5| Ruin Her.

LAZZARO

I couldn’t wait to fuck and ruin that woman. She was so sexy that I could barely control myself around her. One thing that I knew was that I would never force myself on her. I never forced myself on women; they always begged to have a piece of me. And Alma was no different.

It might take a while, but she would beg for me, and I would do her as I pleased. I would fuck her, mess her up, and make her father watch as she withered away right before his eyes. And he wouldn’t be able to do anything about it.

Talking about Lamberto, I had agreed to meet up with him at one of the restaurants owned by my family. One of the many establishments we used to wash money. I got there before him and settled in one of the seats with my legs crossed and a file on the table before me.

I lifted my wrist and checked the time on my clock. There was one minute left until the time we had agreed to meet, and I made a mental note to kill him if he came late or, even worse, if he dared stand me up.

Just as I finished having that thought, two familiar faces walked through the large glass door, and they were being ushered to where I was seated by one of the waitresses. It was Lamberto Martelli, and he was in the company of his nephew—Fabio Martelli—the second in command of the Martelli Famiglia.

“What do you want?” Lamberto went straight to the point as he slipped on the chair opposite me.

“Your daughter,” I replied coldly.

“You are not taking Alma, and you will return her to us!” Fabio groaned, his rage palpable in the way he banged his fist on the table.

“Stop acting like a little boy and sit!” I gritted, pointing firmly at his seat. I had zero patience, and I swore I would kill that man if he pissed me off more.

He was about to explode again when his uncle cautioned, “Fabio.”

Once the fucker had stopped throwing tantrums, we continued.

“Ask for something else. Not Alma. My daughter just died. Have you no fucking heart?!” Lamberto shook his head exasperatedly.

“That’s rich,” I scoffed, leaning back in my seat. “Coming from you.”

“Even if you presented that in court, I have the best legal team. They would clear me.”

“Oh, would they?” I couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped my throat.

“How did you even get this?!” he groaned with a clenched jaw.

“I have my sources.”

He swiped his hand across his face in tension and adjusted restlessly on his seat. “I am not going to allow you to threaten me with this.”

“If you have forgotten what that document contains, I’ll reiterate it for you,” I reached for the file on the table and tipped it forward.

“For years, you and your men ran a sex trafficking ring, which included minors. Couldn't you see how disgusting that was? Although you have stopped, your men forgot to tie up every loose end. There are witnesses. A whole lot of them who are more than willing to testify against you in court. So, Lamberto—” I leaned in, looking straight into his dark, cold eyes. “I would ask you again, would your legal team be able to get you out of this?”

I had had this evidence for a long time, but I was just waiting for the right time to strike with it. Oh, and I would surely ruin him with it.

“Fuck!” he groaned, and I could see defeat written all over his face.

“All I have to do is say the word, and—”

“Fine!” he growled. “Fine, Lazzaro! You win! Let’s sign the fucking contract, and let me promise you something.” He leaned in, meeting my dark gaze with his equally deadly one. “I will find a way to get you!”

“Well then...” I opened my arms wide and shrugged. “Be my guest.”

When I got home, one of my maids approached me with concern on her face.

“Welcome, sir.”

“Any issues?” I asked as I continued walking.

“The lady has refused to eat,” she told me as she tried to catch up with me. “I am afraid she will pass out again if she doesn’t eat. She looks very weak and pale. And she is behaving really strangely. Everything in the room is all over the place. I don’t know what is wrong with her.”

“Bring the food to her room. Now,” I groaned as I rolled up my sleeves and changed direction, heading to Alma’s room.

When I got there, my brows furrowed when I saw my twins, Giovanni and Gianna, tossing around the bed with Alma looking frustrated at the foot of the bed.

They all turned their attention to me, Gio and Gia smiling wildly at me. I wasn’t even surprised to see them here, knowing how curious and adventurous my kids are.

“Papa!” They both beamed as they climbed off the bed and ran to me, wrapping their tiny arms around my legs.

I leaned forward and ruffled their hair while they giggled.

Alma, on the other hand, had a frown permanently slated on her face as she glared at me.

The heap of bedding and curtains at the center of the room drew my attention, and I frowned.

“What is this?” I groaned.

“They have a really weird smell. I gathered them for dry cleaning,” she said, scratching the back of her neck nervously.

I darted my gaze at the open windows before looking back at her, the frown on my face deepening.

“Are you trying to escape, Alma?”