Blind Loyalty with the Enforcer

Chapter 1: Orders From the Don

Pauly's POV

“Can you help me clear the room?" Marcell asks Olivia quietly.

The newlywed couple have been wrapped up in each other's arms ever since their heartfelt spoken vows of fidelity. I hadn't anticipated the sudden impact of their vows. Nor the sudden onslaught of envy. The feeling of its unfamiliarity settled in my bones with every word of their commitment to one another.

The jealousy wasn't because Marcell was marrying Olivia. But because there was absolutely no promise that my future would be like theirs. My life was purely reliant on the whims of the Don of the Russo family.

I had nothing to offer the woman who stole my heart. A fact she had no idea of. Regardless of if I could share my feelings for her, there was no promise of a future where we would be safe enough to explore happiness. My responsibilities to Marcell had just grown. I also had responsibilities outside of the Family... Demands. Demands I wouldn't yoke Eleonore too.

“All of them?" Oliva asks her husband.

Exhaustion was present on the young Don's face as he nodded his head. The man was fully aware that I was observing them. It was my job. Especially where Olivia was concerned. But Olivia had quickly become more than a job. She had become a friend. As the room cleared and the ragtag wedding party started fading into the hallway, she remained in the room. It relaxed my nerves.

“Have you given thought to what I asked you before our wedding?—" Marcell says to me.

“You mean the wedding you had no idea of," Olivia interrupts.

“No one was leaving here tonight without vows being spoken, wife."

Marcell's words might have sounded harsh. But his eyes shine nothing but pure adoration to the stubborn woman who was now sharing his last name.

“Sure," Olivia scoffs rolling her eyes before she sits back on the bed next to her husband.

For a moment, I almost forget I'm standing in the hospital room of the most powerful man in Chicago. For a moment, I almost forget how he and I met. Almost forget why all of this is so important. But that moment is quick and fleeting.

“Take a seat, Pauly." Marcell nods to the chair next to his bed. The same chair the previous Underboss of the Russo family had recently occupied. Before the surprise wedding.

“I think you're making him nervous." Olivia's voice takes on that unique tone when she's trying to lighten the mood. “He's being quieter than usual."

“Is that true, Pauly? Am I making you nervous?" Marcell doesn't take his eyes off his wife, while he addresses me.

“Nope. Just haven't been able to get a word in with this one sucking all the air out of the room." My tone sounds dull. It was something I adopted when I joined Marcell's team. Life was easier when you kept your emotions out of the equation.

Marcell's laugh bounces against the cold walls of the hospital room, followed by a low groan as he holds his sigh. Olivia pins me with a death stare as she sucks on her teeth, swallowing back a retort. One would normally be scared of even teasing the new Don's wife. But when you've lost everything. All at once. You don't really care much about losing anything.

“I can't remember the last time I was caught off guard by something like that." Marcell straightens himself slowly.

“It's probably the drugs, less likely Pauly's actual sense of humor," Olivia jabs back.

I wink at her as she fights not to smile back at me. Marcell watches us as if we are his favorite form of entertainment. I am fully aware that the liberties I am taking most likely end tonight. Unbeknownst to Olivia, her station in the world has shifted. The understanding and friendship we shared won't ever be the same again. Not because of Marcell. But because of those who are constantly looking for a place to infiltrate.

“There's no denying the consequences of the events that took place at the estate. Subsequently, the repercussions that will affect us all…" Marcell's statement is enough to sober all of us.

Suddenly, it makes sense why he kept Olivia in the room. Marcell was one who learned from the past mistakes of those who had the moniker he now possessed. If he, and Olivia, were to survive this, there would have to be absolute honesty.

“I need men who I can trust. Men who can do what I can't do and do it in my place. Not because of me, and my name, but to continue what we started—"

“What is it exactly that you started, Marcell?" I ask quietly.

“A reformation of a broken syndicate, a purge of the corrupt. An end to the old. A beginning of the new," Marcell answers.

His passion for righting the wrongs done by men like his uncle shines through his blue eyes.

“But the old men are gone," Olivia quietly responds.

“From here." Marcell shifts his eyes from me, locking them onto Olivia. They instinctually soften when they take her in. “But Chicago is just the start."

“What are you saying exactly?" Olivia's body stiffens. My body responds naturally to her bracing herself, knowing full well that a fight is inevitable.

“Marcell asked me to take on his old position in the family. Officially as the Enforcer—" I take on the weight of Marcell's task.

Olivia's head slowly swivels to me, as the implications of my words unravel in her head.

“But your sister? What about the work Eleanor has been doing? Hell, Pauly, what about Eleanor?"

I had anticipated anger from Olivia. I had braced myself for disappointment even. But what I hadn't predicted was Olivia completely pulling my loyalties out of my soul. Baring them to the open. Asking me to defend my most recent choices. But I knew I shouldn't have expected any less from her.

“My first placement is the Philly syndicate. Doing what needs to be done. Marcell has given me permission to settle my family affairs—"

“Settle your family affairs?" Olivia's eyes bug out. “I expected more of you… Both of you. It'll never be over, will it? The two of you will always find a righteous purpose for a violent conflict. There won't ever be enough blood to cleanse your souls."

Olivia doesn't need to say more. She's said enough. Storming out of the room, the soft-close door is loud with her exit.

“s**t," Marcell sighs leaning back. “s**t. s**t. Shit."

“She's not mad at you." I scoot forward in the stiff, unforgiving chair. “She's frustrated at the situation. She's just watched the man she loves practically bleed out in front of her. The wound of the idea of losing you fresh in her mind—"

“I hate to ask you this Pauly but can you—"

“Talk to her?" I interrupted, already rising to my feet. “You don't have to ask me to do that."

“When do you leave for Philly?"

“First thing in the morning. It'll take me two days to drive." I stand awkwardly at the side of the Don of the Russo family's bed.

“Keep in contact with Ren." Marcell's words hold more weight than the simple request.

I nod my head in response. Words I want to say are on the tip of my tongue. Reserving them for the fiery lawyer most likely stewing in the hallway, I quietly exit Marcell's room on a mission to find the woman who quickly has become my closest friend.

Like I predicted, she's only feet away from Marcell's door. Even in her anger, she can't stand to be too far away from him. Her body is rigid, clinging to a Styrofoam cup. Most likely she filled it with bitter coffee just to have something to do with her hands.

Olivia is quick to turn to face me, her mouth open to argue with me. I raise my hand to silence her— a move that makes her eyebrows turn down in a frown. I can practically hear her cursing at me in her head.

“No. You're going to be quiet and listen to me. He's given me an opportunity to do exactly what I need to do. Going to Philly as the Enforcer of The Russo family gives not only me but my sister the protection of your husband's name." Referring to Marcell as her husband softens her frown slightly.

“It gives me enough power to be able to walk into any room and wield that title." I go on. “We both know I'm s**t with words. I'm better with my fists. I can't do this. I can't go to Philly and focus on fixing all of that s**t if you're back here causing chaos for Marcell."

I take a deep breath. “I need you to do something for me. I need you to help him make that estate a home. Not for just him, or you. But… in the event that something happens to me. I need to know that I can send Cheska to you. To Marcell."

“We're you're family Pauly. You. Yours. Whatever you need. Don't call. If you need us. Just show up," Olivia quietly pleads with me.

“Thank you, Olivia."

“Pauly… What about Eleanor?" Olivia's eyes search mine.

“Keep an eye on her for me. Try to convince her to move into the estate with you—"

“Screw that. Take her with you."

“What?" My ears ring as the nerves only caused by the blonde petite woman overwhelm me.

“Pauly. Ask her to go with you," Olivia says, slower.

“She wouldn't… Would she?"

“You never know unless you take that risk. Take it from me, Pauly. Don't wait until fate tries to take the person from you to take a chance. Take a bold chance, Pauly. Ask her to go to Philly with you, and don't you dare say it's too dangerous. She would be in more danger if you left her here without you."

Damn Olivia Linwood Russo. Damn her and her wisdom.