Antonio's pov-

As I carried Gabriella into the van, she went limp in my arms. My heart almost stopped beating as I looked down at her sickly pale face.

"Fuck Dom drive fast!" I said in panic.

Domenico looked back at us and when he saw her he froze for a second before driving like a mad man.

"It's gonna be okay bambina. You're gonna be okay" I whispered as I continued to stare at her.

"She's losing alot of blood" Alessandro pointed out and I clenched my jaw, my body was drenched in her blood but I didn't care.

"Faster Dom. Her pulse is weakening" Leo said as he placed his fingers on her neck, he had his other hand on her thigh where a nasty knife wound was.

I'm going to rip Luke to threads.

When we got to the base, Gabriella was immediately taken to the hospital wing for emergency operation.

"We helped you find your mafia princess. We shall take our leave now" Raphael said to me while motioning for his brother to come with him.

But the boy didn't move and Raphael stopped walking and looked back at his brother in confusion.

"Come on Alessio" he said but the kid still made no move to leave.

"I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay here" the kid said, his fists clenched by his sides.

"Don't take that tone with me. Get up now" Raphael said firmly and I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

"I said I'm not going. Fuckin leave if you want to" the kid snapped.

"Why do you insist on staying?. We helped, she's safe so we need to leave" Raphael said, eyes flashing with anger.

"She's my fuckin friend and I wanna be here for her, unlike you who let business come in between you two!" The kid suddenly yelled as he pointed at me and then his brother.

I looked at Raphael when I noticed the side glance he gave me. His eyes darkened and I could tell he was about to lose his shit.

What the fuck is that look for? Oh now I know, Raphael and I used to be close friends. Heck he used to be my best friend.

We went to the same highschool, our parents were also close friends. We did everything together.

That was until he was announced as the Don of the Spanish mafia, he started withdrawing from me and I had no idea why.

So I being an idiot asked him and he said "I'm busy Antonio. Now that I'm the Don I no longer have time for things as petty as friendship so please quit bothering me".

That was the day I lost my best friend. After I got announced as Don we still kept the alliance between our mafias despite all that.

I remember how hard it was for me to call him asking for help regarding my sorella but Dom did a good job at knocking some sense into me.

*Flashback*

I was in my office, clutching my phone tightly in my hand as I struggled to press the simple call button.

Domenico walked into my office, he glanced at me and then at my phone with a raised eyebrow, an amused smile playing on his lips.

"Have you called everyone yet?" He asked with a knowing look. Of course he knew.

"All except one" I said as I tiredly rubbed my face.

"Are you seriously doing this right now? Our sister's life is in danger and here you are acting like a goddamn pussy!. What's so hard in calling him?" He snapped at me.

"If it's so easy, do it yourself" I said as I pushed the phone towards him.

"No way, official calls like this are meant to be made by the Don or his second in command and Ales is out" he said as he shoved the phone back in my hand.

"But-"

"Get one thing straight, I want my sorella back and I want her back immediately. Think of all the things they could be doing to her, so I suggest you grow a pair and make the damn call. Now please" he cut me off and I glared at him but he just smiled.

I sighed and dialed the number, praying to any god that was willing to listen that he doesn't pick up.

"Yes?" I heard his annoyingly calm voice.

"This is Antonio De'Luca. The italian mafia needs your help" I said in an equally calm voice.

"With?"

"Our mafia princess has been kidnapped and we need help in getting her back. There'll be a meeting in our base tomorrow" I said, tapping my fingers on my desk impatiently.

"I'll be there" he said and I thanked him before hanging up.

"Now was that so bad?" Dom teased and I threw my pen at him, which he dodged with ease. He is so infuriating!.

"At least we'll be one step closer to getting our bambina back, that's all that matters" he said softly and I sighed, realizing he was right.

*End of flashback*

"Stop being so immature, you don't have time for friendship" Raphael snapped at his brother and I frowned.

What the fuck is wrong with him?. If the kid wants a friend let him have one jeez.

"You don't get to tell me what I have time for. I made my decision, I'll stay here you can go" the kid snapped back.

"Fine. Come back when you want to" Raphael said and stormed out.

"Ay, go with your brother" Xander spoke up and I glared at him, effectively shutting him up.

As the doctor emerged from the operation theatre I swiftly turned to him.

"How is she?" I asked, concern etched on my face.

"When she was brought in, she had severe wounds. We managed to stop the bleeding but her body shut down. We had to induce a coma to give her body time to heal" he explained and I turned to Leonardo.

"He's saying, they put her in a temporary coma, to reduce the pain and give her body time to recover properly " he explained and I nodded.

"So you'll wake her up when her body is healing?" Ales asked and the doctor nodded.

"Can we see her?" Matteo asked softly.

"We'll transfer her to her ward soon, however, please visit in pairs, no more. We don't want to overwhelm her" he said as we nodded.

"Who wants to go in first?" Xavier asked softly, resting his head on Xander's shoulder. Xander's distant gaze worried me.

"The twins and Matteo can go first," I suggested, averting a potential argument.

As they left, I caught Alessio's eye and motioned for him to follow me. We stepped into the empty hallway, the scent of disinfectant lingering.

"What's your relationship with my sister?" I asked, piercing his gaze.

"She's my friend. I said it before," Alessio replied gruffly, his voice low and guarded.

"Just friends?" I pressed, my tone firm but measured.

Alessio nodded. "Yes, just friends." But his eyes betrayed him, the eyes never lie

I noticed the tension in his shoulders, the way his jaw clenched. There was more to this story.

Interesting

"You like her," I stated, my tone neutral.

Alessio's expression remained stoic, but his jaw clenched almost imperceptibly. The faintest flicker in his eyes betrayed his emotions.

"I told you, she's just a friend," he repeated, his voice measured.

I raised an eyebrow. "Friendship doesn't tense your shoulders or make your eyes linger."

"What are you insinuating?" Alessio's gaze narrowed, a hint of defensiveness creeping in.

"I'm not insinuating," I said, my voice firm. "I'm stating fact. You care for her deeply. More than friendship"

"She told me everything,you warned her of danger, offered help, and joined the rescue mission. You even fought your own brother to stay by her side. The signs are glaring, kid." I said, my eyes locked on his

"You're reading too much into it" he said, his expression hardened, his jaw setting in denial.

"I'm not," I replied, my tone firm. "You're invested. Deeply."

Alessio shook his head, his voice rising. "I'm just helping a friend in need. That's all."

"You can keep lying to yourself kid" I said as I crossed my arms

Alessio's eyes flashed, anger simmering. "You don't know what you're talking about."

I pressed on, my voice calm. "Alessio, you're exactly like your brother, I can see through your lies"

Alessio's gaze faltered, and for an instant, I saw the truth. But he regained composure quickly.

"Mind your own business." He grumbled

"Let's get back" I said, deciding to drop it

Alessio swiftly walked away, eager to escape our conversation. The others had already visited her so it was just us

"Go on in, you seem anxious" I said as I noticed his unease

He locked eyes with me, hesitation flickering across his face. Then with a nod, he slowly walked into her room

Alessio's pov-

I pushed open the VIP ward door, my hands trembling. The sight before me stole my breath. She lay motionless, her skin marred by bruises. Rage coursed through my veins as I scanned her fragile form.

When I find the one responsible...

My mind seethed with vengeance, envisioning the destruction I'd unleash upon him and his loved ones.

I approached her bedside, my eyes drinking in every detail. Her beauty, even in suffering, captivated me. I'd never felt such an intense pull towards anyone.

Her laughter, her tears, her radiant smile – everything about her enthralled me. But I knew the truth

I'm a monster.

I've done terrible things that would make anyone's skin crawl. How could I drag her into my darkness? Her innocence would wither in my world.

I sat beside her, my gaze tracing the contours of her face. My heart ached, torn between longing and self-loathing

My heart constricted, pain slicing through me. I knew I had to bury my feelings once more, for her own sake. The weight of my darkness was crushing, I couldn't bear the thought of dragging her into it

I gently took her hand in mine, feeling an ache in my heart. Her delicate fingers fit perfectly in my grasp. Tears welled in my eyes but I forced them back as I stared at her

"I'm sorry amore mio, if only I had stayed with you, this wouldn't have happened. Please get better soon I promise I'll make it up to you" I whispered as a tear landed on her hand

"I'm so fuckin sorry" I said hoarsely as more tears slipped away

"I swear I'll protect you with all I have. Even if I have to do it from afar" I said as I placed a kiss on her forehead, I closed my eyes as I savoured the warmth of her skin

I casted her one last longing look before wiping my eyes and leaving her room with a heavy heart

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