Blood Ties and Forbidden Hearts: Morallis & Santoro

Elena's POV

As I held the bloody body of my lover, I couldn't help but let the tears already gathered in my eyes escape, flooding my face like a broken dam. He was my everything. I didn't even care anymore that he had killed someone close to my heart, I just wanted him to come back to me. As I watched him struggle for breath, due to the bullet wound he sustained, my mind began to wander to how we met, how I fell in love with my rival mafia's son, Noah Santoro.

(Several Months Earlier)

I sat by myself in the poorly lit bar, the warmth from the yellow light bulbs resting on my face.

The usual sounds of people drinking a laughing entered my ears, causing me to smile a bit at the temporary feeling of feeling normal instead of the daughter of an influential crime boss in New York city. Not to be mistaken, I love my life, but sometimes, it was nice to be normal even if it was pretense.

The door opened, and he walked in, still wearing his suit. Sean, my boyfriend who I have dated for two years, ran his hand through his bright-colored blonde hair and stared at me with his beautiful blue eyes. I couldn't help idolizing him like I've always done, but I can't be blamed. He looked exactly like a prince charming out from a Disney movie. I enjoyed just looking at him at that moment, even though I knew it wasn't going to last.

He sat down on a stool beside me then flashed me a smile. It has never been said, but we have been living two separate lives, different from each other's, and it was time to address the obvious elephant in the room.

"Lena" he said after a brief moment of silence, using my nickname to call me. " We need to talk."

I took a quiet breath, slowly nodding my head. "Yeah, we do."

His eyes fell on my glass of champagne still untouched in front of me. "Honestly, I've been doing a lot of thinking...... about us," he said, his big hands placed on the table.

I studied him for a brief time, realizing how drifted apart we'd become. He always told me how sexy my ambitions and drive for success was, but now, I doubt he still feels like that anymore.

He went on, "I can't help but miss the days when we didn't have a care in the world. I miss my Elena, who used to laugh at my silly jokes, but lately, you've become too focused on your career, so much that I don't think I belong anymore."

I looked away. I didn't want to agree with him even though I knew he was right. I tried to create chances for us to behave like normal couples despite the fact that I have been busy running numerous of my father's businesses.

Being a daughter to a Mafia boss hasn't been easy and it's caused a strain in my relationship.

"Mark", I began, "I didn't want things to go this way. It hasn't been easy for me."

He nodded his head. "I completely understand, Elena, I do. But I can't be your handbag who your father doesn't approve of, but you still want to keep."

Heavy tears gathered in my eyes as I considered what he was saying. I had been focused on being a Morallis that I forgot about him.

Sadly, he continued, "I need to break free from you, Elena."

I nodded my head to show my agreement. " I understand what you're saying," I whispered. "I've never really considered your feelings, and I'm so sorry about that." Tears left my eyes.

He turned to look me in the eyes. "I hope you find fulfillment in always trying to please your father, I honestly do."

Immediately he had said that, he stood up from the bar stool and left. I felt extremely empty but there was nothing I could do; about my life and my circumstances. I had no other reason to live than to become the woman my father wants me to be.

Loosing Mark left me yearning for something to make me heal. In honor of the times I disregarded him, I was determined to finish what I started, and that was to become the next head of the Morallis Family.

* * * * * * *

I never would have thought my father would betray me like this. Despite the fact that I had built myself as a worthy businesswoman capable of ruling after my father, I was beyond angry and disappointed at his recent decision.

It all began months after my breakup.

After crying my heart out for weeks, I was back to being a reputable figure in New York as one of the most influential women, also in the Mafia crime world. I sat down in my father, Antonio Morallis' study, waiting to hear why he had called me.

My intimidating father, seated behind his big expensive table, lit a cigarette and began to smoke. As he looked at me, his facial expression had an obvious aura of reluctance, a feeling I had never felt whenever he called me to his study.

"Pumpkin" he started, his deep voice resting on the nickname he gave me since I was a child, "I want to discuss something with you."

I sat down properly on the chair, preparing myself for the words that were going to come out of his lips next.

"A couple of hours ago, I received a message from a group of men who wanted us to deliver a job for them. I later found out your cousin, Andrew, had stolen them away from our rivals, the Santoros, and brought them to close a huge deal with us. Considering the circumstances, I have decided to let him be in charge of it."

Andrew, the most annoying person in our family, was chosen over me to close a multimillion-dollar deal!? He was too stubborn, reckless, impatient and hot-blooded to be capable of being in charge of such a deal. I couldn't hide my shock.

"Father, why would you do that? "Andrew can't do it that way I can. "He's sure to mess it up," I said, unable to keep my frustrations out of my voice. "Call him back and send me out there instead."

My father took his time before answering me. As a man of few words, it wasn't unusual.

"Elena, I know your abilities better than anyone in this business. However, Andrew brought this deal to us and he has to see it through."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My cousin, who has spent most of his life goofing around and making mistakes with money, life choices and women, was being given, on a platter of gold, the key to a deal that would benefit our family greatly.

I couldn't help but feel betrayed.

"Father, I understand" I said, my voice gaining a bit of volume. "I have put my all into this family, even forsook Mark for us, and I'm still overlooked? It's not fair."

My father's eyes remained on me. His expression was both sad and empathetic.

"Pumpkin, you have been a valuable asset to this family, unmistakably more than Andrew, but I need you to trust me on this."

I swallowed hard on a lump in my throat. I had no other choice than to follow my father's decision. His mind was already made up. Besides, there was nothing I could do but hope for the best.

As I walked out of the study, still sad at what had happened, my mind couldn't help but wander.

I had worked extremely hard to make my father trust me fully enough to leave his empire in my hands now that he was growing old, but this was like a realization dawning on me that he didn't have enough confidence in me.

The following days were more difficult than I expected. I watched from a distance as Andrew drew out plans for the impending deal and how impressed my father looked. My anger deepened. I would have loved to take over,but I couldn't defy my father. That would result in severe consequences.

On the day of the deal,I went to work as I normally did and when I was done, I entered my room and locked my door, no desire whatsoever to know what was happening.

In the morning, I was sure to hear the final result of how everything went, so all I had to do was to wait patiently.

While I stayed in my bed, trying to sleep became such a chore. I found myself thinking and thinking about everything so far that led me to this point in my life. I held my chest.

The pain of being disregarded by my own father was still fresh in my heart and I knew it would take time to heal.

In the world of the Mafia, loyalty was everything, but lately, I couldn't help but wonder if my loyalty had been misplaced.