Page 52 of The Don's Soulmate

"Enough!" I roar, slamming my fist down on the table. The impact sends the surveillance equipment rattling, and I shoot to my feet, my entire body vibrating with pent-up fury.

I have to do something.

I storm out of the room. Carlotta is in danger, and I refuse to stand idly by any longer. Bursting into the breakfast room, I'm greeted by the startled faces of my father and brother.

"Father, I need an army," I demand without preamble, my voice dripping with venom. "I want to raid Carlotta's house and rescue her. Now."

My younger brother Davide stands, eyes blazing with fury to match my own. "Have you lost your mind? We can't stand for this. You'll start a war over a woman."

I slam him against the wall, grip tightening around his throat. “Stai lontano dal mio cammino, oppure te ne pentirai.” -Stay out of my way, or you'll regret it.

“Ettore!” My father warns gently, standing to his own feet. I look over at him, grounded by his voice.

"Cosa sei disposto a sacrificare per lei, Ettore?" -What are you willing to sacrifice for her, Ettore?he says, shaking his head with a hint of sadness. “Is she worth the cost of your brother? Your family? A war?”

Immediately, I let Davide go. He stumbles back, coughing and scratching the skin where I held him back. I don’t apologize, but we’ve been brothers who fight as hard as we love and I’m certain that over the past thirty-five years of his existence, he’s come to learn I won’t ever cause him any real harm.

My father sits back down, clearly taken aback by my sudden outburst. But behind the shock, I see something else – a flicker of understanding.

"Listen, Ettore," he begins cautiously, his voice calm and measured. "I understand your concern for Carlotta, but we need to think this through. A full-scale raid could have serious consequences."

"Consequences?" I spit out the word as if it were poison. "What about the consequences of doing nothing? Of letting Ugo Caputo kill an innocent girl?"

"Father is right," my brother chimes in, his tone icy. "We can't just storm in there with our guns blazing. We have no right to what that family decides to do with itself. With her."

“I don’t care about the D’Amicis!” I roar at them. “If you won’t give me an army, I’ll take out my own, damn it.”

"Are you out of your goddamn mind, Ettore?" Davide bellows and storms off, unable to comprehend the reckless plan I'm proposing.

Father's eyes lock onto mine, his voice firm yet controlled. "Ettore, you are not thinking clearly. Your exceptional abilities make you invaluable to this family – we cannot afford to put you at risk."

"Exceptional abilities?" I scoff. "What good are they if I can't even save a person who deserves to be saved?"

"Your care for her is admirable," father admits, placing a calming hand on my shoulder. "But we must be careful in our approach. We cannot save her by putting ourselves – and her – in danger."

I grind my teeth, frustration coursing through me like molten lava. The image of Carlotta, held captive and under Ugo's control, haunts me. I need to feel her in my arms, to taste her lips and possess her body in a way that only I can.

I need to make sure she lives.

"Every second we waste..." I trail off, not knowing what to say. My thoughts turn dark and desperate, the carnal desire for Carlotta merging with the primal need to keep her safe.

My father takes a deep breath, his gaze locked on mine. I can see the concern etched in the lines of his face as he prepares to speak. "Ettore, my son, you must understand that your safety is paramount. You are the most powerful Amico, not just in our family but in all of Italy. Your abilities, your strength... they keep us alive; they keep us in control."

He pauses, looking me directly in the eyes. "If something were to happen to you, it would be disastrous for our entire organization. The other families would sense weakness and strike. You know this. We cannot afford such a risk."

As he talks, I feel the scars on my knuckles press into my palm. His words ring true, but my determination to save Carlotta remains unwavering. "And what of Carlotta?" I ask, my voice tight. "I cannot stand idly by while she suffers at the hands of Ugo Caputo."

"Believe me, Ettore, I understand your need for justice," father says softly. "But we cannot act rashly or out of anger. Since you were a child, I watched you do things, perform acts so impossible. I believed you to be a gift from the gods, my son. Don’t you see?” he whispers.

“You were born with a great and terrible gift. Your wisdom from all those lives you lived will be all for nothing should something happen to you. But, if you stay in power, lead this family someday as I so hope you will, you’d be able to aid a million Carlottas. I can’t lose you, son. Not now. The D’Amicis will not forget this slight if we go in weapons drawn.”

“That’s not the point, father,” I growl. “I’m powerful enough to take them all.”

My father clenches his jaw, weighing his words carefully. "Ettore, you are the most powerful Amico to exist, yet you can't save everyone. You must learn to choose your battles wisely. Your powers are unique, but you would be a fool to risk them allfor one woman. If the roles were different, would she have done the same for you?”

I stand there, stunned. Suddenly, the last memory of her rushes back. She chose to return to him. She refused to let me fight for her.

She refused to fight for herself.

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