Chapter 108 Facing Demons
GIOVANNI’S POV
"To new beginnings," Signor Rossi raised his glass, his face creasing into a satisfied smile.
I clinked my glass against his, the sound sharp and clear in the private dining room. "And profitable partnerships."
We drank, sealing the deal we spent the last three hours negotiating. Rossi's distribution network in exchange for protection and a cut of the northern part of the city.
It was a good arrangement, one that would help fill the gaps the Riveras had torn in our operations.
"You drive a hard bargain, De Santis," Rossi said, setting down his glass. "Your father would be proud. You've rebuilt what many thought was lost."
"We're not rebuilt yet," I said with a shrug. "But we're getting there."
"You’re too modest." He clapped me on the shoulder as he stood. "I look forward to working with you. My men will be in touch about the first shipment."
I walked him to the door, maintaining the facade of the confident boss who had everything under control.
The moment the door closed, some of the tension left my shoulders.
"Well, that went better than expected," Enzo said from where he was standing quietly in the corner. "Rossi's network gives us access to three new territories and combined with the Delgado alliance, we're almost back to where we were before the hit."
I dragged a hand down my jaw. "Almost isn't enough."
"Jesus, Gio. Can you just take the win for once?" Enzo moved closer, and bumped his shoulder against mine. "Do you realize how far we've come? Two months ago, we were handling destroyed operations left and right, and the Riveras were circling like sharks.”
He looked at me meaningfully. “Everyone thought we were done."
Two months. Had it really been that long?
The night we hit the Rivera base in Genoa felt both like yesterday and a lifetime ago. We burned their drug processing plant to the ground, and captured three of their men in the process.
Those men had given us locations of their other bases, with a lot of torture.
The Riveras had retreated, licking their wounds and the threat on our territories had declined.
On paper, we won, but…
"We still have losses," I said, moving to the window. The city sprawled below us, glittering in the afternoon sun. "The men we lost can't be replaced. The intel that was stolen-"
"We've changed all our codes, and restructured our operations.” Enzo gently interrupted. “Whatever they took is useless now."
I sighed. "But we still don't know who gave it to them in the first place.
The real thorn. The unanswered question that kept me up at night.
Arya.
I pushed the thought away viciously, like I was doing for two months.
"Maybe it's time to let that go," Enzo said quietly, reading my mind like always. "We've plugged the leak by changing everything, chasing ghosts isn't helping."
I scoffed. "I'm not chasing ghosts. I'm being thorough."
"You're being obsessed." But there was no anger in Enzo's words, just concern. "You've become a workaholic, you know that? When was the last time you took a day off? Had a meal that wasn't at your desk? Slept more than four hours?"
I shrugged. "I sleep fine."
"Liar." He grabbed my shoulder, forcing me to turn and face him. "Look, I get it. Staying busy keeps you from thinking about other things. But you're going to burn out."
A tight smile crossed on my lips. "I'm fine."
"You keep saying that but it doesn't make it true."
I pulled away from his grip, adjusting my cufflinks unnecessarily. "Are we done here? I have three more meetings today."
"Of course you do." Enzo sighed but let it drop. "Come on. At least let me drive you home first. You haven't been back to the estate in two days."
I waved a dismissive hand. "I've been busy."
"Home, Gio.” He hissed. “Jasmine will kill me if I let you work yourself to death."
I wanted to argue, but the truth was I was exhausted. "Fine. But only for an hour."
"We'll see."
The drive back to the estate was quiet. Enzo made a few attempts at conversation but I barely heard him.
My mind was elsewhere. It was already sixty-something days since she left.
Where was she now? Still in the city, hiding in plain sight?
Or had she made it further? Was she safe?
The thought crept in unbidden. I shouldn't care if she was safe. She betrayed me, destroyed everything, and then run away rather than face the consequences.
But late at night, when the whiskey didn't quite numb everything, I couldn't help wondering.
"We're here," Enzo announced, pulling through the gates.
The estate looked the same as always but it felt empty. I had felt empty since the night she left.
We walked inside to find the foyer decorated with streamers and a banner that read "Congratulations."
"Surprise!" Jasmine appeared from the dining room, grinning. "We're celebrating your Rossi deal!"
Maria and Claire were there too, along with several of the staff. A table was set with food and champagne.
"I told you not to make a fuss," I said to Enzo.
"I didn't. This was all Jasmine." He raised his hands innocently. "You know how she gets."
"You've been working so hard," Jasmine said, pulling me into a hug despite my stiffness. "We wanted to do something nice. Come on, have a drink. Relax for once."
I forced a smile. "Thank you. This is... very kind."
I stayed for twenty minutes, long enough to be polite. I accepted the congratulations, made small talk, and pretended I was fine.
But when everyone was distracted, I slipped away to my room.
I closed the door and leaned against it, finally allowing the mask to slip.
The drink cabinet called to me. I was so good lately, barely drinking and maintaining control.
But tonight, I needed it. I poured three fingers of whiskey into a crystal glass, staring at the amber liquid.
"I miss her," I whispered to the empty room. "God, I miss her so much."
The admission felt like a weakness so I downed half the glass, welcoming the burn.
It wasn't enough. Nothing was enough to fill the void she left behind.
Before I could stop myself, I grabbed the bottle and left my room.