“I don’t think I could ever have predicted this happening. I mean, don’t get me wrong. The man is fucking gorgeous. I definitely knew that going into this situation. But I didn’t expect him to also be so thoughtful and kind, so much of a challenge to my mind and my heart in the best way. He was completely unexpected. It would’ve been so much easier to hate him.” I tell her, and she snorts out a laugh.
“Would it, though? Then you wouldn’t get all those fantastic orgasms I know you’re living for right now,” I can hear the sly smirk in her voice, but she’s not wrong so I can’t argue.
Something crashes in the next room, the sound of rapid Italian shouting filtering through the doorway, jolting me upright in the chair. Enzo comes around the corner, his expression more severe than I’ve ever seen.
“Aurora, I gotta go. I’ll call you back later. Love you.” I hang up without another word, setting my phone on the table and standing.
“Enzo, what’s wrong?” I demand, and his brows crease.
“I think you should retire to your room, Ms. Diaz. There is some business that needs to be attended to. I will come get you as soon as things are resolved here.” He lies. It’s all a lie. Something is seriously wrong, and he’s refusing to tell me.
“Tell me what’s going on right now,” I demand, but he looks away.
Someone shouts louder, the urgency in their voice sounding so dire though I can’t understand what they’re saying. Something about the chaos going on in the background, the way Enzo is trying to dismiss me, my anxiety is rising higher and higher by the moment.
“Ms. Diaz, I really think you should-” he tries again, but I cut him off.
“Do not placate me. Tell me what’s going on right now, or I’m going to find out myself!” I command, and he flinches. He hesitates for only a moment more before taking a deep breath.
“Things did not go to plan this evening,” is all he can say before I’m pushing past him.
Matteo’s voice is clear above everyone else’s, shouting loud commands in hurried Italian. Tears already sting my eyes, and I will them away. I hate that I cry in serious situations. I want to be strong under pressure, and I know if I’m going to be a part of this world, I need to grow thicker skin. As I navigate my way towards the voices, I listen for Sebastian’s. I hear nothing. Panic builds in my throat, anxiety burning through my veins.
Just give me one word. Just one. Anything.
Matteo shouts again, this time something about needingmedico.A doctor? I break into a sprint, running straight for their raised voices with Enzo close behind me. Turning the corner into the dining room, I'm thrust into a room full of men I don’t recognize. All of their eyes land on me, their expressions grave and discerning.
“Vanessa, please,” Enzo whispers aggressively, but I ignore him.
Matteo is yelling commands at the head of the dining table, while someone lies nearly motionless on the table top. We just had dinner there last night. The most delicious homemade pastaI’ve ever had in my life. And now all I can see are the faces of these men and the severity in Matteo’s eyes.
“Matteo,” I shout, and he looks up for only a moment, wincing at the sound of my voice.
“You shouldn’t be here, Ness. Enzo, get her out of here.” He snaps, but I shake out of Enzo’s hold again.
I push past the man, finally coming to the side of the table. Sebastian lies in the middle, his white dress shirt completely soaked through with blood. Two small holes puncture his left side as blood slowly pools beneath him. His usual olive skin looks pale and peaked, and I feel my heart rate begin to spike. Rage boils hot and lethal beneath my skin. My fists clench at my sides, nails digging into the flesh of my palms until the point of pain.
“Who hurt him?” I demand, my voice darker than I’ve ever heard it before.
“Things got a little out of hand. We were supposed to be meeting an associate. A known ally. And evidently, that wasn’t the case. We were ambushed as soon as he let the security team leave the room. I barely got him out the door.” Matteo’s explanation is rushed as he applies pressure to the gunshots on Seb’s abdomen. Sebastian groans in pain, and I grip his hand tightly.
“Where the fuck is the doctor?!” I shout, tears streaming down my face. I don’t let my emotions break free, but I don’t hold them back either.
“Vanessa, I really think we should-” Enzo grips my arm.
Before I know what I’m doing, I reach into the holster still attached to Sebastian’s shoulder and pull out his pistol. Lining the barrel up with Enzo’s chest, I look him straight in the eyes. A collective gasp sounds from every man in the room, followed by Matteo cursing. Enzo releases me, holding his hands up and stepping back. With one finger on the trigger, one hand holdingSebastian’s, and all eyes on me in this room, I decide now is as great a time as any to make myself perfectly clear to this boys club about where I stand when it comes to their boss.
“I’m going to say this one time where every single one of you can hear me, so feel free to spread it like the vicious little gossips I know you all are. If any one of you suggests I need to leave this room again, I will put a hole in you to match Sebastian’s. Ask me to leave his side again, and you will burn for it. Do we have an understanding?” I raise a brow at Enzo, and he nods once. Matteo laughs softly in the background.
“Something to say, Teo?” I ask, training my gun on him.
“Definitely not, regina mia. This is where you belong.” He dips his head to me, and I lower my gun, setting it on the table next to Sebastian’s side.
An older man enters the room carrying a black doctor’s bag like the one you see in movies. He couldn’t be more of a cliché if he tried. He’s wearing a pressed wool suit and a dress shirt with a starched collar, it feels far too formal for such a house call. His silver hair is neatly parted, and his face carries the calm gravity of someone who has seen far too much to be easily rattled. He must be a regular here.
“Why was he not brought to the medical wing? I cannot treat injuries like this on a dining table, Matteo.” The man scolds Teo, and for the first time he looks as though he’s been put in his place.
“This was as far as we could make it before he lost consciousness. I thought it best to stop the bleeding before going further and call you here.” He clenches a fist at his side.