S I X T E E N

~ DAMIEN ~

I should be tired of Anastatia’ antics. But I'm not only tired. I'm so fucking annoyed.

She said I'd done something wrong to her at high school and Vittorio even confirmed it but I can't remember shit.

The accident fucked me up real good.

Maybe this is the universe's way of getting back at me afterall, Karma is a bitch.

I move away from the door and turn back to the lounge area while pulling my jacket. Then, I fold it and pick up my phone, after placing the folded jacket on the couch, dialing Vittorio's phone.

“Hey man. So–”

“What's the big deal about? How did he get to the rooftop without anyone seeing him?” I ask, going straight to the point as I move to sit on one of the white couches, legs crossed.

“Sweet talking. Trust Enzo for always having a sweet mouth. And the cameras were bad too.”

Someone must have tampered with it.

I sigh, my anger increasing. “He was on the rooftop.”

“Doing what?” Vittorio asks, confusion evident in his voice.

“He almost pushed Anastatia to death.” I say.

“Fuck.”

If he's pissed, I'm fucking livid. Just thinking that she almost lost she life makes me filled to the brink with blood lust.

Yes, I'm angry that he managed to get past out guards. I'm furious that he dared attack what's mine and that's brought a beast out in me I totally didn't expect. But I don't want to make Nonnina worried.

“Did you interrogate the stationed guards.”

“Not yet.”

My nose flares as I spare the corridor that leads to the room a glance before standing up. I picked my car key.

“Call all the capos for a meeting.”

Confrontation solves a lot of shits.

_ _ _

“So…” my brother grins wolfishly, the grin not reaching his eyes, “how was your honeymoon?”

“Fuck off, Vittorio.”

“Did she cook and run you a bath?”

I turn to him while we wait for some minutes to keep the capos waiting intentionally. “Did I marry her so she could run me a bath?”

He swats the air with a dark chuckle. “No, not that. Just checking up on you. You know… to know if she'd probably poisoned you and shit…”

Senseless.

“Why'd you think that?”

I ask, lips pulled up in mock disgust at his questions as I step out of the room and towards the next where the three capos excluding dead-meat Enzo were already waiting.

As soon as the door slides open and I step in, they stand up, bowing.

I didn't respond to their greetings, letting my stance known as I walk to the seat in the middle and sit down, Vittorio sitting to my right.

I interlock my fingers as I place it on the table, making sure my gaze falls on each and everyone of them including Vittorio.

“So, I've been hearing news that even after marriage, you refused to accept Anastatia Vicenzo as your Donna? I believe we've spoken about this before the pact.”

Small brained Callias, the newest capo of my branch in North America decided that he'd already written down his will and cleared his throat, “Don, we've already spoken about this before, yes. But if I could remember clearly, we didn't agree with this and we never will.”

The others nods in agreement before Ellias, Callias brother, decides to speak up too. Oh, small brained syndrome definitely runs in the blood. It's a family thing I guess.

“We didn't just lose blood and resources to the feud, Don. We lost kids, capo's offsprings and it's unforgivable. Kutvosky didn't spare anyone in his misdoings so we shouldn't too.”

That reminds me.

“Enzo is dead.” I say as a matter of factly, letting them know that their ploy to take what's mine failed miserably.

The only first female capo in the history of the Casa Vicenzo gasps. “What—” She tries to say before gulping.

I turn to her, mockingly, “Yes Natalie? What were you saying?”

“Nothing.”

“Good.”

I turn to them. “I know Elijah died in the bloodshed. He was the only son Enzo was able to birth due to his issue of low sperm count despite fucking around, bless the dead. But…”

I stall, meeting everyone's eyes one after the other.

“We aren't the only one who suffered causalities. You aren't the only one who suffered casualties. And to prevent more, we decided the best bet - marriage. And now that Anastatia Vicenzo is part of us…”

“Give her the respect that's due to me. She's mine now and whether you like it or not, she's your Donna. I don't want a case like Enzo's anymore, bless his soul. And… I don't need to remind you of what will happen if you cross me or try to hurt what's mine, or do I?”

“No, Don.” They chorus.

“Good.”

They all stand up and bow before exiting the room one after the other, leaving me with Vittorio who still looks like he's very much enjoying the show.

Douchebag.

He stares at me.

I glare back, waiting for him to spew more nonsense.

After some minutes, he sighs, “I thought we are far past this stage of not wanting her as Donna. You don't need to force us to submit.”

“Not that you have any choice. My life my rules. And yours belong to me.”

“Sure but…”

I lean against the backrest of the chair, fingers interlocked on my chest as I wait for another nonsense.

He shakes his head. “Have you gotten your memories back?”

I assessed him with raised brows. “Not really, just little flashbacks.”

“I think that should do.” I hear him mutter under his breath before he tilts his head to meet my gaze.

“Did you know why you always lead your group of friends to pick on her in crescent high?”

I hiss. I can't remember.

“Just normal impulse and hatred.”

And yes, I believe in hating someone without reasons. It's normal too.

“What about when you were 15 when mother took us to Disneyland…”

Disneyland? I don't remember being there.

“…and the kidnapping stuff?”

Kidnapping.

Kidnapping.

I use my index finger to massage my forehead as a splitting headache pierces my skull like needle. The silence streches for some minutes before I ask.

“What kidnapping stuff?”

“The one that happened to me.” He says with a shrug.

Unbelievable.

“How the fuck am I supposed to remember what happened with you when I'm not present? Do I live in your head?”

“No, you were left alone after five hours. I was left there for two weeks.”

He slides back, his chair screeching against the tiled floor. “She's boogie's daughter, Damien. You were not really a victim because you didn't lose your memories from the incident but from an accident and you only spent five hours before you were released. But I was the legit victim. I can never accept Anastasia. I still see the face of that monster on her.”

“Mom was trying to save us when she had an accident and died. We didn't only lose father and uncle to them. We lost mom too.” He adds with a whisper.

Then, he stands up and leaves the room, leaving me to my thoughts.