THE REVENGE OF THE MAFIA

CHAPTER 1 “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” —Winston Churchill ANNABELLE POV “Anna! Anna! Anna!” I heard my father bellow my name from his study as I sprang out of bed, landing on my knees against the rough edge of the bedside. Cursing in excruciating pain from my already injured ankle, I quickly grabbed my robe from the front door. With calculated steps, I descended the spiral staircase, one hand gripping the smooth railing while the other clutched the side of my dress. I quickened my pace; he had called me three times already, and if I delayed any longer, punishment awaited. As I rushed through the corridor leading to his study, I ran into one of my father's henchmen. He sneered at me, mockery glinting in his eyes. I ignored him, pushing my speed even faster. Father must not call me a fourth time. “Anna!” Did his voice sound louder, or was it just because I was getting closer? Why was this wretched corridor so long? Why did I have to have short legs, anyway?! I finally crossed the distance to my father's study, took a deep breath, and opened the door. Stepping into the familiar room, I held my breath. I knew better than to speak first unless I wanted to provoke his wrath. “You delayed until I called for you a fourth time,” Mr. Armani said, not lifting his head from his book. I remained silent, knowing no excuse would suffice, so what was the point? “Are you mute now?” he asked, his voice dripping with irritation. “No, Father,” I replied quietly, chills creeping up my spine and sweat gathering on my brow. “Why didn’t you answer me?” He slowly raised his head. “Th-there... I... It wasn’t intentional, Father,” I stammered. I braced myself for trouble; he hated stammering. I bit down hard on my traitorous tongue until I tasted blood. He raised an eyebrow, a clear sign of trouble, then leaned forward, leaving me confused. What was going on with Garcia today? Did he win a big fight? “I have no time for your nonsense today. I called you here for something important... I finally found a responsibility for you, a perfect way for you to be of use to the family,” he said, a one-sided smile forming on his lips. Father smiled! Holy hell! “You’re getting married,” he announced, his smile widening. I choked on my spit, coughing violently. Married? How was that possible? I was only twenty! I hadn’t even begun my life yet... I had just finished college, and I was thinking of joining the workforce. How could he ruin my plans like this? Tears streamed down my cheeks as I stood before him, my voice trembling as I yelled, “You can’t just marry me off like that! I’m not some kind of property to be traded! I have feelings and dreams of my own. I won’t let you throw them away!” Mr. Armani sat there, impassive, listening to my outburst. His eyes held no hint of compassion; he wasn’t budging. “Annabelle, you know how important this marriage is for our family. Your mother and I have already agreed to it, and the wedding is set in stone,” he said calmly. “I don’t care! I won’t do it! I won’t marry someone I don’t love just because it’s convenient for you!” My voice cracked with emotion. Mr. Armani sighed heavily. “You’re being selfish, Annabelle. This isn’t just about you; it’s about our entire family and our future. You need to understand that.” I was beyond reasoning. I had always been the dutiful daughter, but he was crossing a line this time. He couldn’t sacrifice my happiness for family duty. “I won’t do it! You can’t just sell me off like some slave! I won’t be part of this arranged marriage!” I yelled, sobbing uncontrollably. “But, Father... Enzo is... why do I have to marry him?” I asked, my voice shaky. “You seem to have forgotten your lessons, Bella. You do not get to ask questions. All you need to say is...” he trailed off, so I filled in the gap. “Yes, sir.” The tears raced down my cheeks, my body betraying me as I shivered uncontrollably. My knees finally buckled, and I crumpled to the ground—a heap of useless bones and flesh... sold to the devil. Mr. Armani picked up the intercom on his desk and ordered one of his men to remove the “heap of bones” from his office. I was a mess, lost in a dimension of despair and misery. I felt myself being carried out but didn’t know where I was headed. All I knew was the creaking sound of a door opening, followed by the sensation of being roughly dumped on a hard, cold surface. ~~~ "My husband! Why did you leave me like this? I want to go with you! I can't live without you!" Olivia, my step mother wailed at father's graveside. It was a picture of utter despair and misery, only to the outsiders though.... Not to me, I know it's all fake and I can feel the anger thrumming through my veins, I am literally on the verge of giving an order for her to be killed. "Boss!" Luca's voice interrupted my thoughts. "Yes, Luca", I turned away from the annoying performance Olivia was putting on. "It's ready", Luca said. "Hmmmm", I smiled cynically. "Move on to the next stage", I commanded him. "Yes boss", he said and left. I watched him go with a half smile playing on my lips. My mind is at rest as I watch Luca leave because I know he will get the job done. It is not easy to trust anyone in the underworld 'cause the rule is kill or be killed, eat or get eaten...... But, with Luca I feel a bit comfortable, it's probably due to the fact that we grew up together and his father worked as my father's second in command too before he died in a crossfire. Luca had been my second in command by birth, as his first son will be my son's second in command. I guess that's why I trust him, he wouldn't tarnish the Russo family image. "Enzo!" Olivia's annoying voice pierced my thoughts. I turned towards her with a hard glare and whatever she was about to say to me died in her throat. She moved closer cautiously in order not to anger me more. I plastered the glare on my face, daring her to move even closer. "Enzo. . . . It. . .it's time to go, I feel sick", she says with fake tears running her mascara down her cheeks. "And you're telling me that? Why?" I questioned her "Gustavo had an urgent thing to take care of, so he had to leave", she shivered. I ignored her and simply raised two fingers up, to signal my men. . . How I hate hearing the name of my stupid snake of a step brother, his name gives me a headache. . . . . . . I should kill him too. Two of them came rushing forward, they moved towards Olivia and gently pulled her away. I released a frustrated sigh and run my right hand through my hair. Gary, head of my security unit and trusted friend, moved closer and gave me a cigar. I nod to him in thanks as he lights it up. "Gary, it's almost time. . . . Very soon it will all be completed", I say as I day dream of all the people I intend to bring down. "Yes boss, very soon", he agreed with me with a cynical smile of his own. . . . "I trained these guys well", I think to myself with a satisfied smile on my lips. It is time to bring them all down one after the other. . . . Starting with Armani Garcia and his entire family. No one messes with a D'amore and goes scot free, but Garcia played cruel games with my father and thinks he would escape after his death. . . .he forgets that the D'amore bloodline would never end. I will make sure to bring him down, if it is the last thing I do. Although I am sure it won't be the last thing I do because you can never get rid of a D'amore that easily, a tiny ant like Garcia is no match for me. "Let's go", I say and move to my car. One of my men quickly rushed to open the car door for me, I went in and shut the door. It is time to make my enemies pay!!!