His Promise: The Mafia’s Babies by C. Tamika

Chapter 288

Elena

Hours slipped into days, and I had yet to receive a phone call from Panther. It was the only thing keeping me awake, but nothing had happened. Money didn’t grow from a tree, so despite everything. I was back at work.

Exhausted, I leaned my head against the bar as I took in the silence of the empty space. Personally, I thought opening the cocktail bar in the morning didn’t even make sense, but it was whatever. Not my business, not my rules.

“You’re haunting away the customers.” Rona tapped my shoulder. I raised my head with a lazy expression in my eyes. “Customers?” I yawned. “It’s morning!”

“My god.” Rona giggled. “It’s good to see you’re slowly getting your personality back.”

“Right,” I mumbled. That was probably because this was the only time of the day where I did not have to be serious. My dad and Alex were both on my ass, ordering me around as if it was nothing. I couldn’t talk to Victoria, who had been heavily brainwashed by her dad and failed to see my side of the situation, and 1 couldn’t stop thinking about the officer who treated me as if I was a Castillo myself.

While all the other employees moved on with their lives, it seemed like mine was only getting more complicated.

“Today is the funeral of Anya Castillo, who was

“Nope,” Rona spoke as she turned off the screen of the small TV. The tragedy at the wedding had become local news, and for some reason, it followed me everywhere I went. Not being able to attend Anya’s funeral felt like a crime, but I didn’t want to interfere. It wasn’t my place anyway.

How would Tiago be doing? Did he even go to the funeral?

The last time I saw him, he was not in a good state which was understandable.

“Elena, I told you you’re allowed to take a break from work-

“No, I don’t want to.” I shook my head. “I told you about my family, Cyrus, and Victoria..I don

Especially Victoria had been bothering me with questions for days, but she wasn’t any better. I coul take the double standards anymore and could not understand her telling me to stay away from Marvin while she and her dad represented someone from the Hernandez.

I was tired of all the nagging, and seeing their faces only reminded me of the key I had yet to give to Marvin. I knew I promised them I wouldn’t see him again, but I had to fulfill Anya’s last wish and would not fail her. Even Rona didn’t know about the key, and I would like to keep it that way.

The only thing stopping me from erasing Marvin from my life was the key. “Are you still thinking about Marvin?” Rona asked. I could not forget the look on her face after I told her that Tiago’s brother was my Marvin.

“Come on, just drop it.” Rona spoke. “It’s not as if that guy with the animal name could walk through the door any second and tell you that Marvin’s awake-”

“Marvin’s awake!”

Shocked, I turned my eyes to the entrance and watched as Panther walked through the door. “Never mind…this is crazy.” Rona brushed her hands through her hair.

I placed my hands behind my back as Panther stepped closer until he was right in front of me. Unlike my expectations, Panther turned out to be a soft person who had been texting me about my wellbeing every single day, which made my feelings more complicated. The same man who I had been so frightened of turned out to have a personality of an angel-but his actions clearly said otherwise.

This was the news I had been waiting

up today?” I asked Panther, who scratched his neck. “No, a while back-but he asked me to come and get

been awake this entire time. The reason Panther hadn’t told me must’ve been because

to see her, he can come here himself.” She snorted. Panther laughed at her confidence and raised his hand. “Nice to see you too,

brushing her hand through her dark green curls.

I go

the key and put an end

“He

was nothing and expected everything to go their way. I grabbed my jacket and my

Rona called out.

place. “Use your eyes, the place is

Elena, let’s

pushed me out the door. A few days ago, I would’ve thrown a tantrum and forced Panther to let go of me-but my opinion had changed. He was dangerous, but he was not a

I turned my head to look across the street and noticed a black car with tinted windows. I released myself from Panther’s grip and stepped back in fear as every scenario. crossed my head. Was I getting followed? Was he

his face and almost smacked myself for overthinking the smallest things.Not everything was about me.

“No, let’s go.”

been a few days ago,

correct answer. I couldn’t tell him that my dad and

family, so

While others were confused about why I still lived with my dad, who was too overprotective,

supposed to dislike him-but he wasn’t making it easy. What was wrong

your brother doing

Dad and brother?

as I realized I hadn’t told Panther anything about a dad or a brother. Was his nice personality just an

your dad and your brother, right?” Panther explained himself. So that was all it was, an assumption. “Y-yes.” I sighed,

doing at the hospital?”

to keep the calm expression on my face and looked

I waited for Panther’s reply. “I

me to get compliments about my

you’re so clumsy and probably can’t even tell left from right.” Panther continued. The red flush on my cheek

playing, don’t worry.” Panther chuckled. I couldn’t help but laugh at his way of embarrassing me and

the parking lot. “So we’re here.” Panther looked at me. All I wanted was to run upstairs to give Marvin the key and put an end to this entire situation. “So

Marvin?” He asked without warning.

leaned closer and stared into my eyes as if he was waiting for me to tell him a lie, but I couldn’t. He was looking out for his friend, and I couldn’t blame

I was here, Panther would undeniably blow up anyone

him for what he’s done, and that’s it,” I told Panther. It was a small part of the truth because the