74.
Alessandro's POV
I dashed out of the room with speed. Vivianne rushed up to me when she saw me.
"What's wrong? Where's Amelia?" She asked, her face full of worry.
"You know what, Anne?" I squatted in front of her, cupping her cheeks. "just wait for me. I'll he back soon, okay?"
"But…"
I cut in.
"There's something urgent I have to attend to right now." I snapped my fingers, beckoning on one of the maids. "Look after her."
I ran out of the house without answering any more of Vivianne's questions.
Time wasn't fucking on my side.
I drove with full speed, cussing at any motherfucker who blocked my way. I couldn't handle the traffic.
I hopped out of my car and jumped on a bike just few steps away.
"That's mine, man!" The owner who obviously went to get some ice-cream in the middle of the traffic yelled but I was gone.
I didn't fucking care right now.
That rat, how dare he touch what is mine! How did Amelia even leave the mansion in the first place?
Where were the guards? Where the fuck were they?!
Did she leave with the girl I saw her with earlier?
How did a mole manage to scurry their way in!
Do I even have security or just silly vigilantes? Even vigilantes were better than those fools.
I've always told them to keep an eye on her. How did she manage to slip out?
You're so dead, Russo. I didn't really care about the mafia ties anymore. I was so going to put a fucking bullet in his skull.
I stopped the bike in front of the warehouse. I had to track down the recipient address of the message sent earlier.
I shot every guard that got on my way.
"Where is she!" I growled, locking another one on the shirt. He looked really scared and pointed at a door.
"They're…. in there." He trembled. This must be some amateur.
I shot him in the head before dashing towards the direction he had pointed to.
I banged the door open and there was Russo, his hands pinning Amelia down.
He wasn't aware that I had gotten in already. But first of all, I shot the lady who was standing before them with a camera.
Russo turned around at the sound of the gun and before he could make a move, I shot him on the arm.
I quickly grabbed Amelia who was soaked in blood and sweat. He had tortured her a whole lot.
"You motherfucker!" I yelled, pushing him down and hitting him with my foot. "How dare you lay your hands in what is mine?!"
Russo laughed, his eyes shifting to his bleeding arm. He pulled out the bullet in it and threw it aside.
My brows widened as I watched him stagger and stand up. "Not so soon, Alessandro. Are you here to take Amoretto away from me? Who told you I'm done yet?!" An evil smile creeper up his face as he moved closer.
"Don't move any inch closer." I warmed sternly, pointing the gun at him but his annoying laughter ripped out.
"Do you think I'd be afraid of that, Alessandro DeMarco? Shoot me all you want but I'd make sure I let her know the truth before I die!" He yelled, raising his index finger in determination to show he meant business.
Amelia was losing a lot of blood and I wanted to be out of here any second from now. But I was fully aware this bastard was going to scream everything out the moment I try to leave here.
He wanted something from and that was certain. Why would he use Amelia as a bait to get to me?
He knew I'd come to him. He knew I would never leave her when she was in danger.
I was definitely gonna save her from this monster now but there would be a punishment for her disobedience.
"Just go straight to the point and tell me anything you want! Stop wasting time." I seethed, balling my fists. "Tell me what you want, Russo. Why the fuck are you doing this!"
"I want that diamond, DeMarco." Russo grumbled out, sitting on a sofa and crossing his legs. "The diamond in custody of your father. The one you got through blood and sweat, the one that made you go beyond the ordinary..or.." he looked up, chuckling at first. "Would you like me to explain further?"
Shit! This bastard!
"You're doing all of this because of the diamond! Could you be more shameless, Russo? Cause you're not getting that diamond!" I retorted.
"Well….well…" he said, his voice singsong. "Might just ramble out all I know to...your slave. Oops sorry, she's your amoretto. I just got confused cause you seem to switch personalities with her. One time you play the ruthless mafia Don, the next you are nothing but a wasted asshole wanting to get laid and again you're back to that monster you'd ever be."
He paused for a moment as he tried to touch Amelia but I restricted him from doing so. His shoulders slumped as if to accept defeat but I knew Russo better.
He was never done with me. Especially not now that he needed something from me.
"It was thirteen years ago at the Vincenzo mansion when room suddenly crumpled HIS way in…."
"Shut the fuck up, Russo!" I was angry at how I was at his mercy right now. "You can just name anything apart from the diamond cause father would never let it out, not so easily. Not after we've worked so much for it." I let him know the naked truth. It was impossible.
The diamond was worth trillions and it was an asset.
"Oh!" Russo snapped his head towards me. "Gracious!" He clutched his chest dramatically. "What if I don't want anything, Alessandro? The truth itself is expensive at times just like now when you have to exchange it for a fortune."
A smirk grew up my lips when an idea popped into my head.
"What if you focus on building your trust with the Mafia executives. They might just wipe you out if you keep showing them how useless you are." I raised a brow at his curious face.
"How do you know about that?" He rolled his eyes at me, pointing.
I scoffed. "The news is all over the group, old-time friend. Your position is at stake since you keep making mistakes. My father is a prominent Mafia executive and you should be aware of that. If you insist on taking the diamond and get it st the end. You might just attract more punishment as the council wouldn't be willing to overlook it.
If you're willing to unlock the wiser part of your brain and listen to me then I could help you buy their trust and cooperation."
"Who told you I need their cooperation? To hell with all of you! Argh!" He clenched his fists, sweaty drops forming on his forehead.
"You don't have to get angry at yourself. I might just help you on this. So Russo, forget about the diamond that could get you into more trouble.
Focus on reality. I can pull s one strings and get you juicy transactions that would last for lifetime and you'd earn an eternity recommendation. Think about it, I'll be leaving now.
Call me with your damn phone when you decide."
With that I left the warehouse and he did6stop me from leaving.
He shouldn't think he was more wiser than I am. I had deliberately put those talks together.
He was definitely going to fall for it. He was still going to cause trouble but for the main time I have been able to make him suck his thumb.
I got Amelia treated when we got home. The cuts, bruises, every burn from that son of a gun.
Vivianne insisted on seeing her but I sure wasn't going to let her see Amelia in this state.
It was hoping to attract a lot of questions.
"Thankfully, you're awake." I said coldly, tucking my hands in my pockets as I turned my back at Amelia who sat up slowly.
It has been 2 hours since she slept and sure this was the right time for her to receive her punishment.
"W….what punishment?" She questioned dumbly and I chuckled dryly, facing her now.
"You think I was going to overlook this one, simply because I came to save you?" I nodded slowly, running my hands through my hair. "I know you like to get yourself in trouble but why don't I just do the saving and you get punished anytime I play the hero?"
"P….please…..no…" she shook her head, crawling backwards as I moved closer.
"Pull off that shirt. I don't want to see it on you." I growled, ordering as I pinned her between my hands. "Your punishment starts now. You have a minute to take it off."