Chapter-25 News (Part 1)

Gianna

The scream was terrifying enough to freeze my blood.

My eyes shot open and fell straight on the ceiling, the LED lights embedded in it still twinkling. I just lay there, my heart hammering in my chest so loud that I could hear it.

“You’re up,”

I blinked twice at his familiar voice and then sat up at lightning speed, my body tensing up as we both stared at each other. Nico stood by the bed, a glass of orange juice in hand, and he was still in those low-hanging jeans. Thankfully, there was no more blood splattered across his face and body.

“You’re running out of fingers.”

Bile crept up my throat as the memories slammed into me. What he did to that man… I didn’t know how to erase the images now seared into my mind. I knew Nico was deemed as deadly but I didn’t know he was capable of…that.

“Drink,” he handed me the glass, his face impassive. Like nothing happened. Like he didn’t just chop off the fingers of a living, breathing man while he was perfectly conscious.

“How could you?” I whispered, my voice somehow hoarse.

Nico stared silently at me for a bit before placing the glass on the side table and sitting down beside me. I couldn’t help but move away from his reach reflexively, pulling my knees up to my chin.

“What were you doing there?” he asked, sounding exhausted.

“That’s not the answer to my question,” I snapped, glaring at him. Nico’s face hardened but I could see he was trying to keep his calm.

“It wasn’t like it seemed,” I wanted to snort at that response. There was just simply no other way for me to interpret what he was doing there.

“You cut off his fingers like you were slicing vegetables, Nico!” I burst out, my voice shaking. “And the worst part? You liked it.”

Nico’s eyes darkened. And much to my horror, he didn’t deny it. He just nodded.

“I did, I am not going to deny that and give you bullshit excuses,” he answered. “People like him deserve that.”

“No one deserves to be treated like that, Nico!” I said. “That’s inhuman and brutal.”

“That’s what happens when you mess with my businesses,” he snapped, startling me a bit. “He is one of them… the ones who were destroying my shipments for so long. Because of that bastard, Domani is in the hospital now undergoing fucking surgery. So yes, he deserved every bit of that and he will get more if he doesn’t open his fucking mouth soon.”

I had no idea how to respond to that. His anger was justified. But I do not believe that kind of brutality was needed. It was just horrible and disgusting.

“You could just have asked him…or maybe beaten him up a bit but that…” I closed my eyes, fighting the nausea. There was so much blood and those fingers…

“I wish the world was as simple and perfect as it is in your imagination, Gianna,” Nico grimaced, running his fingers through his already tousled hair. “But sorry to be the bearer of bad news…it’s not. Leo will probably kill me if he finds out about this but to be honest, I think he set you up for disappointment with his overly protective upbringing of yours…”

“That’s not true…!” I protested, glaring at him.

“Is it not?” he demanded, his voice cold. “Do you know the kind of world you live in? There is a world beyond the fancy clothes and fancy cars and the perfect life Leo and Xavier have given you. And you cannot imagine how dark, disgusting and dangerous that world is Gianna. It’s far from your Barbieland,”

That felt like a tight slap on my face.

“I’m sorry I was brought up that way,” I said, my voice sharper than I intended. “Sorry I didn’t grow up with blood under my nails or corpses at my feet. What should my punishment be for that, Nico? Should I go and break a few fingers of my own? Would that finally make me worth something to you? Because clearly, the way I was raised seems to offend you a lot.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Nico hissed, looking angry now.

“I can’t see it any other way…” I whispered, and climbing down the bed, I headed for the door. I really didn’t want to be anywhere near him at the moment.

“For fucks sake, Gianna,” Nico grimaced and caught my arm before I could take even two steps forward. I started to protest, but he tugged me hard, pulling me flush against his chest, his dark eyes burning into mine.

“Let me go, Nico,” I warned, wriggling against his grasp.

“You are making it much harder for me then it needs to be,” he snapped. “Why can’t you just…why can’t you just…”

“Just what?” I demanded.

“Stop meddling in my business?” he said, looking pissed. “That was not for you to see. I have told you…I have warned you so many times before to mind your fucking business. I am not what you think I am and you need to stay AWAY! Yet you keep playing with fire. That—that man you saw in that room is who I am. And this is the reality, Gianna. The world we live in is dark and disgusting. There is blood on each of our hands—including your brothers. People are murdered like animals everyday, little kids are being raped, women are sold off to monsters who beat them and fuck them senseless for amusement…this is the reality.”

“And you think I don’t know that?” My voice trembled, but I didn’t look away. “Every time Leo came home with blood on his collar. Every time Xavier went silent when I asked where he had been. I’ve grown up with secrets behind smiles and pain behind power. Don’t treat me like a porcelain doll needing protection.”

He opened his mouth, but I cut him off, stepping closer.

“You think I wanted to see that tonight? That I enjoyed watching you rip a man apart?” My throat tightened, but I didn’t stop. “I wanted to throw up, Nico. I still want to. But despite everything… despite the blood, the screams, the way you looked at him like he was nothing, the pleasure in your eyes on torturing him—I still don’t believe you’re like the monsters you just described.” Nico’s jaw clenched, his face hardening.

“I don’t believe you would hurt someone innocent,” I said softly, my voice breaking. “You’re not like them, Nico. You’re not.”

For a moment, he said nothing. Just stared at me like I was speaking a language he didn’t understand. Then he looked away.

“You’re wrong,” he said quietly. “Because I have hurt an innocent, Gianna.” His voice was low. Hollow.

“And the worst part?” he went on, his eyes finally meeting mine. “I still stand here like nothing’s wrong because that’s who I am.”

“I don’t believe that,” I said, my voice firm. “You can’t scare me away.” Nico took a deep breath and released his grip on my arm.

“Then you’re just setting yourself up for more disappointment,” he said flatly. “And you can’t say that I didn’t warn you. Get some sleep, Gianna. I will let you rest…” He turned and headed to the walk-in, leaving me standing there like a complete fool.

“Where are you going?” I asked quietly as he came out a few minutes later—wearing a shirt this time.

“I still have some answers to get. Then I need to check on Domani.” He didn’t look at me. “Don’t wait up. I might not be home anytime soon.” My chest tightened, frustration rising so fast it stung behind my eyes.

“And Gianna…” he halted at the door, turning slightly to glance back.“Don’t go traipsing around in the dark again. There are things in this place that aren’t meant for your eyes.”

And then he was gone. The door clicked shut behind him.

I flopped down on the bed, staring at the space he left behind. My chest felt tight. Not from fear. Not from what I’d seen. But from the way he kept trying to shut me out like I hadn’t already seen the worst of him and stayed. What could be worse than this?

But this was enough. Things need to change now. And if he won’t let me into his heart, then as Teresa suggested…I am going to start somewhere else. I didn’t say it out loud, but the decision settled inside me like a quiet vow.

If he didn’t want love, I wouldn’t offer it. Not in words. I was done begging.

Now... I’d show him exactly what it felt like to lose control.