Chapter 122: Riddance

**Damiano**

I had taken Althaia out to eat after she complained about how she had a long day, not only training in the morning but also had an extra workout in fucking up Miciela, and she still hadn’t gotten anything to eat besides breakfast. After eating to her heart’s content, she fell asleep in the car as I drove us to the mansion at the vineyards to get some peace.

I looked at her sleeping form in the passenger seat, her lips lightly parted as she let out a faint snore which had me smiling. I found it too endearing, letting me know she was having a good sleep.

I carried her in my arms to let her continue her peaceful sleep as I walked her to the master bedroom. I tucked her into bed, caressing her cheek as I admired her, memorizing each of her features. It took everything in me not to lie next to her and hold her in my arms. Instead, I got up and made my way back to the car once again.

I drove off once one of my men pulled up to make sure Althaia was going to sleep with no disturbance while I was gone. The mansion was safe, but I didn’t want to take any chances.

My gaze landed on her phone that had slipped from her pocket in the passenger seat. My brows furrowed when the thought of her phone being hacked after I had gotten rid of her necklace. I grabbed it and turned it off. I would have Rafaelle do a check for me.

I pulled up to the large, white building where I usually held my business meetings in Italy. I walked inside, making my way through the doubled office doors as I looked around the office with a large round table and chairs in the middle. I was the last to arrive as my father and my men were already present. On the other side of the table, the Romanos were also present. I took a seat and leaned back, raising a brow at them and waiting for them to talk.

“You must understand why I have requested a meeting with you… I want to understand what has been going on before taking extreme measurements.” Tommaso’s eyes held anger, but frankly, I didn’t give two shits about it.

“We have been in business together for a long time. We had a deal, yet you killed two of my children. For what?!” He hissed out. His chest was heaving as he tried to control his anger. I looked at him for a while with scrutinizing eyes before I let out a small laugh.

“I don’t know about you, but I was raised by women. In my family, we don’t fuck around when it comes to our women. We value our women. We kill in their names. So, tell me, was I not right in getting rid of your daughter who mocked my wife? In killing your son who demanded my wife’s head for defending herself?” I tilted my head at him with a chilling smile. He shared a look with his son, Matteo, at the mention of my wife. They knew it was a promised death if you went after a Don’s wife, no matter who the fuck you were.

“This is not something I can slide.” He decided to say.

“That’s up to you. We can settle things right here, right now.” I shrugged and pulled out my gun, my men following my move. The Romanos tensed up, now alert, as they analyzed the situation.

“However, you know damn well you don’t want to start a war with me. You need me in your business, but I don’t need you. You are replaceable to me. So, what do you choose? Think wisely because I will show no mercy.” He looked distressed, but he knew he stood no chance against me. They were outnumbered, and I enjoyed seeing the sweat form on his forehead about it. He was power and money hungry, which made him a good asset in the business. But he knew starting a war with me would mean he would lose everything he had worked for.

He thought about it for a while before he looked down at the table in submission, having me smirk.

“Good choice.” I stood up and looked at his son, Matteo, who was the one that would be taking over now that Maximo was dead.

“Learn from your siblings’ mistakes, and we will have a long partnership. Goodnight, gentlemen.” Without another word, I turned around and made my way out. I looked slightly to the side as I walked, seeing my father was catching up to me.

“Your mother raised you well.” He gave my shoulder a few pats, and I gave him a nod. I knew this was him apologizing for what he had said earlier. He was never the type to apologize and always found alternative ways to do so.

As I stepped outside, I found Rafaelle standing next to my car, waiting for me.

“What’s the status?” I asked him, and he let out a sigh.

“Her medical journal was hacked and left accessible for anyone to see. I couldn’t trace it back to who did it since they have had time to cover their tracks.” My eyes narrowed at the information. “Probably the bastard who did it.” He added.

“Most likely his doing. He must have caught up on we wanted to keep the whole pregnancy on the low. But as the bastard he is, he made sure it was available for my family to see.” That damned necklace. I should have gotten rid of it as soon as possible.

“I need you to check her phone. I think he hacked into her phone and used it as a listening device. Must be the only explanation.” I handed him Althaia’s phone.

“Got it. Well, you can also ask Sofia herself why and how they got that information. We found her, by the way. She’s all cozied up in our lovely Chamber of Torture.”

“Good.”

“Maybe we should have Althaia come and stab her with a fork.” I cracked a smile at his joke while he laughed. The word about Althaia wanting to stab my father with a fork had spread like wildfire among my men. They found it hilarious as she was a tiny person, not seeing how she could actually cause anyone damage. But after seeing how Miciela looked, they all were surprised.

*That’s my wife.*

“And here’s the necklace, by the way. They did a good job in making a replica.” He handed me the small jewelry box, and I looked. I nodded as this was the closest to the original pendant.

“Good. Have the phone sent back to me in the morning.” I ordered him.

“Sure thing.” He sang out as I got inside my car.

I stopped before the stone building in the middle of nowhere and went through the underground passage. It was the easiest way to make it soundproof and drown out any screaming voices. This place was also well isolated to not attract any attention.

I opened the door and stepped inside. Sofia was tied up in the middle of the room with her tear-streaked face.

“Damiano…”

“Shut it.” My voice came out cold as I stared her down. I hated the sound of her voice saying my name. I grabbed a chair and sat in front of her, resting my arms on my legs as my eyes narrowed at her.

“You have some fucking nerve.“

“Damiano, please! -“

“Did I say you can talk!” My voice filled the room as she shut her mouth in startlement, a fresh wave of tears running down her face. I clicked my tongue in annoyance.

“You should have kept your mouth shut and lived your life quietly. The reason you even got out alive in the first place was because of Althaia feeling sorry for you, despite you trying to kill her. And I listened to her. Because I want to please her. However, you took advantage of her goodness. So, tell me, Sofia, how the fuck did Miciela know she was pregnant.”

“I-I don’t know. I told her not to do anything, but she didn’t listen!” She cried out desperately, sobbing uncontrollably. I rubbed my jaw as I looked at her pathetic self.

“You dare to lie to my face.” She frantically shook her head.

“I’m not lying! Please, Damiano!”

“Tell me the truth, and I will put an end to your misery.” She sniffed and tried to calm down her sobbing. I sighed mentally. What a fucking headache.

“I - I really don’t know what happened… She-she received some kind of link, and-and all of her information was there. Miciela wanted to do me justice, but I told her not to! I told her to let it go, but she didn’t listen!” I let out a chilling laugh.

“Justice for what exactly? For defending herself when you tried to kill her?” I tilted my head at her.

“I tried to stop her! I really did! Please, just let me go! I will stay out of your life. Just let me g-go.” She cried out. I just stared at her blankly while she cried her eyes out uncontrollably. There was no point in talking to her anymore. What she said confirmed what I had been speculating.

I pulled out my pack of cigarettes, lit one up, and took a long draft before blowing out the smoke. I stood up just in time for Vittoria to make an appearance, dressed in her usual black leather outfit. She was the one who stood for whatever torturing her heart desired, especially since I had made a clear order for my men never to harm a woman unless it was absolutely unavoidable. Vittoria was one sadistic woman who probably took more pleasure in breaking people than anyone else. And I knew she was perfect for the job when I hired her.

“What sins did she commit?” That was her favorite question. She would determine the severity and the length of the torture based on whatever shit the person had committed.

“Tried to kill my wife.” I said as I took another draft. Her smile widened and turned into a sadistic smirk.

“This one deserves a round with the whip.” Her eyes were excited as she pulled out her whip, swinging her arm, and a sharp sound resonated in the room as it kissed the floor.

“Whatever you desire, Vittoria.” I said and turned around to face Sofia, whose wailing had gotten louder, choking in between sobs, and looked like she was about to faint.

“Your mother will be taken care of. She is, after all, loyal to the family.” I told Sofia.

“I’m begging you! Please... please don’t do this to me!” She shouted in desperation and tried to break free.

“You will be begging for a long time.” Vittoria let out a sadistic laugh before swinging her arm again. The sound of the whip hitting Sofia’s skin across the arm left her with her mouth and eyes open with no sound escaping. Then the blood-curdling scream came out, and Vittoria closed her eyes to the sound. I inhaled the smoke deeply, enjoying the punishments she was getting.

“Her voice makes me so excited.” She said as she opened her eyes. I finished my cigarette and turned around to leave.

“She’s all yours.” And I left. I heard the second swing of the whip and more screaming from Sofia just before the door closed entirely behind me.

I would have stayed to watch, knowing I would take pleasure in watching her suffer. But I had a beautiful wife in bed, sleeping peacefully and ready to be cuddled in my arms, which had me walk out of there faster than I had ever before.

Returning to the mansion, I went upstairs to the bedroom, only to find the bed empty. I turned to look the under the bathroom door, but the lights were off. Before I could call out her name, my eyes landed on the bed table with a note. I took it, smirking as I read the note.

***Can The Devil find me?***

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