Chapter 20 Mess In Party
“What the hell is their problem? If they’re not trying to curry favor or ask for something, they’re meddling in my personal life,” I say angrily. My hand goes to the tie around my neck. I hate wearing ties; they’re so damn constricting.
“That’s what you’re supposed to do, dear,” my mother says firmly. “You know that. It’s your duty. Now, I think it’s time for you to make a speech.”
I look at her.
“Do I have to make a speech?”
Her cool gaze slid over my face.
“Of course you’ll have to make a speech. You need to tell these people what you plan to do for them and how you plan to lead them. You need to show them your power.”
I open my mouth to tell her that words seem unnecessary when we hear a scream from inside the house. My head snaps up as I look at the double doors leading inside. The music stops and everyone falls silent.
My heart starts pounding in my chest. Because I'm pretty sure that was my sister.
Elena.
I'm talking to Ivan De Luca when we hear a scream. He looks at me for a second, dark brows furrowed in confusion, before we both turn toward the house.
“What was that?” Ivan asks, frowning.
My heart is pounding.
“It sounded like Rose.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Roman quickly approaching the doors that lead into the house. Michael is also moving away from Kiara, following him, and Tony is not far behind. There are whispers all around me, mutterings about what might be happening. I move forward, but Ivan’s hand is wrapped around my wrist.
“Wait, where are you going?”
I pull my hand out of his grip and smile slightly. He's nice, but I really don't need another damn goalie right now.
"It's okay. I just want to check," I tell him.
His scowl deepens and he looks ready to argue, but I walk away, instantly lost in the crowd. Some men come to guard the doors, shooing people away when a gunshot rings out. My heart clenches at the sound. It was coming from inside the house.
Pandemonium ensues, and that's the only reason I can slip past unnoticed. I'm an idiot, I'm heading somewhere, maybe dangerous, but I have a bad feeling.
I enter the house and turn the corner into a narrow hallway. I let out a short sigh when I see the scene I find. A man I don't recognize is lying on the ground, clutching his leg, and blood is quickly seeping out of it. Roman is sitting on top of him, hitting him over and over again, and Tony is next to Rosa, who is shaking, her eyes wide open in terror. Her dress is torn on the side.
I clutch my stomach, realizing what was about to happen. Roman is still hitting the man on the floor. He is already half dead, motionless. Without thinking twice, I head towards Rosa.
My brother inhales sharply when he notices me.
"What the hell are you doing here, Elena?"
I ignore him, reaching for my friend. As soon as my arms wrap around her, she starts to cry.
"Shh, it's okay, honey, breathe," I say soothingly.
I made a mistake. My gaze shifts to Roman, and when he lifts his head, his eyes meet mine. My heart stops for a second. Because the person looking at me is not someone I recognize. It's Roman, but he's furious and terrifying. Then his eyes close, and he lets out a growl.
He suddenly stops hitting the man and rises to his feet, running his hand through his hair. He soaks himself in blood in the process, but I doubt he cares.
He looks at me again before his gaze shifts to his sister. They darken even more.
“I’m fucking done with this shit,” Roman spits.
I look at him, confused. Even Michael and Tony don’t seem to understand what he means.
“Pick him up,” he tells my brother, pointing to the man on the floor.
His eyes are swollen shut, and I’m pretty sure his nose is broken. He’s writhing in pain, making little sounds of agony. Tony picks him up without hesitation. I have no idea what Roman is thinking right now.
“Follow me,” he orders, his voice low and cold.
Rose is still trembling next to me. I’m about to lead her to her room, but then Roman’s gaze meets mine again, stopping me in my tracks.
“My sister is coming too.”
“Where?” I ask, my voice firm despite my erratic heartbeat.
“We’re going back there,” he answers firmly.
My eyes widen.
“Are you kidding? Look at her.”
Michael speaks.
“Elena’s right, Rom. Rose needs to get up and rest.”
Roman's sharp glance in his direction makes Michael shut up immediately. Roman stares at me, too, before looking at his sister.
"Come here, princess," he beckons softly.
Rosa exhales before breaking away from me and walking over to her brother. He leans down to whisper something in her ear. She shakes her head in response, and he continues talking. It takes a minute or two, and once he's finished, Rosa nods. Roman shrugs off his jacket and drapes it over her shoulders.
"You're De Luca," he whispers. "We're not weak as hell.”
Two of them walk back into the party. Tony and Michael are dragging a half-dead man along with them, and I try my best to ignore the blood pouring out of his body as I follow. We get back outside, and the party is a little more under control.
My dad is standing in front of everyone with a don't-fuck-me expression. His expression shifts slightly to concern as he takes in our surroundings.
Roman is walking at the front of the crowd. Rosa is standing next to him. He motions for Tony and Michael to let them go, and the man in charge falls to the ground with a loud groan.
“I need everyone to listen to me,” Roman begins, his voice loud and authoritative.
“This man tried to attack my sister tonight. He dared to touch De Luca, but he was stupid enough to do it in my house. With his entire family right here. His actions aren’t just stupid, they’re fucking insane.”
I can hear the barely contained rage in his voice. The entire courtyard is silent, the only sounds coming from the fucker on the floor.
“Some of you think my family is weak. Ricardo De Luca hired every single person here. Some of you were accepted into this family when you had nothing but the clothes on your back. My father took you in and protected you,” Roman’s jaw clenches.