His Ruin, His Salvation

Fate/Regret

Vittorio

The city lights blurred past as a black Rolls-Royce Ghost drove through the quiet streets of Catania, the distant hum of life outside barely registering with the man seated inside. His fingers tightened, the weight of the night settling in his chest. He had come to Catania with a singular purpose - to ensure that the project he had meticulously set in motion was progressing as planned.

Elena Bianchi

His lips pressed into a thin line as he thought of her. It had been years since their paths had first crossed, back when she was just a child of thirteen, wide-eyed and unaware of the forces shaping her future. If it wasn't for Antonio Bianchi he would never have discovered this little gem. Back then, he had simply observed. Watched. Ensured from a distance that she stayed on the path he intended for her. But she had grown into a woman with those striking emerald green eyes that had always stayed with him.

The internship in Palermo was no coincidence. Nothing in her life was left to chance. He had made sure of that. A carefully placed opportunity. A nudge in the right direction. He had orchestrated every detail, all to bring her within reach.

Tonight, however, did not go according to plan. She wasn't supposed to be there. To see what she did. He had expected to check on her from the shadows, to see for himself that she was ready. Instead, fate had shoved her directly into his world far earlier than anticipated. And the moment she got into his car - completely unaware of who he truly was - something inside him shifted.

She had looked up at him with those same mesmerizing green eyes, filled with confusion, fear and something else. Recognition. But not the kind he was accustomed to. Not the fear-drenched reverence he was met with in his world. It was something purer, untainted by blood and power.

For the first time in years, he had been caught off guard. And that was unacceptable. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a cigar. With a flick of the lighter, thick smoke curled around him. He exhaled slowly, steadying himself as memories of the storage room resurfaced. The real reason he had been out tonight. Two traitors. A deal gone wrong. Blood on the cold cement floor. His hands had not once hesitated. His judgment had been swift, merciless - just as it had always been. Those f*****s deserved to die.

He had built his empire on fear, on calculated brutality. From the mass execution of the Cartelli brothers, to the infamous drowning of Enzo Giordano, Vittorio Belluci was not a man to be crossed. His name carried the weight of death itself, a warning to all who dared defy him. Yet tonight, she had unknowingly stepped into the world he ruled. He didn't think what would've happened if his men had actually caught her. They wouldn't have thought twice about putting a bullet through her head.

" The job had been swift. Clean. Or so it should've been. But now as the smoke curled in the surrounding air, something tugged at the back of his mind. A split-second delay. A hesitation too small to matter. Lorenzo had obeyed, but there had been something off about the way he'd carried out the order. Almost like irritation. But Vittorio dismissed the thought just as quickly as it came. Lorenzo was his most trusted man. There was no room for doubt."

The car slowed to a stop. The door swung open, and Fernando, his cousin and his right-hand, in all things digital, motioned towards the entrance." Follow me Vitto," Vittorio stepped out, his movements slow, deliberate. They entered the hotel and walked straight to the reception." Good evening beautiful," Fernando drawled, flashing the petite blonde receptionist a charming smile. She instantly blushed. " We booked a room earlier," he continued, fishing his ID from his pocket. " Room 327 sir." She returned the card, her fingers brushing against his.

Vittorio ignored the exchange and strode to the elevator without so much as a glance at the girl. The doors slid shut, and with a soft chime, the elevator ascended to the 11th floor. His men had already secured the room. As he entered, he shrugged off his suit jacket, tossing it onto the sofa. He made his way to the open bar, pouring himself a drink before turning toward the floor-to-ceiling window. The city stretched before him, lights flickering like dying stars.

The buzzing of his phone shattered the silence. " Vitto, we followed the girl from tonight," Lorenzo's voice came through the receiver. " We're outside her place." What do you want us to do with her?" A deadly silence filled the space between them. Vittorio's eyes darkened. " Listen to me very carefully," he said, his voice cold, sharp as a blade. " You are not to lay a single finger on the girl. "Do you understand me?" Lorenzo hesitated. " But, Vitto - she saw what happened tonight. "We need to eliminate any threats." Vittorio's grip on the phone tightened. A pause." Look, boss, I didn't mean to sound so agitated, it's just - we can't risk her going to the police," Lorenzo added, his tone more cautious now.

Silence. Lorenzo waited. " If I say you are not to touch her," Vittorio finally said, his voice dropping to something lethal." Then that's exactly what you'll do." His tone left no room for argument. "The call ended. The tension in his chest coiled tighter. He exhaled harshly, then, before he could stop himself, the glass in his hand flew across the room, shattering against the wall.

His jaw clenched. Why her? Why tonight? Any other girl, and he wouldn't have thought twice. He would've taken care of the problem before it even became one. But it was her. His Elena. He had prepared for many things tonight. But not for her. The moment she got into his car, his mind went completely blank. If she could see how she actually made him feel. He wasn't prepared. And why did he have to tell her to get out of his car? Heaven knew how long he had waited for her to look at him with those green eyes of hers. His fingers curled tighter around the glass. Damn it.

He had orchestrated everything, mapped out every move. But tonight fate forced his hand. It didn't matter. He could adjust. He always did. The time had finally come for him to put his plan in motion." I'll give you time to forget tonight, to let down your guard. Then, when the moment is right, I'll make my move. "You won't see me coming." But first I would have to deal with that Ferreira f****r tomorrow. Business before pleasure. He turned around and loosened his tie before sinking into the sofa.

" Rest peacefully tonight, my Elena. "I'll see you soon, Signorina."