Chapter 155 Always There

Chapter 155 Always There
GIOVANNI'S POV

Robert's study smelled of leather and old books. I sat across from him at his massive oak desk, the map I brought with me rolled out on top of the table. 

"We hit twelve locations simultaneously," I explained, pointing to marked positions on the map. "Their main warehouse in the industrial district, three safe houses, two weapons depots, and six businesses they used for money laundering.”

I leaned back and cleared my throat. “Total assets seized are estimated at forty-three billion dollars."

Robert nodded slowly, his eyes scanning the papers. "Any casualties?"

"On their side, seventeen dead, twenty-three arrested.” I eyed the map, glimpses of the battle flashing through my mind. “ And nothing fatal on our side. It was clean, considering the scope."

Robert reached for the map, trailing his fingers through it. "And the leadership?"

"Most of them are dead or in custody. But…” I hesitated. "Some escaped. We're still tracking about six high-ranking members who went underground. It could take months to find them all."

"But the organization itself is finished," Robert pointed out. 

I nodded, my lips curving into a slow grin. "Yes. Without their systems, they're scattered.” I shrugged. “We'll hunt down the stragglers, but the Rivera family as a threat is done."

Robert leaned back in his chair, a ghost of a smile on his face. "Congratulations, Giovanni. This is a 
significant victory for you.”

But something in his expression made me uneasy. He looked tired. 

He stood and moved to the bar cart, pouring two glasses of whiskey. He handed me one and returned to his seat, taking a long drink before speaking again.

"How's the transition going?” came his question. 

I sighed and raked my fingers through my hair. "Smoothly, for the most part. There's been some resistance from smaller families who thought they'd get a piece, but nothing we can't handle." 

I sipped the whiskey, waiting. Somehow, I could tell Robert hadn't called me here just to discuss 
business.

He was quiet for a long moment, staring into his glass.

"Arya's not doing well," he finally said.

My chest tightened. "What do you mean?"

"She has nightmares every night. She won't let anyone touch her and then ahe fainted in the garden this afternoon." Robert's voice was heavy. "The doctor says it's severe PTSD."

My hands clenched around the glass. "I'll pay for the best therapist. Whatever she needs, just tell me.”

"She needs time, Giovanni. And even then…" Robert met my eyes. "She might never be the same again. You need to prepare yourself for that possibility."

I couldn't help but glare at him. "No, she'll recover. She survived Marco. She'll survive this too."

"I hope you're right." But Robert's expression said he wasn't convinced. "I think she blames you and a small part of me does too.” 

I was expecting this, but it still felt like a punch to the gut. "I'm sorry, Robert. But I'll make it right. I'll do whatever it takes to help her heal."

"What if she doesn't want you to?" Robert asked. "What if she decides she wants nothing to do with you?”

I sighed and shruggedm "Then I'll respect her choice but I won't give up on her.”

Robert studied me for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "You've changed,” he chuckled and shook his head. “The Giovanni who wanted nothing more than to take revenge wouldn't have said that."

"Arya changed me.” I confessed with a smile. “She made me want to be better."
She 

Robert raised his glass then finished the whiskey. “I wish you luck.”

"I should go," I smiled and rose to my feet. "Thank you for your time.”

Robert walked me to the door of his study then clasped my shoulder briefly. "Keep me updated on the Rivera stragglers.”

"I will." I said with a nod. 

I left his study and started toward the main entrance, but a sound stopped me.

It was a baby's cry.

I followed it without thinking, drawn by instinct to a sunny sitting room near the garden entrance.

And I stopped walking. 

My son lay in a bassinet near the window, fussing while a plump, kind-faced woman tried to soothe him.

I moved closer, unable to stop myself.

He was beautiful with dark hair that was already showing a slight curl. And his face was a perfect blend of Arya and me. 

My heart clenched as his tiny fists waved in the air while he cried.

"May I?" I heard myself ask.

The nanny looked up, startled. "Mr. De Santis. I… of course."

I reached down and carefully lifted Dante from the bassinet. He was so small. 

The moment I held him, his crying quieted to small whimpers.

He looked up at me with dark eye and something in my chest cracked open.

This was my son. The baby I was desperate to meet.

My throat tightened with emotion. "Hi," I whispered. "Hi, Dante. I'm your… I'm…"

"What the HELL do you think you're doing?”

I spun around to find Arya standing in the doorway, her face twisted with anger.

My eyes widened a fraction. "Arya. I'm not going to hurt him-”

"You!" She advanced on the nanny, who shrank back. "How dare you let him touch my son! He has no right—!

"Arya, please." I kept my voice calm, even though my heart was racing. "I'm not going to hurt Dante. I just wanted to meet him."

But she wasn't listening, her breathing rapid and her were hands shaking.

Robert's words echoed in my mind. She might never be the same again.

This wasn't the Arya I knew. This was someone lashing out at anything that felt like a threat.

I slowly, handed Dante back to the nanny. "It's okay. Take him."

The nanny quickly took the baby and hurried from the room, leaving me alone with Arya.

"You need to leave," Arya said, her voice shaking. "Now."

I swallowed tightly and took a step forward. "Arya_”

"I don't want you here! I don't want you near me or my son! Just…." Her voice broke. "Just leave!"

She was looking at me with pure hatred and Jt broke something in me.

"I'm sorry," I said softly, backing toward the door. "I'm so sorry, Arya.”

Her face crumpled for just a moment then it hardened again. "Leave."

I left, even past Christabel who called out to me. I kept walking until I reached my car.

Only then, sitting alone in the driver's seat, did I let myself fall apart.

Robert was right. She might never forgive me or even want me back.

And I deserved every bit of her anger and pain. But I couldn't give up. 

If Arya needed me to be the villain in her story while she healed, I would be that. 

And if she needed me to stay away while she put herself back together, I would do that too.

Whatever it took, I promised myself fo be there for her.