Page 22 of Plus-Size Bratva Possession
“There's nothing to talk about,” Giovanni cut in. “You're coming home with us today.”
“That's not happening,” I said flatly.
“You can't stop us,” Federico challenged.
I smiled. “Actually, I can. You see, your sister and I are legally married. Taking her would be tantamount to kidnapping. And while your family might be comfortable with that particular crime, mine tends to respond rather...forcefully.”
“You forced her into that marriage,” Dante spat. “It's not legal.”
“Prove it,” I shrugged. “Her fingerprint is on the documents. The marriage is registered. In the eyes of the law—”
“Fuck the law,” Luca interrupted. “Family comes above.”
“On that, we agree,” I said, my voice hardening. “This is about family. About what you people didto mine.”
“Here we go,” Giovanni rolled his eyes. “Back to Larissa.”
“It’s not just about Larissa,” I snapped as memories rushed back, memories that made my world dark and my thoughts murky. “Your family has taken everything from me, you hear me? Everything! The pain you caused, the havoc…”
I felt my throat choke, my words falter, my voice weaken. For a brief moment, I felt a sting of tears, and when I met Elena’s eyes, I saw complete confusion. She didn’t know. Of course, she didn’t know.
“That wasn’t on us, and you know it,” Caspian said through gritted teeth.
This was just like them. To rip away all the good and wipe their hands off with an excuse.
“No. When is it ever?” I scorned.
“There’s no point living in the past,” Dante tried another tactic. “Nothing you do can change things.”
“What… are you talking about?” Elena asked, her voice soft.
I ignored her. Everyone did.
“But an eye for an eye is the only way to avenge it,” I said.
“Don’t you dare?” roared Caspian, standing now. I stepped forward until I was glaring right at him.
“Can’t imagine something like that happening to your sister now, can you? But you didn’t care when you were the ones causing the pain.”
“You can choose to believe what you want,” Caspian argued. “But leave Elena out of this. She is innocent.”
“So was she,” I roared as that same pain constricted in my chest. “So was she…” My voice softened now.
Behind me, I heard Elena ask Gio if we’re still talking about Larissa. Gio said nothing. Of course. Why would he? He didn’t want to be the monster in his precious sister’s eyes.
“None of you can even admit it, can you? You can't even apologize for the damage you've done. You’re all blind to your wrongdoings,” I stepped back and addressed them all.
“You're fucking delusional.” Giovanni stood up, his hands balled into fists. “We don’t owe you any apologies. This ends now, and Elena is coming with us.”
“Try it,” I challenged, my hand instinctively moving toward the gun holstered beneath my jacket. “See how far you get.”
The maid chose that precise moment to enter with a tray of coffee and tea, completely oblivious to the murderous tension in the room. She set the tray down and scurried away, clearly sensing something was off.
“If any of you take one step toward that door with Elena,” I continued once the maid was gone, “I'll have your entire operation shut down by the end of the week. I have enough dirt on the Lebedev family to bury all of you. One call, that's all it would take.”
“Don’t act like you’re the only one holding cards here, Ajello,” Giovanni snapped.
I didn’t flinch. “Then I guess we let it all burn,” I said, voice low. “Because I’m not handing her back. She’s mine now. And she stays shackled to me for as long as I decide.”
