Mafia Lord's Mute Sweetheart

Chapter 97: Chapter 97 Please... keep me safe from evil eyes

Alessio continued walking without even glancing at him. His stride was graceful and unhurried, his expression unreadable.

Rafael wasn’t discouraged. "You’ve never been interested in my perfume company before." He folded his arms dramatically, falling into step beside his brother. "So what’s going on? Did your business go bankrupt or something?"

He gasped loudly, placing a hand over his chest in exaggerated horror. "Oh no... Is Alessio Ricci, the great and powerful mafia lord, secretly broke? Has the king finally fallen?"

He clasped his hands together as if in prayer. "Should I start collecting coins for you? Maybe I should open an online fundraiser. Help my poor big brother survive. We could sell t-shirts. I survived Alessio Ricci’s financial downfall and all I got was this lousy shirt."

Alessio finally turned his head. His cold green eyes landed on Rafael.

One look that was enough to freeze almost anyone.

Unfortunately... Rafael wasn’t ’almost anyone.’

He only laughed harder.

Alessio looked away again, deciding his brother wasn’t worth responding to.

Just as Rafael opened his mouth to continue his relentless teasing, his phone suddenly rang.

He frowned at the caller ID.

The playful smile vanished instantly. His posture straightened. His jaw tightened.

Rafael answered, his voice serious. "...Yes."

Alessio slowed his steps slightly, quietly waiting nearby.

Rafael listened in silence. With every passing second, his expression grew more serious. His brow furrowed and his hand tightened around the phone.

Rafael said, his voice clipped. "I understand."

"...No."

"I’ll handle it myself."

"I’ll leave tonight."

The call ended.

Rafael lowered his phone slowly.

A new mission: Mafia-related. Estimated duration: one week. Danger level: high.

He stood there for a moment, processing the information, before slowly turning toward Alessio.

His eyes narrowed.

Alessio noticed immediately. He raised an eyebrow. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Rafael pointed an accusing finger straight at him. "You’re behind this, aren’t you?"

Alessio remained silent. His expression gave nothing away.

Rafael pressed on. "You recommended me for this mission!"

Still nothing.

"You knew about it before I did!"

Silence.

"Don’t play dumb with me, bro. I know you."

Alessio calmly adjusted the cuff of his suit.

Rafael’s eyes widened. "You don’t want me around because I’ve been teasing you about Daisy!"

Silence.

Rafael’s voice rose. "See? You’re not denying it!"

Only then did Alessio finally look at him.

Alessio said calmly. "It’s a seven-day mission. Focus on staying alive instead of making ridiculous assumptions."

Rafael stared at him. "...Ridiculous assumptions?"

He pointed at Alessio again. "You literally volunteered me for one of the most dangerous missions because I made a few jokes! A few harmless jokes! I didn’t even say anything that bad!"

Alessio replied flatly. "I didn’t say that."

Rafael shot back. "You also didn’t deny it!"

Alessio’s expression remained perfectly composed. "Your imagination is very active."

Rafael let out a frustrated groan. "You are unbelievable, bro!"

No response.

"You are manipulative."

Nothing.

"You are cold-hearted."

Still nothing.

"You are..." Rafael searched for another insult. "...annoyingly handsome."

Alessio looked at him blankly. "That wasn’t an insult."

Rafael sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know. I ran out of ideas. You’re too perfect. It’s infuriating."

For the briefest moment, the corner of Alessio’s lips lifted almost imperceptibly.

Alessio said calmly. "So, are you done?"

Rafael clicked his tongue. "I hate you."

Alessio walked past him toward the elevator. "No, you don’t."

Rafael sighed dramatically before following behind. "...You’re right."

A beat later, he muttered under his breath, "But I still hate you a little. Just a little. Enough to be annoying about it."

Alessio’s lips twitched but he said nothing.

The elevator doors slid open, and the two brothers stepped inside.

As the doors closed, Rafael spoke again.

"Bro."

Alessio looked at him.

Rafael said, his voice softer now. "Take care of yourself while I’m gone."

Alessio’s eyes softened, just a fraction.

"Take care of yourself too," Alessio replied quietly.

Rafael grinned foolishly.

Daisy hurried into her room the moment she returned home.

She quietly closed the door behind her and leaned against it, letting out a shaky breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding. Her heart was still racing, her palms slightly clammy. The uncomfortable feeling that had settled in her chest since Mr. Higgins’ office still hadn’t gone away.

Without wasting another second, she walked straight to the bathroom.

She turned on the shower, letting the water heat up until steam began to fill the small space. She stepped under the warm spray, closing her eyes as the water cascaded over her.

But instead of bringing comfort, it only reminded her of what had happened.

His hand...Around her waist.

Her brows knitted together.

She grabbed the soap and began scrubbing her skin, again and again. Her movements gradually became quicker, almost desperate. She rubbed her arms, her waist, every place where she remembered his touch, as though she could wash away the unpleasant memory itself.

By the time she finally stopped, her delicate skin had turned a soft shade of red.

Only then did she slowly realize what she had done.

She lowered her hands, staring at the pink marks on her skin. The water continued falling quietly around her, the sound soft and steady.

She stood there for another minute, letting the water wash over her, before finally turning off the shower.

She changed into a pair of comfortable cotton pajamas, soft and worn, and climbed onto her bed. She lay flat on her back, staring silently at the white ceiling above her.

The room was peaceful.

Yet her heart refused to calm down.

She gently bit her lower lip.

She had never liked being touched. Not by strangers. Not even by Cedric. Physical contact had always made her instinctively tense, and today had only strengthened that feeling.

There had been something in Mr. Higgins’ eyes.

Something that frightened her.

She hugged a pillow tightly against her chest, seeking a sense of comfort. The fabric was soft, familiar, and she pressed her face into it, trying to ground herself.

Her thoughts slowly drifted to Cedric.

In her imagination, he had just returned home after hearing everything that had happened. She pictured him walking straight into Mr. Higgins’ office, his expression colder than ice, his presence filling the room like a storm cloud.

Without saying a single unnecessary word, Cedric grabbed the man by the collar.

"How dare you touch my wife?"

The imaginary Mr. Higgins turned pale with fear as Cedric’s sharp gaze alone seemed enough to crush him. He stammered, tried to apologize, but Cedric didn’t listen. He simply threw him against the wall and walked out, leaving the man trembling in his office.

Daisy couldn’t help the tiny smile that appeared on her face.

The scene was only a daydream. A comforting fantasy her anxious heart had created.

She hugged the pillow a little tighter.

I wish...

I wish Cedric could protect me from people with bad intentions.

Closing her eyes, she silently whispered a small prayer in her heart.

Please... keep me safe from evil eyes.