Chapter 14
Massimo
Surrounded by heavy mahogany furniture and floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with books, I sit alone in my home office. The quietness of the room has me on edge, as if all of my senses are heightened. For the first time in my life, I'm uncertain of what to do. My mind keeps circling back to Hadley and all the information laid at my feet nearly a week ago that I can’t seem to stop digging into.
The realization that Hadley— no, Halona— was bought off the black market and thrust into a nightmare of a life with Colton Bernard is a punch to the gut. My chest tightens as I consider the hell she must've gone through, all without knowing her true origins, her actual family.
Pain in my chest for her turns into a burning desire for vengeance. Every fiber of my being screams for retribution, to make those responsible for her suffering pay. I crave the sight of their eyes dimming, their cries falling on deaf ears as my heart turns to stone, fueled by a seething rage that demands retribution. I will not grant them any reprieve; they were never there when Hadley needed them, so why should I show them an ounce of compassion now?
There’s movement outside of my office, and as I pick up the pistol I have in the drawer, Hadley asks, “Massimo, are you in there?”
“Come in,” I call out, tucking the gun back into the drawer now that I know it's her.
She pushes open the door, eyes wide with worry. “Is everything alright?” she asks, her voice hesitant. The golden light from the hallway frames her figure and casts a soft glow on her face. I'm struck, as I always am, by the sheer sweetness of her.
“I'm okay, Hadley. Just lost in thought,” I assure her, although my voice comes out raspier than expected.
“About what?” Her voice wavers, the curiosity evident in her eyes. She looks at me, so innocent, so pure. She has no idea of the storm that's gathering around her. It's a harsh contrast to the fury raging inside me.
But I can't tell her . Not yet, because the truth is a demon I'm not sure she's ready to face. So, instead, I leave all that out to save her… “There's nothing to worry about; I'm fine. No need for the concerned expression on your face,” I reply, hoping it’ll satisfy her curiosity.
She takes a step closer, her expression softening with empathy that bares my soul. “You’re not fine, Massimo. I can see it in your eyes.”
Letting out a sigh, I run a hand through my hair. Damn it, she's right, but I can’t confess all to her, not yet. The truth will shatter her world, and part of me is still grappling with how best to handle this. “Sometimes the weight of the world feels heavier than usual,” I admit, offering her a half-hearted shrug, with as much truth as I can bear to share right now.
Her expression softens even further, her eyes shining with a mixture of worry and understanding. “I know,” she whispers, her voice tender. “And you don't have to carry it all alone, Massimo.”
An unexpected warmth fills my chest at her words. But the reality is too harsh, too bleak for this moment of tenderness. The world outside my office, our home—it's not a gentle place. It's a grim battlefield where one lapse could lead to disaster.
“I... appreciate that, Hadley,” I say, my eyes meeting hers. I notice a flicker of hope in them, as if she’s trying to pierce the veil of my inner turmoil and find the man beneath. The man I once was, perhaps, before life’s bitter twists and turns made me into the fortress I am now.
And just like that, the moment shatters when a knock echoes throughout the silent room. It’s Emilio, my brother, his dark expression foreboding. I asked him to get me some information on anyone directly involved with Colton and the bullshit he’s put Hadley through. It’s been a few days since I gave the order, and I’ve been white-knuckling it since, waiting on him. “Sorry to interrupt,” he mutters, barely glancing at Hadley, his attention focuses on me. “We need to talk for a moment, alone, Massimo.”
My gaze flickers to Hadley. I offer her a quick smile, a silent promise that we will continue this later. “Give us a moment, Hadley,” I instruct her gently, already turning towards Emilio.
She hesitates for an instant before nodding and quietly slipping out of the room. As soon as the door clicks shut behind her, I lose my countenance. “Did you find the information I asked for?” Annoyance and exhaustion coat my words.
Emilio's gaze softens briefly at my tone. He knows this is out of the ordinary for me, especially with how much it means to lose control over an aspect of life I've so meticulously built over the years. “I did,” he answers. He takes the folder he’s holding and tosses it on my desk. The information on it could either confirm my worst fears or offer a sliver of hope amidst the despair.
Scanning through the contents, a sense of dread gnaws deep within me. The words blur together, and for a moment, I forget to breathe, the anger rolling off me. “There is only one person that assisted with the depravities that Mr. Bernard inflicted who is still breathing?” The question hangs heavy in the air.
Emilio nods solemnly. “Yes. With the rest either being dead or vanished, he is your only remaining link to Mr. Bernard.”
“They call him ‘The Tulip,’” Emilio continues. “He lived in a cabin practically in seclusion, outside of Rodessa, Louisiana. Few people have seen him; he was a ghost.”
I release a tense breath, asking, “Don’t think I didn’t notice you used past tense. Does that mean he's not there anymore?”
Emilio hesitates, and then the evil smile I love to see graces his face. “He was there until two days ago,” Emilio replies, his voice low. “His cabin went up in flames. The local authorities reported it as an accident caused by a faulty fireplace.”
I can already guess his answer without even needing to ask, but I can't resist. “Did they find a body?” Holding my breath, I swear I’m vibrating with either anticipation or excitement.
Emilio’s smile doesn’t waver. “Yes,” he says simply. “But the authorities will not be able to find the four bullets that I dug out of him.” With a twisted smirk on his face, he tosses out, “That was after I cut his dick off and shoved it down his throat as he choked on it. Fate was on our side since I was able to get out of here with your truck and make it to where the city started to plow the roads. Any other vehicle and I don’t think it’d have gotten through all of the snow still sticking to the ground. Once I was a few hours away, the roads were clear, and it was smooth sailing for a quick trip there and back.”
My gaze snaps to Emilio’s face; nothing but grim satisfaction emanates from him, which mirrors my relief. I can't deny the lightness filling me, knowing this link has been severed by Emilio personally. I hold out my hand, and Emilio passes me the small flask he always keeps on him. I knock back a gulp of the potent whiskey he prefers and let it burn through me before speaking again. “Good. Thank you, fratello .” Emotion thick in my voice, as he has always been my most trusted and reliable companion.
Emilio nods, “With him gone, we can finally shift our attention to the next objective.”
“Yes, making sure Mr. Bernard is dealt with.” With another gulp, the stinging sensation spreads down my throat.
Emilio's gaze is deadly serious as he agrees, “Exactly. Determine his precise location in the prison… and contact one of our associates.”
I nod to myself as Emilio strides out of my office, reflecting on how much closer I feel to Hadley now. When this is all said and done, I hope she doesn't see me as a monster but as her monster’s slayer. Her protector. Her champion.
Hadley
Sitting in the kitchen with Amos, I notice he’s not smiling like he usually does. His usual bright eyes, which are so full of warmth they twinkle like the Christmas lights, are dull. He’s acting far more like his dad than the six-year-old boy I’ve been around. I’m rather worried.
“Amos?” I query, keeping my voice gentle. "Are you alright, sweetheart?"
His little shoulders rise and then fall with a sigh that's too weary for his age. His eyes meet mine, and I'm taken aback by the shadow of sorrow in them. “Dad's mad, isn't he?” he mumbles, leaning his chin upon his hands. His gaze is fixed on the frosted window, where snowflakes are lazily drifting down. It's beautiful outside; the world is blanketed in white under a serene blue sky. But on this side of the glass, the world feels far less kind.
I pause, curious. “Why do you say that?” I swear this child is perceptive and can sense any shift in emotion.
He shrugs, never taking his attention from the window. “I heard him in his study last night. He was talking to Zio. There was a lot of yelling.” His chubby fingers fiddle with his shirt’s hem, a telling sign of his anxiety.
My stomach flips, my heart thudding against my ribs. I didn’t know he had heard that conversation; it wasn’t meant for a child’s ears, I’m sure.
“Amos,” I begin, crouching down to his level so I can meet his worried little eyes. I tell him, “Your dad and Uncle Emilio were having a big grown-up discussion, okay? Sometimes people who care about each other argue. It doesn't mean they're angry or that they don't love each other anymore.”
He blinks at me, a glistening tear clinging to his long lashes. “But... but Dad sounded really mad,” he whispers, voice trembling like an autumn leaf in the wind.
My heart clenches at his fearful words, and I reach out, gently squeezing his small hand. “I promise you, Amos,” I answer softly, “your dad isn’t mad at you, and he loves you very much. He has a lot of grown-up worries, and sometimes those spill out in loud voices. But remember, you aren't responsible for his worries. And no matter what, he adores you.”
Amos nods slowly, absorbing my words. He seems solemn for a moment, then suddenly his sweet, innocent face breaks into a hopeful smile.
I need to cheer him up. I want his giggles and cheer; he’s a precious child, and not only that, but it’s Christmastime. “Hey, Amos? Where do cows go on a Friday night?” I ask, trying to control my laugh.
At my question, he shrugs. “I don't know, where do cows go on a Friday night?” he repeats, his voice quiet but curious.
“They go to the moooovies ,” I reply in a silly voice, wiggling my eyebrows at him for dramatic effect.
It's a struggle for him not to smile at my joke, as he loves going to the movies. He fights to keep his expression neutral, but then his lip twitches upwards, and soon he's giggling uncontrollably, his laughter ringing out and warming the otherwise chilly room.
I love him .
“Tell me another one!” Amos says between fits of laughter, as his eyes sparkle with mirth. His laughter, so innocent and pure, gives me a deep sense of happiness that dances in my chest. I silently decide to share another one of my best farm animal jokes.
I’m about to tell another for him when Massimo comes in. “What are we laughing about in here?” His voice is rich and smooth. He stands in the doorway, leaning against the frame with a soft smile on his face as he watches us. It’s clear just from his expression how much he truly loves his son.
“Hadley told me a funny animal joke, Dad!” Amos chimes in excitedly, cheeks still red from his loud, silly giggles.
With a quiet sigh, Massimo rubs the back of his neck, casting me a wary glance. “Animal jokes?” he asks, moving to cross his arms over his broad chest.
“Well, they are called Dad jokes,” I admit with a shrug, meeting his gaze. “I thought it would lighten the mood a little.”
Massimo cracks an easy smile at that, his ice-cold blue eyes softening slightly. “Try me,” he challenges while raising an eyebrow.
I can't help but match his playful dare. “Alright then! What do you call a horse who lives next door?”
The stony man’s grin gives way to puzzlement mixed with a dash of amusement. He turns to Amos, who’s peering up at him with so much excitement on his little face. “A horse who lives next door? I have no idea,” he admits, his attention flicking back to me with intrigue.
I flash them a triumphant grin. “A neigh-bor !”
Amos bursts into a fresh fit of giggles, his laughter carrying through the room once again. Massimo shakes his head at the silliness of the joke, trying to hide his smile. I feel like I won the lottery, making Massimo smile so freely.
“Okay, you’ve got me, Hadley,” he admits, wearing a smirk full of amusement. “That was pretty good.”
The Christmas lights wrapping around the staircase create a cozy atmosphere, and from the kitchen, we can still watch them through the large opening. Even Massimo, known for his seriousness, can't help but lighten up at the infectious joy spilling through the room. At this moment, everything seems perfect , so serene .
Amos giggles again as he hops down from the chair he was sitting on, and I finally feel at peace once more where he’s concerned. Now, maybe I can go a little longer without telling Massimo all about my past. I still have some time , I silently tell myself while fighting down the pit of anxiety curling in my gut. This isn’t the moment to tarnish with grim truths.
I take Amos's hand, his joy still bubbling up around us. “Alright, buddy, let's go find your favorite Christmas book,” I say, turning towards the staircase.
As we venture up, I glance back at Massimo, who’s stayed behind, wearing a slight smirk as he shakes his head. His stare is warm and amused, and there's a gentleness about him that I haven't witnessed before. It makes him less intimidating and, oddly, more attractive.
I'm determined to have fun tonight and push away any sad thoughts.
I'll save my secrets for another time.