30. Carlito

Chapter 30

Carlito

The room hums with low, tense murmurs. The chamber is steeped in shadows, illuminated only by a single hanging light that casts stark contrasts on the faces of the Mafia council seated in a semicircle. Matteo sits at the center of it all, bound to a chair, his suit torn and bloodstained but his demeanor unbroken. His defiance simmers beneath his glare, but I know better than anyone the weight of his situation has finally sunk in.

Leo steps forward, handing me the leather-bound ledger. I open it deliberately, letting the rustle of aged paper cut through the tension. The weight of this moment is not lost on me; this isn’t just about Matteo. It’s about the years of deceit, the lives lost, and the empire he sought to dismantle from within.

“This,” I say, holding up a page covered in handwritten entries, “is what your loyalty to Matteo bought you. Dirty money, backdoor deals, alliances forged in the shadows—all of it recorded in meticulous detail.”

I toss the ledger onto the table in front of the council, the sound sharp and final. “This is the proof of Matteo Russo’s betrayal. Not just to me but to all of us.”

A ripple of agreement passes through the room, quiet but unmistakable.

“You think this makes you better than me?” Matteo sneers, his voice hoarse but steady. “We’re all the same, Carlito. You just hide it better.”

I step closer, my hands gripping the edges of the table as I lean in. “The difference between us, Matteo, is that I know the line between ambition and treachery. You crossed it the moment you put your greed above the family.”

His gaze flickers, just for a second, and I know I’ve hit a nerve.

As the council deliberates, I glance at the empty chair that should have been Dominic’s. His absence cuts deeper than I expected. He made his choice, sacrificing himself to save Mia and me, and in doing so, proved that even in the darkness of this world, redemption is possible.

Mia’s face flashes in my mind—her quiet grief, the way she clutched his bloodstained hand in the aftermath. It’s a wound I can’t heal for her, but it fuels my resolve. For her and our child, I’ll ensure this ends here.

The head of the Mafia council raises his hand, and the murmurs cease. “The evidence is clear,” he announces, his voice carrying the weight of finality. “Matteo Russo, you have broken the code of loyalty. Your punishment will be exile from the council and the forfeiture of your assets.”

A collective exhale sweeps through the room, but my chest remains tight. Exile isn’t death, but for Matteo, it’s close enough. He won’t last long without the protection of the council.

“Take him,” I order, my voice cold and detached. Two guards step forward, dragging Matteo to his feet.

As he’s led away, Matteo turns his head, his bloodied lips twisting into a smirk. “This isn’t over, Carlito,” he hisses. “You’ll see.”

I watch him disappear into the shadows, my fists clenched at my sides. Whatever Matteo has left to fight with, it won’t be enough—not while I have Mia to fight for.

The heavy doors to the council chamber close behind me with a resounding thud. Outside, the cold night air bites at my skin, but it’s a welcome contrast to the stifling tension inside. Matteo’s words linger in my mind like an unwanted echo, but I push them aside. His downfall is complete, and his empire is dismantled—retribution has been served.

As I walk toward the waiting car, my thoughts drift to Mia. She’s been my anchor through this chaos, even as the storm has threatened to pull us apart. Dominic’s death weighs on her, I know. She’s carried herself with strength, but I’ve seen the moments where her guard falters—her quiet stares, the way she presses a hand to her stomach as if grounding herself.

Leo stands by the car, his expression a mixture of relief and wariness. “It’s done,” he says simply as I approach.

I nod. “What about Mia?”

“She’s back at the penthouse,” Leo replies. “She asked not to be disturbed.”

For a moment, I hesitate. The weight of everything we’ve endured presses down on me, and I wonder if she’s ready to let me back in. But this isn’t the time for doubt. Not with what we’ve survived—and not with what lies ahead.

---

The penthouse is quiet when I arrive, the soft hum of the city beyond the windows the only sound. I find Mia in the living room, curled up on the couch with a blanket draped over her legs. She looks up as I enter, her eyes meeting mine with a mixture of exhaustion and something deeper—relief, maybe, or a fragile hope.

“You’re back,” she says softly, setting aside the book she hasn’t been reading.

“I am.” I cross the room, sitting beside her. For a moment, we just sit there, the silence between us speaking louder than words.

“I heard what happened,” she says after a while. “The trial. Matteo.”

“It’s over,” I tell her, though the words feel heavier than they should. “He’s been exiled. He won’t come after us again.”

Her gaze drops to her hands, folded neatly in her lap. “And Dominic?”

I take her hand in mine, my grip firm but gentle. “He made his choice, Mia. He wanted to protect you—and he did.”

Her breath hitches, and I see the glimmer of tears in her eyes. “He didn’t deserve to die like that,” she whispers.

“No, he didn’t.” My voice is quiet, the truth heavy between us.

Mia leans into me, her head resting on my shoulder. It’s a small gesture, but it speaks volumes. We’ve been through so much together, and yet, in this moment, we find solace in each other’s presence. I tighten my arm around her, pulling her closer, and she sighs, a sound that is both weary and content.

Gently, I lift her chin, my thumb brushing against her soft skin. Her eyes, shimmering with unshed tears, meet mine, and I see the determination and resilience that have always drawn me to her. "Mia, listen to me," I say, my voice low and intense. "Whatever comes next, we face it together. No more secrets, no more hiding. We're in this together."

Her lips quiver, and for a moment, I think she might break down. But then, with a deep breath, she nods, her eyes holding mine with unwavering resolve. "I’m with you, Carlito. Always."

I pull her close, my lips finding hers in a kiss that is both tender and passionate. Mia responds eagerly, her hands threading through my hair, pulling me closer. The kiss deepens, our tongues dancing, and I taste the sweetness of her mouth, the warmth of her breath. My hands roam over her body, tracing the curves of her waist, the softness of her hips. I want to erase the pain and fear from her, to replace it with pleasure and desire.

As our kiss intensifies, I stand, lifting her effortlessly into my arms. She giggles, a light, musical sound, as I carry her toward the bedroom and kick the door open with my foot, my focus entirely on Mia.

Lowering her onto the bed, I follow, my body covering hers, our lips never breaking contact. Her hands roam under my shirt, her fingertips tracing the muscles of my back, sending shivers down my spine. I groan into her mouth, my hands moving to the buttons of her blouse, eager to feel her skin against mine.

With deft fingers, I undo the buttons, revealing her lacy black bra and the swell of her breasts. I kiss my way down her neck, nipping and sucking gently, making her arch into me with a soft moan. Her skin tastes like honey, and I want to devour her, to mark her as mine.

"Carlito," she breathes, her voice husky with desire. "Please..."

I smile against her skin, my hands cupping her breasts, thumbs brushing over her hardened nipples. "Patience, baby. I want to savor every moment."

I kiss my way down her body, my tongue tracing the valley between her breasts, making her squirm beneath me. Her scent, a mixture of perfume and desire, fills my senses, driving me wild. I unhook her bra, freeing her breasts, and take one taut peak into my mouth, sucking gently, then harder as she gasps and writhes beneath me.

Mia’s hands tug at my belt, her fingers deftly undoing the buckle and sliding my pants down my hips. I raise myself on my elbows, watching as she reveals my straining erection, encased in black silk boxers. Her eyes darken with desire as she runs her fingers along the length of my shaft, making me hiss in pleasure.

"I want you," she whispers, her voice throaty. "Now."

I don’t need any further encouragement. I shed my clothes, my eyes never leaving hers, and then I’m over her again, my body aligning with hers. I kiss her deeply, my tongue mimicking the rhythm I intend for our bodies. She wraps her legs around my waist, pulling me closer, her wet heat teasing the tip of my cock.

With one smooth thrust, I fill her, our bodies becoming one. Mia cries out, her nails digging into my back as she adjusts to my size. I hold still, giving her a moment to acclimate, before beginning a slow, steady rhythm.

"Oh my God," she breathes, her head thrown back, her chest heaving. "Yes, just like that."

I oblige, my pace increasing, my hips slamming into hers, our bodies moving in perfect harmony. The bed creaks beneath us, the only other sound our labored breathing and the wet, slick sounds of our coupling. I reach between us, finding her clit, and begin to rub in time with my thrusts.

Mia’s orgasm hits her hard, her body tensing, her inner walls clenching around me. I feel her climax ripple through her, and it’s my undoing. With a final, powerful thrust, I come, my release spilling into her, our cries of pleasure mingling in the air.

We lie there, entangled in each other’s arms, our hearts still racing. I brush the hair from her face, my thumb wiping away a stray tear. "Are you okay?" I ask, my voice hoarse with emotion.

She smiles, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "I am now. I needed that... needed you."

I kiss her softly, my heart swelling with love and protectiveness. "Always, baby. I'll always be here for you."

The quiet after the storm settles over the penthouse like a heavy blanket, bringing with it a fragile sense of peace. I stand by the window, watching the lights of Las Vegas shimmer in the distance. Behind me, Mia stirs, wrapping the sheet tighter around her.

“It feels different,” she murmurs, her voice soft but steady.

I turn to face her, my brow furrowing. “What does?”

She sits up, the glow of the city casting her features in soft light. “This... us. It feels like we’ve crossed some line—like everything’s changed.”

I cross the room, sitting on the edge of the bed. My hand finds hers, our fingers intertwining. “Everything has changed,” I admit. “But it doesn’t mean it’s over. Matteo’s gone, but the world we live in... it doesn’t forget.”

Her eyes search mine, and I see the same determination that first drew me to her. “Then we change it,” she says, her voice filled with quiet conviction.

Her words strike something deep within me—a reminder of why I chose her, why I’ve fought so hard to protect her. She’s not just a part of my world; she’s redefined it.

A faint knock at the door pulls us both from the moment. I rise, grabbing a shirt as I cross the room.

Leo stands on the other side, his expression grim but composed. “Here’s the council’s formal document of Matteo’s permanent exile,” he says, handing me a sealed envelope.

I glance at it briefly before nodding. “And the property?”

“Secured. Matteo’s men have been dismantled or scattered. We’ve taken full control.”

“Good.” I step back, dismissing him with a nod.

As I return to the bedroom, Mia watches me carefully. “What was that about?”

“Closure,” I say simply, setting the envelope aside.

She doesn’t press further, and for that, I’m grateful.