Chapter six

Stefan

The past seven days have been soaked in blood and silence, days I have spent buried beneath the Rossi estate, in the cold basement where screams echo like hymns. I have been torturing these pathetic cowards who thought they could sabotage my marriage and walk away untouched.

Seven fucking days, and not a single useful lead.

I stood over the trembling mess of a man chained to the rusted chair, his sweat mixing with blood, staining the concrete floor.

“Matteo,” I said coldly, “cut his dick off. Make him chew it.”

Matteo didn’t even blink he lives for this, my third

in command step forward, pulling out a pair of surgical scissors from the blood spattered toolbox.

“Gladly, boss,” he said with a devil’s grin.

“Please! I’ll talk!” the bastard shrieked, his voice breaking like a child’s. He whimpered and pissed himself, and yet he dared to look me in the eye.

They think I’ve gone soft, that i have been so buried in my legitimate businesses that I’ve forgotten who the fuck I am. But I’m still Stefan Rossi. Still the name whispered in the dark with fear and respect.

They made me look weak. And for that, i will paint the streets in their blood until the rats drag their bones through the gutters.

But this one, this one had the audacity to beg, to bargain.

“I’ll talk, but only if we make a deal,” he rasped.

A deal? This piece of shit thinks he has leverage. I lean down until our faces were inches apart,

“You already got a deal,” I whispered coldly. “You die fast, or slow.”

And tonight, I was in no mood for mercy.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, I glanced at my men men, my voice low but sharp. “Make sure he talks, I don’t care how.”

Without waiting for a reply, I turned and climbed out of the basement, answering the call as I walked.

“I’ll be there soon,” I said flatly, ending the call and sliding the phone back into my pocket.

“Take me to the office,” I told my driver as I slid into the backseat. My mother was already waiting.

“ congratulations on your wedding “ The moment I stepped into my office. She was already there seated, poised, with her back to me, gazing out of the floor to ceiling windows that offered a vivid view of the entire city. From this height, the world looked small tame, I have always loved this view, It reminds me of the power I wield, of the empire I have built with blood, sweat and strategy. Every street, every corner, every breath of this city answers to me.

I didn’t need to see her face to know why she was here. Her refusal to turn around and face me was louder than any insult she could have voiced.

I closed the door behind me with more force than necessary and crossed the room, refusing to show even a flicker of hesitation. I stood a few feet away from her and spoke with a cold edge in my voice,

“If you came all this way just to scold me for my choice of bride, then do me the favor of getting on with it quickly,” I said, voice full of fury. “As you well know, I am a busy man. Or have you forgotten the weight of the crown you help place on my head?”

She still didn’t turn.

I took a breath, sharper this time. “And thank you,” I added bitterly, “for your show of disapproval and your absence at your only son's wedding was louder than a thousand protests, Message received.”

She turned slowly, her eyes locking with mine, cold and accusing.

“I was handling business, and that wedding, It was too damn sudden. You could’ve picked someone powerful, at least someone from your little collection of puppets, you know Rosemary is somewhere laughing her ass off. Hell, you could’ve picked Vicky. At least for once in her miserable life, your grandmother is right and I agree with her. “

I stared at her, jaw tight, the irony my mother and Nonna could barely be in the same room without venom, yet finally unite against my marriage.

“I don’t give a damn what Rosemary thinks, we are no longer together, and God forbid I ever stoop so low as to marry someone like Vicky. I don’t care if you and Nonna disapprove, She is my wife, and nothing either of you says will change that. Your husband chose her, and I chose to honor that.”

I was exhausted from having to tell remind them that, it is my choice and they have to keep their opinions.

She exhaled, brushing imaginary dust off her sleeve, before her next words cut through me like blade.

“Fine, just so you know, I went to see your wife, she is awake, and honestly I think she’s already regretting tying herself to you. Because explain to me how two damn seconds into this marriage, your bride gets shot?” Her voice was calm, but every word was laced with venom. “If you’re going to be married , at least be man enough to protect her. It’s disgraceful that a man with your name, your power, can’t even keep his wife safe.”

She rose from her chair, heels clicking on the floor, as she walked out without another word.