CHAPTER 295
Ellis Barker rose from the table at Tokyo Shiba Tofuya Ukai, a resolute determination in her steps as she headed towards the exit. But before she could reach the door, Angelo Messina intercepted her, declaring that she couldn't leave.
“I won't,” Messina affirmed, his voice filled with unwavering certainty.
Ellis halted and turned to face Messina, speaking calmly yet with unyielding firmness in her words.
“Angelo, I don't think you understand. Rocco woke up. He's the key piece we need to finally get answers about what happened to Vittorio,” explained Ellis, emphasizing the importance of Rocco's awakening to their quest.
Messina, in turn, explained that he himself was committed to another obligation, something that prevented him from returning to New York.
“Ellis, I can't go back to New York. I promised Matthew I wouldn't return,” Messina explained, trying to justify his position.
Ellis pondered the situation, aware of Messina's imposed limitation. However, she expressed the need for his presence in New York.
“Angelo, I can't do this without you. I need your help, especially if Rocco points to someone on your list,” emphasized Ellis, conscious of Messina's relevance in the endeavor.
“Sorry, Ellis, but I won't go. If you need me, I'll be in Sicily trying to figure out how they took Donna from my house,” Messina assured, determined to seek answers on his own.
Despite being disappointed with the situation, Ellis bid farewell, acknowledging the limitation imposed by that circumstance.
“Until next time,” said Ellis, with a note of hope in her voice, before leaving the restaurant.
Both went their separate ways, each with their burdens and quests, parting with a mutual desire to find answers and justice, each on their own path.
***
The night in Sicily draped the Villa Monforte in a dark cloak, interrupted only by the headlights of Angelo Messina's private jet, which cut through the starry sky before gently touching down. Angelo disembarked with determination, his firm steps echoing in the night's silence of the airport. The breeze carried the salty scent of the Mediterranean, but his mind was immersed in the quest for truth.
The designated driver receiving him seemed tense, aware of Messina's reputation. The man's apprehensive expression revealed an understanding that Messina wasn't there for pleasantries. Without words, Angelo narrowed his eyes, intensifying the tense atmosphere. In a sudden move, he drew his weapon, the cold light of the moon reflecting on the polished surface of the metal.
Without waiting for greetings or questions, the contained fury within Messina erupted. A shot rang out in the silent night, disrupting the apparent peace of the region. The driver, a victim of Angelo's rage, fell without a sound, his inert body brutally occupying the ground.
Frustration mixed with anger fueled Messina's determination. He pushed the body aside without a hint of remorse and headed towards the awaiting white luxury car. The night became a stage for Angelo Messina's silent vengeance.
As he settled into the driver's seat, the roar of the engine echoed through the night. The vehicle merged with the winding roads leading to his home, the Villa Monforte, a sanctuary that now carried the weight of the unknown. Everyone involved would pay for what happened to Donna Smith.
The road stretched out before him like a dark path, reflecting the uncertain destiny that awaited. Angelo Messina was determined to unravel the secrets surrounding Donna's removal from his home, and no one would be immune to his quest for justice. The once-calm night became the backdrop for a relentless and vengeful journey.
***
Don Angelo Messina crossed the imposing gates of Villa Monforte, a house that represented both his fortress and his domain. The vastness of the gardens and the grandeur of the building were silent witnesses to Messina's influence in the region. The night unfolded before him, and the interior of the villa awaited to reveal the secrets lurking in the shadows.
With firm steps, Angelo headed to the living room, where the dense atmosphere mingled with the discreet luxury of the environment. The mafioso summoned his employees and associates, gathering an assembly that felt the gravity of the moment in the room. All turned to him as he entered, an aura of command surrounding him.
“What happened on the day Donna disappeared?” Angelo calmly inquired, his gaze sweeping across the faces of his staff. Expectations hung in the air as they awaited the unfolding explanation.
Gian, an associate of Messina and in charge of security, spoke up. “Don Angelo, Matarazzo came to me, saying he had received orders from you to take Donna to a safe place.”
Angelo narrowed his eyes, his face revealing a mix of confusion and suspicion. “Matarazzo?” he repeated, as if the name was an enigma. “I don't remember any Matarazzo. How the hell would he pass such information to someone I don't even know is my associate?”
Gian, maintaining composure, replied, “Don Angelo, perhaps you don't remember, but Matarazzo was an associate of Vittorio. After Vittorio's death, he asked to be under your protection, and you agreed.”
Angelo Messina's expression hardened as pieces of the puzzle began to fit in his mind.
Angelo fixed his gaze on Gian, his mind working to unearth memories that seemed to have been erased by time or convenience. “Matarazzo,” he murmured, as if trying to retrieve a buried fragment of memory from the past. “Who else from Vittorio's team is with us?”
Gian paused for a moment before providing the information Angelo sought.
“Besides him, Don Angelo, we have a few other members of Vittorio's team who stayed with us after his death. Not many, but Matarazzo was the closest to him.”
Angelo Messina nodded, his expression now marked by a combination of anger and determination. “Bring all those who were Vittorio's to my office, now. I can't allow something like this to happen without consequences.”
The room fell silent as Angelo left, his mind working on a plan to unravel the details of what had happened to Donna Smith.
The Villa Monforte, once a symbol of power and control, was now the stage for an intricate web of betrayals and murky loyalties. The mafioso was determined to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.