Chapter 2

Giovanni returned shortly after leaving. He looked far more haggard and disheveled than he had earlier in the day.

His wool coat was creased, and his eyes were bloodshot. Even his usually immaculate hair was in disarray.

He stood rooted to the spot, as if weighing his options. After a long moment, he finally spoke, "Even after we agreed to the Messina family's ceasefire, Don Messina still refused to release Valentina. They said they'd let her go only if they could have you in return."

At that, I looked up at him.

Giovanni met my gaze. His voice was devoid of warmth as he continued, "Chiara, you've been kidnapped before, so you know what it's like. But Valentina is just a college student. I'm afraid she won't be able to handle it."

For a moment, it felt like something kept piercing my heart, the pain stealing my breath.

Giovanni seemed to have completely forgotten that I, too, had once lived a happy life. Growing up, my biggest worry had been dodging ants on the sidewalk.

It was because of him that I had been kidnapped. Even then, he hadn't uttered a single word of concern.

I took a deep breath, suppressing the pain.

"Fine. But I have one condition. I want 10% of the Santoro family's shares," I replied, my voice calm and cold.

The Santoros were one of the top two mafia families in New Albion. Even owning just 10% of their shares was enough to shake the city.

Giovanni clearly hadn't expected me to agree so easily. As if afraid I might change my mind, he answered without hesitation, "Va bene. I agree."

…

Soon, the share transfer agreement was printed.

I watched Giovanni sign at the bottom. Once I was sure everything was in order, I rose with a smile and followed him to rescue Valentina.

As the convoy assembled, hushed murmurs from his men drifted to my ears.

"Poor Donna Santoro," one of them began. "I can't believe she traded her life for Don Santoro's mistress."

Another chimed in, "What choice did she have? If she hadn't agreed, he'd have divorced her for sure."

I almost laughed out loud.

What a joke. Since this was my own decision, I could handle a little risk.

After all, I was walking away with 10% of the Santoros' shares. Love meant nothing compared with power.

…

Once the exchange was completed, my hands were bound behind me, and they pinned me to a chair.

Giovanni, on the other hand, rushed to Valentina, hastily undoing the ropes around her wrists. He held her hands and murmured reassurances.

All the while, his eyes scanned her from head to toe, afraid he might miss even the smallest injury.

I sat there, watching the scene unfold. Yet, I felt strangely calm.

Franco Messina, Don of the Messina family, glanced at me before returning his attention to Giovanni and Valentina.

A faint, inscrutable smile tugged at his lips. Then, he looked at me again.

"So, this is the marriage you dreamed of? And that's the man you fell in love with?" he asked, his tone both amused and mocking.

I looked away and said, "We meet again."

After my kidnapping, the investigation revealed that Franco had once been the boy who lived next door to me.

Back then, his skin was tanned, and he had a way of capturing attention effortlessly.

Having won the football game, Franco removed his gear and glanced up at the stands. It was as if he were searching for someone.

Later, I realized he had been looking at me.

After that, he pressed the medal into my hand. His tone was carefree but firm, leaving no room for refusal.

However, at the time, I only had eyes for Giovanni. It wasn't until he had betrayed me again and again that I finally gave up on him.

Now, Franco and I crossed paths again. But this time, it was in the most awkward and ridiculous of situations.

In the distance, Giovanni finally lifted his head, having ensured Valentina was unharmed. His expression darkened instantly.

He drew a gun, swinging it in the air before fixing it on Franco and me.

"Anyone who harms Valentina will pay the price," Giovanni stated, his calm voice laced with deadly intent.

Franco let out a cold chuckle before drawing his gun without hurry. As soon as he released the safety, figures emerged from the shadows.

Dark barrels rose in unison, all aimed at Giovanni.

"Chiara is still here," said Franco.

I wasn't sure if I was imagining it, but I thought I detected a flicker of unease in his voice.

I shook my head, dismissing the thought. He was the Don of the Messina family, after all. What could possibly make him nervous?

Giovanni chuckled softly, yet his eyes remained cold. "You made me bring my wife here, and now, you're telling me no one is to hurt her?"

In an instant, he aimed his gun at me, saying, "Chiara Ricci, I knew this had something to do with you. Did you stage the last abduction, too?"

As he spoke, he pulled a photo from his pocket. It was a picture of Franco and me as children.

Giovanni went on, "I had my men look into it. Apparently, Don Messina's childhood home was right next door to the Ricci family's."

In the blink of an eye, a gunshot tore through the air.

The bullet ripped through my chest, the force hurling me backward. The jeweled necklace on my chest shattered, and the gemstones scattered across the cold floor.

My eyes widened in shock. The heartache I felt far outweighed the tearing agony coursing through my body.

That necklace was the only thing my mother had left me.