Chapter 10 - The Final Test

Back in Vibo Valentia in the dimly lit room, in the early hours of the morning, while seated at his desk in his office, and a bottle of Gin in front of him, Drake's eyes flickered as a storm raged within him. His fingers drummed rhythmically on the polished mahogany table, each tap echoing like a heartbeat in the stillness. The silence deadly eerie as he contemplated his next move.

"Bring me, Fabrizo!" he ordered.

A short while later, Pablo Fabrizio entered de Marco's office.

Drake de Marco sat motionless, his eyes locked onto the clear liquid in his glass. The silence in the room was thick and suffocating. A storm raged within him.

Finally, he exhaled sharply and slammed the glass onto the desk, the sharp sound cutting through the stillness like a gunshot.

"You swore that your plan would work. That plan has left me with a bullet wound and no leverage. Morelli burned through our operation like a bat out of hell."

Fabrizio’s expression remained impassive, though his fingers twitched slightly—a tell. "Things got complicated. Morelli was supposed to hesitate, not charge in like a mad dog with an army at his back. I underslestimated my daughter's resolve."

Drake's fist crashed against the desk, sending the glass tumbling over, spilling gin across the polished surface. "Morelli always comes with fire and fury, you imbecile! You assured me Talana would break, but she didn’t." His voice dropped to a menacing whisper. "And now I’m sitting here bleeding while you still have the audacity to breathe in my presence."

Drake stared at him for a long moment, the air between them charged with unspoken threats. Then, ever so slowly, he smiled—a predator’s smile, one that promised nothing but pain.

He leaned in, his voice dripping with mock amusement. "You failed me, Fabrizio. Remember who pays your debts!"

Taking a long sip from the bottle instead, letting the alcohol burn through his fury, de Marco set it down with a soft clink, as he fixed Fabrizio with a look that sent ice down the man's spine.

"Mark my words, Fabrizio. Your debt to me has just doubled. And if you fail me again…" His voice was almost gentle now, which made it all the more terrifying. "I’ll carve my disappointment into your family myself."

"Now," he said, the steel returning to his voice. "Let's talk about how we're going to fix this mess. And how you plan to get your daughter to be with me."

Meanwhile, back in Catanzaro, Talana was getting for her final showdown before she and Massimo headed back to Reggio Calabria. The skies we tinging with a deep orange hue as the sun began to rise over th horizon.

"You up early, angel?" he grinned. Seeing her so early made his world seem lighter.

"I have to show you and grandfather what I am made of. My last showdown before we head back home," she smiled, wrapping her arms around his muscular torso, ready to prove herself one last time.

"Morning poppet," Roberto Sanchiano greeted his granddaughter.

"Grandfather, uncle," she smiled as she prepared for the last day of her training.

Armando put Talana through all the tests, and with each test, she excelled better than she had the whole week. Her final test was up against the one and only Massimo Morrelli. Few had beaten him in martial arts, and few had beaten him on the firing range.

"Ready for your ultimate test, angel?" he smirked.

"Anytime," she laughed.

"I like your fire and determination, baby girl. Now let's see if you can handle me," he smirked.

Talana hardly had time to think when Massimo came at her with full force, holding nothing back. He didn't want to hurt her, but he knew this was for the best.

Talana dodged each attack that Massimo threw in her direction, each punch, each kick, and each attempted chokehold. Her movements were fluid, precise, and concise. He came at her faster with each movement swinging her legs from underneath her as her body hit hard to the ground , but before he could pin her, she rolled and used his own tactics against him, getting him to drop to the ground.

The men around applauded her tenacity, vivaciousness, and her agility.

Wiping the blood from his lips, Massimo arose with a smirk, "That was good angel. you fight like a demon," his voice, a low growl.

"And you fight like a brute," she roared with laughter, though her glare was defiant.

Grabbing her from behind, he commanded, "Yield!"

"Never!" she resisted.

As her pulled her down to the ground, Talana swiftly flipped him over onto his back and straddled him, her hands pinning his arms.

"You're playing a dangerous game here, angel," he uttered, feeling his member rising to the occasion.

The crowd again erupted into cheers seeing their Dona in action.

Massimo blinked up at her. A slow satifisfy smile etched on his lips. "Bella Mia, I have a training partner at last. I think I'm in love."

"That took you long enough to figure out," she grinned, breathless but satisfied.

From the sidelines, Roberto and Armando watched as they exchanged knowing glances.

"She's ready," Roberto uttered.

"Yes, and she will be Massimo's greatest weapon, and he hers," Armando confirmed.

"You win this round angel," he whispered in her ear as he pulled her closer to him.

"And the next round," she challenged.

"I don't mind losing to you more, mio, but when we get back to the villa, you have unfinished business," his laughter rumbled through his chest.

Down on the firing range, Massimo was the best sniper shooter there was. Handing her the sniper gun he had bought her, he said, "You've impressed me so far, Bella mia. Now let's see if you can outshoot me."

"Ummm, so you're finally admitting I may be better than you," she cooked an eyebrow.

A deep laughter rumbled in the air, "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, angel, I've been doing this way longer than you," he taunted.

"Then let's settle this once and for all," she challenged him.

Talana matched Massimo's shots, shot for shots.

Nine rounds later, their targets were riddled with holes. Neither had missed the Bullseye.

"Damn, that's close," Armando admitted.

"Too close, Roberto responded in agreement.

"A draw!" Roberto pronounced, "both equally good."

"I guess I'm not as bad as you thought," she grinned.

"Not bad at all, bella mia," he said, his gaze burning into hers. "In fact.." he whispered as he leaned in, "You're goddamn lethal. And I think I like it a little too much."

"Just wait till we get back to Reggio and let me get started," she smiled.

"Good, because I want you by my side when we burn down all those that have done you and Rosslina Sanchiano harm." His words full of promise.

"She's ready. When the time comes, they won't know what hit them.

Later that afternoon, Massimo, Gianna, and Talana headed back to Reggio.