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Chapter 42
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๋ฐ์ดํธ:
2025-01-31 23:30:46
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Into the darknessย ย ย Chapter 43
Arianna POV: Giovanni left in such a rush, with no goodbye or promise to return. I felt fear seep into my bones thinking of whatever was so dire it pulled him away instantly. If it was that serious I could only picture him covered in blood, punctured full of bullet wounds. I crawled up into my bed trying to drink some tea and watch something. Nothing pulled me away from the tales my head my head was spinning. Whether he was gunned down in the street, lit on fire in a car bomb, or tortured for his misdeeds. Each one worse than the last, gruesome and bloody details strangling me from any form of sanity. I spent the night staring at the ceiling wondering what was going on. Why hadnโt he called me yet The hours dragged on and with every passing second, I became increasingly certain that something had gone wrong. I was undone by the time I saw the sun creeping in through my curtains, I decided I might as well go get something to eat. I made my way downstairs feeling as lonely as I ha
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-02-05Into the darknessย ย ย Chapter 44
Arianna POV: They had shuffled me over to a car and into the back seat roughly shoving me in the door as I vainly attempted to wriggle free. They laughed as I tried to turn my wrists in their hands and hauled me into the car. I thought to my phone tossed into my purse as I had moronically been dreaming about Giovanni. I looked around the car trying to figure out a way to freedom. They got in and one pointed a gun at me. โYou try anything and youโre gonna regret it,โ I slumped back in my seat frustrated, not just at my situation but mainly at myself. I hadnโt paid attention at all, I had disregarded the situation we were in and put my head in the clouds. If I had been focusing I would have noticed Luca wasnโt there, and instead of feeling lonely, I would have been on alert. Now here I was in the back of a gross car with two old pigs snorting about the pride they took in taking a young girl hostage. I looked at the gun sitting on the console, and how easy it would be to grab it. The
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-02-10Into the darknessย ย ย Chapter 45
Giovanni POV: If we hadnโt come in armed to the teeth, we would be dead, we got wind of a new shipment of drugs, ones with his name on them. I hadnโt even taken a moment to stop, we left that instant. I didnโt stop to say goodbye to her, I was so thirsty for the end of this. I had run off into the night, leaving her unguarded and rushing off to some random warehouse hours away. I had waited to see any movement, and with only minimal activity, my brain had started working again. It was hesitant to go in, so we waited, inching close, slowly watching them. They had many guns for those who were unsuspecting. Their movements were rehearsed, marching around like toy soldiers. I felt sure we were headed for a trap, what better way to know than to spring it?Sure enough, one step too close, and they all started shooting in our direction, chasing us down with as much firepower as they had. Like I said, Luca and I came armed heavily ourselves, we threw what we had back at them as we made our
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-02-12Into the darknessย ย ย Chapter 46
Giovanni POV: Pulling up to the house, I hurried her inside more men than I could count now lined our walls, Luca pulled up and hurried in after us. I had never once felt the need to question my men, but now I looked over their faces and wondered if any of them sought to hurt her. I guided her past every one of them, and she held onto me tightly, she always could feel safe with me, the thing I took all my pride in. Now, she was unsure of who else was going to hand her over. I would have to see to it that loyalty was an absolute, if I couldnโt rely on them, this was all going to fall apart. She turned her face into my chest as we passed through the foyer, a large group of them discussing defense. At the very least, she didnโt have any doubt in me, Iโm sure now that it would break me if she did. I nodded to Luca as I got her up to the bedroom, and he turned, heading back downstairs, no doubt already starting to find out if there were any other rats on the ship. If there was one man i
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-02-12Into the darknessย ย ย Chapter 47
Arianna POV: That morning, I was awoken to the sunlight and a warmth cocooning me, keeping me slightly under the effects of the sandman. It all didnโt feel real, the previous day had been the most eventful one in my life to date, getting kidnapped, then escaping even if by design, being rescued and returned to Gio, and for us toโฆWhen I came out of the shower last night, I thought it would end up in the usual routine: he would make his excuses to go work or see to the defense of the house, or perhaps we would find ourselves down in the kitchen like we normally did and play house. Instead, he sat up and looked at me, his mind made up I felt fearful for a moment he would send me away, ship me off to Italy with Becca. Before my fears could consume me, he kissed me, holding me tightly to him, pulling me up, and I wrapped my legs around him. We tumbled onto the bed, and in an unleashing of desire, we found ourselves covered in sweat, heat, and passion. He was exactly as youโd expect him
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-02-14Into the darknessย ย ย Chapter 48
Arianna POV: They didnโt want to waste any time, so after breakfast, we all got ready to head out. I couldnโt explain the reason why, but I was so nervous to return home. I hadnโt been back there since I had fled that day with Luca, running into the sanctuary of Giovanniโs house. Now, With Gioโs hand in mine, I was coming back after learning the truth about her death, starting to challenge my father's rule, and almost being kidnapped. It seemed impossible to drive back there, to the small town where nothing strange had ever occurred, where I had grown up. I felt my heart clench as we pulled down the perfectly average streets in our SUVs like police at a crime scene. It was just as I had left it on the outside, her bushes dusted with frost, the windmill by the front door. I could almost pretend for a moment we were heading inside to see her. A hard lump sat in my throat, and I turned away from it for a second, unable to bear the sight of it in my new world. I wanted it to stay as pe
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-02-14Into the darknessย ย ย Chapter 49
Arianna POV: I turned the letter over and ran my finger over the ink of her writing. My name was spelled out there waiting for me, it echoed her voice in my ear. I didnโt think twice, desperate to have another conversation with her. To know why she did what she did, what she had to say, get a shred of advice from her. Arianna, Oh, my darling, I cannot explain with words the great hope I have that you never read this. Perhaps my luck lasts long enough, and you are old and gray with a life well lived, having found this amongst my things. Perhaps it turns out how I fear every day it might. I should have told you when you turned 18, explained it all. Prepared you for the man we ran from. Your father is the greatest regret of my life, the one saving grace is he brought me my daughters, but even so, I realize the good it would have been to turn him in all those years ago. I should have gone to the federal police shown them what I knew, but I was too scared they would take you away from
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-02-18Into the darknessย ย ย Chapter 50
Giovanni POV: She had the file her mother kept on her phone, she had taken photos of everything to keep it safe. There was only one lead for us, the name of the agency. The Hellmans Private investigators had closed ten years ago with no website and no cell phone. I had to go into an old Yellow Pages to find the address. It was quite shocking to see a business so under wraps. No wonder it went out of business. We went to the address and asked the new tenant if they knew anything. Luca found it quite amusing when the man became as skittish as a cat. He said his pleasant face fell flat instantly, and he was quite irritable and asked him to leave if he had no interest in blinds. Luca got the same reaction across the street at the bar: polite welcome in, cordial small talk, then the moment the PI was brought up, a cold change and a rough refusal. Whatever was going on, the PI didnโt want to be found, and people around them were working hard to help keep it that way. We werenโt giving u
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2025-02-18
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Into the darknessย ย ย Chapter 71
Arianna POV:The next day, we headed out onto the boat piling on with baskets overflowing with blankets and pillows, wine bottles, meats and cheeses, and bread. I stopped onto the boat with Gio helping me aboard, and he began to show me around. โThis is the top deck where we spend most of our time,โ He explained. Comfy seats and benches lined the top of the ship, large enough for the whole family to sit and eat and relax together. โMy mother wanted it so that no one felt left out,โ He grinned. His mother began by fluffing out all of the blankets and coats, and her sisters went downstairs to unload all the food. Becca and Luca joined their cousins in readying the ship. Once again, I was struck with how much this family spent time together and how happily they moved around with each other. His father boarded the ship and entered the captain seat, not speaking or looking at anyone, sitting down with a canister of coffee and a newspaper or two. They all had their roles, but they loved
Into the darknessย ย ย Chapter 70
Arianna POV: We stopped for lunch at a little bistro, much like back in America they were heavily involved in helping businesses in their town. The owner came out and greeted Giovanni and Luca, snapping his fingers to get us a better table and the finest wine they had. I rolled my eyes as Gio winked and pulled out my chair for me, he knew damn well it wasnโt his connections that made me interested in him. Once again, the blonde from the store flashed into my mind. Did he, though? She was fawning over him so intently, praising him a cooing his name. I had never been a woman to constantly stroke her man's ego. I shook my head, removing the thought from my mind. No, I wonโt do this. Heโs taken me home to his family, heโs showing me the place he grew up. I wonโt begin second-guessing now, not when weโve faced demons together. As if reading my mind, he held my hand as if it was second nature, kissing it before answering a question Luca had asked him. He explained to me his favorites on
Into the darknessย ย ย Chapter 69
Arianna POV: โLet me take you out today to show you the town.โ he grinned as we went downstairs to breakfast. I nodded happily at the thought of running around town with him, seeing everywhere he grew up. The places that he hung around as a child with Luca and his brother. I wanted to see the town that helped him grow into who he is, all the little memories dotted around shops and cafes. โGio?โ his mother called. โYou going out?โ she pouted for a moment before walking into the kitchen and then handing him a list. โGet me this, please.โ She kissed the top of his head and patting his shoulder She patted the empty seat next to Giovanni for me to sit in, โCome on dear, Iโve got fresh fruit and pastries,โ she gestured to the pile of breads on the table. โMama, who is going to eat all of this?โ he asked, going over the list. She scoffed and turned to him. โYou and Luca have emptied my pantry before. Donโt think I donโt know what youโre capable of get me my food,โ SHe scolded him, wav
Into the darknessย ย ย Chapter 68
Giovanni POV: I felt horrible the way she was sitting back in her chair, absentmindedly smiling as she looked around the room. My mother guided her up to my old room for me while we sat there finishing the meal. She followed a long like a child dead to the world around her. I thought once she knew we were going somewhere safe sheโd relax, but it seemed meeting my family was very important to her. I tried not to grin at the thought that she cared that much for me. My mood soured though as I watched her leave and then turned to my father, he stared at me with a discerning look. I wanted to roll my eyes, but I knew that would only antagonize him. I was sure heโd tell me what was wrong with her soon enough, and I would ignore all of it. If he knew anything he would know there was no turning back for me, I had damned myself in his name to avenge my brother, now that an angel has swopped in to save me he is upset. โShe's beautiful,โ He commented. I didnโt say a word in response, waitin
Into the darknessย ย ย Chapter 67
Arianna POV: His father rose from his seat and set down his paper, I could see what his mother meant; they were similar. He had the same wide shoulders and strong jaw Giovanni had and the same nose, but Giovanniโs eyes were his mother's. If I wanted to see what he looked like thirty years later, it was at the other end of the table, salt and pepper hair, some wrinkles here and there, but still strong. The two men stood at opposite ends of the room like monoliths, refusing to bow to the other. One wanting the respect heโd earned, the other the respect heโd deserved, I sighed softly to myself. It wasnโt just looks that they were identical on; I stepped down the stairs and past Giovanni. โSIgnore Risci, thank you for welcoming me into you, especially given the circumstances,โ I walked over holding out my hand. His father cocked his head to the side as he considered me for a moment, taking my hand and kissing it. โOh, I see why my son has overlooked your past.โ He looked at Giovanni,
Into the darknessย ย ย Chapter 66
Arianna POV: I didnโt find a wink of sleep the whole flight, my mind racing with the possibilities. I had never met the parents before, let alone a whole family. Even if I had I knew in my bones it wouldnโt be the same as it was now, my heart would flutter, my mind wouldnโt race, my palms wouldnโt be slick. Luca and Giovanni were both asleep, heads slunk to the side in the same manner. I wondered if Giovanniโs brother had done the same. I wondered if he looked more like his father or his mother, who he acted more like. I wondered if his family would begrudge me mine or if they understood my past. I was even more on edge by the time we got off the plane as I was sure I looked a mess, from the bitter cold of an east coast winter we stepped into the cool warmth of the mediterranean. I felt as if I dragged in the sludge and sleet with me, my eyes looking more akin to a racoons and less human. The one bright spot waited for me as we stepped down from our flight. โArianna!โ Becca excla
Into the darknessย ย ย Chapter 65
Arianna POV: It didnโt feel real; it felt like some wild fantasy I had found myself in. I watched on the news as they carted him out of our house and into the cop cars, a dark expression casting over his face. Then at the arraignment, I sat in the back so he couldnโt see me, like I was five hiding behind my mother's leg, but still. The judge set no bail, for fear heโd run off, the power of a federal judge and not one of the county guys, that we all knew my father had in his pocket. He was being held without bail until his trial. The judge seemed to be unbiased; still, I warned myself I told myself not to think it, but I felt like we had a chance of putting him away. I felt as if I thought it, it would flitter away and vanish. He had never been caught before, my father had been on trial a total of six times, and not once had they been able to put him in jail. He had the best lawyers, he had donated to the judge's campaigns, and he knew their families. Not once did they even come clos
Into the darknessย ย ย Chapter 64
Domenico POV: There are moments in life of crisp clarity, like a camera lens focusing or a breath of fresh air after swimming. You see things just as they are, not as you wanted them to be; every little piece of information you neglected to cover, your own fears they shine brightly. Iโd experienced this once before when my wife ran with our daughter in the middle of the night. All her good intentions, all our quiet evenings, the distance between us over the past weeks. They glared at me in the eyes, forcing me to realize all I had missed because I didnโt want to see that she was leaving me. I felt the same when the FBI walked boldly into my house, that punk smuggly dangling the cuffs in my face. โTax evasion's a bad rap,โ he chuckled, dragging me out of the house as cameras flashed, blinding us, as he laid conquest to my home. In a matter of seconds, the last few months flashed into my head: Vanessaโs body in the morgue, the fear and hesitation on Ariannaโs face when I returned t
Into the darknessย ย ย Chapter 63
Arianna POV: We were working closer and closer to my father's arrest, every day I caught moments when it felt like we would pull this off and I grabbed onto them tight. They kept me sane, most of the time I felt a green mist in the air. Something was coming for us we couldnโt see, shadows pulling at us as we neared our victory. The slimy and sinking feeling that though we had every scrap of evidence to put him away it wasnโt enough. He was too foul a beast to keep breathing. I could see the shiny strings he pulled to get us to move this way and that. Giulia had shown up and tried to get me to see some photos of Giovanni doing something that would โturn my stomachโ. I had pushed her away and left but my skin had been crawling since. It was the simplest interaction she had let me go, and I felt as if I should cling to Giovanni ever since then. The rug was going to be pulled soon and weโd be sent tumbling. As hazy as the days were, never seeing where we were heading as I looked over
