Chapter Sixteen.

Matteo.

"Isabella!"

Shit! Shit!

My blood ran cold. Her hands clutched her arm, blood seeping through her fingers, as she slumped down on the ground.

My chest tightened with fury. They had hurt her. They had dared to lay a hand on her.

“Get down!” I shouted, pushing Hugo behind me. A second shot followed, striking the wall just inches from my head. My heart pounded as I took Isabella and Hugo towards the house.

Fuck! .

It didn't take much to know whose men were attacking us right now.

Rossi’s men emerged from the shadows, their guns flashing in the dark. I counted at least six of them. I rsed under my breath.

I didn't expect that bastard to be into human trafficking.

“Take Hugo and Isabella inside” I ordered Enzo

“Now!”

I turned back to the fight, rage boiling in my veins. Rossi’s men were met with the full force of mine. Rocco, Alexander, and the others had already taken their positions, firing back without hesitation. My men were skilled, trained for moments like this, and they outmatched Rossi’s men in both strategy and firepower.

I moved swiftly, my gun steady in my grip. One of Rossi’s men lunged at me, but I dodged, slamming my fist into his jaw. He staggered back, dazed, and I didn’t give him a chance to recover. One shot to the chest, and he was down.

Another came at me from the side, but before he could reach me, Rocco tackled him to the ground, his knife flashing in the dim light. Alexander fired two shots, taking down another attacker. The fight was over in minutes.

Rossi’s men had underestimated us.

I stood in the middle of the carnage, my breath heavy, my pulse still racing. Blood stained the ground, the scent thick in the air. My gaze swept over the scene. Some of Rossi’s men lay dead, others groaned in pain. My men had taken a few hits, but nothing fatal.

I turned and rushed inside the house, my heart hammering. Isabella was on the couch, her face pale, her arm wrapped in a makeshift bandage. Hugo sat beside her, his hands shaking. He looked up at me, something similar to fear and anger in his eyes.

I knelt beside Isabella, my hands gentle as I examined her wound. The bullet had grazed her arm, a deep cut but nothing life-threatening.

She looked helpless and exhausted lying down on this couch, with her eyes closed.

I gritted my teeth, as I felt uncontrollable anger flow through me. They dared hurt her, Rossi is yet to see the worst of me

I am the only one allowed to hurt Isabella, she's mine to hurt and mine to break, anyone who touches even a strand of her hair, would meet a very unfortunate faith.

“she'll be fine, we'll call the doctor."

Her friend Luca said, his voice dripping with concern.

I shook my head.

They Shot her. The more I thought of it, the more I felt like killing someone.

I clenched my jaw.

I stood abruptly, my fury simmering just beneath the surface. “Carmine Rossi will pay for this,” I vowed. “In the worst way possible.”

Rocco stepped inside, wiping blood from his knuckles. “What’s the plan, boss?”

I turned to him, my decision already made. “We’re going to send Rossi a message. One he’ll never forget.”

Rocco grinned. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

Enzo and Alexander entered behind him, their faces grim but determined. My men were loyal, ready to fight for me at a moment’s notice. I wouldn’t let their loyalty go to waste.

"Rocco call the doctor, I want her better by morning."

I looked at Luca. "Stay here with her and the boy, I'll be back."

He nodded.

I looked at Hugo, something about him intrigued me.

As I stepped out into the night, I let the darkness consume me.

Carmine Rossi had made a mistake.

Now, he was going to pay.