chapter 11

Chapter 11: Cracks in the Dark (Elena's POV)

The back room door stays closed behind us but nobody moves right away. The air feels thick heavy with smoke and tension. Five men wait inside all Daddy's old crew. They sit on worn leather couches eyes fixed on me like I'm a ghost they don't recognize anymore. No one touches me. No one even stands up. They just stare.

Matteo stays by the door arms folded. Luca leans against the wall Nico beside him. The energy shifts something cold settles over everything.

Marco the one with the scar speaks first voice low rough. "We didn't come to watch a show Elena. We came because the boss... he's falling apart."

I pull the robe tighter around me suddenly feel naked in a different way. The dress underneath feels too thin too small. My skin still tingles from the bar from Matteo's fingers but the heat fades fast replaced by something heavier guilt maybe or just plain sadness.

"What do you mean falling apart?" I ask quiet.

Marco rubs his face looks tired older than I remember. "He hasn't slept. Hasn't eaten. Locked himself in the study since he got back from the villa. Keeps staring at old pictures of you. The ones from when you were small. He blames himself for everything."

My chest tightens. I picture Daddy alone in that big room surrounded by books and whiskey bottles eyes red from crying or not crying. The man who used to carry me on his shoulders who promised nothing bad would ever touch me.

Luca shifts uncomfortable. "He made his bed. He betrayed people. Lost people. This is payback."

Marco looks at Luca hard. "Payback on a girl who had nothing to do with it? She's his kid man. His only kid."

Silence stretches long uncomfortable.

I step forward legs shaky. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because he sent us," Marco says. "Not to fight. Not to drag you out. He said... if you still want to come home even now... the door's open.. Just come home Elena. He misses his daughter."

The words hit like a punch. Tears burn behind my eyes fast sudden. I blink hard try to push them down but one slips free rolls down my cheek.

Matteo tenses behind me. His hand finds my waist squeezes gentle warning.

I look at Marco at the others. Men who used to bring me candy sneak me extra dessert when Daddy wasn't looking. Men who taught me how to shoot a gun when I was fourteen just in case. They look at me now with pity not lust. Pity hurts worse.

"I can't," I whisper. Voice cracks. "I don't know how to go back to that girl anymore."

Marco nods slow like he expected it. "He thought you might say that. He said to tell you... he's sorry. For keeping you locked away. For not letting you live. For thinking protection meant a cage. He said if you ever change your mind... he'll be waiting. No matter how long, just come home."

Another tear falls. Then another. I wipe them quick angry at myself for crying in front of everyone.

Nico steps closer voice softer than usual. "You don't have to decide tonight princess."

But I already feel it the crack inside me widening. The part that still loves Daddy the little girl who ran to him when she scraped her knee. She's still there buried under all the marks all the memories of being taken over and over.

Matteo turns me to face him cups my face thumbs brush away the tears. His eyes search mine careful almost gentle.

"You want to go to him?" he asks quiet so only I hear. "Say the word. We let you walk out that door right now."

My heart stutters. Part of me wants to run. Wants the safety the old life the hugs without chains without cum without shame.

But the other part remembers the fire in my blood the way my body sings when they touch me the dark freedom of being wanted so hard it hurts.

I shake my head slow. "No. I stay."

Matteo's shoulders relax just a fraction. He kisses my forehead long lingering.

Marco stands up slow. "We told him what you'd say. He'll hurt more now but... at least he knows you're choosing."

The men file out quiet one by one. Marco pauses at the door looks back at me.

"Take care of yourself little miss," he says soft. "Whatever you choose."

The door closes.

The room empties.

I stand there shaking tears still falling. Matteo pulls me into his arms holds me tight. Luca and Nico come close one on each side hands on my back my shoulders.

No one speaks for a long time.

Then Matteo whispers against my hair. "You're not alone in this Elena. Not anymore."

I nod bury my face in his chest. Smell smoke cologne him.

But deep down I know something changed tonight.

The war isn't just outside anymore.

It's inside me too.

And tomorrow when Daddy wakes up without his daughter...

I don't know what he'll do.

But I know it won't be quiet.

And whatever comes next...

It might break all of us.