Page 30 of Dark Mafia Vows

He nods frantically, words spilling out. “I lost everything. I could have paid you back, but Lorenzo’s company bled me dry.I was just trying to survive! I just wanted revenge. He took everything from me.”

“Survive?” I sneer, glancing at the luxury around him. “Yet you had enough to host your whore parties. You still live well.” Then it clicks. My eyes narrow. “You sent her the bomb, didn’t you?”

Esteban’s face goes pale, his lips trembling. “It wasn’t supposed to...I just wanted to...I didn’t mean to hurt?—”

Too late.

With a flick of my wrist, I snap open the switchblade and plunge it into his neck. Blood spurts out, drenching my face and chest as I pull the blade free and stab him again. His body jerks violently, a sickening gurgle escaping his throat as life drains from his eyes. He slumps backward, knocking the chair over, his lifeless body sprawling on the floor. Blood pools beneath his head, dark and thick.

I stand over him, my chest heaving with the rush of anger and satisfaction. Wiping my face, I clean the blood from my hands and swap my shirt before walking out.

As I approach the car where Ginny waits, something gnaws at me. The anger that’s been driving me cools into something more dangerous—uncertainty.

Did I kill Esteban for his betrayal?

Or did I kill him for her?

13

GINEVRA

The first thing that greets me when I wake up is the soft morning light filtering through the familiar curtains of my room, a stark contrast to the sharp pain coursing through my body.

My eyes feel heavy as they flutter open, and the first thing I see is Lorenzo, sitting beside my bed. His hands are buried in his hair, distress etched across his face, and a wave of panic washes over me.

I try calling his name, but it comes out as a weak croak. That succeeds in grabbing his attention.

“Ginny!” His head snaps up, and in the next moment, he’s rushing to my side. His voice is filled with concern as he gently touches my arm. “Are you okay? Do you need anything? How do you feel?” he asks urgently.

“I’m fine,” I force myself to say, trying to reassure him, but my throat feels painfully dry and irritated.

He instructs one of the maids lingering nearby to fetch me a cup of water.

“What happened? How did I get here?” I ask, struggling to piece together the events of the past day—or how long I’ve even been here.

Lorenzo takes a deep breath, his expression shifting to one of guilt. “I’m so sorry, Ginny,” he chokes out. “I’m so sorry for everything. I should have protected you better. I should have managed my business matters more responsibly, so you weren’t dragged into my mess…”

I slowly sit up, pushing my hair away from my face. “You don’t have to apologize, Lorenzo. The building collapsing was never your fault. Everything that happened afterward was beyond your control.”

“It is my fault, Ginny,” he insists, his voice cracking. “I’ve made many mistakes in my life, but the most painful one was putting you in harm’s way.”

“Enzo…”

“Contrary to what you think, I’m not a perfect businessman,” he admits, his head bowed. “I’ve done some questionable things to cut corners. Even though Dario’s involvement made things worse, I am no saint.”

I swallow hard, looking at my brother’s troubled face. The worry lines on his forehead are more pronounced. His eyes are sunken with dark circles underneath. He’s lost a significant amount of weight since the scandal broke.

“I’m sure none of the things you’ve done were things you could have avoided,” I finally say. He lifts his head to meet my gaze, surprise flickering in his eyes.

“Ginny, you don’t understand,” he replies, his voice trembling. “I’ve made choices that put you in direct danger. You were almost killed! I’m not the good person you think I am. Not to you, and not to some other people I’ve encountered.”

I reach for his hand and squeeze gently. “Lorenzo, everyone makes mistakes. Being an influential and wealthy man likeyourself means you have to navigate a world full of tough decisions. It’s not just black and white.”

He shakes his head, a mix of frustration and sadness. “But those choices have consequences. I never wanted to drag you into this mess.”

“Stop saying that!” I exhale in frustration. “You didn’t drag me anywhere. You were trying to protect us. Cutting corners is part of the game in your world. I get that.”

Uncertainty flickers in his eyes as he looks at me. “There are things you don’t know.” He sighs.

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