Chapter 19
Chapter 19
“You may not believe it, Lina, but I don’t despise you or your child. I’m your mother, and I’d lay down my life to shield you. You and your brother are my heart.”
Her voice breaks the quiet between us, and I struggle to meet her gaze.
“You must be resilient—for Isabella’s sake. This path, the one I’m pushing you toward, is not out of cruelty but necessity. With Matteo by your side, your daughter will grow with a father who has power, not some treacherous coward who tricked you. My granddaughter deserves more. You both do.”
I want to scream that I can manage without anyone’s pity or help. That Isabella already has me—and Matteo. But there’s no point. Maria Rosetti doesn’t budge once her mind is made up. So I simply watch her, silent, distracted by the red smear of lipstick she reapplies so casually in the mirror.
“A word of advice, cuore mio… always prepare your next move before life corners you. This marriage must proceed. Especially now that the Famiglia Nera’s heir is back.” Her brow arches. Her gaze cuts through me like glass. “He won’t stop at blood. We need the protection Alejandro offers. If we fall now, we’re finished.”
Her hand leaves my chin, cold and resolute. I shiver at the unspoken things in her stare before she turns and walks out the door.
Alone, I shuffle back to my bedroom, draw a bath, and wash the conversation off me like oil and ash. Once I’m dressed again, I head to Isabella’s room. Silver already has her changed into fresh clothes.
“Mama!” Isabella beams and throws out her arms.
“My princess,” I say, scooping her into my arms as her giggles fill the room like music. “Who’s the prettiest girl in all of Italy?”
“Me, me!” she chirps.
I kiss her nose as she wiggles in my hold, basking in the affection. Silver walks to the door as a knock sounds.
Cyrus steps in, half-dressed in his leather jacket. “The car’s ready, signorina.”
I nod and turn to Silver. “Grab her things. I’ll meet you downstairs.”
She fetches the baby bag while I unzip a second one and carefully tuck away the stacks of cash I’d hidden—money I had watched Matteo steal from our father’s safe a week ago, without realizing I memorized the code during our conversation.
Isabella watches with curiosity but doesn’t ask. She won’t understand—not yet—that this visit to the hospital is more than just family.
I tuck the cash into my coat pocket and head out.
At the hospital, Matteo lies unconscious. Pale. Motionless. Isabella stretches her hand toward his arm, murmuring, “Téo… Téo…” Her tiny voice stabs through my chest.
I grasp his hand tightly, overwhelmed.
“Who did this to you?” I whisper, my throat thick. Matteo never deserved this. Not from anyone.
As I’m trying to steady my thoughts, something on his forearm catches my eye—a symbol. The one Cyrus had warned me about.
It matches the tattoo etched onto Santino Romano’s chest. No doubt. No mistake.
It’s real. He’s here. And he did this.
Is this his revenge? The one he swore? I was supposed to marry Matteo… but now?
I must leave. Now.
This marriage—this arrangement—was the final tie keeping me under this roof. I press Matteo’s hand gently once more.
“Stay alive, fratello,” I whisper, then walk out with Isabella, heart pounding. The scent of bleach and heartbreak follows me into the corridor.
Cyrus is nowhere in sight.
I flag down a nurse.
“Please—where’s the emergency exit?”
She hesitates. “I’m sorry, ma’am, you can’t—”
“He’s following me. Please. I’m scared for my daughter.”
Her eyes shift between me and Isabella. Then she relents. “Down the hallway, left turn. Exit’s at the back.”
“Thank you.”
I hurry through the halls. Isabella clings to me as I reach the parking lot. But someone grabs my wrist—
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Cyrus.
⸻
Santino
“We crushed the Rosettis, boss. They’re finished.” Ryker lights a cigarette, grinning like a fool.
I glare at him. Matteo was just a preview.
“Shut up, Ryker. You’re not half as clever as you think. This isn’t over. It’s just beginning.”
Sterling and Vito stiffen as the silence wraps around us like chains. My rage pulses through every vein in my body.
I grab my phone. Dial Lucia.
She picks up instantly. “Santino? What the hell is happening in Italy? I heard about Matteo—”
“I’m handling it.”
“You’re spiraling, and for what? Revenge won’t bring them back!”
I end the call without a word. Her voice sticks in my head, along with the photo on her profile—our family at the beach. I was young then. Soft. Naïve.
Not anymore.
The phone hits the floor. Glass explodes into glittering dust. Vito and Ryker don’t dare speak. I step onto the balcony, smoke curling from my cigar. This city is sick. Corrupted. But I’ll be its cure.
“Vito,” I call without turning, “we’re done here. Pack up.”
“We taking someone with us?”
“Yes,” I say with a venomous grin. “The Rosetti girl.”
Vito gulps.
I leave Ryker behind and drive with Vito and Parker. We’re headed for a rendezvous on Via Santa Lucia.
I spot Andre in front of Bar La Lupa, leaning against a black SUV, cigar in hand.
Moments later, Colina Rosetti exits the grocery store, talking to Andre, her blonde hair tied, arms full.
“Get her,” I order.
Parker springs into action. Vito shoots Andre in the arm—non-lethal, just enough to keep our secret safe.
Colina fights as Parker pulls her back to the car, screaming. One hard knock to the side of her head silences her.
I slide in beside her in the backseat.
Her eyes fly open. “No… no… this can’t be.”
I cup her face gently, mockingly.
“You really thought I wouldn’t return?”
Her whole body trembles.
“You… you’re insane…”
“That’s not new, tesoro. Now you’ll reap the harvest your family planted.”
Parker places a dark cloth over her face. She resists until her body goes limp.
We’re just getting started.
⸻
Hours Later
“So… the sleeping beauty finally stirs,” I whisper, my voice cold.
Colina jerks against the restraints, chained to the iron posts. Her breath is rapid, eyes frantic.
“Where am I?”
I step into the dim light, my eyes locked on hers.
“I told you I’d come back, didn’t I?”
She stares, eyes wide. “Go to hell, Santino.”
I chuckle. She’s still defiant. Still beautiful. Damn her for it.
“You should’ve died.”
“And yet I live. And now… I’m going to make you answer for everything. For my family. For my name.”
“I swear on everything—I didn’t kill your parents!”
“No more lies!” I roar, gripping her jaw.
“Please, Santino… I didn’t…”
“I plan to do far worse than this,” I growl.
“Santi, don’t—”
“That’s not my name anymore,” I sneer.
She sobs now. I retrieve the leather whip.
Colina Rosetti will bleed the truth from her lips—or scream trying.
Tonight, the war truly begins.