Chapter 6 Stolen Bride
GIOVANNI POV
The hallway erupted into chaos the moment I crossed the threshold with Arya in my arms. There were several guests scattered in the large hall, while others were still outside, held down by my men.
Robert Don Vitale burst through the oak doors, his expensive suit jacket flapping open, a silver pistol already drawn. A dozen armed soldiers poured in behind him.
It was useless though, I’d planned this over and over, making sure there was no way they could overpower us.
Still, it was almost comical watching him try.
"Put her down, De Santis!" He roared his voice thundered,thick with rage and the false authority of a man whose power was slipping.
I didn't stop walking,
Arya writhed in my grip, her nails digging into my shoulder through the fabric. "Let me go!" she hissed, but I tightened my hold, keeping her pinned against my chest.
Her wedding gown was already torn at the hem where she'd kicked, the lace catching on my cufflinks.
Robert stormed forward, blocking my path. “I said let her go!”
"She was never yours to give," I seethed, my voice cold and lacking emotion.
His jaw clenched. He knew exactly what I meant.
This wasn't about love or marriage anymore this was about the decades old bad blood between families.The Vitales had taken everything from my family once. Now I was taking something from them.
It just happened to be the fiery-headed girl in my arms.
Behind him, Alessio De Luca stumbled forward,the pathetic little puppet vitale has promised Arya to.
The sight of him made disgust cool in my belly. He was just a trust fund coward whose family bought their way into power while real men bled for it.
His hand shook so badly around his pistol I wasn't sure he could hit me if I stood still.
The De Lucas were parasites. They'd made their fortune selling out to the highest bidder, playing all sides until someone put them down. Today was that day.
"Giovanni," Robert growled, trying to steady his voice and failing. "This is a declaration of war."
"We've been at war for years, old man.” I said flatly. "You just convinced yourself you'd won."
I'd warned him six months ago, not to cross me if I wanted to claim something.
He'd laughed then, thought his money and connections made him untouchable. He'd forgotten that in our world, fear mattered more than friendships.
And Arya? I had claimed her as mine from the first time I saw her, even if she didn't know it yet.
Robert scoffed, his eyes narrowing into slits. “I’ll warn you this last time, De Santis.” His finger curled around the trigger of his gun. “Let her go or else-“
“You talk too much.” I interrupted, shaking my head. “It’s boring me.”
If it was possible for him to explode in that moment he would, because the look he gave me was deadly.
My eyes skimmed through the crowd, at the guests who were cowering behind pillars and the men who were quietly reaching for the guns.
I wouldn’t have felt any ounce of regret if it wasn’t for the sight of the children hidden away yet still peeking wide eyes and fear.
Arya whimpered in my hold and I looked down at her. Her fingers were formed into tight fist but her body was rigid. The defiant glare in her eyes made my lips curl in amusment.
My little spitfire.
"You're not leaving here alive!" Alessio's voice cracked pathetically, breaking me off from my thoughts.
I looked up at the scum of a man and arched my brow. Whether it was the need to prove himself or something, I didn’t know, but he must’ve thought it was wise to run towards me, his gun raised and ready to fire.”
“Die, you bastard!” He cried, his finger ready to pull the trigger, yet I didn’t move.
From the shadows, Enzo appeared, he moved silently and took one clean shot without hesitation.
Alessio screamed and dropped, clutching his shattered kneecap as blood pooled beneath him. His pistol clattered away, useless.
The hallway exploded at the sound.
Women screamed, their designer gowns tangling as they scrambled for the exit. Robert’s soldiers raised their weapons, but hesitation flickered in their eyes.
No doubt they’d heard the stories about me, and the things I'd done to men who stood in my way.
I kept walking, adjusting Arya's weight as she fought me. "Stop struggling or you'll get shot," I said quietly against her ear.
"I'd rather die than-"
Gunfire cut her off and flashes lit up the corridor like strobe lights as Robert’s men opened fire, bullets sparked off marble columns, shattered chandeliers and punched holes in priceless paintings.
My men returned fire without any hesitation and I moved through the all smoke and screaming like I was walking through my own living room.
Enzo flanked me, his gun never wavering. Two more of my men materialized from side corridors, cutting off escape routes.
This was what the Vitales had forgotten. I didn't just have money or connections, I had loyalty built on blood and fear.
My men didn't hesitate because they knew I'd walk through fire for them, and they'd burn the world down for me.
Arya had gone still in my arms, her face was buried against my chest.
Good girl. She was learning.
"You'll regret this!" Robert screamed from behind an overturned table. "Every family will hunt you!"
"Let them try," I said without looking back.
I kicked open the rear exit where my car waited, engine running, and Luca at the wheel. Behind us, the gunfire faded.
"I hate you," Arya whispered against my shoulder, her voice breaking.
"I know," I said, sliding her into the backseat and climbing in after her. "But you're going to marry me anyway."
She turned her face away, staring out the window and I slammed the door shut.
Enzo joined us, taking the passenger seat. “We’re ready, boss.” He said, and I caught sight of the tinge of blood dotting his cheek.
“Let’s get out of here then.” I sighed, pointing to the speckle of blood which he dabbed away. “I was hoping it would be more exciting than this.”
Enzo smirked but he didn’t anything. He turned to Luca and said something in rapid Italian. The car peeled away and I gave one last disdainful look at the Vitale mansion.
This wasn't just about stealing Robert’s daughter. This was about reminding every Don in this city that the De Santis family didn't ask for permission. We took what was ours and dared anyone to stop us.
Arya Vitale was mine now. She was the perfect weapon to destroy her father with.
But if I was being honest with myself, I was taking her for several reasons other than that.