Chapter 59

**Raffaele**

“I thought for sure you weren't showing up. Did you get scared?” I couldn't help but smirk when I saw Tony stroll into the warehouse.

"Sorry, I got tied up. Was busy sleeping with your girlfriend," he shot back.

"This is going to be the most brutal killing I've ever done," I replied.

"Oh, it wasn't personal. She wanted it. Honestly, she's the biggest slut I've ever met. Want to hear what happened next?" He leaned in closer, whispering in my ear. "I killed her."

I stared at him, his grin making me question if he was just messing with me. Someone like him could easily be lying. "Quit the bullshit."

"I'm serious. I held her neck back and cut her throat. I figured I'd help her out of her misery, at least I gave her some fun before she went," he laughed.

My fists were clenched so tight my nails were digging into my skin. I swung hard at the side of his neck, sending him crashing to the ground. I stepped closer, feeling him try to slice my ankle, but I shook off the pain and kicked him in the gut with my other foot.

"Get up," I ordered. He coughed and managed to stand, only for me to hit him hard in the stomach again. I grabbed him by the collar and started pummeling him repeatedly.

He struggled to break free, forcing me to grip his arms and twist them. "Mad I took out your little girlfriend?" he chuckled, blood splattered across his face.

Then he kicked me hard in the gut, sending me crashing to the ground. He got back up, groaning and laughing. "She was nice and warm. Too bad a tight little thing like that is gone," he sneered.

Each word he said fueled my rage. I grabbed his feet and tripped him, watching him hit the ground. I stood over him, throwing punch after punch, feeling like I was losing control. "You bastard! How dare you touch her! I'm going to end you!" I yelled, landing more blows until I felt someone pulling me away.

It was Derek, but I shrugged him off and walked back to Tony, who was out cold. I glanced at my bloodied knuckles. "Throw him in the trunk and take him to the warehouse. This jerk is going to pay before I finish him off," I commanded as I headed to the car.

I refuse to believe she's gone. No way. Everything he said can't be real. My mind was racing with thoughts. My leg trembled, my heart raced, and my head was a chaotic mess.

I tried calling Flavio, but he didn’t pick up, which just made me more frustrated. “Get me back to the house, now,” I ordered him.

“Sure thing, boss,” he replied. As soon as the car slowed down, I jumped out while it was still rolling. I rushed to the door, unlocked it, and noticed it was eerily quiet. “Annika! Annika!!” I yelled, but there was no answer, so I tried calling Flavio again.

I leaned on the counter, feeling the urge to throw something, and ended up smashing a vase against the wall. “Damn it,” I muttered. Just then, the door swung open, and I turned to see Flavio come in with Lucas. “Nicolas,” Flavio sighed, walking over to me. He pulled me into a hug, which threw me off a bit. “You scared the hell out of me! You didn’t answer any calls or texts.”

“I’m okay. Where’s Annika?” I asked.

“Oh, she’s—” he started, but then Annika walked in with Chiara, wrapped in a blanket.

“Oh no… baby,” I said, rushing to her and pulling her into a tight embrace. I felt her soft sobs against my chest. “I’m so sorry, baby girl. I’m really sorry.” She clung to my shirt, burying her face in my chest and letting the tears flow, and I just held her close.

“She had been at his place. She was tough enough to take out T.J., and when she called, we tracked her phone. We managed to take out half of his crew, but we’re not sure if there are more lurking around.” 

"Where's Tony?" she wanted to know.

"In the warehouse, down in the basement."

"You didn’t kill him?" she asked, surprised.

"I couldn’t. He spilled everything he did to Annika and admitted he killed her. I didn’t want to make it easy for him. Head to the warehouse, but don’t lay a finger on him. I want to handle this myself," I told her, and she nodded in agreement.

"You good?" he asked Annika, and she nodded back. They stepped out, and I scooped Annika up in my arms and took her upstairs. I set her down in the bathroom and started filling the tub. When I returned, I noticed the bruises on her face and kissed them gently. "He said you were dead..." I murmured.

"He was just trying to mess with you."

"Did he do anything? Did he hurt you?" I asked, and she shook her head.

"He didn’t..." she trailed off.

"I’m so sorry, baby girl. I promised I’d keep you safe and never let this happen again, but I failed. I’m really, really sorry," I said, wiping away a tear from her cheek.

“While I was there, all I could think about was you,” she said. "I’m really glad you’re okay." She planted a kiss on my cheek, then pulled my face toward hers and kissed me on the lips. I pulled away from the kiss, lifted her off the counter, and took off her shirt and bra. I helped her slide out of her shorts and underwear as we got her into the tub.

I sat beside her, and she looked at me with a puzzled expression. "What’s up with your ankle?" she asked, making me raise an eyebrow in confusion. "I noticed you weren’t putting much weight on your left foot. Let me see it."

I slowly rolled up my pant leg to show her the cut. "Why didn’t you mention it?"

"It’s nothing. I’m more concerned about you," I replied.

"It could get infected, Raffaele. Let me take a look," she insisted.

"I’ll handle it, just relax," I said, heading over to the cabinet. I grabbed some disinfectant wipes, alcohol, and a bandage while she watched me closely.

"You don’t have to keep an eye on me."

"I want to make sure you’re doing it right," she said, making me chuckle a bit.

"You doing okay, babe?" I asked, and she nodded.

"I was terrified, almost had a heart attack, but being here with you makes it all better," she admitted.

Once I finished up, I moved to the tub to wash her off. I cupped her face and gave her a soft kiss. As our lips met, she wrapped her arms around me. After breaking the kiss, she pecked my nose. She noticed the blood on my knuckles and sighed, then took off my jacket and unbuttoned my shirt, revealing a bruise on my side.

She traced her fingertips over the bruise and looked up at me. "Come join me. The blood doesn’t bother me," she said, reaching down to unbuckle my pants.

"Annika."

"Raffaele," she replied. I stripped off the rest of my clothes and climbed in beside her. She shifted all the way back in the tub, signaling for me to sit in front of her. I settled in, and she wrapped her arms around my waist, pulling me closer. It felt like she was trying to comfort me. I leaned back against her chest as she gently ran her fingers through my hair and over my chest. It was quiet, but for the first time, I felt at ease.

This was a new experience for me—her fingers gliding through my hair while the soapy water enveloped me. She pressed a kiss to my cheek, making me sink deeper into relaxation. "I’ve got you," she whispered, and I closed my eyes, completely at peace.