Page 38 of Ludovico's Vengeance

Michael wastes no time when we pull up outside of the place I used to call home and makes the call. I see the front door swing open to reveal my father with a smug look plastered across his face. My entourage of misfits help me out of the car and create a protective shield around me as they escort me to where the man of my nightmares is looming. I can’t help but recoil the closer we get to where he stands.

I force myself to relive every single time he hurt me as he leads us through the home. My third birthday was the first time I remember him hitting me. The day I had learned to read and was excited that he was there that day, how dare his own daughter show off her newly discovered skill. I was studying at my desk for a test Cece had planned for me the following day and even though I was in the middle of a sentence and didn’t stand up the moment he walked into my room it was disrespectful. I was in so much pain I couldn’t get out of bed for two days after that time. With Abel at my back, Rand and Milo part enough to allow me through to approach.

“Daddy,” I say as sweetly and timidly as I can. His hand darts out and grabs me hard by the elbow. A pained hiss escapes which sends Abel into a frenzy.

“Don't fucking hurt her!” He screams at my father which only seems to make him tighten his hold on me.

Rand restrains Abel and says something quietly in his ear to make him calm, but his expression and demeanor are anything but friendly. I offer a reassuring smile to the brotherly figure, knowing that he’s internally throwing every expletive at me for putting him in this position.

My father drags me through the house allowing the men to follow us. When we approach the room I had called home for so long, I freeze. A strong odor is coming from the place as he opens the door to reveal Cece. A loud scream barrels its way up my throat when I see the woman who raised me. My stomach lurches as I fight not to vomit. I see more bone than skin, what little skin is left makes her resembleImhotep- before the full reincarnation. The only thing that clues me in to the identity is her hair. A throat clears somewhere behind me while my body is trembling with anger as I’m being held in place by a psychopath that I share half of my DNA with.

“We’re not going to allow her out of our sight until we have our boss.” Michael’s tone is venomous as he speaks.

I feel my father lift his shoulders in a shrug as he drags me along behind him toward another door. He leads us down a narrow flight of stairs into a dimly lit, damp room. Before my eyes have a chance to adjust to the darkness, a light is turned on illuminating the room to show Giovanni chained to a metal chair. His beautiful brown eyes are hidden under swollen blue bruises. It’s been two days since I’ve seen him and my body aches to be near him. The suit jacket and button up shirt he had on before he left is gone. His ink covered chest is hidden under layers of blood.

My eyes land on Michael who is standing stock still staring at his boss. I jerk my head for him to get Giovanni out. As soon as the men begin to move, I jerk my head back resulting in a forceful impact against my unsuspecting fathers face. His hold on my arm loosens enough for me to spin around and start whaling on him as I let out a scream that has been pent up for years. Every practiced punch, kick, and move that Michael had taught me, coming in clutch as I beat the man onto the ground. I’m not sure how much time has passed since he stopped trying to fight back when strong arms pull me off his limp body. Abel drags me out of the room, and I let out a defeated sigh.

“We’ve got Johnny. Let me get you.” The urgency in his tone pulls me out of my spiral. “We’ll come back and finish this later.”

A subtle hint of lavender filters into my unconscious state. My cock pulses when the memories of Nina flood my thoughts. My desire quickly turns into anger when I realize it’s not reality. Fuck, I miss her. It’s been far too long.

I hear myself groan as the state of my body comes crashing down onto me as I come to. Every limb, organ, and nerve ending feels like it’s on fire. The blankets that lay on top of me are too much, even the pressure of a sheet is too much. My body goes rigid when I realize I’m in a bed. My eyes fly open, and I begin to thrash around as a jolt of adrenaline courses through me. The attempt to get out of here is halted when a soft hand squeezes mine. That touch is the only thing that brings me down from the natural high.

“No, don’t move. I’m right here.” The sound of her voice is the sweetest thing I’ll ever hear.

I turn my head to find Nina sitting next to me. She’s dressed in one of my T-shirts, her elbows are leaning against the mattress with her fingers tangled around mine. My eyes rake up and down the little bit of her I can see, something has changed.

“Amore Mio,” my voice is rough from lack of use. “What happened? How am I here? Where are the men?” I ask the questions without taking a breath or allowing her time to answer.

Her face falls as soon as the question passes my lips. The beautiful silver of her eyes has turned into a dark grey with the anxiety she’s faced.

“Well, Michael and Rand are still trying to figure out what happened to my dad because his body was gone and with how badly I beat him, no one expected him to survive.” Her cheeks flush as she makes the confession. “We didn’t want to leave Vanna, Jade, and Brittany here alone to look further into it until we know where my father is.”

My eyes widen when I realize what she just admitted. Before I pry for more information she continues.

“You were gone for two days. It was my fault.” Her confession makes my heart stop. How the fuck could it be her fault. “I couldn’t function; between their worry for me and the number of items they had to comb through, I was a distraction.” Her shoulders begin to shake, she buries her face in our entwined hands as she sobs. “I’m so sorry, it was my fault you were hurt for so long.”

A rumble of laughter climbs up my chest causing me to wince as it escapes. I shake my head in disbelief.

“Bella, had they not made sure you were ok before coming for me, I would be putting a bullet in every single one of my men right the fuck now.” My lips turn up into a smile. I groan at the pain a simple fucking smile causes.

She grips my hand tightly as she stands and raises the other to cup my cheek. Tears spring to her eyes as she takes in my broken state. My eyes roam down her body and I notice discoloration on her elbow from this angle. As soon as I lift my hand and push the shirt up her arm, I see an angry bruise. My eyes light up with a fire as I take in the new information.

"Michael!” I roar the name like a goddamn lion. Nina flinches when my finger brushes against the tender skin.

“Nope. They’ve all been instructed not to enter this room unless I call for them.” She announces with a confidence that is so fucking sexy.

“You were there, and he put his fucking hands on you. Why were you there?” I growl at Nina who is sitting patiently like she’s speaking to a child.

“You saved me, Giovanni. You sent them to rescue me from that hell. A hell that you now have a glimpse of.” She explains as her nostrils flare. “I know he doesn’t play fair.”

When I don’t reply she rolls her eyes, clearly annoyed with me, and lifts the hem of my shirt exposing my stomach. It’s covered in bruises, but also now has twelve identical twin marks scattered across my skin.

“Stun gun. The first time he used it on me he had beaten me so badly I already couldn’t get out of bed for two days. That third day he used the stun gun on me expecting it to get me up and on the move. Spoiler - It didn’t.” Her chest sags as she lets out a deep breath. “Not long ago, you claimed me. You said you’d leave a trail of bodies if someone did something to me.” She reminds me of the conversation we had just before her father interrupted us at dinner.

She leans in and presses a soft kiss against my swollen lips. I grip her neck and hold her in place as I savor every second. When she pulls away her eyes lock on to mine.

“I will kill my father for you,Amore Mio.” Those silver eyes sparkle with so much unwavering adoration and loyalty as she speaks. Her sweet smile tugs at my heart. “We are in this together.”

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