Game Over

**Damiano**

“Oh, darling, the ring is just beautiful!” My jaw clenched at the horrendous high-pitched voice. Every single time that woman opened her mouth, it felt like a bunch of knives was stabbing into my ears continuously. I was convinced Gataeno was partially deaf. It was impossible he heard that voice and decided to marry her.

“Thank you, Morella.” Althaia gave a tight smile and I knew it was taking everything in her not to grimace.

“Wonderful news, figlia! When’s the big day?”

“Oh, actually…” My hand squeezed her waist a little to warn her not to let it slip out. Althia glanced at me quickly before facing Gataeno again with a soft smile.

“…We haven’t decided yet. Plenty of time to figure it out.” Gaetano nodded a few times.

“Good, good. The sooner, the better.” He looked at me when he said that, not being discreet about his underlying message to me.

“Congratulations again, darling.” Morella smiled big.

“Enjoy the party.” I told them with a nod and led Althaia away from them. Hell, I was desperate to get away from that voice.

“We certainly will.” *Not for too long,* I thought.

“What was that about?” Althaia asked me quietly when we stepped away from them and stopped at the champagne table.

“About what?” She let out a sigh and grabbed a glass, taking a small sip.

“Why couldn’t I tell my father that we got married?”

“I thought you said you wanted to keep it a secret.” I frowned as I looked at the glass in her hand.

“Yeah, well, we already told your family and everyone who works for you.” I knew she was annoyed that I prevented her from telling them.

“It’s not the same. My family and men need to know who you are as it changes things. Your status as my wife and second in rank lets them know you are the top priority when it comes to safety.” I took the champagne glass out of her hand and placed it aside. That earned me an eye roll from her.

“You’re always acting as if my father is going to hurt me.”

“I’m just cautious. That’s all.”

“Is that why you’re all tense today? Is there something going on that I don’t know of?” She looked at me with a concerned expression, and I gave her a smile.

“No, nothing’s going on. Don’t worry and enjoy the wedding.” I placed a kiss on her forehead, seeing her visibly relax at my words.

“All right… Oh, you should get excited about the cake! I know you’re not that into sweet things, but I helped in choosing the filling and it’s freaking delicious!” Althaia’s eyes lit up at the mention of the cake, having me look at her amused. Food was truly the way to her heart.

“That’s not true.” I pulled her into me as I leaned slightly down to her and talked quietly.

“I eat you all the time, and you’re deliciously sweet.”

“Damiano!” She gasped as she looked around to see if anyone heard me while her cheeks started to flush in such an adorable way.

“Don’t say that! Our families are here.” She hissed.

“So?” I raised a brow at her as I continued to tease her.

“You shameless man.” I chuckled when she turned around and left to join Arianna, Ava, and Cecilia. I took one more look around, seeing everyone was acting as they should, chatting with each other and making sure there still was a festive atmosphere.

I joined Althaia and the others when the chatter died down and Cara and Lorenzo made their grand appearance. Another round of applause sounded for them, people cheering as they made their way down the stairs.

“I can’t believe you’re actually married now! Congrats once again.” Althaia embraced Cara tightly.

“It was about time.” Cara chuckled.

“Yeah, sorry about that… But hey, at least you’re Mrs. Tank Man now! Better late than never." Althaia grinned.

“How in the world are you coming up with those names?” Arianna laughed.

“Apparently she thinks I have the same build as Lorenzo. Thanks for that, by the way.” Cara gave her a sarcastic smile.

“… I never thought I would be called fat on my own wedding day.” Lorenzo commented, crossing his arms as he looked at them all.

“No, not fat. Just big.” Cara gave him a cheeky wink.

“Ew, gross. Save that talk for your wedding night.” Arianna groaned and I nodded in agreement.

“Congratulations.” I wished them both. I gave a small smirk to Lorenzo as I wrapped my arm around Cara’s shoulder.

“Oh my God! It’s happening!” She gasped in excitement. Lorenzo’s gaze was focused on my arm around her with a glare.

“I wish you a lifetime of happiness with Lorenzo.” And I kissed the top of her head just to piss him off. Arianna and Althaia looked at me with surprised looks while Cara stood still in shock.

“Althaia, you look a little tired on your feet.” Lorenzo looked at her with a small grin, ignoring the warning glare I was sending him.

“Huh…?” She looked at him confused but then let out a small squeal when he suddenly swooped her into his arms. Althaia’s eyes went wide and she was blushing uncontrollably.

“I don’t care if you’re my brother, I will shoot you.”

“Likewise.”

“Put her down.”

“Only if you let go of my wife first.”

We looked at each other, waiting until one of us gave in. But I refused to lose. Instead, I pulled Cara closer to me and wrapped both arms around her. Cara didn’t care and was only happy about what was happening and even wrapped her arms around me. This pissed Lorenzo off, even more, to see her like this.

“Althaia, wrap your arms around my neck.”

“Fuck off, you bastard.” I wasn’t playing this game anymore and went to grab her out of Lorenzo’s arms.

“Wow, this is some next-level possessive shit I have never witnessed.” Ava shook her head in disbelief.

“Poor Althaia, you left her all stunned and overwhelmed.” Cecilia chuckled as she looked at Althaia, who was trying to process what had just happened.

֎֎֎

The evening continued as it should and people were having a good time. Slowly, one by one, I had all the vulnerable people escorted out of the castle and people whom I didn’t need present to fight if something were to go wrong. My father was talking to Gaetano to keep him distracted while we did so. It had to be as smooth and unnoticeable as possible while I had my men in position.

“I’m going with Cara to help her into her second dress for the cake cutting.” Althaia told me with a smile. I had made sure Arianna had kept Althaia distracted as well so she wouldn’t notice my Nonna and mother were suddenly missing.

“Okay.” I wrapped my arm around her waist and placed a soft kiss on her lips.

“Be safe.” She looked at me slightly confused before letting out a smile.

“I will try and make it back and forth safely.” She chuckled with a teasing look. They both went on their way and soon were out of view. I looked around at my men, giving a discreet nod that it was time and they were to get ready.

“Dario, they’re coming your way now. Escort them quietly and safely out of here.” I ordered. They were the last ones I needed to get out of here.

“Cop -” I stilled when he got cut off. I looked at Lorenzo, and his eyes narrowed, letting me know it wasn’t just me who heard it.

“Dario, answer me.” My entire body tensed up when the only response was the sounds of him gagging and gargling.

In his own blood.

“… What’s going on here?”

“Oh my God, Dario!”

I held my breath at the sound of Althaia’s voice.

*No…*

*No!*

*Fucking no!*

This couldn’t be happening!

My legs moved in a sprint towards the stairs with Lorenzo in front of me when we heard them scream. My heart was already pounding in fear of not getting there in time. I couldn’t let that happen.

Not again!

The sounds of whistling and crackling reached my ears as we ran.

The fireworks had gone off.

I halted at the top of the stairs when the power suddenly went out, leaving us completely in the dark.

“Rafaelle, what’s going on?” I spoke into the mic. But he didn’t answer.

“Rafaelle!” Still radio silent.

“I don’t have time for this.” Lorenzo said and moved again. The only light we had was the moonlight coming in through the large windows in the hall. I followed Lorenzo as we hurried. At the same time, two men came out of the other hall, aiming their machine guns at us. I quickly grabbed the back of Lorenzo’s shirt and forced him back with me to take cover by the stairs as they fired continuously.

By a hair’s breadth, we made it into cover, wood pieces flying over our heads. We laid down low as the commotion in the banquet had gotten louder and the sounds of gunfire could be heard from different directions. Shouting and screaming along with glasses being shattered into pieces could be heard, and I dreaded that I might already be too late.

That fucking bastard.

How the fuck could he take us by surprise?!

“Where the fuck is Gaetano?!” I shouted as I pulled out my gun. Rage overtook my body and I shot whoever came into my view. Bullets were flying from all different directions, my men taking cover and firing whenever they could, and I joined them while I scanned the room, seeing Gaetano was nowhere to be found.

That was his cue. He snuck out when the power went out.

“Damiano, cover me!” Lorenzo bolted up, and I took out my second gun, creating a distraction as I shot after those men for Lorenzo to get back into the hall. They sought cover as I continued to shoot, but it was enough for Lorenzo to get far enough into the hall as he moved closely along the wall.

I stopped shooting, waiting for them to get back out again. Just as one of them was about to step into view, Lorenzo grabbed him and slammed him to the ground. The other one came out shortly, and I didn’t waste a second before I shot him before he could get to Lorenzo.

I ran in the direction of the room where Dario was supposed to be. I moved my legs as fast as they allowed me, Lorenzo following closely behind me. I tried to get in touch with any of my men who were positioned on this end but no one was answering, and I already knew what this meant.

“Fuck…” I stopped at the doorway, the sight of Dario on the floor with his throat cut open.

“Check the rooms.” I told Lorenzo as I kicked the doors open in the next room. But there was no sign of Althaia and Cara. My heart was pounding as I rushed from room to room, shouting in pure frustration and anger when I found my men lying on the floor.

All dead.

“Damiano!” I ran back to where Lorenzo was, seeing him on the floor where Rafaelle was unconscious.

With a pool of blood around his head.

“He’s alive. They knocked him out.” I let out a breath as I took off my jacket and pressed against the wound on the back of his head. He was supposed to watch over the cameras and controlled the power, but they got to him before we could even put action to our plan.

The sound of footsteps coming our way had me aiming my gun at the door but lowered it when I saw it was Luca.

“Shit!” He erupted when he saw Rafaelle.

“They can’t have gone far -” I stopped talking and shared a look with Lorenzo. He heard it too. The fireworks had ceased and we were now able to hear the whirling helicopter rotors.

“Luca, help Rafaelle!” I got up on my feet in a split second and rushed out in the direction of the front lawn. It was the only place close enough to the castle where a helicopter could land.

“Take that way, I will find another!” I shouted to him as we split ways. I had to get there soon before it was too late.

Running down a different hall, I spotted the helicopter through the large windows. I stopped running when I saw Gaetano standing next to the helicopter as they got the unconscious Cara inside. Asnarl of rage escaped me when I saw Althaia fighting against three men to break free of their hold.

“Don’t fucking touch her!” I shot at the window, breaking it as I jumped through. I landed on the ground. I rolled on the ground to break the fall, not caring about the pieces of glass cutting into my skin before I stood up. The sound of her screaming for them to let her go pushed me to run faster to get her.

“Knock her out already!” Gaetano shouted at them and one of them pulled out a needle to sedate her.

“Althaia!” I shouted in desperation.

I couldn’t let this happen.

I refused to let this happen to me again!

“Watch out!” She screamed to me. I quickly followed her gaze where I had failed to notice Carlos between the trees. I aimed my gun at him and fired.

But it was empty.

The sound of gunfire rang out and I hit the ground. The wind got knocked out of me and an excruciating burning sensation took over my body. My hand touched the side of my stomach, feeling nothing but blood gushing out of me.

“Damiano! No!” I heard her scream before her voice died down.

I tried to get up but my body was heavy. I felt paralyzed and completely powerless as I lay there.

“Althaia… I’m sorry…” My sight got blurry and I was soon met with darkness.

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