Chapter 6
The heavy, soundproofed doors of the breakfast room swung open entirely, and six white American bodyguards in professional dark suits flooded the room. They took one look at the unconscious Marcus bleeding beneath the map rack and the terrified Bianca trembling among the overturned tables, and immediately drew their weapons, forming a tight perimeter.
"Boss," the lead bodyguard said, his voice tense but controlled. "Are you injured?"
"I am entirely unhurt," Vittorio replied, his deep, raspy voice echoing in the vast room. He did not take his eyes off Bianca. "Secure the perimeter. No one leaves this room."
Vittorio walked slowly, deliberately, toward the pet feeding mat. The bright video colors of the room made the disgusting contents of the heavy ceramic dog bowl look even more repulsive. He bent down with his deeply masculine grace, his tailored suit shifting flawlessly, and picked the bowl up with his bare hands.
He turned and walked toward the ruined leather ottoman. His polished leather shoes crunched softly over a broken decorative tray.
Bianca scrambled backward, her fair, rosy skin drained of all color. Tears of sheer, absolute terror streamed down her face, ruining her perfect makeup.
"Vittorio, please," Bianca whimpered, her voice a pathetic, broken whisper. "I am sorry. I was stressed about the wedding. I lost my mind. I'll do anything. Please don't kill me."
Vittorio stopped directly in front of her. He looked down, his cold, intimidating eyes devoid of a single shred of human empathy.
He leaned over and set the heavy ceramic dog bowl directly onto the floor, mere inches from Bianca’s knees.
"Enjoy your last meal," Vittorio said. His voice was dead calm, quiet, and lethal, vibrating with an apocalyptic promise.
Bianca’s face became utterly, genuinely frightened. She stared at the bowl of slop, the horrifying realization crashing down upon her. The man standing over her was not going to simply break off the engagement. He was going to execute her.
"You can't!" Bianca shrieked, hysteria fully taking over. "My family is part of the Commission! The Hale family will declare war on you if you touch me, Vittorio! You need our territory to secure the southern ports!"
"I need nothing. From a family of child abusers," Vittorio whispered softly, straightening his posture.
He turned his head slightly, addressing the lead bodyguard without looking away from his treacherous fiancée.
"Take them to the basement holding cells," Vittorio commanded, measuring every word. "Zip-tie them to the chairs. When the brother wakes up, break his legs so he understands his position. Do not give them water."
"Yes, Mr. Romano," the bodyguard nodded, gesturing for the men to move in.
May you like
"Vittorio, no! Please!" Bianca screamed as two massive men grabbed her by the arms, dragging her roughly off the floor.
"Take the bowl with her," Vittorio added coldly. "If she gets hungry in the dark, she knows what to eat."
