The Don’s Favorite Lover Vanished

---- Chapter 16 Chiara's POV Just as the elevator doors were about to close, Vincenzo shoved his hand between them, forcing them open. His eyes were wild, obsessive. "Wait. We're not done." I gave him a cold look, then turned to my father. "Dad, let him in. It's better to get this all out in the open, once and for all." We returned to the suffocating tension of the private room. Vincenzo thought he still had a chance. What he got was a public trial. "Don Russo," I began, my voice clear and calm, carrying across the room.

"Since your son believes the past is just a series of 'misunderstandings,' I don't mind repeating them. Here. In front of all our elders." I rose to my feet, as if I were taking the stand. "First," I began, my voice ringing with cold clarity. "The tunnel. The rocket attack. You used me as a human shield ---- for her." Elena gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Second. The engagement party. The grenade. You chose to shield her again, leaving me to take the blast. To live or die on my own." The old Don's face turned to stone.

"To please his new woman, you held me down while that needle carved a Russian eagle over my phoenix. Over the mark I made for you." "You forced me to use my knowledge of him-our knowledge-to design a custom weapon for Katerina." Every sentence was a bullet. Every bullet found its mark in Vincenzo's pale, sweat-slicked face. He stared at the floor, silent, a sinner awaiting judgment. "And," I paused, looking straight at him, "you ordered my 'elimination' for the sake of your new alliance.

Vincenzo, were these also 'misunderstandings'?" "Enough!" the old Don shot to his feet and marched toward his son. ---- had never seen before. "Pm not finished," my father said, pointing the bloodied tip of the dagger directly at Vincenzo. " personally issue a blood debt against Vincenzo Russo." "For the ten years of her life he stole, for every time he betrayed her, for every time he humiliated my family," every word from Lorenzo was forged in ice, "he will repay it. With his own blood." "Father, no..." Vincenzo finally spoke, his voice a hoarse whisper. "Pleading now?" my father sneered.

"Too late." I walked forward and gently placed my hand on my father's. "Dad." He looked at me. "Let him live with it," I said, my eyes on Vincenzo's colorless face. My voice was calm, but cruel. "A bullet is a mercy. And he hasn't earned it." ---- My father considered this for a moment, then sheathed the dagger. We walked to the door. Before leaving, my father looked back at the old Don and delivered his final warning. "From this day forward, every step your son takes in Florence is under the guns of the Rossi family. Advise him wisely." We left the restaurant. Behind us, a dead silence.

In the car, I asked my father, "Are you sure about this? Once a blood debt is issued, there's no turning back." He nodded, his eyes filled with a deep ache for me. I watched Vincenzo stumble out of the restaurant in the rearview mirror, a broken man. A cold smile touched my lips. "Good. I never planned on turning back anyway."