Page 87 of Dark Mafia Vows

With a snap of his fingers, his men close in on me.

Fists and boots rain down on my body, and I feel my ribs crack under the relentless assault. Pain explodes in my chest, my back, my head—everywhere. My face collides with the gravel, and I taste blood as it spills from my mouth. Through my blurred vision, I see Ginny struggling against her captors, screaming my name.

“Dario!”

I force out a laugh, broken and raw. “Is that...all you’ve got?” I spit blood onto the ground, pushing myself up to my knees. My body screams in protest, but I focus on Ginny. I won’t break. I have to be strong for her.

The men hit me again, each blow landing with excruciating force.

“Dario... Please stop,” Ginny sobs, turning to Rafe and gripping his arm with her bound hands. “Please tell them to stop. We’ll cooperate with your demands.”

“Don’t worry about me, Ginny.” I cough up blood and saliva, wobbling as I struggle to push myself back up. “I’m completely fine.”

Fat tears stream down her face as she looks at me, completely helpless. My chest constricts as I watch her, as well. Her eyes are heavy with the weight of her emotions and unspoken words. Our souls call out to one another, but the physical barriers keep us apart.

“Aw, a lovers’ reunion. How sweet,” Rafe’s mocking voice cuts into our haze. “Well, this has been fun.” He sighs. “But it has to end now.”

A whimper leaves Ginny’s lips as he grabs her arm.

Don’t you dare lay a filthy hand on her!” I scream, forcing myself to my feet.

I swing at the first man who tries to stop me, landing a punch, and then drive my elbow into the gut of the second. But then a metal bat slams into the back of my head, sending me crashing to the ground.

“Relax. I won’t kill her.” Rafe laughs. “He will.”

A figure emerges from the shadows, approaching me with slow, deliberate footsteps.

“Long time no see, Dario.”

That voice. I know it.

Rinaldo steps into view, his smug face illuminated by the headlights. His tailored coat stands in stark contrast to the dirty, ruined yard around us. He looks like he doesn’t belong here, yet somehow he owns the moment.

My stomach tightens. Of course. It’s him.

“Well, look at you, finally finding your family. You fit right in—designer suit and all, but your soul is as dirty and soulless as a trench dog,” I spit, my eyes narrowing as my hands curl into fists.

Rinaldo steps closer, his gaze shifting between me and Ginny. His dark eyes linger on her like a predator eyeing its prey, then return to me with a sinister smile.

“Surprised? Did you really think this would play out without me?”

I feel my blood boiling, but before I can respond, he turns his attention to Ginny, his voice dripping with mockery. “Ah, Ginny. You’ve really made quite the mess, haven’t you?” He steps closerto her, running a finger down her cheek, and she flinches. I see red.

“Get your filthy hands off her,” I shout, lunging forward, but Rafe’s men seize me before I can reach him. Pain radiates through my body as they punch and drag me back, but fury blinds me. “I swear to god, Rinaldo, I’ll end you!”

Rinaldo laughs, crossing his arms. “You’re not in a position to make threats, Dario. Not anymore.” He glances at Ginny, then back at me, his grin widening. “In fact, you’ll want to hear what I have to say. You see…” His eyes narrow as he studies me, voice dropping to a whisper. “Ginny’s carrying something very important.”

I freeze. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Oh,” Rinaldo says, reveling in my confusion. “You didn’t know?” He leans in, lips brushing Ginny’s ear as he whispers, “She’s pregnant. With your child.”

The world tilts. My head spins, and I can barely register the words. Pregnant? Ginny? My eyes lock on hers, wide and terrified, and suddenly it clicks. She seemed sick and upset the day she left. This must be why. She’d found out that she was pregnant.

“You bastard!” I growl, lunging again, but this time I’m met with fists and weapons. The men pound into me, sending me to my knees, but I barely feel it. My mind is consumed by swirling thoughts.

Ginny is pregnant. They kidnapped a vulnerable woman. Rinaldo knows she’s carrying my child.

A knife slashes into my arm, but without thinking, I grab the hand, twist it, and snatch the knife. A guttural groan escapes as I stab it into his neck. The others recoil, and I stagger up, brandishing the weapon like a madman.

---