Bloodlines of Betrayal-Chapter 25: Part S2: Playground

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 5: The Underworld Playground

The morning after the chaotic night of Leo's antics, Dante found himself in an unusual position-he was actually excited. The meetings he had to attend could be intense, filled with strategy and negotiation, but he was looking forward to the unexpected humor Leo brought into the mafia world. It was like seeing a world of blood and power through a completely new lens.

Celestia, as usual, was by his side. The two shared a quiet moment over coffee, the usual elegance of the Moretti mansion surrounding them. There were no signs of chaos-no mafia business, no mess just the calm before the storm.

"So, what's on the agenda today?" Celestia asked, breaking the silence.

Dante leaned back in his chair, sipping his espresso. "We've got a sit-down with the Santini family. They've been making moves in the city, and I don't like the way they're getting bolder. There's too much tension in the air."

Celestia nodded, her fingers tracing the rim of her cup thoughtfully. "Do you think they'll come to terms?"

Dante let out a sharp breath. "I'm not sure. This is more than just business. They want to show dominance. The problem is, that's exactly what we're trying to do."

There was a brief pause, but it was Leo who broke the quiet moment in a typical Leo fashion.

"Hey, can I come with you guys today?" Leo appeared at the doorway, looking overly confident for a nine-year-old who was probably still too young to understand the mafia dynamics. But of course, he was still brimming with excitement.

Dante stared at him, his brows furrowing. "Leo, this is not a playground. It's serious business."

But Leo wasn't backing down. "Come on, Uncle Dante. You said I could learn. I'm ready!"

Celestia, amused, nudged Dante's arm. "Let him come. It's good for him to see the family business, as long as we keep it under control."

Dante sighed but couldn't deny how much Leo's enthusiasm had lightened the mood. "Fine. But you stay with me. You're not running off with anyone, understood?"

Leo nodded vigorously, his face lighting up. "Deal! I'll be the best mafia apprentice ever!"

The drive to the Santini headquarters was a quiet one, the heavy tension of the upcoming meeting palpable even in the backseat of the car. Leo, however, had no idea what he was about to step into. He sat between Dante and Celestia, quietly fidgeting as he looked out of the window.

As they arrived at the Santini estate, the air seemed to grow even heavier. The building was tall and imposing, a far cry from the welcoming Moretti mansion. The windows were tinted, and the marble pillars outside made the place look more like a fortress than a home. Dante couldn't help but feel the presence of danger, even though they had just arrived.

Leo's eyes widened as he looked at the estate. "Whoa... this place is HUGE! Are we gonna take it over, Uncle?"

Dante chuckled softly, shaking his head. "It's not about taking it over, Leo. It's about negotiation. Remember what I told you timing is everything."

Celestia leaned forward slightly, looking at Leo. "You stay close to us. If things go sideways, you stick with me and Dante, got it?"

Leo nodded seriously, still excited despite the looming uncertainty. "Got it, Aunt Celestia!"

Inside the Santini headquarters, things were even more tense than outside. A long conference table was surrounded by men and women in sharp suits, all of them staring down at Dante as he walked in. He was well-known, a leader to be reckoned with, and every movement was scrutinized by eyes that had seen far too much bloodshed.

The leader of the Santini family, Giovanni Santini, a man in his late fifties, stood at the head of the table. His eyes were cold, calculating, like a predator waiting for the right moment to strike. He extended a hand to Dante, but his grip was firm, more of a test than a greeting.

"I'm glad you could make it, Dante Moretti," Giovanni said smoothly, though his voice carried the weight of something more threatening beneath the surface. "We've been hearing a lot about you lately."

Dante accepted the handshake, his eyes never leaving Giovanni's. "I hope you've heard only good things, Giovanni."

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Giovanni chuckled, though it lacked any true warmth. "We'll see."

As the two men settled into their seats, Leo couldn't sit still. He was scanning the room like a hawk, his attention bouncing from one person to the next, completely oblivious to the tension hanging in the air. He quietly whispered to Celestia, trying to make the situation feel less intimidating.

"I bet I could beat all these guys in a fight," Leo said, his voice full of youthful confidence.

Celestia looked down at him, her lips curling into a barely suppressed smile. "Let's hope you never have to find out, kid."

The meeting quickly turned into a battle of wills, with each side carefully laying out their terms. Giovanni made it clear that he wanted more influence in the city, especially in areas that Dante had recently expanded into. His family had been quiet for too long, and they intended to make a move now.

Dante kept his cool, never letting the anger or irritation he felt show. He knew how to navigate these situations-power wasn't just about brute force; it was about making people think you were in control.

"We won't give up the ground we've earned, Giovanni," Dante replied calmly, his voice strong. "But I'm not unreasonable. We can negotiate."

Leo, watching from the sidelines, didn't quite understand everything that was being said. But he did understand the unspoken language—the way the tension in the room seemed to thicken with each passing moment.

Suddenly, Leo leaned forward, his voice cutting through the serious conversation like a dagger.

"Hey, can I make a suggestion?" Leo piped up, raising his hand like he was back in school.

Dante and Celestia both looked at him, alarmed. Giovanni raised an eyebrow, curious but unamused.

Leo continued, oblivious to the gravity of the situation. "How about we just split the city in half? You can have half, and we'll take the other half. That way, no one gets hurt. I've watched enough action movies to know that's how this stuff works!"

The room fell dead silent. The adults stared at Leo in shock, then at each other, unsure how to react. Giovanni was the first to recover, a dangerous smile creeping onto his lips.

"Well, well, Dante," Giovanni said, eyes narrowing. "Seems your nephew has some ideas. Maybe he's more suited for this life than I thought."

Dante's face turned red, not out of anger, but from the sheer embarrassment of it all. He cleared his throat and quickly moved to apologize. "Sorry, Giovanni. He's... still learning."

Giovanni only chuckled. "Well, if he's learned anything, it's that this is a business that requires more than just big ideas."

---

As they left the Santini estate, Dante couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. The situation had been tense, but now, something felt off. Giovanni's smile had been too calculating, too amused by Leo's unintentional outburst.

Leo, still enthusiastic, was practically bouncing as they made their way back to the car. "I think I nailed that! What do you think, Uncle Dante?"

Dante gave him a rueful smile. "Leo, you're lucky you didn't get us all killed today."

"I was just trying to help!" Leo protested, crossing his arms.

Celestia looked at Dante and raised an eyebrow. "You know, it's hard to stay mad at him when he's so clueless."

Dante couldn't help but laugh. "Well, it's not the first time he's gotten us into trouble, and I'm sure it won't be the last."

As they drove off into the distance, the world outside still seemed to spin with chaos, danger, and laughter. Leo might not have understood it all yet, but one thing was for certain-he was going to leave his mark on the mafia world whether Dante liked it or not.