CHAPTER SEVEN

ANTONIOS POV

I squeezed Marcella’s cold hands tightly with my left hand while my right-hand kept pressure on her wound. The fast-oozingblood from the hollow space left by the bullet on her abdomen had already soaked two shirts. As she lay on the table in my dining area, I anxiously awaited the arrival of Doctor Firestone,a trusted underground medical practitioner Alvarez had secured for situations like this when we first arrived here in Italy.

I felt useless as all I could do was say silent prayers hoping she pulls through this. Alvarez, Alejandro and some of my men had gone out to trace the shooter. I had promised to keep Marcellasafe but right here in my home I put her in harms way.

Firestone arrived shortly after and went straight to assess the wound on Marcella. He looked more worried than I had expected. I refused to let go of her hands as the little threadypulse I felt was my only assurance she was still alive and she could make it. 

After the doctor stabilized her and treated the wound, he turned to speak to me.

“She lost a lot of blood, but I manage to remove the bullet and fortunately, no vital organ was hit. she should make a completerecovery in about two weeks.” I let out breath I didn’t realize I was holding and stretched my hands to take the prescriptions he was handing to me, but Tyrone quickly snatched the piece of paper.

“Don’t worry about this, we will handle it when we get home.” He said pushing the paper down his pockets.

“look man, don’t know you and Marcella clearly doesn’t trust you. There is no way I am allowing you walk out of this place with her, especially in this condition.’’ I informed him with confidence I was making the right decision Marcella will be happy with.

“She’s my family, I watched that girl grow and I don’t know when and how you appeared in her life, but let me warn you,any further attempt to prevent us from taking her will bear dire consequences.’’ Tyrone warned.

I smiled for about half a second before replacing it with the kind of face I make when I start loo my patience. I approached him with slow steady steps then pointed a bloody finger at him. 

“You really try my patience man. I have been way too welcoming, do not take my leniency for weakness. Gather these weaklings you call soldiers and get the fuck off my premises” My voice resonated the exact authority and confidence I intended. Tyrone however seemed unperturbed as he took a bold step to close the gab between us.

“Make me” he said boldly, pointing his gun at me again.  And just as I reached out to my pocket to draw my own weapon, the search party entered the room.

“I took out the bastard” Alvarez announced as soon as they entered. “He was a nobody.” he added as though he could read my mind. “He was just a low life that heard about the ransom on Marcella’s head and wanted to cash in.

“This is all your fault” I said to Tyrone, “tell your boss he does not deserve to be a father. He should rot in hell. Fuck you for putting a target on her back.” I spat angrily. I couldn’t decide whether I was angry at them for making her a target or at myself for not protecting her enough.

“Whatever issue there is will be resolved when we get home.” Alejandro said and Without a second thought, I pulled my gun from my back pocket and shot one of their men right in the foot.The man screamed in pain, his blood soaking the gray wool carpet on my living room floor.

“ Give this message to your father, Marcella is not coming.” The entire gang pulled out their guns and aimed at me. From the corner of my eyes I saw Alvarez pull out his weapon tooawaiting my order.

“No need for further injuries and confrontations.” Alejandro said calming the atmosphere. “I can tell you really care about my sister. We will surely be back” he concluded and signaled his men to exit.

“Let me take care of her while you wash down.” Alberta offered,coming out of her hiding place in the kitchen. I nodded and lifted Marcella bridal style to my room where I lay her gently on the bed and pulled the duvet to cover her properly. The sun was still up as it peeped through the window its yellow rays fallingdirectly on Marcella’s face. She looked peaceful in her sleep. Ibrushed a strand of hair from her face and then signaled Albertato shut the blinds.

I heard the cars outside zoom away with my sense of security. The place was no longer safe, we need to move immediately. I made a mental note to inform Alvarez to of the plan to changelocation to a more secure and safe place where no one can find us yet I can keep eyes on El Russo.

I stepped into the bathroom and allowed the warm water run over my body washing the blood off my skin down the drain. I run a hand over my face as shivers suddenly run down my spine. I had come face to face with the son of the man I seeked to kill. I have had his daughter in my custody weeks. I had his strong men and almost half his entire army right under my nose. I could have simply brought him down. 

I ignored all of Alverez’s signals for me to give the order, and even though the moment felt right, the punishment didn’t feel right, it was not painful enough. Two bullets were all I needed to take down both Alejandro and Tyrone and crash the entire Russo mafia. However, that wouldn’t satisfy the desire for revenge that boiled within my soul. That wouldn’t appease my anger.

I needed to see him suffer. I needed him to pay for the pain I had endured, for the many nights my mama stayed up crying. El Russo must pay.