CHAPTER 118: DANGEROUS CONFIRMATION

"No, thank you. I’m not here to chat with you or to drink with you. I came just as you wanted, so now you will tell me the truth," I demanded bluntly.

Josh let out a loud, dramatic sigh before sitting down on the sofa and pouring himself a glass of something.

"I like girls who are straight to the point, just like you," he said, bringing the glass to his lips.

I refused to take a seat as I watched him casually take a sip of his drink, his eyes watching my every move over the rim of the glass.

"You’re here because you want answers about Raphael, about Bennett, and about our entire family business, isn’t that right?" Josh asked, his lips curving into a knowing smile.

"If you’re going to say something, then just say it. I’m tired of all these secrets and games," I said, not hiding my irritation. Josh’s smile widened, and he let out a laugh.

"Sit down and let me pour you a drink. Trust me, you’re going to need it," he said firmly, staring directly into my eyes.

I hesitated for a moment as my mind raced with doubts, but eventually, I gave in. Stiffly, I made my way toward the sofa and sat down opposite him. Unlike me, Josh looked very relaxed, as if he was enjoying himself.

"Let me pour you a drink," he said as he reached for a glass and smoothly poured me a drink. I watched the amber liquid swirl slightly in the glass as he pushed it across the table toward me.

"Shall we begin?" I urged, skipping any formalities.

"What do you want me to talk about first?" he asked, as if he genuinely didn’t know where to begin.

"The rumors. Are the rumors true?" I asked, feeling my throat tighten.

I wondered for a moment if I was truly ready for the answer, but I also knew there was no time to ignore the truth. Once again, I reminded myself that my mother’s life-and mine-could really be at stake.

"What rumors?" Josh asked teasingly.

"You know exactly what I’m talking about. The rumors that your family is involved in illegal businesses and that your family is a mafia gang. Is it true?" I asked, my lower lip trembling.

Unexpectedly, Josh threw his head back and laughed loudly. The sound of his laughter echoed in the quiet room as I stared at him in confusion. My brows knitted together as the weight of my question hung between us. When Josh finally stopped laughing, his expression shifted. The amusement completely left his eyes, replaced by a seriousness that made my chest tighten.

"Yes," Josh replied simply.

His tone was calm and matter-of-fact, as if he had nothing to hide. If anything, Josh looked quite proud to confirm that the rumors were, in fact, true. His word hit me hard, like a physical blow, as if he had reached across the table to slap me in the face.

"What?" I whispered, barely able to breathe.

It wasn’t that I hadn’t heard what he said-it was that my mind struggled to believe it.

"It’s true. I don’t have any reason to lie to you. Bennett, Raphael, me, the entire family-we’re all in on it.

We’re all involved in the activities people call illegal. We call it our family business, you know," Josh said, shrugging his shoulders as if it was nothing.

I stared at him, my mind struggling to process what I had just heard. A part of me had probably expected it, but hearing it confirmed so bluntly sent a chill down my spine.

"And Daniel? What does he have to do with it?" I asked, recalling the glint in Daniel’s eyes when he asked me to support his business deal.

"Oh, Daniel. He’s involved in the arms trade. His entire family is involved in the arms trade. They’re hard-working people. He’s trying to build a network of distribution, so he came to Raphael hoping to strike a deal-a partnership of sorts," Josh explained smoothly before flashing me a smile.

"And Raphael?" I asked, needing to hear more.

"Raphael turned him down, of course. But that stupid Daniel doesn’t like taking no for an answer. That’s probably why he tried to use you. I feel bad for you, honestly, but that’s what happens when you’re involved with this family," Josh said, narrowing his eyes slightly at me.

By that point, I felt like I had heard enough. It felt as though the walls of the room were closing in on me. My hands gripped the edge of the sofa as my thoughts spiraled out of control. If what Josh was saying was true, then Raphael and his entire family were extremely dangerous.

The rumors are true.

My thoughts immediately turned to my mother-my poor, innocent mother. She had no idea what she had married into or what kind of family she was building with Bennett. My mother probably didn’t know that Bennett wasn’t just a wealthy businessman, clean and simple, but was in fact the head of a criminal empire. After marrying him, she had gotten both of us tangled in it, and I knew it was my responsibility to get her out.

But how?

My thoughts quickly turned to Raphael, and a pain developed quickly in my chest. The thought of leaving him, of walking away from the safety I felt in his arms, made the world seem darker. I could no longer deny that I cared so much about him, even more than I wanted to admit to myself. But could I possibly stay in his world after knowing the truth?

–To be continued...