Chapter 189 Antonio Was Holding Your Mother Hostage
Chapter 189 Antonio Was Holding Your Mother Hostage
SANCIA
I pushed the door open and walked into the room. Dario’s little body was tucked comfortably under the sheets, although he’d managed to kick the blanket off one of his legs in his sleep.
My heart warmed as I strode in and sat at the edge of the bed. I lay beside my little boy, my hand brushing gently through his hair before moving to his soft, chubby cheeks, careful not to wake him.
I was so happy to see my baby sleeping peacefully, although I wished I’d come back while he was awake so I could see his eyes and spend some time with him.
As though he could feel my presence, he sighed and leaned into my touch.
A soft knock sounded before Zetta opened the door and walked in. “I thought I’d find you here,” she said, smiling.
I carefully withdrew my hand and stood up to hug her. “Hi, Zetta. How have you been?”
“We’re all good. And you? I was scared you’d had a huge fight with Lorenzo and would find yourself locked up somewhere,” she replied. “I was at least glad to see the bedroom door was open, so I thought you’d probably come to check on Dario.”
“Diavolo deliberately tricked me, but we’re okay now. He told me he’s finally going to deal with the traitor.”
“It’s tragic, but Gino knew what he was doing. He betrayed us all, and more than that, he had no regrets about Fabio’s death. Otherwise, he would’ve come clean.”
“Do you think Lorenzo will forgive him? Maybe punish him and then banish him?”
Even I knew that was unlikely.
She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
Not for the first time, I realized just how much Lorenzo was doing for my family and me. Not only had he spared both Isabella and Sergio, but he was also helping Sergio take back control of our Famiglia.
My brother had always acted without thinking, and although I knew he was capable of doing terrible things, he also felt things deeply.
It was one of the things Papa had lamented about while teaching and training him. Antonio, that bastard, had capitalized on that and used him against Lorenzo.
And yet, because of who Sergio was to me, Lorenzo had chosen to spare his life. That meant more than I could ever say.
“I heard Dario was missing me so much he cried.”
Zetta nodded. “The first two days were the hardest, but Lorenzo spent a lot of time with him, playing with him and taking him out. Yesterday, he even slept with him, so he was adjusting really well. But I’m sure he’ll be glad to see you’re back.”
I squeezed her hands. “Thank you so much for taking care of him when I wasn’t around.”
She smiled and patted my hand. “You’re welcome, Signora. I’ll let you be and retire to my room. It’s really good to have you back.”
“It’s good to be back. Good night, Zetta.”
“Good night, Signora.”
With that, she walked out and closed the door.
I looked around the room and couldn’t help but smile. Dario’s toys littered the floor, although they were all gathered in a neat little pile.
I stayed in the room for a while before tucking the blankets tightly around him, kissing his cheek, and turning off the lights. Then I quietly closed the door behind me.
I’d just stepped out of Dario’s room when I saw Lorenzo walking toward me in the hallway.
Diavolo looked exactly like the name implied, with his intimidating expression and his shirt covered in blood.
For some weird reason, my heart stuttered, and an unfamiliar fear settled inside me. I rushed after him, following him into our room.
“Are you okay? What happened? Why are you covered in blood?” I ramble worriedly.
“I’m okay. It’s not my blood,” he replied, walking into the bathroom as he stripped out of the bloody shirt.
I leaned against the bathroom counter, quietly watching him wash the blood from his hands and bruised knuckles.
He looked so deep in thought that I didn’t even know what to say. He strode back into the room, and I followed him silently.
He opened the closet, and I quickly grabbed an identical black shirt and handed it to him. Lorenzo pushed his hands into the sleeves and went to button it, but I brushed his hands away, took over wordlessly, and started buttoning it for him.
“So he’s dead? Did he tell you why he did it?” I asked softly.
I was still shocked that Gino would betray Lorenzo. It just sounded so unbelievable, but then, when I thought about how Marcello and Antonio had betrayed Papa and us, I realized it wasn’t all that shocking.
“He confirmed it.”
“I’m sorry, Enzo. I know his betrayal hurt you, even if you don’t say or show it.”
“Forget him. He doesn’t deserve it. Have you checked on Dario?”
I nodded. “Yes, he’s sleeping, so he doesn’t know I’m back. I just wish I’d come back earlier so I could’ve seen him before he went to bed.”
“You can see him tomorrow,” Lorenzo said. “After tonight, you’ll never have to live far away from us and our home ever again.”
He pulled me to him and hugged me so tightly that I sighed, wrapping my arms around him.
For a while, we stayed that way, stealing comfort from each other.
We both knew this was the silence before the storm, and neither of us knew what tomorrow might bring.
Suddenly, there was a knock right outside, making me pry my eyes open.
The door opened, revealing Luca. He didn’t come in but stayed outside the threshold. He nodded at me before looking at Lorenzo.
“We’re only waiting for you,” he said.
Lorenzo nodded. “Give me a minute, and I’ll be there with you.”
Luca glanced at me before shutting the door and leaving.
“Sancia, due to some unforeseen circumstances, I need you to stay here and let me handle this for you.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, narrowing my eyes with suspicion.
“It’s too risky for you to go there.” Lorenzo’s voice hardened. “If Antonio sees you, he might hold you hostage or worse. I can’t let you go there.”
“Underestimate me at your own risk, Lorenzo. We agreed that I’m the one who’s going to end that miserable bastard’s life. You can’t go back on your word.”
“I’m not. I know you’re capable of much more, Sancia. I know you want revenge, but don’t let it blind you and put our entire operation at risk. You have to think of Dario and me. We can’t afford to lose you.”
He stepped closer, his expression leaving no room for argument.
“I promise I’ll bring that fucker to you to do as you please, but I need you to stay home. Only then can my mind be at peace.”
Any other time, I would’ve argued with him, but I knew that was the last thing he needed from me. I knew killing Gino had affected him more than he let on. I also knew it had reminded him of Fabio’s death.
And I wished there was something I could do to help ease his pain and worries. “Fine. I’ll stay here, but Enzo, please don’t make me wait. I hate waiting.”
“Thank you.”
He kissed my forehead. “I’ll get back to you before you know it,” he murmured, his honey-brown eyes flickering all over my face.
“I’m also leaving Savio behind to protect you. If there are any updates, I’ll call you.”
I frowned but nodded when he quickly kissed me again and rushed out of the room.
I didn’t have it in me to see him all the way out. But as the door closed behind him, a feeling of foreboding suddenly rose inside me.
I went back to Dario’s room to wait for him, but despite my exhaustion and growing trepidation, I couldn’t sleep knowing Lorenzo, Sergio, and my family were all in danger.
I just hoped everything would go as planned.
Three hours later, Lorenzo finally called me.
“Are you okay?” I blurted out.
“I’m fine,” Lorenzo replied.
Relief punched me in the gut, and I inhaled deeply. “What about the others? Sergio, Mama, Luca, Lenny, and the rest of my family?”
“Luca, Sergio, and Leonardo are fine. Your family is too…”
His voice sounded strange, more tense, darker.
I swallowed, clutching the phone so tightly that my hand began to ache. “That’s good. Did you get Marcello and Antonio?”
“Marcello is dead. Sergio killed him. Antonio managed to escape and…”
He paused. His silence made me grip the phone tighter as my heart pounded so loudly I could barely hear anything else.
“And what? What is it, Lorenzo?” I stuttered. “Don’t keep me in suspense. Please, tell me.”
“Antonio was holding your mother hostage, so I had to let him go.”
My stomach dropped as terror filled me.
No. No. No. Not Mama too.
“Isabella went with him,” he added.
“He’s holding her hostage too?”
“No.”
Lorenzo's silence was enough of an answer. Isabella chose to go with Antonio.