sulks.

"If you're here, it's to clear this matter up."

"You think it's one of us ? And what about Isabella ? She could be the mole too !" protests the young woman with the ponytail.

"Oh, please, Valentina. I know it's hard for you, but try connecting two brain cells for at least two seconds." retorts the siliconed figure.

"Yes, I think it's one of you. Isabella has already been cleared of suspicion, and now it's your turn to prove your honesty."

Each woman surrender except one, Valentina.

"It's private ! You have no right to search my phone !" she protests vehemently.

"Acting like this is very suspicious. Are you sure you have nothing to hide?" insists Raphael.

"I am not the mole if that's what you think, but I still won't give you my phone."

Raphael lost patience and pointed a gun, pulled from his back, at her forehead.

"Do you still refuse to give it to us ?"

My eyes widened, trying to contain my shock, while Valentina hold Raphael's gaze.

"If you have nothing to hide, then give me your phone. We won't judge you for the rest. We don't care what you do in your free time !"

Cornered, Valentina yields and hands over her phone. Ezio scrutinizes the three phones, and one of them reveals the truth. He shows the screen to his father, pointing at the proof.

Raphael looks at the person in question and strikes her head with the butt of his gun, knocking her down.

"You think it's funny to mock me, you bitch?!"

Filled with rage, he kicks her in the ribs. Coughing and struggling, she responds:

"It's not me, I swear !"

"But it is your phone, Valentina ! You've been suspicious from the start, and now I see why !"

He kicks her in the stomach again. Almost gasping for air, she replies :

"I don't understand ! I had nothing to do with this. I must have been set up !"

Raphael ignores her last words and hands me his gun.

"Now, it's your turn. If you want to prove you're one of us, this is the moment. Seize your chance."

I take his gun, my hand trembling as I aim it at Valentina. Her fear-stricken eyes lock onto mine, intensifying my heartbeat.

"May, you don't have to do this. I see you are good and respectable. They haven't corrupted you yet. Show mercy and listen to me. I've been framed, I swear."

Through her gaze, I can perceive her sincerity. The thunderous beating of my heart drown out all coherent thoughts. Concentration and reflection become impossible. Only the distant voice of my instinct, screaming her innocence, manage to pierce through the thick fog of my mind. This faint cry of truth make me realize that I won't be able to pull the trigger.

"What if we were wrong ? What if Valentina is truly innocent ?" I ask imploringly, looking at the impassive Ezio.

"Pull the fucking trigger, May!" Raphael orders.

Despite my desire to prove myself, I can't bring myself to kill her. My humanity prevents me from fulfilling Raphael's command.

"This is nonsense. Give me that so I can finish it ! You're useless, weak !"

The gunshot's explosion erase all my thoughts, filling my mind with images of the scene before me. Frozen, I stare at Valentina's lifeless body, unable to look away from her head. Hypnotized by the blood flowing out, I barely hear Isabella's voice.

As she presses the gun against my stomach, she says:

"That's how you act when the mafia runs in your veins, bitch."

Horrified, I remain paralyzed, unable to react to her words. I hear the sound of her heels fading away, the sobs of the two other women, and the deafening beat of my heart. A lump forms in my stomach, forcing me to ask myself:

What if we're mistaken ?