Claimed by the Mafia Don Chapter 45: Another Chaos

ZOE DEAN’S POV

When I stepped outside, the cold air hit first — sharp, almost cleansing. For a mont, I just stood there, staring at nothing, trying to catch my breath. My hands were still trembling from the argunt, and my heart felt like it was beating sowhere in my throat.

Fredda was there, waiting near the back exit, arms crossed, her eyes scanning my face the second she saw .

"Zoe—"

"I quit." The words left my mouth before she could even ask. My voice didn’t sound like mine — too calm, too flat, like all the anger had burned itself out, leaving only exhaustion behind.

Fredda blinked. "You... what?"

"I quit," I repeated, softer this ti. My throat tightened as I said it, and I had to swallow hard. "I couldn’t take her anymore, Fredda. That woman in there needs help."

Her expression softened instantly. "Zoe..."

"I had to," I cut in, my voice cracking slightly. "I should’ve done it a long ti ago. I let her walk all over , and for what? A paycheck that barely keeps alive? I can’t keep doing it — not for her, not for anyone."

Fredda sighed, her features folding into worry. "You need to calm down, okay? Quitting like that— it wasn’t the right way to go about this."

I gave a weak shrug. "Maybe. But I already did it, so..."

For a second, she just stared at like she couldn’t quite believe I’d actually done it. Then, unexpectedly, she let out a small laugh — a soft, disbelieving sound. "Wow. I can’t believe you actually quit. I didn’t expect you to act that way."

I blinked at her, and then sohow, despite everything, I started laughing too. It was ridiculous. Fredda was usually the impulsive one, the loud one, the one everyone expected to blow up and walk out of a job. Not .

"I can’t believe it either," I said between small, breathless laughs.

"I an," she said, grinning now, "you’ve officially lost it."

"Yeah," I breathed out. "Guess I have."

The laughter died down slowly, replaced by a quiet that wasn’t uncomfortable — just heavy. When it faded, she looked at again, serious this ti. "So what are you going to do now? You know how hard it is to get a job around here."

Her words hit like a quiet echo of reality. For a mont, I just stared at the ground, letting the question sink in. What was I going to do?

A hollow little laugh escaped my lips. "I have no idea," I admitted. "Maybe I’ll just... go visit my aunt."

Her brows rose. "Your mom’s sister?"

I nodded slowly. "Yeah. It’s been a while since I’ve seen her. She’s been texting nonstop, and honestly... I think I need the break. We could spend the holidays together or sothing."

Fredda’s face softened into a small, approving smile. "Yeah, you should. You need that rest, Zoe."

I smiled back at her. That was Fredda — blunt when she needed to be, but always on my side.

"So," she said after a pause, "you’ll be leaving for L.A. when?"

"I’ll call her and figure it out," I said quietly.

"Good."

For a mont, neither of us spoke. Then she stepped forward and pulled into a hug. It wasn’t one of those light, casual hugs — it was the kind that held a thousand unsaid words.

"I really wish you’ll be happy, Zoe," she whispered, patting my back. "You’ve been through a lot. Since your mom’s death... I know it’s been hard."

I couldn’t say anything. My throat was too tight. So I just let her hold , my cheek pressed against her shoulder, my eyes burning but refusing to let the tears fall.

She pulled back slightly, her eyes glistening just a bit. "When you get to L.A., promise you’ll rest. Go to new places, eat new food..."

Her tone changed suddenly — mischievous, playful. "...and et so hot, sexy guys. Maybe get laid for once."

I gasped, half laughing, half scandalized. "Fredda!" I smacked her arm, shaking my head. "Ew!"

She laughed, stepping out of reach. "Don’t ’ew’ . You need it! My best friend’s turning into a nun."

I laughed harder, chasing her a few steps before giving up. "You’re insane."

"Maybe," she said with a wink, "but I’m right."

We both laughed until the tension between us finally lted away. For a mont, it felt like things were normal again — like the world hadn’t just flipped upside down.

After a while, when our laughter faded and the quiet returned, I sighed. "I should probably go ho. It’s going to be a long, boring day."

Fredda nodded, still smiling faintly. "Text when you get ho, okay?"

"I will," I promised.

As I started walking away, I felt that familiar ache in my chest again — a mix of relief and uncertainty. I’d finally done it. I quit.

But as much as I wanted to feel free... part of still felt lost.

*******

STEFANO RUSSO’S (NERO’S) POV

I was halfway through packing when the door swung open.

Benny stood there, frozen for a mont, his eyes darting between the half-zipped bags scattered across the bed and the open closet behind .

"Nero," he said, frowning, "where are you going?"

I didn’t answer right away. I kept folding a black shirt, shoving it into one of the duffels, and zipping it closed. The repetitive motion helped keep my thoughts from spinning too much.

The truth was — I wasn’t even sure what I’d say if I stopped to think about it.

Benny stepped closer, his tone more urgent this ti. "Nero. Talk to . What’s going on?"

Before I could respond, Somchai’s butler appeared at the door. Without a word, he grabbed two of the already packed bags and carried them out.

Benny’s frown deepened. "Seriously, man, what the hell is happening?"

I finally straightened up, exhaling slowly. "I want you to stay here with Somchai," I said, eting his gaze. "I’ll be back soon."

"That’s not an answer." His voice was quieter now, more asured. "Where are you going?"

I hesitated for a second, then sighed. "I’m going to see my father."

Benny blinked. "You’re going to Italy?"

I nodded once. "Yeah."

He folded his arms, studying for a long mont. "I thought you said you were going to et Zoe."

A muscle in my jaw tightened. Just hearing her na made my chest ache in that familiar way — like sothing I’d been missing.

"I am," I said finally. "I’ll go to Santiago from Italy. But first, I have to et my father. It’s... important."

The words ca out low, steady, but even I could hear the tension under them.

Benny seed to sense it too. He didn’t push. He just nodded slowly. "Alright," he said after a mont. "Then I wish you luck."

I gave a small smirk that didn’t quite reach my eyes. "Thanks. I’ll be back soon with my woman."

That finally drew a faint grin from him. "You better be. And don’t worry about things here. I’ll stay with Somchai. Emily too."

"Good." I zipped up the last bag and slung it over my shoulder. The weight was heavy, but not as heavy as the silence in the room.

For a mont, I looked around — at the chair by the window, the half-empty bottle of whiskey on the table, the familiar chaos I was leaving behind. I’d spent too long hiding here, waiting for things to fix themselves.

It was ti to move.

Without another word, I rolled the last of my luggage toward the door. Benny stepped aside to let pass.

"Take care of yourself, Nero," he said quietly.

I paused at the doorway, glancing back just once. "Always do," I muttered, though even I wasn’t sure I believed it.

Then I left.