Chapter 34
Vivianna
Three large men wore black masks surrounding me. The last man, however, didn’t. He wanted me to see his face. Wanted me to know who he was. He ordered, “Grab the little bitch before Angelo and Matteo knows she’s gone!”
I tried to scream out, but one of them grabbed me and covered my mouth. I bit down hard, making him hold a knife to my neck. He whispered harshly, “Do it again, I dare you.”
My body froze afraid they might kill me. “What do you want with me?”
“You, little Princess, are our revenge against Mr. Valentino. He should have never crossed me.”
“Just let me go, and Angelo and my brother will pay you any amount you want.”
He shook his head and chuckled as if amused. “I’m not after money—I’m after blood.”
“Y-you’re going to kill me?”
He gripped my chin firmly, “No, I’m going to make sure Angelo knows not to cross me again. I’m going to take his woman.”
“But, I’m not his woman. I don’t understand.”
“Come on, boys. Let’s get out of here before they come back.”
I blinked back the tears and softly cried out before they knocked me out. “Matteo, Angelo, help me.”
My eyes opened, tears streaming down my face. I tried to get up, but someone was holding me down. “Let me go!”
Angelo’s soft voice whispered gently as he held me. “Shh, it’s okay, Princess. Angelo’s got you.”
“Angelo—” I twisted around and clung to him.
“Princess, look at me. It was just a dream. You’re safe.”
“No, it wasn’t just a dream. It was my hell—my reality. The night—in the hotel room—” I tried to get the words out, but I cried harder. Needing to just let it all out.
“What are you talking about? Reality? Does this have to do with the night you were taken?”
I averted my gaze, not wanting to let him see the truth. That those evil bastards touched me. That their leader ripped my innocence from me.
“Fuck, Princess.” He whispered, “I need you to talk to me. Please, tell me he didn’t—didn’t rape you.”
I could hear Angelo struggle to get out the words.
His voice held so much pain.
Anguish.
Guilt.
“Please, baby. Please, tell me it’s not true.” He begged.
I raised my head and met his pleading eyes. I didn’t nod, only whispered three words. “Yes, it’s true.”
The fierce Angelo was gone. He was pulling me closer, begging me again. “Please, tell me they didn’t—”
“A-Angelo, it was awful. Each time I thought he would stop, he only tortured me more. Breaking me down till there was nothing left. I thought he would just slap me around for a while at first. H-he—.”
Angelo buried his face in my neck and whispered over and over. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry!”
He thought it was his fault?
When Angelo pulled away, he cupped my face. “Baby, I need a name. Tell me, who I need to torture and kill for you.”
“Simon. Simon Romanov.”
He pulled out his phone and dialed a number, pressing it to his ear. “Matteo, meet me in the office in five. We have much to talk about. Tell your girls to come keep Vivianna company. No! Just do it.”
“You’re going to go after him?”
“I am. He’s going to wish he never touched you—hurt you. I’m going to make this right.”
“Angelo?”
Angelo stroked my cheek as he kissed my forehead. “Will you be okay with Ivana and Mileena? I have to go talk to your brother.”
“Please, don’t tell him. He will hate me even more than he already does. He’s going to be so mad at me.”
“Princess, this is one secret I can’t keep from him. This is how I prove how much I love you. My way to make it right. Please, let me do this for you. Let me prove my love to you.”
“But, I don’t want you to get hurt. Please, don’t do this.” I whispered as a stray tear fell down my cheek.
Angelo wiped my tear away and pressed his lips to mine, kissing me softly. He pulled away and cupped my cheeks, determination in his eyes. “I have to, Vivianna. I have to let them know what happens to those who mess with my woman.”
His woman?
There was that endearment again.
“Angelo, I need to know one thing. Simon referred to me as your woman. Why did he say that?”
“Because, my sweet Vivianna, you always have been. You’ve always been mine. I’ve wanted you my whole life, sweetheart.”
Angelo pulled away and walked to the door. Before he stepped out, he turned to me and softened his gaze. “I love you, Vivianna. Everything I’m about to do is all for you. Just remember that.”
Ivana and Mileena stepped into the room and smiled. They sat on the bed and gave each other a devious smirk. Ivana handed me a glass of wine and said, “So, tell us everything. Has Angelo proposed yet?”
“Proposed?”
Mileena leaned over and grinned at me. “You know, when a man gets down on one knee and confesses his undying love to the woman he fancies.”
“You know my brother would never allow that. He’s so protective of me.” I said and sipped my wine.
“Darling,” Ivana said, placing her hand on my shoulder. “I have a feeling after all this goes down, Matteo will give Angelo his blessing. Things are about to change, sweetie, and not in a bad way.”
My head jerked to face her and widened my eyes. Angelo’s words rang through my head.
Was it true?
Had Angelo been giving me cryptic messages?
“This is how I prove how much I love you. My way to make it right. Please, let me do this for you. Let me prove my love to you.”
“Sweetie, you look like you’re thinking hard. Something on your mind?” Ivana asked.
“Yes. I think you might be right about Angelo. I was just too dumb to realize it.”
Another memory flashed.
The one right before Angelo walked out the door.
Angelo pulled away and walked to the door. Before he stepped out, he turned to me and softened his gaze. “I love you, Vivianna. Everything I’m about to do is all for you. Just remember that.”