Page 10 of Dark Mafia Vows

“She’s grown into a gorgeous woman,” I continue. “I’m sure everyone in that room wanted a piece of her—myself included.”

Lorenzo slams his palms against my table. “You bastard!”

“Okay, that’s enough,” I cut him off, my voice hardening. “I’ve indulged your theatrics long enough, and my patience for this disrespect is wearing thin. Did you ever consider that one of your enemies might be behind the attempt on your sister’s life? Maybe an old friend you stabbed in the back for your selfishness,” I continue, unfazed by his rage. “You’re quite good at making them, after all.”

Lorenzo’s eyes narrow, his jaw tight. “Since you want to talk about stabbing in the back, let’s cut the games, Dario. I know you’re the one who supplied counterfeit goods to my company under a fake name.”

I can’t help but smirk, relishing the moment.

“Ah, that’s one I can’t deny. It’s one of the things that still pleases me to this day. One simple move brought an entire empire crumbling to the ground—literally.”

His eyes go red, his body almost shaking from the heavy emotions.

“Business is business, Lorenzo. You should know that by now.” I lean forward slightly, enjoying the way his anger radiates from him.

His temper flares, and he leans even closer; the distance between our faces is charged with unspoken threats. “Trying to harm my sister is crossing a line too far, Dario.”

My voice drops into a low growl. “You deserve every fucking thing that’s coming your way, Lorenzo. And I’m afraid, this is just the beginning.”

“You’re a sick and evil man. I regret having you as a friend.” His face contorts in disgust.

My anger flares. “Something we both agree on. Now get out.” I spit.

I see the thick emotion in his eyes as he glares at me for a short moment. Anger, pain, and a slight flicker of regret. But I don’t care. The misfortune of the Bianchis is one of the things I live for.

“This isn’t over.”

“Oh, it is. You’re lucky I’m letting you walk out of my office on two legs,” I hiss. “It’s the least I can do for my old friend.”

Lorenzo’s face burns with rage, the muscles in his jaw twitching. “I’ll never beg or be at your mercy, Dario. You’re mistaken. Stay the hell away from my sister.”

As he storms out, I feel a flicker of satisfaction. His anger is almost entertaining, like blood flowing through my veins. I watch him leave, the door slamming behind him, and the silence that follows is thick.

Once the room settles, I lean back, letting the memories wash over me. There was a time when I called Lorenzo a brother. We were inseparable, thick as thieves. Even though he was a year older than me, some people thought we were twins.

I saw him as my family—until he turned on me without a second thought.

The memory of his betrayal stirs something deep inside me, igniting old feelings of anger and resentment. I thought those emotions had been buried under the satisfaction that came with my revenge. But they were still there, and in times like this, they threatened to eat me whole.

This confrontation set the wheels in motion for phase two of my revenge. I would make Lorenzo pay for his betrayal, until I am both tired and satisfied. But until then, I need to find a way to see Ginny again. This game is far from over, and I intend to play it to the end.

5

GINEVRA

Agroan escapes my lips as I slam my phone a bit too forcefully onto the side table beside me. I never realized how maddening boredom could be until I started staying at Lorenzo’s house.

After the incident three days ago, Lorenzo put me on house arrest, swiftly packing up most of my things from my apartment and moving me here, to his penthouse in the upper reaches of Manhattan.

My army of bodyguards has doubled, and while I’m permitted to go out, it’s always under heavy escort. Mostly, I just linger in my assigned bedroom. Occasionally, like today, I wander through the vast house, but it feels like I’m trapped within these walls.

I know the real reason I haven’t left is fear. I’m terrified because someone out there wants me dead. Sometimes, I still hear the explosion echoing in my mind. I remember how the blast threw me to the floor and the sharp pain from the scratches on my arms. Luckily, I wasn’t seriously injured since I stood far away when it happened, but it still feels like a nightmare I can’t escape.

So I stay put. Even though it makes me want to suffocate sometimes, I don’t leave.

Lorenzo has been trying to cheer me up these past couple of days. I notice he comes home earlier than usual, most times with my favorite ice cream or desserts he knows I like. But beneath his smiles, I see the worry in his eyes. He looks even more stressed now than he did when the tragedy that befell our family’s architectural firm happened.

Today, I tried to do something different instead of moping around all day. I attempted making lunch myself. I tried following a recipe I found online for grilled chicken salad, but I ended up burning it badly. I ate a cold sandwich because I was too lazy and sad to order some food, then I watched the most boring movie ever.

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