Chapter 69

Aurora.

The warehouse was dark, cold, and smelled of oil and metal. Every breath I took was a reminder of my captivity, a stark contrast to the warmth and safety of Rossi’s embrace. But I couldn't afford to think of that now. Rossi would come for me; I knew that with every fiber of my being. But until then, I had to be strong. I had to survive.

The ropes binding my wrists were tight, but not unbreakable. I began to work on them, testing the knots and looking for any weaknesses. The men who had taken me were careful, but everyone makes mistakes. My fingers were sore, and the skin was raw from friction, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop. Rossi had taught me to never give up and to always find a way.

Hours passed, marked only by the changing shadows and the occasional sound of footsteps outside the door. My captors had been kind enough to give me some water, but that was the extent of their generosity. They wanted me alive, but not comfortable. I could use that. Their underestimation of my strength was my advantage.

I had managed to loosen the ropes slightly when the door creaked open. Vincent and Riccardo Gotti entered, their expressions a mix of amusement and cruelty. I stiffened, meeting their gazes with as much defiance as I could muster.

“How’s our guest?” Vincent asked, his voice dripping with false politeness.

I said nothing, my eyes boring into his. I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing my fear.

Riccardo stepped closer, his cold eyes sweeping over me. “Still holding on, I see. Good. Rossi will be more desperate that way.”

“He’ll come for me,” I said, my voice steady despite the terror clawing at my insides. “And when he does, you’ll regret this.”

Vincent laughed with a harsh, grating sound. “We’re counting on it, darling. That’s exactly what we want.”

“Oh, we also sent your video to your boyfriend. I wonder how he must be feeling knowing he couldn’t protect you. What a weak boyfriend you have.” Riccardo taunted.

“He’s ten times the man you could ever be.” I spat, and it landed me an immediate, resounding slap that must have broken my cheekbone.

"Do you think Rossi is any better, sweetheart?” He snickered. “You don’t know the atrocities your perfect boyfriend has done.”

“That doesn’t change anything,” I insisted.

“Fool,”

They left me then, locking the door behind them. Their confidence was infuriating, but it also gave me a glimmer of hope. They were so sure of themselves, so convinced that Rossi’s desperation would be their victory. They had no idea what was coming.

The darkness in the warehouse seemed to stretch on forever. My escape attempt had been thwarted, and now I found myself back in the cold, damp room, tied to the same chair. Every muscle in my body ached, but it was nothing compared to the dread settling in my chest.

I had no idea how long I’d been there when the door creaked open again and a woman walked in. Her eyes, dark and calculating, locked onto mine, and a smirk curled her lips.

“So, this is the woman my husband has taken such an interest in,” she said. “I have to say, I expected more.”

I kept my gaze steady, refusing to show fear. “What do you want?”

Leticia’s smirk widened as she circled me, her eyes scanning me from head to toe. “It’s not about what I want, Aurora. It’s about what you’ve taken from me.”

Her words confused me, but I held my tongue. She stopped in front of me, her face inches from mine. “You really have no idea, do you? You’re not just dealing with Ricardo. You’re dealing with me.”

“What are you talking about?” I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady.

She laughed with a cold, mirthless sound. “You poor, naive girl. Riccardo has always been drawn to what belongs to Rossi. And you… you’re just the latest prize.”

Her words hit me like a slap. “Rossi will come for me,” I said, my voice firm. “And when he does, you and your husband will regret this.”

Her eyes darkened with anger. “Rossi… Rossi was mine once. Did you know that? We were engaged. I was supposed to be the one by his side, not you. I’m Leticia; you must have heard about me.”

My heart skipped a beat. Rossi had never mentioned Leticia, let alone that they had been engaged. “I didn’t know,” I said softly, trying to process this new information.

“Of course you didn’t,” Leticia sneered. “He probably never even mentioned me. But I haven’t forgotten. And now, I’m going to make you pay for taking what’s mine.”

She leaned closer, her eyes cold and menacing. “Riccardo is interested in you. Do you know what that means? It means you’re a threat to me. And I can’t have that.”

Fear coiled in my stomach, but I refused to let it show. “You can try to scare me, but I won’t break. Rossi will come, and he’ll put an end to this.”

Leticia’s laugh was icy. “We’ll see about that. In the meantime, I think I’ll enjoy making you suffer.”

She reached into her coat and pulled out a knife, the blade glinting in the dim light. My heart pounded as she ran the blade along my cheek, the cold metal a stark contrast to the heat of my fear.

“Let’s see how long your strength lasts,” she whispered, her breath warm against my skin. “By the time I’m done with you, you’ll be begging for death.”

Before I could react, the door burst open, and a guard rushed in, his face pale. “Mrs. Gotti, we have a problem. Rossi’s men are here.”

Leticia’s eyes flashed with anger. “What?”

“They’ve breached the outer perimeter,” the guard stammered. “We need to move her.”

Leticia cursed under her breath, turning to face me. “This isn’t over, Aurora. Not by a long shot.”

She motioned to the guard, who untied me roughly, yanking me to my feet. My heart pounded with a mix of fear and hope. Rossi was here. He was coming for me. As the guard shoved me forward, Leticia’s eyes bore into mine, her lips curling into a malicious smile.

“Enjoy your reunion,” she taunted. “It will be your last.”