Hello, everyone! I know most of you are waiting for someone else but this is an important part of the story that I simply can not skip. But don't worry, the reception is just around the corner, and by corner I mean the next chapter! Also, Why are people so quick to judge a character they haven't even met yet? What has she done to warrant such hostility? Are these critics threatened by her confidence, mistaking it for arrogance? Or is it a manifestation of internalized misogyny, the belief that women should be meek, submissive, and passive? Let's not forget: a woman's boldness, and outspokenness are qualities to be celebrated, not criticized.
Marco»»»◈«««"Good morning," a soft, feminine voice whispered, gently pulling me from sleep.I blinked awake to find Amy leaning over me, a sly smile playing on her lips. Her hair, still wet, fell in waves around her face, and the towel draped around her body. She leaned closer, her scent enveloped me, a mix of floral notes and something distinctly hers. Her fingers trailed lightly across my chest. "Good morning," I whispered, my voice heavy from sleep, as I raised my hand to caress her cheek. She leaned into my touch, her eyes closing briefly, and a contented sigh escaping her lips. Tonight was our reception. After that, we are supposed to head straight for our honeymoon, just the two of us. I've got no clue what the hell we're supposed to do there. And how the hell am I supposed to manage being out of work, stuck on some fancy yachts, hopping around different countries like a damn tourist? Amy will probably have to take the reins. Guess I'll just have to play the supportive hus
Marco»»»◈«««I couldn't tell how much time had passed as Amy and I remained there, amidst the aftermath of chaos. The once-deafening cacophony had quieted, replaced by the distant murmur of men's voices echoing through the air.The reception venue had turned into a graveyard, with bloodied corpses and wounded men and women sprawled across the floor. Limbs lay twisted at unnatural angles, and the stench of death hung heavy in the air. I couldn't bring myself to avert my eyes from her beautiful face. She had been bleeding for what felt like an eternity, and the sight of her pale, bluish complexion sent waves of dread crashing over me. Blood streaked down from her nose and mouth, a reminder of the brutality she endured for me. I touched her cheek, just like I did this morning but she didn't lean into my touch like she always does. There was no warmth left in her.She was cold, too cold... “Sometimes it feels like I'm living in a dream, and I'm afraid that at any moment, I'll wake up
Marco»»»◈«««I dragged my hand down my face, a week since Amy's death had left me hollow. My beard was overgrown, hair disheveled, but I couldn't summon the energy to care about anything.Each day blurred into the next, a relentless cycle of grief and numbness. It was as if a switch had been flipped in my mind, transforming me into someone unrecognizable, consumed by the singular purpose of avenging Amy. Nothing else mattered. Not until I had my revenge would I find any semblance of myself again.But would it really fix anything? Would avenging her death erase the bitter truth that I betrayed her throughout our entire relationship? That she died believing in a love that was never truly reciprocated?I looked around the table and found no one but the men who had one single vendetta, to obliterate the Bruno Family from existence. Each of them had lost someone or something because of the Bruno Family.Santino Bruno, the scum of the earth, was still rotting away in one of our cells. But
Marco»»»◈«««From the rooftop, I observed as the soldiers patrolled the entrances. With steady aim, I leveled my gun at the head of one of the guards.I tightened my grip on the cold metal of the gun. The world around me seemed to slow as I steadied my aim, focusing solely on my target.With a steady hand, I squeezed the trigger. The gunshot echoed through the night, shattering the silence as the guard collapsed to the ground, a crimson stain spreading across his uniform.Instantly, chaos erupted. Soldiers scrambled for cover, shouting and yelling as they searched for the source of the gunfire. But I remained calm, as I swiftly moved to eliminate the next target.I aimed once more, my breath steady and controlled as I lined up my shot. With a sharp crack, another guard fell, his body crumpling to the ground.The night air was dark as I continued to pick off the soldiers one by one, each shot precise and calculated. And within two minutes, we took out everyone that was outside the gat
Marco»»»◈«««"Gabriele Bruno, per favore, si presenti nell'ufficio del preside." (Gabriele Bruno, please report to the principal's office.)I pressed the gun against the secretary's temple, watching her eyes widen in terror as she spoke on the PA system. Scott swiftly tied the principal to his chair, and then he silenced any protest with a strip of tape over the principal's mouth. "Please, don't kill me..." she whimpered, tears streaming down her face.I turned towards the door, which creaked open slowly. Two small shoes stepped tentatively into the room, followed by the rest of the child. He stood before us, no taller than the damn doorknob.Scott and I immediately concealed our guns, exchanging a silent glance. A soldier stationed outside closed the door, leaving the little boy alone in the room with us.The boy's eyes widened in shock as he took in the sight before him: the principal gagged with tape, his hands bound behind the desk, and tears streaming down the secretary's face.
Marco»»»◈«««Niko had an online meeting call with Vincenzo Capone, he had apparently found the exact location of their weaponry and their safe house. "It's situated in a narrow alleyway in the Spaccanapoli district, a spot known as 'Il Silenzio Oscuro'. I'm confident it's the correct address," he said, running a hand through his hair.Niko raised an eyebrow. "All this time, it was in fucking plain sight. Should have fucking known." I looked down at my hands, still stained with Amy's blood. If Vincenzo was correct, there was nothing to hold us back anymore. We could march right into their home and eliminate them one by one. I could finally kill Emilio Bruno and everyone he loved and cared for.This was the moment I had been waiting for..."There's a basement in that establishment, hidden behind a bookshelf on the east wall. Look for a false panel around there somewhere. Slide it open, and you'll find his arsenal," Vincenzo elaborated."And are you certain it's the last copy of the di
Lilianna»»»◈«««Uncle Emilio grabbed my arm, pulling me forcefully down the stairs. Panic surged through me as I struggled to keep up, my mind racing with fear and uncertainty. "But why?" I asked once more, desperation tainting my tone."Lilianna, I don't have time for your questions right now!" he snapped at me, his words sharp with frustration.I yanked my arm out of his grip, frustration boiling over. "What is it that you're not telling me?! Who took Gabriele?! Is it the same person you are hiding me from?!"He stared at me for a few moments before heaving a sigh, his expression softening slightly. "Everything I do is to protect you all. You, Samuele, and Gabriele—"I cut him off, tears burning at the back of my eyes, frustration, and anguish bubbling up inside me, I hadn't seen my little brother in two weeks, "YET YOU FAILED! Gabriele isn't here, he is just a child, Uncle, and he isn't here," I choked out, "Your enemies took him!" He jabbed a finger at himself, "My enemies?! I w
Lilianna»»»◈«««Marco released me with such force that I staggered, barely managing to keep my balance. For a moment, my mind struggled to comprehend the situation; the last memory I had of him was gentle, and everything unfolding before me now felt like a nightmare turned reality.This... this can't be real, can it?Did he really just accuse Uncle Emilio of killing his wife?Gabriele and Samuele's cries echoed through the room, their voices raw with fear and anguish. They pleaded for mercy, but their pleas fell on deaf ears as the men continued their assault on Uncle Emilio. With each blow, his body convulsed in pain, yet the attackers showed no sign of stopping. As I watched in horror, a sense of helplessness washed over me, paralyzing my every move.I reached up to touch my neck, feeling the lingering ache from Marco's vice-like grip. The memory of his touch sent shivers down my spine, as if his hand were still wrapped around my throat, squeezing the life out of me. "Shoot every