5. Devastation
885 Words
Ella
My whole body feels like it’s on fire, every inch of me screaming in pain. That bastard is heartless…fucking ruthless. Even after that woman begged him, he refused to let me down. Like I did something to deserve this. Like my father’s sins are mine to bear. But why am I even surprised? Men like him…men like all of them are the same.
And Dante Moretti? He’s the f*****g devil himself. I used to think the stories about him were exaggerated, just rumors meant to make him sound more terrifying than he actually was. But now I know the truth. Every word was real.
I mean, look at what he did to Cole and Ren. He didn’t even blink. It was like nothing to him.
A violent shudder rips through me, and before I can stop it, I’m sobbing again. I sob until my vision blurs and everything fades to black.
When I come to, my eyes flutter open, a little dizzy. Then I see someone—lean frame, brown hair, pale skin. My stomach clenches.
“Gavi?” I blink twice, trying to focus.
It’s him.
Relief surges through me, so strong I almost sob. “Gavi, you’re here…thank God.”
But then I see Dante. Standing beside my brother with his cold expression.
Something’s wrong.
Gavi is looking at me, but there’s no relief in his eyes. No worry. Just… something dark and bitter.
“Hello, little sister. You’re awake.” His voice is flat and uncaring.
The relief I felt a second ago evaporates.
“Gavi, did you…did you come to help me? Are you getting me out of here?” My voice wavers as I look between him and Dante.
Gavi f*****g scoffs. “Help you? That’s cute. I’m the reason you’re here, Gabriella.”
I stare at him, waiting for the punchline. Waiting for him to say he’s joking. That Dante made him say this. That he’s being forced.
But he just stands there, smug.
“What?”
“I ratted out the mansion’s location to Don Moretti.”
No. No, this can’t be happening.
“You’re lying,” I choke out, shaking my head so hard it hurts. “He’s making you say this. Tell me you’re lying, Gavi.”
I turn to Dante, desperate, but the bastard just stands there with his usual cold expression.
“I’m not lying, you stupid b***h,” Gavi snaps. “I did this. I led him straight to our home so he could take both you and Papa out.”
My breath catches.
“But of course,” he continues, “Papa’s a f*****g snake. Not surprised he managed to escape after using you as bait.”
Bait?
I yank at the chains binding me, my wrists burning against the metal. “What the f**k are you talking about? What bait?”
Gavi tilts his head, amused. “Oh, you don’t know? Papa used you as a f*****g decoy. He made Don Moretti’s men think you were him, then slipped away while they chased after you.”
My stomach twists violently.“You’re lying!”
He grins. “I wish I was.”
No. No, Papa wouldn’t…he couldn’t.
“You’re lying,” I say again, louder, like saying it enough times will make it true. “Papa would never do that to me.”
Gavi laughs. “Well, he did. And I won’t rest until he’s exactly where you are now…on his knees, begging for his life.”
I stare at him, my own f*****g brother, and I don’t recognize him.
“How could you? How could you do this?”
“Because it was always you,” he snarls and steps closer. “No matter what I did, no matter how hard I tried, Papa never f*****g cared. Because I wasn’t you. Even after everything I did for him, he still chose you. While you were out there living your reckless, selfish life, f*****g around, I was the one cleaning up after Papa. And then he said he’d pass the Mafia down to you?” His voice drops roughly. “f**k that.”
Tears burn my eyes. “I didn’t even want it,” I snap. “I told him you were the right one for the job! I told him!”
He sneers. “I don’t care. I’m just glad you’re suffering. And now? Now you finally get to see Papa for what he really is.”
“You’re my brother…” I sob.
“Not anymore.”
And just like that, he turns his back on me.
I barely have time to process it before he looks at Dante. “I’m done with her. Kill her.”
“Gavi?” My voice is barely a breath.
He doesn’t even look at me.
"First off, you do not give me orders,” Dante says sharply, turning to Gavi.
"I am sorry, Don Moretti." Gavi lowers his head, visibly trembling.
Dante barely acknowledges his apology before shifting his gaze to me.
"And second," he continues, "I do not want her dead. On the contrary, there has been a change of plans."
Something cold settles in my gut.
What could possibly be worse than my brother’s betrayal? Than my own father’s potential betrayal?
"She is going to become my wife.”
- Writer
