Page 77 of The Don's Eternal Vows

Gianni

"Listen carefully, you incompetent fool," I hiss into the phone, my voice barely above a whisper. "Your mistake has cost us dearly, and I don't tolerate such carelessness."

My free hand clenches into a fist, knuckles white with fury. The tension in my jaw threatens to crack my teeth.

"I-I'm sorry, Capo Montagna. It won't happen again," the pathetic voice on the other end stammers.

"You're right, it won't," I growl. "Because if it does, I'll personally ensure you never make another mistake again. Understood? I’ve got enough bullets in my gun to lose one on the likes of you."

"Y-yes, Capo. Crystal clear."

I slam the phone down, the sharp crack echoing through my office. My blood boils as I pace the room. The plush carpet muffles my footsteps, but it can't quiet the storm raging inside me. How dare he lose all that cash on a bad loan?

Something gnaws at the edges of my mind, a restlessness I can't shake.

I pause at the window, staring out at the Sicilian landscape. The view that once brought me peace now feels empty and hollow. I press my forehead against the cool glass, closing my eyes.

"What's happening to me?" I murmur, the words barely audible even to myself.

The weight of my empire presses down on my shoulders, heavier than ever before. I've built this family from the ground up, carving my name into the very foundations of power in this city. So why does it all suddenly feel so... fragile?

A soft rustle catches my attention, and I whirl around, my hand instinctively reaching for the gun tucked beneath my jacket. I pull it out and aim as I turn. But it's not an enemy standing in the doorway – it's Genoveva.

My breath catches in my throat. She's a vision in a deep burgundy dress, her dark hair cascading over one shoulder. But it's her eyes that hold me captive – those hazel rounds filled with concern, seeing right through my carefully constructed facade.

"Genoveva," I breathe, my voice softer than I intended. Her gaze flicks to the gun and I quickly put it down, embarrassed at having acted without foresight. “I’m sorry, I…”

My voice dies down. For a moment, the anger that's been churning inside me subsides to be replaced by shame. I pointed a gun at her.

She takes a tentative step forward, her heels clicking softly on the hardwood floor. "Gianni, I—"

I turn away abruptly, my jaw clenching. I can't let her see me like this, witness the turmoil that threatens to tear me apart. "Not now," I growl, the words harsher than I mean them to be.

My fists clench at my sides as I struggle to regain control. The silence stretches between us. I want to reach out to her, to let her soothe away the darkness that's consuming me. But I can't. I'm the Raven, the Don. I can't show weakness, not even to her.

"Leave," I order, my voice barely above a whisper. But I know she hears me. She always does. I turn around.

I hear Genoveva's soft footsteps behind me, and my muscles tense. She doesn't leave. Of course she doesn't. Her gentle persistence has always been both her greatest strength and my greatest weakness.

"Gianni," she says, her voice like velvet against my frayed nerves. "Your behavior lately... it's concerning. The split in your soul—"

I whirl around, my eyes blazing. "What about it?" I snap, cutting her off.

Genoveva doesn't flinch. She stands her ground; chin lifted, those hazel eyes boring into mine. "It's affecting you more than you realize. I can see it eating away at you."

A humorless laugh escapes me. "You think you know what's going on inside my head?" I wave my hand dismissively, pride surging through me. "I'm in control, Genoveva. Everything I do, every decision I make, it's calculated. Necessary."

"Is it?" she challenges, her soft voice somehow carrying more weight than mine.

I step closer, looming over her. "You think I enjoy this?" My voice rises, echoing off the walls. "You think I want to be making these calls, threatening lives? I do what needs to be done to keep us safe, to keep our world intact!"

But even as the words leave my mouth, a small part of me wonders if they're true.

Genoveva's calm demeanor remains unshaken. She searches my face for answers. I feel exposed, vulnerable under her gaze.

"Gianni," she whispers, her voice trembling slightly. "What if... what if my death could restore your soul? Bring you peace? Hades might return what he took.”

The words hit me like a physical blow. My breath catches at the sacrifice she’s willing to make - one which will only haunt me further. I close the distance between us in two swift strides, my hands gripping her shoulders.

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