chapter 19

Ravaged & Ruined by Daddy's Enemies

Chapter 19: Ambush on the Road (Elena's POV)

The morning after the breakfast mess I wake up empty. No fight left or tears. Just quiet acceptance. I sit on the bed stare at the wall for a long time. Daddy knocks soft asks if I'm okay. I say yes voice flat.

I shower dress in simple jeans and a sweater from the closet. Old clothes feel strange on my body now. Too clean too safe. I pack the small bag myself put in the few things I still care about. A book. A necklace. Nothing from them. Nothing that hurts.

Downstairs Daddy waits with coffee. He looks relieved when he sees me dressed packed.

"You're ready," he says soft.

I nod. "Let's go."

He smiles small hopeful. "This is the right choice baby girl. You'll see."

We load the car. Same black SUV. Daddy drives. No guards this time just us. The maid stays behind to clean. The gate opens slow we pull onto the road.

The drive starts quiet. Highway wide open sky gray. Daddy talks a little about the new house how peaceful it is how we can plant a garden how I can go to school if I want. I listen nod sometimes. My mind is blank. I stare out the window watch trees flash by.

Inside I feel nothing. The ache between my legs is gone. The memories of them are dull now like old photos fading. I tell myself it's better this way. Safe. Normal. No more pain.

We drive for hours. Daddy stops once for gas food. I eat a sandwich in the car which taste horrible. He tries to make conversation asks if I'm hungry or I'm cold. I say no.

Afternoon comes sun low. The road gets narrower trees thicker. Fewer cars. Daddy relaxes a little hums to the radio.

Then I see it.

A black truck behind us. Close too close. Daddy notices checks the mirror frowns.

"Probably nothing," he says but his hands tighten on the wheel.

The truck speeds up pulls alongside. Windows tinted dark.

Daddy curses low presses the gas.

The truck matches speed. Side door slides open. A man leans out gun in hand.

"Pull over Vittorio!" the man shouts voice muffled by wind.

Daddy swerves hard. The car jerks I grab the door. Gunshots crack loud. Bullets hit the side mirror glass shatters.

Daddy yells "Get down!"

I duck head between my knees heart slamming.

More shots. Tires screech metal screams.

The car spins. Daddy fights the wheel. We hit the shoulder dirt flies up.

The truck cuts in front blocks the road.

Doors open men jump out guns raised.

Matteo steps out first black coat wind whipping. Luca beside him Nico behind.

Daddy pulls a gun from under the seat aims through the broken window.

"Stay back!" he shouts voice shaking.

Matteo raises his hands slow. "Put it down Vittorio. We just want the girl."

Daddy laughs bitter. "She's my daughter. Not yours."

Matteo looks at me through the window eyes dark intense. "Elena. Come here."

I freeze. My body wants to move toward him. My heart pounds loud.

Daddy grabs my arm pulls me close. "Don't listen to them baby. They only want to hurt you again."

More men step out from the truck guns pointed.

Luca shouts "Let her go or we open fire!"

Daddy's hand shakes gun steady on Matteo.

I look at Matteo. See the pain in his eyes the anger the need.

I look at Daddy. See the fear the love the desperation.

I pull away from Daddy's grip open the door step out slow.

"Elena no!" Daddy yells.

I walk toward Matteo legs shaking.

Matteo lowers his gun steps forward.

Gunshot cracks.

Daddy fires.

The bullet hits Matteo's shoulder blood blooms dark on his coat.

Matteo staggers but doesn't fall.

Luca and Nico fire back.

Bullets fly everywhere.

Daddy screams pulls me back toward the car.

I fight him kick scream.

"Stop! Let me go!"

Another shot.

Daddy grunts stumbles. Blood spreads on his shoulder.

He drops the gun grabs his arm.

Matteo rushes forward grabs me pulls me behind him.

Luca and Nico cover us guns still raised.

Daddy falls to his knees blood soaking his shirt.

"Elena..." he whispers voice weak.

I look at him tears streaming. "Daddy..."

Matteo holds me tight arm around my waist gun still in his other hand.

Luca steps forward kicks Daddy's gun away.

"Stay down old man," Luca growls.

Nico looks at Matteo's shoulder. "We need to move. Now."

Matteo nods pulls me toward the truck.

I look back at Daddy on the ground bleeding eyes wide with pain and shock.

He reaches for me hand shaking.

"Elena... please..."

I feel the pull. The old love. The guilt.

But Matteo's arm is strong around me.

His voice low in my ear. "Come with us princess. You're ours."

I look at Daddy one last time.

Then I turn.

I walk to the truck.

Matteo helps me in.

The door slams.

The truck roars to life.

We speed away.

Daddy's figure gets smaller in the dust.

Bleeding.

Alone.

And I don't look back.

The road blurs.

Matteo pulls me close kisses my temple.

"You're safe now," he whispers.

I nod tears falling.

Safe.

With them.

Again.

But Daddy's blood is on the road behind us.

And I know this war isn't over.

It's just getting started.

The truck races into the distance.

And I feel the heat return low in my belly.

The ache I thought was gone.

It's back.

Stronger.

Because I'm theirs again.

And this time...

I'm never letting go.