CHAPTER LII

“I t’s been three hours, Nico,” Matteo reminded me for what felt like the hundredth time since Luca and Lo dragged Winter down to the basement.

“How much longer are you going to make her sweat?” he pressed. “She’s been sitting on that hard-ass chair without food or water, for God’s sake.”

I continued dancing my fingers over the piano’s keys, playing “The Sound of Silence.”

“It’s not the first time we’ve let our prisoners wait it out,” I responded dryly, but inside, I was a storm of emotions—fear, guilt, and doubt crashing against each other.

“Jesus, Nico. She’s not one of your regulars,” Matteo shot back. “I’m all for having a conversation and asking questions, but this? This is torture. She hasn’t earned that.”

I bit back, my patience fraying, “She didn’t deny anything, did she?”

Matteo countered, his frustration evident, “You’re letting your emotions cloud your judgment. You can’t just bully the truth out of her.”

I wanted to believe what Matteo was saying, but doubt was a fickle bitch.

The door opened after a knock. “Boss?” Enzo called out.

“Yes,” I replied, my gaze still fixated on the keys, as if they held the answers I was searching for.

“Winter, I mean Gigi, is asking to use the bathroom.”

I stopped playing, my fingers stilling over the keys. I rested my arms on top of the piano, gripping it tightly, and leaned my forehead against it, releasing a shaky breath.

Fuck. The thought of hurting her and most likely causing her death was something I didn’t think I could live through. That girl walked into hell and pulled me out with just one smile. One look. One kiss. One touch. But the monster in me was hungry and wanted to come out and play. Who was I to deny him his desire for blood?

“Boss?” Enzo tried again.

“Yeah, I heard you,” I grumbled, the anger bubbling beneath the surface, mingling with the guilt that I couldn’t shake off. I rose to my feet, my decision made out of instinct rather than clarity.

As soon as I opened the basement door, her sweet voice pierced the heavy air like an arrow aimed straight at my heart. “Can I please use the bathroom?” she asked, her tone edged with a hint of desperation that made my stomach twist.

I took slow, deliberate steps down the stairs. The dim light revealed her figure, hunched slightly in her chair. The sight made my chest tighten.

Winter raised her head, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, a pleading smile ghosting across her beautiful face. "Nico, please," she begged.

Lips I kissed many times.

Lips that breathed life into my dark soul.

She gave me the kiss of life. The first woman who revived my cold and lifeless heart, only to rip it out of my chest and leave it for the hell hounds to feast on.

She played me well.

And I fell for her bullshit.

Her eyes were bloodshot from the crying she’d been doing since she left my office.

I pulled the knife from my pocket and knelt before her. Her golden-brown eyes that were once bright like honey were now dull and dead. She flinched, trying to escape from the monster that had already escaped from hell as I used my knife to sweep her hair away from her face. She turned her gaze from me, and her breath began to slow down.

I narrowed my eyes and spoke in a low, menacing tone. "Were you sent to spy on me?”

“No,” she pleaded, her voice shaking.

I leaned in closer. “Who. Sent. You?"

She whimpered, and my heart cracked a little, but I quickly reminded myself who I was and the reason she was sitting in the chair.

Lied to me.

Spied on me.

Betrayed me.

"Nico, pl-please. It wasn’t me," she softly cried, her breath coming in shallow gasps.

I gritted my teeth, holding back the urge to fuck the truth out of her. "I told you what would happen if you betrayed me."

Her golden eyes flashed with hurt as she retorted, "I didn't betray you, Nico!"

A cruel smile twisted my lips, and I stepped closer, looming over her. "Cut the innocent bullshit." She shivered, either from the cold or the icy rage in my voice.

"I swear on my life, Nico. I would never?—"

"Stop lying to me!" I roared in her face.

“I didn’t do anything.” Her tears spilled from her eyes. "It wasn’t me. You have to believe me,” she pleaded.

Doubt again crept into my mind. I looked into her eyes, those deep, soulful eyes that had once brought me comfort, now brimming with genuine pain. But I pushed those feelings aside. I was the motherfucking mafia don, feared by many. I couldn't let emotions cloud my judgment.

“Tell me this,” I began. “What do you know about the Puppet Master?”

Her expression twisted into one of genuine confusion, her brow furrowing. “I don’t know who that is.”

“He said your name is Gigi, not Winter. Why does he know about you?” I interrupted, my voice rising. “Why would he lie about something like this?”

“I don’t know. Maybe because he’s trying to manipulate you, to turn you against me.” Her voice was pleading, the panic in her eyes unmistakable.

“Were you born in California?”

“No."

“Were you in a foster home?”

“No.”

“So, nothing about your life is real. You’ve been bullshitting me from day one,” I accused, my anger boiling over.

She shook her head. “I didn’t know how much I can tell you without risking my life.”

My heart plummeted. “What that fuck does that mean?”

Her voice trembled, and for a moment, she looked like a scared child. “My parents were killed earlier this year, and I was sent here to protect my identity because people are after me.”

“Who’s after you?” I demanded.

“I don’t know. All I know is I watched them kill my parents and now they’re looking for me.”

“Why?” I pressed, my voice rising.

“I don’t know!” she cried, her voice cracking.

“All this shit started happening right as you showed up. How do I know it’s not just another cover story?” I challenged. "How do I know this whole little act of yours isn’t just part of your twisted game? How do I know you’re not working for him?”

“Nico, I’m not,” she insisted, her voice steady despite the panic swirling in her eyes. “I’m not lying to you.”

My loyal men stood around the room in silence. But there was something different in their eyes today—sadness and regret. Our operation, our family, it was all at risk, and if it meant I had to end the woman who had tamed the devil inside me, then so be it. If it had been anyone else, I wouldn’t have hesitated for a second. But with her, my heart betrayed me, whispering lies of trust and love that I couldn’t afford to listen to.

Not anymore.

My patience wore thin as I stalked toward her, my hand tightly gripping her chin, my fingers digging into her soft skin. "I didn’t think you were stupid enough to cross me, knowing what I’m capable of."

Her fear turned to acceptance as she met my gaze head-on. "Do what you have to do, Nico, even if you believe lies over the truth."

Her words were like a physical blow. Could she be telling the truth? Something about the way she looked at me made me wonder if I had been wrong about the situation. Did someone put her in my path to destroy me? Or to save me?

After all, I'd made my fair share of enemies over the years, and there were people out there who would stop at nothing to bring me down. The idea that I'd let my heart be exposed to her and allowed her to get close to me filled me with a sense of dread when she could be one of those people.

"I gotta say, I’m fucking impressed. You came into my life, won my heart, wiggled your way into my family’s hearts, and earned their love and respect." My voice rose with my bitterness and anger.

"Yes, I lied about who I was, but that is all that I’m guilty of,” she cried. “I would never do anything to hurt you or your family.”

I stepped away and turned my back to her, trying to calm the raging demon inside me.

Her tears.

Her pleas.

Her pain.

The way she said my name. It all became too much. She made me fucking weak and reduced me to a pathetic mess.

But my duty was clear, my loyalty unwavering. "Let her use the bathroom and give her some water and food," I said and motioned for the guards.

I turned away, unable to bear the sight any longer. I knew this night would haunt me for the rest of my days, like a wound that would never heal. And yet, I hardened my heart, steeling myself for what was to come, knowing that the ends would justify the means, no matter the cost.

“Nico! Please. You love me.” Her raw and desperate voice was like a blade, shredding bits of my soul. “You love me,” she repeated, her voice breaking as if just the act of saying it was tearing her apart.

I inhaled deeply, my chest tightening as I shut my eyes to block out the fucked-up emotions that were spinning inside me like a tornado. Her anguish tugged at me, bringing back memories of stolen kisses and the times we spent playing music together. But I couldn't afford to look at her. If I did, I'd crumble, and the urge to break her free from this nightmare would drown me. I could not afford to be weak. It was more than just about me; it was about my family and the entire business.

“A devil never falls in love,” I spat out.

I had to convince myself that this was the only path forward, the only way to safeguard what was mine—even if it meant letting my angel go.

* * *

I walked up the stairs and out of the basement so I’d be unable to hear Winter’s cries. My soul ached from hearing the pain in her pleas. I pressed my palm to my heart to keep it from bursting out of my chest.

My mother intercepted me near my office, her hand flying out and slapping me across the face.

“How could you?!” she screamed. “You’re hurting the girl you claim to love without even knowing the truth!”

“I love you, Mother, but don’t ever lay a hand on me again,” I said, my warning laced with anger as I pushed past her, needing a fucking drink. “And I’m not torturing her.”

“What do you call tying up a defenseless woman in a chair and in a cold basement without food or water?”

When I didn’t respond, she continued her verbal assault. “Why? Are you going to torture me too?” she taunted, her footsteps echoing behind me like a relentless shadow.

“Stay out of it, Mother!” I shot back, stealing a glance at her. Her eyes widened in shock, then narrowed into a mask of disappointment. “You are not your father!”

I ignored her, bursting into my office and heading straight for the bar. I poured myself a drink from the bottle of whiskey.

“Nico, you have to realize she could have been set up! Have you even considered that? Or is your past fucking with your head?” My mother’s words echoed in my ears.

“She lied to me! Me!” I bellowed, furious and hurt.

“This world is unpredictable, full of dark secrets. Don’t let your anger blind you to the truth. You will never forgive yourself if you lose her. Trust me, she’ll never forgive you.”

Her parting words hit me like a punch to the gut as she left.

A few moments later, Lo entered. “I believe her, Nico,” Lo told me.

“Why?” I asked, my tone void of any feeling.

Before he could respond, shouts erupted outside.

“What the hell is that?” Lo asked just as a deafening explosion rocked the house, sending us crashing to the floor.

“We’re under attack!” Miguel roared from outside the door, followed by sporadic bursts of gunfire.

I heard my name, but it sounded muffled, and then I saw Miguel, Matteo, and Luca standing above me.

"Nico! Get up!” Matteo shouted, his hands gripping my shoulders, pulling me to my feet. I swatted him away, rolling onto my side, forcing myself up onto my hands and knees. I swayed, trying to regain my bearings while the ringing in my ears subsided.

“What the fuck just happened?” I yelled.

“Someone blew up the front gate and is pushing to get in,” Luca reported, his eyes glued to the security monitors.

“Lock the house down,” I commanded Miguel, who nodded.

Gunfire shot off again outside, but the bulletproof windows gave us an edge. We could take them down from here.

“Are they surrounding the house?” I asked Luca, moving toward my safe to retrieve my weapons.

“Not from what I can see, but our men are getting slaughtered. We need to help them.”

“Let’s go!” I snapped, striding toward the door.

“Cut the power!” I ordered Miguel. He spoke into his earpiece, and seconds later, the house plunged into darkness, the safety lights flickering on.

“Where’s my mother?” I asked, turning back to Miguel.

“I thought she was with you, boss,” he replied.

“Fuck!” I hissed. She knew all the secret hiding spots; I just hoped she’d gotten to one in time.

With our guns raised, we cautiously approached the front door, then shifted our focus to the windows, peering through the cracks. My heart raced as I spotted a group of armed men in black, their masks obscuring their faces, prowling toward the entrance.

“Nico, I can activate the charges in the ground,” Luca said, his eyes glued to the surveillance monitors, the glow illuminating his tense expression.

“No, not yet. We can't risk any more of our men.” I turned sharply to Miguel. “How many are you in contact with?”

“So far, seven,” he replied. “But I haven’t heard from at least four of them.”

“Are any of them the snipers?”

“Yes, boss,” he confirmed, and I nodded, a surge of relief washing over me. At least we had two of them positioned on the roof, but with the way those men were approaching, they wouldn’t have a clear shot.

“Luca, tell them to take the shots when they can,” I ordered.

“Got it,” he responded, fingers flying over the keyboard as he communicated with the snipers.

I held my breath, and then bang ! Three of the attackers dropped to the ground.

“What the hell?” Matteo muttered, leaning closer to the window. “Watch out!” he screamed just as a black SUV barreled toward the house.

“Take out the tires!” I bellowed into the comms. “Don’t let it get to the house!”

But it was too late. The SUV crashed into the front door. Miguel shoved Luca aside.

“GET DOWN!” I roared as I dived out of the way, feeling the rush of air as I hit the marble floor, landing on my side. The impact reverberated through me, and I gritted my teeth against the pain.

* * *

GIGI

After the explosion went off, I was thrown onto the ground on my back, taking the chair with me. Pain shot through my wrists as they collided with the hard surface, my bindings biting into my skin. A guttural cry escaped my lips. Tears streamed down my cheeks, and I bit down on my lip, desperate to keep from crying like a baby.

The guys scrambled like ants and ran upstairs.

“Enzo, stay here!” Matteo barked, his voice slicing through the mayhem as he and Luca bolted up the stairs.

Enzo pivoted to face me, his expression somber, but the hurt in his eyes felt like a dagger twisting in my gut. He pulled me up to a sitting position. “I’m so sorry, Winter,” he murmured sincerely.

I turned my gaze away, the bitter taste of betrayal choking me.

How could Nico do this to me? How could he think I’d ever betray him? It was clear now he had never truly loved me.

“I didn’t do it, Enzo,” I insisted, my voice trembling.

Before he could respond, the door swung open. Enzo stepped in front of me, his gun drawn, but he lowered it when the figure in the doorway stepped into the light.

“Enzo, please untie her,” Serafina demanded.

With a reluctant nod, Enzo holstered his weapon and moved to free me. The ropes fell away, and I slowly placed my hands in my lap, rubbing the painful marks left behind. “Thank you,” I whispered.

“I believe you are innocent,” she declared. “And I know you have your reasons why you didn’t disclose your true identity to Nico.”

A flicker of hope sparked in my chest, but it rapidly disappeared. “Thank you, but it doesn’t matter if Nico doesn’t believe me.”

“I don’t give a shit about what my son thinks,” she shot back. “When he finally pulls his head out of his ass, he’s going to be groveling for a long time.”

Even if he did, I could never forgive him for this. How could I lie next to him each night knowing he was capable of inflicting this kind of pain without a second thought?

“The house is under attack, and we need to get you out of here,” Serafina quickly explained.

BOOM!

I was jerked backward again, my body slamming against the cold concrete from another explosion. I watched in horror as Enzo and Serafina were flung against the wall like rag dolls, their bodies crumpling to the ground.

My vision blurred, voices swirling in a chaotic haze, and a figure soon loomed over me. A wicked grin stretched across his face, and a chill crept down my spine. “Hello, Gigi. It’s time to bring you home,” he taunted.

“Who—” I started to say, but then a sharp needle pierced my neck, and darkness swallowed me whole.