20. Gianna
Chapter twenty
Gianna
Oh God, oh God, oh God...
My heart is racing, my palms are sweating, and my mind is a jumble of terrified thoughts. I’m being led somewhere, but I have no idea where or why.
The darkness is suffocating me, making me feel sick. The mask over my face is tight, slightly constricting my breathing. I can’t see anything and my tied hands are making me feel completely helpless.
The sound of our footsteps echoes off the walls with every step we take. It makes it seem like we’re in a massive, empty space. It’s a warehouse, I’m sure of it.
What changed? What’s Luca going to do to me?
My fear is palpable, and my senses are heightened as I try to take in every detail. I’m trying to calm myself down, but it’s no use. I’m scared—so scared.
“Where the fuck are you taking me?”
“Shut it,” a guard replies.
I feel a tug on my arms as I am pushed gently. It causes me to stumble, my foot catching on something, but I’m caught by a firm grip. My heart skips multiple beats as I’m steadied, but I don’t know if I should be grateful or terrified.
My mind is racing, and when we finally stop, I’m left standing in a spot.
I’m trying to steady my breaths, straining my ears to pick up any sound. I need to know where they’ve brought me.
“Mmm... location... trade...?” someone whispers.
It’s hard to make out what they’re saying, but the words send a chill down my spine.
“Shh... not so loud...” another voice hisses.
“...don't want... to risk....” a third voice chimes in.
I’m trying to piece together what they’re saying as I continue to listen.
Something is happening and I have no fucking idea what it is. I’m trying to wriggle free, but it’s impossible. My tied wrists are straining against the ropes.
“...Gianna...” someone whispers.
My heart skips a beat.
“Who the hell are you?” My senses are on high alert as I stand there, frozen in fear. The sound of a car approaching grows louder, and I tense up.
The man holding me doesn’t move, so I remain still. It's all dark with the textile over my head.
The car stops, and I hear the door shut with a soft thud. Heels click on the ground, growing louder with each step. A female voice, laced with worry, cuts through the night air. “Please, remove her mask.”
I recognize the voice.
“Bianca?”
“I said don’t hurt her. Why is she fucking tied up?” she exclaims, her voice cracking with emotion.
I feel a hand reach out and gently remove my mask. My eyes adjust slowly as I blink in the sudden light. Bianca’s worried silhouette comes into view, the car behind her shining brightly into my eyes, and I immediately close them to adjust to the brightness.
She comes closer and her face is now within view, her eyes scanning me frantically. “Gianna, are you okay?”
“Where am I?”
“Safe.”
“Does Luca know you kidnapped me?”
Her gaze narrows, and her jaw clenches. “Fuck, Gianna, I’m trying to get you out of there.” She tries to hold my hand but I don’t let her.
I’m not stupid enough to trust any De Santi anymore.
She notices my expression and retracts her hand. She stands beside me instead, her eyes scanning the dimly lit, vast warehouse. It’s evident that she is anxious and worried.
“What the hell is going on?”
She gives me a wry smile as she stares at me. “I’m doing what my brother should have done, Gianna. It’s the best thing to do.”
I’m taken aback by her words, confusion and mistrust swirling inside me. What is she talking about? I look at her, searching for answers, but her face is calm. “Bianca, what’s going on?” I demand. “Why am I here?”
She glances at me, her eyes softening, but her expression remains firm. “I know you don’t understand, Gianna. Trust me, this is for the best.”
Almost immediately, a car approaches; its blindingly bright headlights illuminate the dark warehouse, making me squint.
Bianca’s expression transforms in an instant, her relaxed demeanor is quickly replaced by tense alertness. She stands up straight, her eyes fixed intently on the approaching vehicle. I can sense her unease, her body language suspicious.
Something is fucking wrong.
The car screeches to a halt beside Bianca’s, its headlights still shining like daggers into our eyes. We all raise our hands, shielding our faces from the intense light.
A figure emerges from the car, tall and imposing, with long hair that’s blown back by the wind. He steps into the beam of light, his features obscured by the harsh glare.
The man clicks a button on his key, and the car’s lights finally dim, allowing my eyes to slowly adjust to the darkness.
My relief is short-lived as he takes two deliberate steps closer, his presence making my skin crawl. My vision is still hazy, but I can make out his face. I’m frozen in shock as I stare at him.
“Mateo.” His name falls off my lips as a whisper.
Oh god, what has she done?
“Gianna,” he says. His voice is full of relief.
“Ah, Bianca.”
He tilts his head, looking at me intently. “You look surprised to see me. Didn’t she tell you?”
Bianca’s eyes flick to me, and I feel the fear all over my body as if I’ve just been doused in ice water.
What the fuck has she done?
Bianca doesn’t have the guts to hold my gaze as she plants her eyes on the ground.
“I'm guessing she didn’t.”
Mateo’s grin widens, and he takes a step closer to me. His towering height shadows me, making me feel small and vulnerable. He reaches out and unties my wrists.
As he pulls me towards his car, Bianca’s voice rings out, “Mateo, stop!” Her tone is firm, commanding.
Mateo freezes, his grip on my arm tightening. He turns back to Bianca, his eyes flashing with annoyance. “What now?”
“What about your promise? What you said you’d help us with!” Bianca yells.
“Bianca, relax; I’ve got this,” Mateo replies, a bit more relaxed with arrogance dripping from his voice. “I promised to help you, and I will. I will do my best to resolve your fucking issue.”
Bianca’s face twists in anger. “You better not double-cross me.”
“I always keep my word.” He turns to me and helps me into the back seat, his grip surprisingly gentle. “Get in, Gianna. It’s time to go home.”
He slides into the seat beside me and instructs the driver to drive.
My heart’s pounding in my chest. The man I've been trying to escape for the last three years is now sitting next to me as if I haven't been missing for weeks. He doesn't ask me questions, or demand to know what I know. He's content to sit in silence.
As we drive away from Bianca and into the night, I stare back at her worried face, which seems to be covered by regret.
What has she just gotten me into?
We finally approach an estate.
I’m struck by the sheer space of the estate as we drive into it. The gates themselves are a work of art, adorned with intricate filigree and glinting in the moonlight like a thousand tiny diamonds. We’re immediately flanked by guards in crisp suits, their faces stern and focused.
As the car moves up the winding driveway, a mansion comes into view, and I’m utterly awestruck. The exterior is covered by marble, stone, and glass, with towering spires and sweeping arches that seem to defy gravity.
Mateo’s eyes rest on me, a sly smile playing on his lips. “Welcome to my humble abode, Gianna. I hope you’ll find it... comfortable.”
He takes my hand the moment the car comes to a stop. He waits for his guards to open the door before he leads me out of the car. “Follow me, Gianna.”
I step out slowly, my eyes widening as I take in the view of the mansion. I follow Mateo, my sandals clicking on the polished floor.
I break the silence, needing to know what this is all about. “What do you want from me?” I’m quite aware of the marriage plans that had been going on before Luca took me hostage.
“I freed you from that fucking asshole. It’s all I’ve been wanting to do since I found out he had you.”
“How-”
“Ah, before you say anything else, you must be tired.” He looks around. “Take care of her,” Mateo says to a maid dressed in a black and white uniform.
He hands me over to her and I’m led away into a room.
I can’t help but stare at the room. It’s so much better than the rat hole Luca locked me in. The bed is king-size, with silken sheets and plush blankets.
This all seems too good to be true. I just know it.
After a long and much-needed bath, I change into a stunning green gown and I’m escorted back to Mateo, who’s now holding court at a lavish dining table. The spread before him is a kitchen masterpiece, with platters of juicy-looking meats, steamed vegetables, and delicious pastries. The aroma wafting from the table is heavenly, making my stomach growl with hunger.
I approach as Mateo pours champagne into the empty glass in front of me, his smirk dripping with charm.
“Enjoy, Gianna,” he says, his smirk seemingly plastered on his face. “We have a lot to celebrate and talk about.”
I take a cautious sip, the bubbles dancing on my tongue as I gaze around the room.
It’s just the two of us, alone in this vast space. The intimacy is unsettling, but the champagne is a welcome distraction. I take another sip, feeling the tension ease slightly as Mateo begins to serve himself from the platters.
I can’t help but notice the entitlement dripping from his voice when he begins to speak. “I’m the only child of my parents, Gianna. Well, at least the only one they can count on. They’re... indisposed at the moment, but I’m sure they’d love to meet you.” His smile grows wider, unsettling. “I’ve always been the center of attention, you see. And I’ve learned to take what I want, when I want.”
A shiver runs down my spine as he continues, his words painting a picture of a power-hungry psychopath. Maybe all this is my mind playing a trick on me. I mean, he has never given me a reason to feel this way and he’s treated me better than Luca in this short period of time.
“I’ve built my empire from the ground up, Gianna. I won’t let anyone take that away from me.”
That sounds reasonable but, for whatever reason, my discomfort grows as he leans in.
“Enough about me. Let’s talk about you, Gianna. You’re a mother, aren’t you? I can have your daughter brought to you if you’d like.”
My heart skips a beat at the mention of my daughter, but Mateo’s next words send a chill down my spine. “Let’s be clear, Gianna. You’re not a prisoner here. I’ll have you return safely to your family.”
It sounds too good to be fucking true. What is wrong with me?
“What’s your condition? Spill it.”
“It’s nothing out of the ordinary. You just have to sign our marriage papers. I’ve waited long enough. I wanted you from the moment I met you, even after I heard you got impregnated by that bastardo .”
There it is. “You still want to marry me?”
“Yes.”
“How long do I have to make the decision?”
“By the end of the week; you owe me already. Don’t you agree? I saved your life.”
I stare at him, feeling a coldness in my chest.
Mateo nods, his smile growing wider. “Don’t worry. You’ll have everything you need right here. Food, shelter, even your daughter…. and me. But don’t think about trying to leave. My security is... impressive, to say the least.”
His eyes gleam with maniacal intensity, or so I think, as he begins to outline his twisted plans. “I’m going to be the Capo in New York, Gianna. I’ll take out every rival, every obstacle, until I’m the king of the mafias in this city, and you will be my bride.”
At this point, I can’t tell who is worse, Luca or him. His words are like a punch to the gut, leaving me breathless and horrified.
Although, it’s what he says next that sends my world crashing down.
“It can’t be that hard, really. I mean, Salvatore Mancini is dead, after all.” He says it so casually, so callously, that I feel like I’ve been slapped.
My mind reels in shock. Salvatore Mancini... my father.
Dead?
No, it can’t be.