Chapter 57

Georgia's POV

There was no doubt that he didn’t like my challenge.

Was this even worth it anymore?

I had crossed boundaries I shouldn’t have had any business going on all for the sake of my… jealousy?

My eyes trailed up and back to Don Salvatore whose thumb continued moving over the engraving on the pendant.

If only I could read minds…

Could Soraya somehow be related to this man? Perharps his daughter… that would explain this weird expression in his face.

But if she was related to the brothers…

“You came here asking what I would pay for information about my sons,” he finally said, causing me to push my thoughts to the side in time to see him place the pendant back on the table. “Yet you present me with something that has absolutely nothing to do with them?”

“Doesn’t it?” I replied almost immediately and his eyes lifted to mine.

Even I was shocked at the audacity I was yielding.

I leaned forward slightly however, “Because judging from your reaction, Mr. Salvatore, I think it has everything to do with YOU.”

One of the men standing behind me moved again.

This time, I turned my head, “If he keeps shifting around like that, I’m going to start thinking he’s constipated… that shit you are trying to pull won’t work just so you know.”

The guard had a poker face that remained unmoved, even at my threats but Don Salvatore chuckled.

“You’re either very brave or incredibly stupid, Georgia.” The threats rolled off his tongue so casually big I was so convinced I had the upper hand here.

“I’ve been called both.”

He was quick to ask, “By my sons?”

My smile faltered for barely a second.

He hummed as he leaned back in his chair, “So you aren’t just a fucking snitch but you know them personally.”

Did he think he was smart by pointing that out?

“I never said I didn’t.”

He nodded, “How personally?”

I raised an eyebrow as I replied, not exactly sure where he was going with this, “That depends on why you’re asking.”

His smile disappeared.

“Where are my sons?”

I sighed and was about to throw a smart ass comment when he continued.

“Draven, Mateo and Lucas disappeared from my reach years ago. I know they have moved several times since then, changed their operation routes and eliminated almost everyone I managed to place close to them.” His fingers began tapping against the table again. “Now you walk into MY building carrying that pendant and claiming you know where they are.”

I studied him carefully.

Something about the way he spoke about them bothered me… now I thought about it, not once had he asked if they were alive or if they were safe.

All he wanted was their location.

I had expected a difficult relationship, mostly because the brothers never spoke about their father unless absolutely necessary, and even then, Draven’s expression usually became murderous.

But this was different.

This wasn’t a father looking for his sons, it had to be something else.

“They’re doing well, and it might shock you but out of sight, they have somehow built a very impressive empire… one even you can’t break.” I said deliberately.

His expression remained unchanged.

“How impressive is this business?”

I smirked, “For a man that has just gone about explaining how your ADULT sons left, not once did you ask if they were okay.”

His eyes narrowed.

“Excuse me?”

“I said you haven’t asked whether your sons are okay. You haven’t asked if they’re alive, injured or starving somewhere. The first thing you asked was where they were, and now you’re asking about their organisation.”

The room suddenly felt colder.

I realized then that I should have probably kept my mouth shut, but when has that ever been one of my strengths?

Don Salvatore leaned forward, matching my stance, “My sons do not starve.”

At least he knew that much.

“How many men work for them?”

I laughed softly, “You really don’t waste time.”

“How many?” He pushed, with no hint of Amy sent in his voice.

“I don’t know.”

It wasn’t entirely a lie.

The brothers had people scattered across different countries and cities. Some worked directly for them while others handled businesses that were technically independent but still answered to the Salvatore name.

Even I didn't even know the exact number.

He looked unsure about my answer but asked instead, “How heavily protected are they?”

This was beginning to sound less like curiosity or care and more like someone planning an attack.

“I didn’t come here to give you a map of their security system.” I argued.

“You came here to sell their location.”

I shook my head as I said, “That doesn’t mean I want them dead.”

His eyes sharpened and there was a pause before he smiled.

“You care about them?” he said quietly.

I frowned, “What?”

“You’re emotionally attached to my sons.”

I laughed so loudly the guard behind me shifted again.

“Oh, please. I’m making sure I don’t accidentally send a group of armed men to murder the people responsible for paying me.”

His eyes were actively now trying to read me, “Is that what they are to you?”

“Yes.”

The lie came out easily.

Don Salvatore stared at me for several seconds before his attention returned to the pendant.

“My sons were always difficult.”

I scoffed.

“You don’t have to tell me that.”

“Draven especially.”

That caught my attention.

He smiled slightly.

“He was born believing the world should bend before him. Lucas grew up shielding his brothers like his mother had… using his charm…” he paused. “And Mateo, I never got to see him grow up but from my findings, he seems to always keep to himself.”

I hated how accurate the descriptions were and for a moment, I could almost imagine them being younger.

I pushed the image away.

“What happened between you? You sound like a man that really knows a lot about his sons…”

His expression changed.

“That isn’t your concern.”

“It becomes my concern when I’m sitting in an abandoned building surrounded by armed men because you want information about them.”

He studied me again as though questioning his next words.

“They refused to understand authority and it was getting increasingly difficult to subdue them…”

I almost laughed because that sounded exactly like them.

“They challenged every decision I made after their mother died… questioned every order and interfered in matters that didn’t concern them… I think their breaking point was when I tried teaching them lessons.”

Lessons?

Subdue them?

Was there something I was missing? Because those were weird alternatives for discipline… and that glint in his eyes…

*****

Heyyy, everyone! 🥹💕

I really hope you understand why we’re currently seeing things from Georgia’s POV. I’ve been trying to hasten things so we can get back to the cabin, but at the same time, I don’t want to rush this part of the story or skip over important details. So please bear with me.

If you’re up for it, let’s play a little fun question game. 🥰

- Any guesses as to why these men hate their father so much? (Spoiler: It has absolutely nothing to do with business… and trust me, it’s messed up. 😭)

- Which brother do you think is actually falling the hardest for Soraya?

- Do you think Georgia is jealous or genuinely trying to protect the brothers? Also is Georgia already too far gone, or can she still fix the mess she’s creating? 👀

- One more question… why did the Don recognized Soraya’s pendant immediately? And what the hell does S.S.S. stand for?

Drop your theories in the comments. I really want to see if anyone gets close. Best theory gets a little reward… the winner gets to ask me for one thing, as long as it’s something within my power.