Meeting with the mafia!

NEXT DAY MORNING...

SHANE'S POV :

Tomorrow there is an important meeting with one of the most powerful mafias in the world. That's why my whole team and I gathered in my office to discuss about it.

"As you all know, tomorrow we have a very important meeting. This meeting will not only give us the chance to extend our businesses in Italy but also give us a chance to make them our potential allies." I announced to my teammates and they listened very carefully.

"They are as powerful as we are, so don't make any mistakes and lose this chance. With the Italians on our side, our business and our reputation in the underworld will be unbeatable." Nate continued the importance of the meeting. "Tomorrow, we are going to meet the most powerful Italian mafia leader. He is known for his business and is very respected. People fear him and his family hold half of the business in Italy. Don't get flattered by his charm because he is a devil in disguise. Even the government follows his rules."

"And don't get me started with his father. This man is a ticking time bomb and has serious trust issues, that's why we never had the chance to do business with them. But now, his son as a leader wanted to make new allies with other countries' leaders. He wanted to open his business in NY as well. So it's a win-win for us. But, be careful guys, even a single mistake leads to a war in meetings like these." Nate finished explaining everything to our team.

"Come on Nate, we have attended so many meetings and were trained since we are young to do meetings like these. Don't worry man, take a chill pill," Greyson assured Nate.

Nate chuckled, "You didn't meet his father, so you don't know how they are. When we first tried to make an alliance with them, his father is the leader and he didn't even give us a chance to talk. And with Shane's ego, he almost shot the old man which leads to a bloody war. You should have seen that man's face when Shane aimed his gun at him. I couldn't even get his evil face off my brain for a whole month. That man is scary AF. So don't think any less of his son, he is as bad as his father but a little more approachable." Nate said which made me roll my eyes at him.

"Whatever Nate, I still regret not shooting that old man in his leg. At least it'll give a lesson to him not to push my buttons." Nate rolled his eyes.

"Can you please stop creating unnecessary wars? Everyone knows his temper still you pointed your gun at him just because he hurts your ego." Nate reminded me which is a big mistake.

"Really?" Tyler asked.

"Yes. That man just wanted to test Shane and he succeeded by pushing his buttons." Nate answered.

"You know me better Nate. He just wanted to challenge me and I accepted it." I defended myself.

"Yeah, whatever. Thank God, your father is there to control the situation. If not for him, I don't know what would have happened that day. And his wife being your mother's friend made it easy for us. But still, he denied the alliance just because of your stupid ego." Nate exaggerated the whole scene. Him and his drama.

"Stop your drama, Nate. Nothing will happen as long as we know what to do with the situation and I know what I'm doing. He shouldn't have tested my patience and that's his mistake." I know how to control myself but he tested my patience level to the peak which I lost.

"Okay, what's done is done." He said and looked at our team to continue his explanation, "Now his son is coming to make the deal along with his right-hand man and some of his team members. So make sure to sign the deal and arrange everything as they like. They like to stay for a few days here so arrange everything accordingly."

Everyone nodded and went to prepare the arrangements for tomorrow's meeting. I stayed there in my office with Nate to finalise the paperwork for the deal.

I was checking the terms and conditions of our deal again to make sure everything goes well. When I finished checking everything I looked at Nate, but he was staring into an empty space and lost in his thoughts. "Nate?" I called him but he didn't answer.

What got into him all of a sudden? I decided to use this opportunity to scare him. Yeah, silly idea, I know but you can't miss an opportunity like this with your best friend. "Giovanni Leone? What the hell are you doing here?" I shouted taking my gun from my pocket and aiming towards the door.

"What? Shane don't shoot." Nate startled and jumped in front of me to stop me. He looked everywhere to see him but no one was there. I Burst out laughing after seeing his face, "You look so funny, man." I said clutching my stomach to control my laugh.

"Not funny Shane." He said rolling his eyes.

"You should have seen your face." He tried to hit me with the paperweight on my table but I caught it easily. "Oops, you missed it." I laughed and he just rolled his eyes. "What is it, Nate? Why are you zoning out? It is so not like you." I asked him while placing the paperweight back on my table.

He sighed, "It's Jessica."

"What of her? Has something happened last night that you forgot to mention?" I teased him but he just gave me a tight smile.

"Nothing of that sort. But I think I hurt her." He explained everything from the start to end about ignoring and avoiding her. "I just don't want to hurt her because of my feelings."

"Do you like her?" I know the answer but I still have to hear it from him.

"She is the one for me, Shane. I knew it from the beginning when I saw her the first time, I can feel it."

"Then stop ignoring her, Idiot. You think that you will hurt her by getting close to her but you are doing it either way by ignoring her." I said but he is still not convinced and I know why. "I know that you are worried about her being involved in our lives."

"I don't want to get her life in danger, Shane. And what if she leaves me once she knows about our lifestyle?" He sighed deeply, "Maybe it's best if she doesn't get involved with me. At least she would be safe like that. It's for the best if I avoid her now than dragging her into a life she never knew."

"You don't get to decide that for her. You have to give her a chance and she will decide on her own. First, get to know her and tell her how much you like her. And lastly, tell her about us then she will decide her life on her own. I can see that she likes you too. It's her life Nate, she should decide whether she wants to hold the danger to be with you or not." I suggested him to make a move and finally, he looks convinced.

"Thank you, Shane, I'll try my best." He said smiling heartfully and was about to leave to prepare the arrangements but turned suddenly, "I hope you take the same suggestion for yourself too."

"What do you mean?" I asked in confusion.

"I know that you are planning on pushing Alina away, so don't give me that look. Don't push her away like I did today, you don't get a second chance with a girl like her. I know you Shane just like you know me. We are in this together, don't forget that." He left throwing me into deep thoughts.

Yes, I'm planning on pushing her away because I don't want to get close to anyone. But with her, I lost myself around her and that's why I don't want her anywhere near me. She is everything a man would wish for and her character is what I like the most about her. But I don't want to get close to her.

My life is hella dangerous and I don't even know when I will die based on my enemies list. My enemies are waiting for my weakness to get a hold of me. Till now, I don't have any weaknesses apart from my family but they are as dangerous as me. They can take care of themselves because they are trained to live like this.

But I can't drag someone who is living a normal and peaceful life into this dangerous lifestyle. She is special and has to be treated like one. But what Nate said is also true, I should take my own advice, but still, I can't. Now I understand why he is so scared of.....