Chapter 105 The fight
GIOVANNI’S POV
The Bologna warehouse was a fucking massacre.
Blood pooled on the concrete floor, already turning brown at the edges. Three of our men lay where they fell, the shipment was gone.
Millions of euros worth of product, just vanished into thin air.
I stood in the center of it all, my bandaged hand throbbing, and felt nothing.
"They knew exactly when to hit," Enzo said, crouching beside one of the bodies. "Which means either they've been watching us for weeks, or-"
"Or someone told them." I kicked an empty crate, sending it skidding across the floor. "Again."
It always came back to Arya, didn't it? Even when she was gone, her betrayal kept destroying everything I built.
"Gio." Alessio's voice came from the entrance. I turned to see him picking his way through the debris, his expensive shoes somehow staying pristine despite the carnage. "Heard you had some trouble."
"Nothing we can't handle," I said tersely.
Alessio surveyed the scene. “Looks like more than trouble.”
"The Riveras have been pushing boundaries for months," Enzo said, standing. "We need to do something about them.”
"For once, I agree with you, Enzo." Alessio clapped me on the shoulder. "But first, you need a drink. Come on. Let me buy you one. Both of you."
I wanted to refuse but Enzo was already nodding, and arguing felt like too much effort.
"Fine," I said. "One drink."
We arrived at the club after thirty minutes of silence in the air. Well, only Enzo and Alessio chatted about something I wasn’t interested in.
The club was loud, pulsing with bass that I felt in my chest. Usually, I avoided places like this because of the potential threats.
Tonight, I didn't give a fuck.
Alessio led us to a private booth in the back, already waving for bottles of whiskey.. He poured three glasses, sliding them across the table.
"Cheers.” he toasted.
Enzo raised his glass halfheartedly. I just drank, welcoming the burn.
"So," Alessio leaned back, studying me with those calculating eyes. "What's the plan?Retaliate?"
"Eventually," I said, pouring another glass.
He blinked. "Eventually? Gio, they just killed three of your men and stole-“
"I said eventually." My tone left no room for argument. "Right now, I just want to drink."
Alessio exchanged a look with Enzo, something passing between them that I couldn't read and didn't care to decipher.
"Gio—. Enzo started.
"I said I want to drink." I downed the second glass, harder than the first. "Is that going to be a problem?"
"No problem," Alessio said smoothly, refilling my glass again. "Drink as much as you want. That's what we're here for."
The night blurred after that. One drink became three and became six. The music got louder, or maybe my hearing just got worse.
The edges of my vision softened, and for the first time in days, the constant ache in my chest dulled to something manageable.
"You know what you need?" Alessio said after I lost count of the drinks. "A distraction."
He gestured to someone, and suddenly there were women sliding into the booth.
"Alessio, no." Enzo said, but he was ignored.
One of them, a blonde with curves poured into a red dress, immediately latched onto me. Her hand landed on my thigh, sliding upward.
"You look tense," she purred, leaning close enough that I could smell her strong perfume. "I could help you relax."
Her hand moved higher, and something inside me snapped.
I grabbed her wrist, stopping her. "Don't touch me."
"Come on, baby," she cooed, not taking the hint. "I can make you feel so good. "
"I said DON'T TOUCH ME!" I shoved her hand away hard enough that she stumbled back against the booth.
The music seemed to dim ans heads turned in our direction.
"What the fuck is your problem?" the girl snapped, rubbing her wrist. "I was just doing my job!"
I stood, swaying slightly. Everything was spinning, but the rage burning through me was crystal clear. "I told you to fucking get away from me.”
"Gio, sit down," Enzo said urgently. "You're making a scene."
"Mr. De Santis."
A mountain of a man appeared beside our booth. He had to be six-five, built like he ate smaller men for breakfast. Tattoos crawled up his neck, and his eyes were flat and round.
“I’m the owner, Julio,” he said with a huff, looking between us. "Is there a problem?" he asked.
"No problem," Alessio said quickly, standing. "Just a misunderstanding-"
The blonde scampered to his side. “That’s not true. He mishandled me and I almost lost my hand!”
“You’re a terrible fucking liar, you know that?” I snapped, throwing her a glare. “Or maybe I should really break your hand and-“
Julio stepped in front of me. "You just assaulted one of my girls," he snapped. "And in my club. That's a problem."
"She was touching me without permission," I said, meeting his gaze without flinching. "That's called assault where I come from."
He scoffed. "Watch your tone"
"Or what?" I stepped forward, and Enzo grabbed my arm. I shook him off. "You'll throw me out? Go ahead. Try it."
The owner's jaw tightened. "You need to leave now."
I tilted my head in defiance. "Make me."
"Gio, stop," Alessio said, his voice urgent. "Let's just go-“
"No." I was past reason. The rage that had been building for days, finally had a target. "He wants me gone, he can do it himself."
"Fine." The owner cracked his knuckles. "I can see what you want and I’ll give it to you. Follow me."
My lips curled and I followed him through the crowd, barely registering Enzo and Alessio shouting behind me.
The back alley was dark and smelled like piss and garbage.
Julio turned, his fists already raised. "Last chance to walk away."
I swung first.
My damaged hand connected with his jaw, and pain exploded up my arm. I didn't care. I swung again with my left, catching him in the ribs.
He recovered faster than I expected, and his return punch felt like getting hit by a truck. My head snapped back, stars bursting across my vision.
Good. This was good. Better than feeling nothing. Better than the hollow ache.
I came back swinging but fist connected with my stomach, driving the air from my lungs and I tasted blood.
He hit me again but I barely tried to defend myself, just kept throwing punches until my arms felt like lead.
"Gio, stop!" Enzo yelled from a distance but I didn’t care. "You're going to get yourself killed!"