chapter 35 False Accusation

chapter 35 False Accusation
Alessandro's POV

I had brought Carla to the charity gala because I wanted her presence nearby. The evening required my attention for business connections and family obligations, but having her within reach satisfied something I couldn't quite name.

The arrangement had been simple. She would accompany me, play her role as the devoted sister-in-law, and I would monitor her responses to the device I controlled. It was meant to be an exercise in submission and control, nothing more.

I had been occupied with Senator Morrison and two pharmaceutical executives when I noticed Carla's absence from the reception hall. A brief inquiry revealed she'd excused herself to the ladies' room, which seemed reasonable enough. I continued my conversations, occasionally glancing at my phone to activate the device, expecting to see her return flushed and struggling to maintain composure.

Twenty minutes passed. Then thirty.

When I finally went looking for her, I found chaos instead. Museum security was clustered around the service elevator, speaking in hushed, urgent tones with two police officers. The phrases I caught made my blood turn cold.

"Unconscious woman."

"Possible assault."

"Ambulance en route."

I had claimed her. She belonged to me now, under our contract, under my protection. And someone had dared to touch what was mine.

The rage that followed was unlike anything I'd experienced in years.

Now, standing in the sterile hospital corridor, watching Luca's pathetic performance through the partially open door, that same rage burned in my chest like acid.

"Luca, Get out."

He turned toward me. "Alessandro, thank God you're here. Carla had some kind of episode at the gala. I was trying to help—"

"Out. Now."

Something in my tone must have penetrated his delusional confidence because he immediately moved toward the door. Beatrice started to object, but I held up a hand that silenced her completely.

I followed Luca into the hallway, letting the hospital room door close behind us. The corridor was empty except for a few nurses at the far end, too distant to hear what was about to happen.

"Cousin," Luca began, that same conciliatory tone he'd been using in the room. "I think there's been a misunderstanding. Carla was confused, disoriented. She thought I was Ricardo, and—"

I grabbed his right hand, isolating his index finger.

The bone snapped with a sound like a dry branch breaking.

Luca's scream echoed through the corridor, high-pitched and agonized.

He doubled over, cradling his hand against his chest, his face white with shock and pain.

"Please, Please, I didn't... she came on to me. She was confused, calling me by Ricardo's name. I was drunk, I made a mistake, but she—"

I grabbed his middle finger next.

Another sharp crack, another scream that made the nurses at the far end look up in alarm.

"You're lying."

"I'm not!" Luca sobbed, backing against the wall. "I swear on my mother's grave, she was the one who... who wanted to be alone with me. I tried to resist, but she kept saying Ricardo's name, kept touching me, and I was weak. I was weak and stupid and drunk, but I didn't force her!"

The third finger broke just as easily as the first two. Luca's legs gave out, and he slid down the wall to the floor, his screams dissolving into harsh, gasping sobs.

I hauled him up by his throat, my fingers pressing against his windpipe . His feet barely touched the ground as I slammed him back against the wall.

"You drugged her."

I was just outside the hospital room door and heard that conversation. If Carla accuses Luca of drugging her, then Luca must have drugged her.

"No," he wheezed, his uninjured hand clawing at my grip on his throat. "No, I never... she was just tired, stressed about Ricardo..."

I hit him then, my fist connecting with his solar plexus. Then again, targeting his ribs. I could feel bones crack under my knuckles.

"Alessandro!" Beatrice's voice cut through the sound of Luca's ragged breathing. "What are you doing? He's family!"

I ignored her, releasing Luca's throat only to drive my knee into his stomach. He doubled over, retching, blood spattering the pristine hospital floor.

"Stop this!" Beatrice grabbed my arm, trying to pull me away. "He made a mistake, yes, but he's sorry. He's your cousin!"

I shook her off without looking at her, focusing instead on Luca's crumpled form at my feet. I kicked him hard in the ribs, hearing the satisfying sound of more bones breaking.

"Please," Luca gasped, blood frothing from his lips. "Please, I'm telling the truth. You have to believe me. She... she even had..." He fumbled in his jacket pocket with his uninjured hand, his movements clumsy and desperate. "She had this on her. Why would she be wearing this if she wasn't... if she didn't want..."

He pulled out a small, familiar device. The vibrating egg I had given Carla, the one I controlled through my phone app.

My blood went cold.

Luca held it up with trembling fingers, his broken hand pressed against his chest, his breathing shallow and pained. "She was wearing this during the gala. During our... encounter. Why would an innocent, pregnant wife have something like this hidden under her dress?"

"You see? She's not the innocent victim she pretends to be. She came to that room willingly, she was already... already aroused from this thing. I thought... I thought she wanted..."

My jaw clenched so hard I thought my teeth might crack.