Page 43 of The Don's Eternal Vows

Hades' smirk widens, his teeth gleaming like polished bones in the eerie light. "A part of your soul, Gianni Russo. That's my price. Your eternal servitude in exchange for her freedom."

My heart pounds against my ribcage, but I force my face to remain impassive. I can't let him see how much this affects me, how the thought of an eternity in this hellish realm makes my skin crawl.

"And the conditions?" I ask, my voice surprisingly steady.

"Simple," Hades replies, his eyes glinting with dark amusement. "You walk out of my realm, and she follows. But if you look back before crossing the threshold, she remains here forever."

My mind races, processing the implications: an eternity of servitude, the risk of losing her with a single glance, and the possibility that she might choose to stay, not remembering our love.

"Do we have a deal, mortal?" Hades' voice cuts through my thoughts.

I nod, my determination hardening like steel in my chest. "We do."

The price is steep, but as I look at Genoveva – her beauty untouched by death, yet her eyes devoid of the warmth I once knew – I know it's worth it. I'd sacrifice everything, my very essence, to save her. Once I have her back by my side, I will nurse her back to joy myself.

"Then let the trial begin," Hades announces, his voice echoing ominously through the cavernous hall.

Hades gestures towards a massive black archway, its edges flickering with blue flames. I take a deep breath, my heart pounding against my ribs. This is it—our one chance.

I turn to Genoveva, drinking in her image one last time. Her hazel eyes, once warm with love, now stare blankly past me. The sight twists my gut.

"I'll get you out of here," I whisper, more to myself than to her. "I promise. Just follow me out.”

With leaden feet, I face the archway and take my first step. The sound echoes, bouncing off the cavern walls like a gunshot. Another step. Another. The weight of Hades' warning presses down on me, heavier than any concrete shoes I've ever dealt with in our family "business."

"Remember," Hades' voice slithers into my ear, though he hasn't moved. "One look back, and she's mine forever."

I grit my teeth, focusing on the path ahead. “I know the deal."

My hands clench into fists as I continue forward. The urge to look back and make sure Genoveva is following is almost overwhelming. But I can't. I won't. Even if it kills me, I'll get her out of here.

Instead, I focus on the rustling wind. I feel Genoveva behind me.

The shadows stretch and writhe, their inky tendrils reaching out as if trying to trap me. The whispers start, a cacophony of hissing voices that seem to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.

"Failure," they taunt. "Unworthy."

I grit my teeth, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other. "Shut up," I mutter, my voice barely audible over the din.

The path ahead seems to elongate with each step, but I refuse to let doubt creep in. I've given my word, and in this world, that means everything.

Suddenly, her raw and desperate voice pierces the air behind me. "Gianni! Please, don't leave me here!"

My heart clenches, every muscle in my body screaming to turn back. The sound of her anguish is worse than any torture I've endured.

"Genoveva," I choke out, my eyes fixed firmly ahead. "Stay strong, amore mio. We're almost there."

I force myself to keep moving, each step a battle against every instinct I possess.

"You're abandoning me!" she wails, her voice cracking. "After everything we've been through?"

I swallow hard, my throat tight. "Never," I scream as loud as I can. "I'd sooner carve out my own heart."

Each step feels like an eternity, the distance between us a chasm of anguish. But I cling to the promise of freedom, pushing through the emotional torment.

"Genoveva," I say, loud enough so she can hear. "I'm doing this for us."

The shadows around me seem to laugh, mocking my pain.

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