Chapter 182 Take Off Your Clothes, Sancia

Chapter 182 Take Off Your Clothes, Sancia
SANCIA

“Where are we going?” I asked as Luca raced down the road. “I don't have much time. I need to go back in two hours.”

I barely closed my mouth before Lorenzo's arms wrapped around me, dragging me onto his lap. My eyes flicked toward his men in the front as my face heated up, and I tried to slip back down to my seat.

“Hello, Sancia,” Savio greeted, nodding his head.

“Savio, how have you been?” I asked, swallowing down my embarrassment.

“Sancia.” Luca nodded.

“Luca.” I nodded right back.

Lorenzo arched a brow, his lips twitching, before burying his head in my neck and sniffing my hair, inhaling like he'd only just learned how to breathe.

Instead of getting down as I'd initially intended, I stayed right where I was and clung to him, hard. I only had a few hours with him before I'd have to go back, so I was going to enjoy every second I had with him.

His scent surrounded me, familiar and comforting, and suddenly, all the fear, anger, and loneliness I'd been carrying melted away.

I buried my face against his chest, inhaling his masculine scent.

“We're going to Giuseppe's. It's closer than my safe house.” His voice was low and irritated. “Also, I thought you were coming back for good. What is this about you going back to that dangerous place?”

His arms tightened around me, and I barely managed to hold back a painful moan.

I raised my head from his chest and pulled back so I could see him. “As I said, I want to help Sergio take back control of our famiglia and free my family from being Antonio's hostages.”

Lorenzo nodded slowly. “I knew it. That bastard will do anything for power. How bad is it?”

My throat burned with anger and unshed tears. “It's worse than you think. That shameless bastard has turned my family home into a bar and casino.”

My voice faltered, but I forced myself to continue. “His men are everywhere in the house, keeping an eye on everyone and reporting to Antonio during the day, then drinking and gambling at night. Mama had…”

I swallowed something bitter, trying to tamp down my emotions as anger rose inside me. “She has confined herself to her room. Although she's sick, I know part of the reason is that it hurts her to see what her home has been turned into. And what's worse is that everyone knows the truth, but they can't do or say anything about it.”

My fingers curled into his shirt. “He controls everyone and everything. I can't even walk around the house without his guards hanging over me and breathing down my neck. His guards almost didn't let me out today. Isabella had to call and ask for his permission.”

My voice wavered. “I hate him, Lorenzo. I hated having to see him, talk to him, and act like he didn't betray Papa and Uncle Romero. I hate him so fucking much it's suffocating.”

Diavolo's expression darkened. “I knew something was wrong when we talked last night. I should never have let you go back with them.”

He pulled back slightly, his eyes scanning my face. “Are you hurt? Did he do anything to you?” His voice was gentle, completely at odds with the darkness on his face.

“No,” I quickly blurted, holding his hands before he could slide them down my dress and see the bruises on my shoulders.

But I couldn't hide the grimace that crossed my face. “I'm not hurt,” I lied.

Lorenzo's eyes narrowed. “Did he touch you?” he growled.

“No.” I swallowed and blinked just as the car stopped outside what seemed like a really nice restaurant.

Lorenzo clenched his jaw so hard I could practically hear his teeth grinding before getting out of the car and helping me out. His stride was fast and angry, and yet somehow, he remained gentle as he guided me inside the restaurant.

There were only a few patrons inside, just a handful enjoying their late afternoon lunch, and a young man slightly younger than Savio was running around the tables, serving food.

An older man stood behind the counter, and his grey brows shot toward the roof when he realized who was standing in his restaurant.

“Giuseppe, I need your back room. No one should disturb us,” Lorenzo said to the older man, who nodded. Lorenzo continued to drag me toward the back.

“Enzo, wait. What are you doing?” I asked, confused, glancing back at Savio and Luca, who were staring at us along with the others.

Diavolo pushed open a nondescript door and ushered me inside before following me in and slamming it shut.

“What happened to you? Why are you suddenly acting weird?”

“You just lied to me, Sancia,” he said, his voice deadly quiet.

Although I could feel his anger wasn't directed at me.

“I…I didn't. He didn't… didn't hurt me. You think I'm going to let him?”

I couldn't let him know what Antonio tried to do. If Lorenzo knew, he was going to try to kill him.

While I wanted nothing more than to see Antonio dead, I can't risk it. If Lorenzo kill Antonio before my family is safe, Marcello might Retaliate and kill them.

“I swear to God, if that Vaffanculo touched you, I'm going to fucking gut him right after I kill the son of a bitch who brought him into this world.”

I snorted, barely holding back my laughter because, despite his rage, my heart was filled with warmth. “You promise me I'll be the one to end him. You can't go back on your word.”

He took a step closer. “Strip.”

My eyes widened. “What?” I laughed nervously. “Now? Here?”

He rubbed his face, his other hand fisted tight. “Take off your clothes, Sancia. I need to check you and see if that bastard did anything to you.”

“Lorenzo, we don't have the t…” I started, deliberately misunderstanding his intentions.

“Now, Sancia,” he cut in, the vein in his jaw ticking wildly.

I held his stare for two seconds before giving in and began to strip. I guess I wasn't doing it fast enough because Lorenzo started helping me take off my dress until I was completely bare.

He suddenly froze as his eyes landed on my shoulders. But instead of staring at me with passion as he usually did, rage lined every inch of Diavolo's face when he saw what I'd deliberately been hiding from him because I knew this would happen.

Yellow and purple bruises marred my arms, shoulders, and waist. All the places where Antonio had gripped me last night while I struggled against him.

“I'm going to fucking kill him.” His eyes darkened with rage before his fist slammed into the wall.

“I was reckless. I should have never let you anywhere near that stronzo.”

This was exactly what I was afraid of.

I quickly pulled my dress back on, then rushed to his side before he could do anything else and grabbed his hand.

“No, you weren't. You respected my wishes. If I hadn't gone back and you killed Antonio, Marcello would have attacked my family.”

He cupped my face, his thumb stroking my cheek. “I'm sorry. I promised you that I won't let anyone hurt you, and I failed, but I'm going to make him pay. I swear it.”

I smiled at him reassuringly. “It's not your fault, and I’m fine, really. It doesn't hurt anymore. You should have seen how hard I slapped his stupid face.”

He reluctantly smiled. “I know you're strong, but you're not going back there; just look at what he did to you. What if you weren't able to stop him?”

“But I did stop him, and if he tries that again, I'm going to fucking kill him. I told him as much.”

Lorenzo leaned down and kissed me lightly before pulling back. His face still held a hint of worry.

“We'll have to proceed with the plans now. It can't wait anymore. And I mean it. You're not going back there, Dario. I miss you; we need you back where you belong.”

“And I miss you all so much, so much it hurts, Lorenzo. I do. But this is something I have to do.”

I sighed. “I only came out today because I want to arrange a meeting between you and Sergio. I want you to help him get back control of the Famiglia.”

His face hardened.

“The only problem is Sergio still believes you killed Papa.”

Lorenzo shook his head. “That might not necessarily be the case anymore.”

I stared at him. “What do you mean?”

“Sergio would have to be a fool not to realize the truth at this point. The only people who benefited most from your father dying were Marcello and his son.”

“You still believe we can prove they killed Papa?”

“I’m sure Marcello killed your father, though the mastermind was Antonio himself.”

The certainty in his voice made my chest ache.

“Do you think he'll believe us or listen?” I asked doubtfully.

He grinned at me. “Then we'll make him listen to you.”

I looked down. “If only there were some kind of proof, it would make things easier.”

“There is.”

My head snapped up; I clutched him harder. “What?”

He nodded. “Savio and Rico have been working on it. We've found a witness. Someone saw Antonio kill Romero, and he has it on camera.”

Hope surged inside me. “Oh my God, Lorenzo, this is great.”

Lorenzo nodded. “It is. That's enough evidence to show your Famiglia Antonio's real face, but we'll need to move fast.”

I reached for his hand. “I don't know what I would have done without you.”

He stroked my cheek. “You'll never have to find out.”

For the first time in weeks, I felt hopeful.

“When is Sergio coming back?” Lorenzo asked, brushing my hair back from my face.

“This week,” I whispered. “I'm not sure.”

I took out my phone from my purse and dialed the number Mama had given me. I'd saved it on the burner phone since that night.

“Maybe we can…” Lorenzo started.

“Shhhh.” I quickly put my finger over his lips when Sergio answered the call.

His dark, arrogant brow shot up so fast it was almost funny. But I couldn't let Sergio know I was with Lorenzo. He might refuse to meet me since he didn't know the truth.

“Who is this?”

“Sergio, it's me.”

“Sancia?”

Sergio's voice sounded so different. Calmer. More mature.

“I need to see you. When are you coming back?”

There was silence before he replied. “Why? What happened? And how did you get this number?”

“Because there's something you need to know about Papa's death. I got this number from Mama. She told me to leave, then call you.”

“Sancia, what do you know about Papa?”

I looked up at Lorenzo. “I can't explain over the phone.”

Another silence. “Sancia, where are you? Are you okay? I just finished talking to Isabella. She told me she lost you at the mall.”

“I had to get away. I'll explain everything when we meet. So, when are you coming back from Spain?”

“I'm not in Spain,” he replied.

I frowned. “What? If you're not in Spain, where are you?”

“I got back yesterday. I'm at the hotel.”

“Are you alone? Do you think you can meet up, or is it not safe for you?”

“I'm alone. Just tell me where you are, and I'll come get you.”

“Address,” I mouthed to Diavolo. I quickly typed it on his phone and handed it to me.

I rattled off the address before we both ended the call.

I glanced at Lorenzo, who was staring at me with those heavy-lidded eyes.

“Sergio is coming here.”

“I heard,” he replied.

It suddenly occurred to me how hard this is for Lorenzo; he’s going to meet the person who killed Fabio for the first time.

I throw my arms around him and hug him because, in that moment, I realize Lorenzo loves me more than I knew.