The Don's Legal Eagle's Baby: An Enemies to Lovers Mafia Romance

16. Griselda

As I stood in the corner of Emilio”s lab, I found myself utterly captivated by the sight before me. Emilio was in his element. His presence seemed to fill the room, commanding attention and respect from everyone around him. It was a side of him I hadn”t seen before, and it was fascinating.

He was engrossed in a conversation with his employees, each one wearing a white lab coat and carrying a board, presumably discussing modifications for one of the many cars parked around the lab.

Not able to hear their discussion from where I stood, I was drawn to watch Emilio’s gestures. They were purposeful and expressive, emphasizing the points he was making. His hands moved fluidly through the air, sketching out ideas, designs, and concepts that only he could fully comprehend.

And then there were his eyes. Oh, those eyes. They burned with a passion that was impossible to ignore. I could see that this was something that he not only enjoyed but lived for and thrived on.

I caught myself smiling, my heart warming at the sight of him so engrossed in what he loved.

As I observed him, I couldn”t help but reflect on our time together. The luxury of Lumière Heights Hotel, the elegance and sophistication—it all made sense now. Emilio was a billionaire, the CEO of Royalty Rentals, a man whose influence reached far beyond what I had initially imagined. It was both awe-inspiring and humbling.

I felt embarrassed when I remembered how I had laughed at him.

Amidst the hum of activity, Emilio’s presence still commanded my attention. I stood there, lost in thought, when I sensed someone stepping up beside me.

I turned to find Enzo, Emilio”s trusted right-hand man, standing next to me. His eyes were fixed on Emilio, observing his every move. We stood there in relative silence for a moment as I wondered what he wanted to say. Breaking the silence, Enzo”s voice cut through the air, direct and probing.

”What are your intentions with Emilio?” The question hung in the air, stark and unexpected.

I choked on his words, taken aback by the bluntness. My mind raced, trying to find the right words to express my thoughts.

”I... I care for Emilio,” I finally managed, my voice hesitant yet resolute. ”I genuinely care about him, though I can’t say I approve of your…activities.”

Enzo studied my face for a moment, seemingly assessing the truth in my words. His demeanor softened, and he sighed, a mix of concern and something akin to relief in his eyes.

”Emilio values you,” he said, choosing his words carefully. ”He”s been through a lot, and trust doesn”t come easily for him.”

I absorbed Enzo”s words, wondering what happened to Emilio to make Enzo say this.

”He”s had a challenging past,” Enzo continued, his intense gray eyes filled with empathy. ”Growing up in a complex family situation, he learned to guard himself. It”s why he”s so focused on achieving his personal goals. He”s worked tirelessly to create a better life for himself and those he cares about.”

Having watched Emilio laugh and interact with his employees was a side I hadn”t expected from a person tied to a notorious mafia family. It made me wonder about him. It was also ridiculous how quickly my annoyance and anger at Emilio were fading.

Enzo noticed my soft smile, a warm expression on his face. It was as if he understood the questions that churned within me. He nodded towards the area over my shoulder, prompting me to turn back.

There, approaching us, was Emilio. Enzo leaned in close as if sharing a secret.

”In regards to what you’re thinking, not everything is as it seems,” he whispered, his voice tinged with a hint of mystery. ”The truth about Emilio and the life he leads is more complicated than you think.”

Before I could even ask what he meant or what he knew about my thoughts, Enzo slipped away just as Emilio showed up, his genuine smile brightening the atmosphere around us.

”Everything alright?” Emilio inquired, glancing in the direction in which Enzo had just vanished.

I nodded. ”Yeah, he just kept me company.”

Emilio raised an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism in his eyes.

”Enzo? Keeping someone company?” he teased.

I chuckled. ”I”m serious.”

He didn”t look entirely convinced, but a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. ”Alright then. Ready to head back?”

I nodded again. ”Sure.”

And as we left, I stole one more glance around his lab.

As we drove back, Enzo”s words played on repeat in my head. What was it about Emilio that he hinted at that I wasn”t fully grasping? Did he catch what was swirling in my thoughts?

My eyes shifted to Emilio, who was focused on the road. I couldn”t help but wonder how deep his involvement with the mafia was.

The penthouse felt strangely void as Emilio dropped me off, his reassuring smile doing little to lighten my disappointment.

”I have some things to attend to,” he said with a hint of regret.

”Sure,” I responded with a shrug, trying to seem unaffected.

As he left, the door clicking softly behind him, I was left alone with my thoughts. Glancing around, I took in his living space. It was a lavish abode. There was no way I could afford it on my salary. Even though I was a lawyer, I worked at a small firm.

Thinking of work, my mind wandered into troubling territories. Could his sudden departure be linked to the mafia?

I let out a deep sigh, leaning back and resting my head on the arm of the couch after turning on the TV. Its senseless chatter, filling the room, couldn”t drown out the questions poking at my mind.

My phone was absent, Emilio having taken it for my safety. At first, I was irritated by this precaution, but after witnessing the marvels of his hidden lab, doubts about his motives seemed baseless.

Minutes they turned into a quiet hour.

I watched TV absent-mindedly, the news anchors discussing events that felt worlds away from my current mess.

The sudden sound of the door opening snapped me back to reality.

In walked a man I didn”t recognize. My senses immediately went on high alert. Who was he, and how had he entered the penthouse? Frustration hit me, I had no phone. I couldn”t contact Emilio even if I wanted to. I also didn’t have his number.

Wonderful.

I eyed the telephone on the island counter, calculating the distance and wondering if I could make a run for it. The intruder, sensing my unease, raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.

”Don”t be scared!” he said hurriedly, attempting to reassure me. ”I”m not an intruder.”

My wariness remained, my posture defensive. Trusting strangers was a luxury I could not afford in my present circumstances.

“Emilio sent me, don’t call the police.” He implored, his hands raised in a placating manner. I was still not sure if I could trust him until he pulled out a phone—a familiar one. My phone! Immediately, I was on edge.

“I work for Emilio. He asked me to check your phone.” He explained while keeping his distance. The pieces were slowly falling into place, but I remained cautious.

His next move was just as unexpected. He retrieved another phone and dialed a number, putting it on speaker. The call connected, and I heard Emilio”s voice, “What’s going on, Lucas?”

”Emilio, I’m with Griselda,” the stranger said, and I could hear the tension in his voice.

There was a brief pause and then Emilio”s voice, carrying a note of understanding. ”I see. Griselda, you can trust Lucas. He”s a part of my team. I”m sorry I didn”t inform you about this beforehand.”

I let out a breath I didn”t realize I was holding. If Emilio vouched for this man, I felt a bit more at ease.

I glanced at Emilio”s picture on my phone”s wallpaper. He had chosen to help me even though we had our differences. That act spoke volumes. It was clear that Emilio cared for my safety and had taken significant steps to ensure it.

I listened intently as Emilio continued, ”I can”t explain much right now due to time constraints, but please trust Lucas. He”s here to help.”

As Emilio ended the call, Lucas met my gaze, silently asking if I was convinced now. Slowly, I relaxed back on the couch, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. I took a cleansing breath and turned to Lucas, ready to address my initial hesitation.

”Lucas,” I began, my voice sincere, ”I”m sorry for doubting you. It”s just that things have been... complicated lately, and trust isn”t something that comes easily for me.” I appreciated his understanding and continued, ”Thank you for explaining everything. I”m grateful for your help and for making sure I”m safe.”

He waved it off casually, ”No problem. I understand. Safety’s paramount.” He shrugged with one shoulder.

He handed me my phone, and I quickly checked it, not noticing any visible changes.

”Oh,” Lucas remarked, noticing my confusion, ”My modifications are discreet. A more advanced firewall to keep the hackers out and your data safe. Anti-tracking software. So you can phone your family.”

”Thank you, Lucas,” I said appreciatively.

”No problem,” Lucas replied, flashing a casual smile.

And then, in his seemingly offhand manner, he dropped a bomb, “We look out for our own.”

I sat up, my curiosity piqued. ”What do you mean?”

He leaned against the wall, adopting a relaxed posture. ”You know, Emilio does what he can for those he truly trusts. Us.”

”Oh,” I responded, still not completely understanding.

Casually, Lucas continued, ”In fact, not even for his older brother.”

My eyebrow raised involuntarily. It seemed like Lucas was sharing information he probably shouldn”t, but I wasn”t about to stop him. Instead, I pressed further, intrigued. ”Really? Not even for the family?”

He shook his head, hands in his pockets, exuding an air of nonchalance. ”Nope.”

Amazement and shock surged through me. While I had suspected Emilio”s relationship with his father was strained, I hadn”t fathomed the extent of it. The fact that he hadn”t taken such protective measures for his own family spoke volumes.

As time passed under Emilio”s protection, an unexpected camaraderie bloomed between me and some of his loyal men. Initially, I viewed them with a wary eye, cautious of their backgrounds and roles in Emilio”s world, but as we spent more time together, sharing stories and experiences, I began to see the layers beyond their tough exteriors.

Our conversations revealed the sacrifices and unwavering loyalties that bound them to Emilio. They spoke of their dedication to him, not merely out of fear or obligation, but because they genuinely believed in him and admired him.

They described how Emilio had saved them from darker paths, offering them a sense of purpose and family they had never known.

One evening, as the city lights flickered to life, casting a mesmerizing glow across the room, I had a conversation with Antonio, another one of Emilio”s most trusted and one of the bodyguards. He had a rough exterior, a testament to the life he led, yet his eyes held a kindness that contradicted his appearance.

Antonio began to share his journey, from a turbulent childhood to finding solace in Emilio”s guidance. He spoke of the debts he owed to Emilio, not just monetary, but the debt of gratitude for pulling him out of a life of crime and despair.

Listening to Antonio, I began to see these men as more than mere criminals. They were individuals with dreams, fears, and hopes. Their motivations were complex, shaped by circumstances that forced them into difficult choices. They were loyal to Emilio, not just because they feared him, but because they respected him.

As days turned into weeks, my old beliefs slowly eroded. These men, whom society labeled as dangerous criminals, became human in my eyes. They laughed, they cared for one another, and they bore burdens that weighed heavily on them.

This change in perspective made me question the judgments I had previously held. It reminded me that in a world painted with shades of gray, it was essential to understand the motivations that drove people to the paths they walked.