If by my life
Vincenzo's point of view
The gun thuds with each bullet that fires, faster than light. Each one embeds itself in the men I once trusted with my life—my friends. I don't know why I'm surprised that they were involved in the attack. The reality of betrayal stings sharply, but deep down, I can't be too shocked. The mafia has always been a game of loyalty, but when power is on the table, that loyalty can crumble just as quickly as a house of cards.
No matter how loyal they seemed, the desire for power was too strong. I couldn't judge them for it; after all, I was no different. The only reason I ever agreed to marry Alexandria was because her family would make me stronger. The power, the connections—everything that would push me higher. I never planned to fall for her the way I did. She wasn't just a pawn in my game. She became the reason I kept playing.
Which is why I had to do this. I had to confront them. Maybe, just maybe, if I could get close enough to talk some sense into them, I could convince them to leave the Castillos alone. Power can be intoxicating, and for some, it's an addiction. But if I promised them something more, something better, maybe they would back off. Maybe they'd see that loyalty still holds some weight, even in the chaos of the Mafia world.
I hope Alexandria will forgive me for this. I truly do.
"Dominico, you need to find Alexa before they do. I can hold them off, but I need to know she's safe," I shout, my voice strained over the deafening gunfire. I'm the only one with a silencer, and that's the only advantage I have right now.
"Are you crazy?" Nico yells back, not even glancing my way. His eyes remain locked on the enemy. "You won't be able to keep them away for long. You could die doing this."
"Yes, and that's a risk I'm willing to take," I respond, more firmly than I feel. "They're here for me anyway. I can hold them off."
"Alexa's going to kill me for this," Nico sighs heavily, his expression strained with concern. But there's no time to argue. He nods once, curtly, before he sprints off toward the house.
I let out a deep breath and lower my gun, watching him disappear into the distance. His departure is my signal. It's time to deal with this head-on. My mind is racing as I step forward, focusing on the group that stands before me—once allies, now enemies.
"Fratelli. Sorelle. Metti giù le armi e lasciaci parlare," I call out, the words leaving my mouth despite the weight in my chest. Deep down, I know it won't matter. I know that no matter what I say, this situation is beyond fixing. I just need to keep them distracted long enough for Nico to find Alexa and hide her.
("Brothers. Sisters. Put down your guns and let us talk.")
"You're a traitor to the Sicilian Mafia and family," a voice spits back, venom dripping from each word. "You're no brother of ours until the Italian brat dies by your hand!"
My fists clench so tightly that my nails dig into my palms. The insult to Alexa is too much to bear. I try to steady myself. "If that's what it takes, then I'll do it," I stall, my voice calm but hiding the fury beneath. "But I have one condition. Before I kill my wife, I want to meet your bosses."
There's a long silence as the words hang in the air. I can feel their eyes on me, weighing my words, considering my offer. Finally, the man at the front of the group nods once, his face unreadable, before gesturing to the cars parked behind them.
I tuck my gun into my waistband and walk toward one of the black SUVs. The sound of the tires crunching beneath the vehicle is oddly comforting. As we drive past the warehouse, I glance back at it one last time. I won't be coming back here again. This is the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. I can feel it in my bones.
— — —
Alexandria's POV:
The silence is unbearable. My screams had died down hours ago. I had cried until my voice was nothing more than a hoarse rasp, pleading with anyone who might listen, but no one had responded. The pain in my chest is unbearable. Each breath feels like I'm suffocating on the fear and uncertainty.
I feel sick, nauseous from everything that's happened. If I even attempt to speak, I'll surely throw up. I need to hold it together, but everything in me is falling apart.
The road is bumpy. Fields and the occasional mansion blur past my window. I don't know where we're headed, but I don't care. Not anymore.
Once the SUV had driven off, we all split into separate cars. Jax and Angelo headed for another safe house. Nico, Marcel, and I are en route to my parents' house. Ameena and Gio took one of the helicopters, escaping the city as a precaution. After all, Ameena is carrying the potential heir to the Mafia. We can't afford to lose her, especially now.
In the front seat, Nico and Marcel are muttering about the attack. They're already theorizing that Vince must have known who was behind it. When he put his gun away and climbed into the truck without hesitation, it only added fuel to their suspicion.
I don't know what to believe. I want to trust Vince. I want to believe in him, but everything is so chaotic.
When we finally pull into my parents' driveway, I see them waiting outside: Mamma, Babbo, Zio Luca, and Zia Neveah. They stand in the yard, watching us approach, but no one says a word. The tension is thick. I can feel it even in my bones.
Babbo is the first to move. He strides toward the back seat of the SUV, opening the door. The moment I see him, I lose it. I burst into tears. His presence is the only thing that makes me feel safe anymore, and I can't hold back the flood of emotions. He carefully undoes my seatbelt and lifts me from the seat, cradling me bridal-style as if I were still a little girl.
I sob into his chest as Mamma hurries forward to comfort me. Nico watches from a distance, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. The sight of me broken, shattered like this, is more than he can stand. He already suspects Vince of being a traitor, someone who's betrayed us. But that doesn't make sense to me. Why would Vince dismiss Nico if he were really a rat? If he had planned to hurt us all, why would he have done what he did?
Cazzo, I really need a drink.
"Babbo, we need to find him. Please," I beg, pulling away from his comforting arms. My hands are shaking, clinging to his shirt as if that will somehow ground me in this madness. He looks at Mamma, his gaze pleading, but I quickly turn toward her.
"Mamma, please," I whisper, desperate for her to understand. She sighs, her shoulders slumping in defeat.
"Bambina, it's a huge risk," she starts, her voice full of concern. "What if it's a trap for us? What if they're just luring us into a bigger trap? We protect our own..."
I interrupt, my voice louder than I intend. "Exactly, Mamma! Vince is my husband! That makes him one of us. He surrendered himself so Nico could get me to safety. Doesn't that prove his love for me? What else do you want him to do?"
Mamma's face softens, but she turns away, chewing on her bottom lip. Her hand hovers near her gun, not because she plans to use it, but because it brings her comfort. She's always carried it like a part of her soul, a part I'll never truly understand.
"We will try," she finally says, her voice firm but tired. She turns to the higher-ranking members of the family who have gathered around, all watching us intently. Many of them see me as part of the family and want to welcome me back, but I can see the doubt in their eyes.
She starts barking orders, her voice sharp and commanding. Nico looks like he wants to argue, possibly overrule her decision, but he knows better.
Even though he's the boss, Nico will always be a mamma's boy. He knows when to fight battles and when to let her lead. It's one of the few things he won't ever challenge, even if it means making decisions that could bring problems and losses to the family.
— — —
Hey guys,
I'm sorry that this chapter has taken so long to post. Everything is just so crazy right now and I've been getting really bad panic attacks recently which I hadn't had in the longest time.
I don't know how much I really like this chapter and it is definitely not my best work but I have already rewritten it 5 times and I wanted to put something out tonight.
I hope everyone is doing well and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Random fact:
Drinking coffee before sex will make your orgasms 50x more intense.
I found that out recently and was honestly shook 😂
Stay safe everyone. Remember to vote, comment and follow my Wattpad and Instagram.
Thank you for being patient and reading this chapter and I'm sorry again for the wait.
I love you all.
Bye 👋