CHAPTER SIX
Carlo’s POV
Stunned.
That was my first reaction.
A throbbing pain shot through my skull, and I could feel the warm trickle of blood mixing with wine, running down my face.
For a moment, everything froze. I took in the woman in front of me, the one who'd dared to hit me, her face had gone pale and her eyes wide with horror. I blinked as my vision swam.
My men—brutal, ruthless men—stood like statues. Equally stunned speechless. Eyes wide, jaws slacked.
In seconds, shock morphed into blinding fury, it boiled inside me, I could suffocate from it. She had just disrespected me , in front of my men.
Drew blood from my head and made me look weak.
Almost in the same breath, Enzo—my right hand man—moved first. His face twisted with rage as he lunged for her, grabbing her arms as he pressed the barrel of his hand gun against her temple.
Natalia let out a sharp gasp.
“Enzo, don't!” Caterina yelled.
I wiped the blood from my face. “Easy, Enzo,” I said calmly despite the rage brewing within me. “Let her go.”
Enzo's grip on his gun tightened. “She disrespected you!” He protested. “She doesn't deserve to draw another breath.”
“Leave her to me.” My voice is a low, deadly growl.
Grudgingly, Enzo let her go and almost immediately, I grabbed her neck, squeezing tightly.
I felt her pulse quicken beneath my fingers as her eyes widened in fear. She let out short gasps, her hands flying up to claw at my wrist. “I won't apologize,” she said, like a petulant child.
A low chuckle escaped me, “Good, because I am really looking forward to fixing that bratty attitude of yours.” I released my grip on her neck, shoving her.
Natalia staggered backward. “You… you animal,” she said hoarsely as her hand snaked up to her neck, massaging the red marks my hand left on her skin. “I… I just wanted to see my sister!”
Ignoring her, I turned to my men. “Bring her to the dungeon.”
“What—” Her words were cut off as Enzo hauled her on his shoulder and I led them toward the back entrance that led below ground.
She began thrashing, her legs kicking frantically. “No! Stop, please!”
Her cries went ignored as we neared the dungeon.
“Please, don’t take me down there! I'm sorry, please!”
Did she sound really sorry? Yes, maybe a little frightened. But I was way too upset to think rationally. The Dungeon was solely for business and by ‘business’ I meant where I tortured and killed people who crossed me.
Natalia could spend the night in one of the dark cells, then she might be more respectful and pliant.
“The keys.” I stretched my hand as one of my guards, Marco, handed it over. By the time I threw open the heavy door, she was weeping.
Perfect. Perhaps this would help teach her a lesson.
“Stop… please.” It was a strained plea.
I strode to the nearest cell. The iron bars were impossible to escape, though many had tried. Chains were embedded into the wall, but I didn't think those were needed for her. Not yet, at least.
Enzo set her on her feet. Tears tracked her cheeks and her eyes
were wild as she clutched at my jacket but Enzo slapped her hands away. "Please. Don't do this. I will freak out.”
I stepped back, my intention clear. A capo never changed an order once it was made. We never showed weakness or remorse.
Enzo swung the heavy metal door shut before she could slip through it. When it closed, she shook her head, panic causing her to shake. She clutched the iron bars."Please, Don Carlo. Don't do this. I'll do whatever you want. I'll be good. I swear!”
The words made my cock twitch as I imagined her on her knees
being very good for me…
Cazzo!
There had to be a special place in Hell for a man who had impure thoughts about his son's fiancée.
With a furious twist of my wrist, I locked the door. “Perhaps this will teach you who holds the power in this house piccola monella."
~ ~ ~ ~
Natalia’s POV:
A pained sob escaped me as I rattled the bars. I screamed until my throat ached, raw from the strain. It was useless. The heavy metal door remained closed, darkness all around me.
I was trapped.
Dread pooled in my stomach as panic surged up so fast it felt like I took a punch to my chest. I stumbled back, hands flying up to the cold stone walls, fingers scraping against the rough surface.
The walls were moving, closing in on me and I felt dizzy.
Help!
The words couldn't come out, my throat was constricted from lack of air. I gasped over and over, desperate for air that wouldn't come.
No. Not again.
I pressed my back against the wall, every muscle in my body shaking, my heart pounding so hard it hurt. The floor gave way, my legs buckled, and I collapsed to the floor.
All the years of being locked in a closet as a child had made me claustrophobic.
Grow up! It’s not the closet, Natalia.
I told myself over and over. But my mind wasn’t listening. The darkness was the same. Everything. No light. No windows.
“Let me out, please…” My voice was barely above a whisper. I hated it. I hated how weak and scared I felt. But I couldn't stop it.
Tears stung my eyes, hot and angry. All I wanted was to see my sister, she was only a child. How could they take her away?!
Fuck you, Carlo.
My eyelids grew heavier. Any moment from now, I’d pass out.
A sound…
I strained my ears, despite losing a battle to unconsciousness.
Tiny claws skittered across the stone and I froze. Oh, my God. What was that? A rat?I curled up as tight as I could, holding my shaking knees to my chest.
My brain must have checked out for a moment, because I don’t remember anything else until strong arms lifted me off the ground. A warm muscled chest met the side of my face and I didn’t fight. I couldn’t. I clung to my rescuer, desperate for escape.
“I am so sorry, bella.”
The voice was new, one I didn’t recognize… And it wasn’t Carlo.
My eyes locked with my rescuer’s. “Who… are you?”
Can y’all guess who our new guy is?🙃
Natalia's POV: His face was awfully familiar—sharp jawline, strong cheekbones, that same dark, silky hair. So similar, yet, different. He was much younger—around my age. There was concern in his golden green eyes, not cruelty like a certain someone’s bluish-grey ones. He began walking with me in his arms, my own arms wrapped securely around his neck. “I’m Luca,” He said. “I’m sorry about my father, he can be an asshole sometimes.”Father…? Then it clicked, the resemblance… “You’re Carlo’s son!” My throat felt tight.His eyes widened slightly, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. “Okay, no one calls father, ‘Carlo’ well, except great-aunt. Yes, I’m his son.”I shoved against his chest. “Put me down!” “Hey, hey, it’s okay,” his voice was a gentle whisper. “I’m not going to hurt you.”I doubt that. “Let me go!” I said through my clattering teeth. “I can walk.”Instead, his arms tightened around me. “I can’t, you were literally catatonic when I found you. I don’t think you’re okay.”I
Natalia’s POV:My heart thumped rapidly against my chest, each beat echoing in my ears as I shoved a hoodie into my duffel bag. Sweat beaded on my forehead with each fast movement I made. I needed to escape. It was now or never. BANG!!My heart skipped a beat as a shiver ran down my spine at the sound of the living room door being slammed. I knew what the sound was, it was HIM again. No doubt already drunk even though the day was just starting. Quickly, I pushed my little sister, Ava, into the closet. “Don’t come out until I come to get you, okay?” She nodded, her big brown eyes glistened with tears as the fear on her face mirrored mine. I placed a kiss on her forehead. “I won't let him hurt you. I promise.” Liar, you can't even protect yourself. The voice in my head mocked and I squashed it, shutting the closet door, and headed for the living room as my heart raced with a familiar dread. He wasn't supposed to be home, he was usually off at some bar drinking until evening. So
Natalia’s POV:“You… you can’t do that!” I spat as my mind raced wildly. The man’s index finger curled around the trigger. “You underestimate me, piccolina.” His deep voice was cold and void of any emotion. My blood ran cold as I broke out in cold sweat. I was glued to a spot.Torn between wanting to agree and disagree. Just moments ago I could almost taste my freedom and dreams. I worked my butt off for years to be awarded a fully funded scholarship. Everyone else was going off to college in a few weeks. I couldn't possibly follow a stranger across the continent to get married. War raged inside me at his threat. I can’t let this man ruin everything for me. I won’t back down. I have to call the cops. As if dad heard my thoughts. “Na… Natalia…” Dad breathed as tears rolled down his cheeks.“Plea… please do as he says. Don Carlo’s going to kill me if you don't.”Don Carlo? My heart squeezed painfully at his plea. He might have been an asshole to me all my life but he was still my f
Natalia’s POV:It’s all my fault… I caused this… Why didn’t I follow them? Instead, I thought I could outsmart them and I was wrong. So terribly wrong. Tears blurred my vision as every fight I had in me melted away. I turned to Carlo, the devil in human form. “I’ll come with you,” I said in a soft plea. “I’ll do anything! Please.”My eyes turned back to where Ava stood in front of the black van, tears streaming down her cheeks as her brown gaze locked with mine. A man stood behind her, his left hand closed her mouth, muffling her screams while his right held a dagger against her neck. How could they do that to a child?! I yanked my arm from his hold and dropped to my knees, clasping my hands in front of me. “Please, don’t do this… please!”His gray-blue eyes studied me, they were expressionless and I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. With each second that passed, my anxiety heightened. Carlo made eye contact with the man holding Ava and he let her go. Like lightning, Ava dashe
Carlo’s POV:Death had a smell.Tears, blood, sweat, and fear…I glanced back at the traitor—Marco’s limp body being chained to a chair. In my world, disloyalty and lies were deadly sins. The only way to punish traitors for such an unforgivable sin was death. “Wake the stronzo up,” I growled. “Sure thing, Capo,” Enzo, my cousin and right-hand man answered as he moved to Marco, striking him hard across the face and he jerked awake. Marco’s left eye was ballooned shut, his lip split, and his cheek already bruising. Marco had been working for me for over ten years, yet he betrayed me. The fucker knew how much I hated traitors and yet.“You know what happens to men like you, don't you?” I asked, my voice hard and cold. “Don Carlo, please…please don’t do this. I’m sorry. I was desperate, he had my family,” he cried as snot dripped down his broken nose. If he was desperate, he could have come to me for help. But no, the fucker took the easier way out. He stole from me and sold informa
Natalia’s POV:I shouldn’t have opened the envelope…My knees buckled, and I collapsed onto the floor, the envelope crinkled under my grip as my hands trembled. Suddenly, the room felt too little and it felt like my lungs could no longer function as I struggled to breathe. This can’t be true—A rattling sound behind the door had me scrambling to my feet as I wiped my eyes. Quickly, I hid the envelope and its contents in my duffel bag, stuffing the rest of my things back inside my bag. I couldn't let anyone find me in this state.The door swung open, and I expected it to be Carlo. But at the door stood an elderly lady and a young woman who held a tray of food and juice.I frowned. “Who are you?”“Ciao, bella. How are you?” The older lady asked, ignoring my question. “Let’s get you freshened up and changed into something—”“Who are you?” I asked again. The older lady’s eyes softened as she sighed. She gestured to the younger lady. “This is Vittoria, she will serve you. She’s your maid—