Bloodlines of Betrayal-Chapter 24: Part S2: Laugher

Tittle : Bloodlines of Betrayal S2 - Celestia's Ascension

Written By : Reviline James Wang

Genre : Paranormal Romance | Alpha Werewolf | Billionaire | Vampire | Family Drama | Rumors | Mafia |

Part 4 : The Mafia Laughter

The aftermath of the fight with the Caruso family left Dante feeling both victorious and exhausted. But as the dust settled, something unusual began to happen-Leo's enthusiasm showed no sign of waning. Dante and Celestia had expected him to take a step back, realizing that the mafia world wasn't all fun and games. But Leo was absolutely thrilled, like a child after a particularly chaotic playdate, unaware of the true consequences.

The car ride home was an interesting mix of tension and comedy. Dante was at the wheel, his eyes locked on the road, trying to suppress the headache that had been growing all night. Celestia was beside him, silently amused by Leo's antics in the back seat. Leo had claimed the backseat as his "command center," using his toy sword to pretend he was leading an army.

"I'm the general!" Leo shouted from the back, raising his sword high. "And I say we stop for ice cream!"

Dante glanced at Celestia, rolling his eyes. "I knew this would happen. We can't even take him on a mission without it turning into some sort of circus."

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"You should've known better," Celestia replied, grinning. "You know that kid looks up to you. He wants to be a part of it all."

Leo suddenly leaned forward, his face inches away from Dante's seat. "Uncle Dante, I'm ready for my first real mission! I want to go after the next guy who challenges us!"

Dante sighed. "Leo, you're nine. You can't even carry a real gun yet."

"Why do I need a gun when I have this?" Leo raised his toy sword dramatically. "I'll fight them all!"

Celestia let out a chuckle. "If only it were that simple, Leo."

"Why isn't it?" Leo asked, his eyes full of confusion. "You guys fight, and then we win. That's how it works, right?"

Dante's expression softened as he glanced back at Leo. "It's more than just fighting, kid. It's about respect, understanding when to strike, and when to stay calm. And there are rules. This is the real world. Not a playground."

Leo looked down at his sword and thought about it for a moment before muttering, "But I still want to be a general."

Celestia laughed. "We'll see, Leo. But you've got a lot to learn first."

When they arrived back at the Moretti mansion, Leo was still buzzing with excitement. He jumped out of the car before it even came to a complete stop and ran inside, calling out to the housekeeper. "I'm back, and I have big news! Uncle Dante kicked some serious butt today!"

The mansion was a sprawling, opulent estate on the outskirts of the city, and it always felt like stepping into a different world-one of luxury, power, and unspoken authority. The walls were adorned with fine art, the floors gleamed with freshly polished marble, and everything had a faint, intoxicating smell of wealth.

But inside, it was also a place where Dante ran things-where power was respected, and loyalty was a currency that could either make you or break you.

Leo ran up to the grand dining room, where Dante and Celestia had already entered. "Uncle Dante, you're going to tell them what happened, right? You're going to tell them how I saved the day!"

Dante sat down at the head of the long dining table, rubbing his temples. "We've had enough of your 'heroic' antics for one night, Leo."

Celestia took a seat next to him, trying to hide her amusement. She looked at Leo, her expression serious but playful. "Leo, you did help, but not in the way you think. What you did was great, but the world of mafia families doesn't operate on playtime. It's a balance of strategy, power, and respect."

Leo slumped down on his chair, pouting. "But I just want to help!"

Dante smiled wryly, leaning back in his chair. "Kid, the best way you can help right now is by listening and learning."

The rest of the night passed in a blur of food, stories, and laughter, though Leo couldn't help but feel a little deflated. His big, heroic moment hadn't gone as planned, and now he felt like he was a child again-sidelined, when all he wanted to do was be like his uncle. He was used to being the center of attention in the Moretti family, but for the first time, he felt like he was in over his head.

The next day, Leo's mood hadn't improved. As Dante prepared for another round of mafia meetings, Leo stood in front of a large mirror in the hallway, staring at his reflection. He adjusted his toy sword and straightened his shirt, trying to appear more like a mafia boss than just a kid.

Celestia walked by and paused when she saw Leo's reflection. "You know, you can't force your way into this life. It's earned."

Leo glared at her, still determined. "But I want to be a boss, like Uncle Dante."

Celestia smiled knowingly. "You will be one day. But first, you need to understand the rules. It's not all about fighting and being the loudest in the room."

Leo frowned. "But I'm not loud. I'm just... passionate."

Celestia raised an eyebrow, then chuckled. "Sure, kid. You're definitely passionate."

Just then, Dante entered the hallway, ready for his meeting. He paused when he saw Leo's serious expression. "You still pretending to be a mafia boss, kid?"

Leo straightened up. "Maybe not today, but soon."

Dante smiled and patted him on the head. "Just remember, it's all about timing. Not everyone gets to be the boss overnight. Even I had to start somewhere."

Later that evening, Dante and Celestia sat in the back of the car, on their way to another meeting. Leo sat in the front seat, still quietly determined, although he seemed a little less energetic. He had learned his lesson the hard way-mafia life wasn't something to take lightly. But that didn't stop him from dreaming.

Suddenly, Leo's voice broke the silence. "Uncle Dante, do you think I'll ever be a mafia boss?"

Dante glanced back at him in the rearview mirror. "Maybe, kid. But for now, just focus on being the best you can be. You can't skip ahead, no matter how much you want it."

Leo nodded slowly, feeling a bit more mature than before, though still determined to prove himself. He wasn't giving up just yet.

Celestia turned to Dante, a playful smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "You know, if Leo keeps this up, he might just run the Moretti family one day."

Dante snorted in disbelief. "Not while I'm still breathing."