12. Massimo
Chapter 12
Massimo
V era and I stand in the snow, staring at each other.
We are both soaked and cold, shivering, but not realizing it because we are in shock.
She was right about Elio.
She was right about our son.
I reach my hand out to her, and she slips her fingers between mine.
I don't have words.
I don't know how to tell her I am sorry.
I start walking back towards the house with her hand in mine, supporting her as we stumble in the thick, fresh snow.
Inside, the house is in panic.
My family rushes forward, the younger ones are crying, and the older ones look fearful. Through the crowd, I spot Bella and push towards her. Scooping her up in my arms I hold her tightly.
"Dadda." She says, full of fear. "It's ok, my angel. Dadda scared the mean men away and everyone is ok now."
I look around the rest of the room. They all want answers.
"Everything is ok. We have secured the grounds." I say, reassuring everyone. I am so tired. I feel like I haven't slept in a week.
My body is aching, and my mind is frazzled with everything I've learned today.
"What happened?"
"Dante's men tried to get into the lodge. But we stopped them. I have ordered more security and I assure everyone - we are safe in the lodge. Please - everyone stay inside though."
"Massimo, why did Adrian walk past dragging Elio?"
"Uncle Marzio, Elio betrayed us. I will explain everything in the morning. For now - please just accept that the place is safe."
The older man nods, knowing the intensity of these things.
He's lived through many betrayals and many rival wars.
"Come on, everyone. Let's get to bed." He says, turning towards the family, taking control on my behalf which I am so grateful for because I am exhausted.
Uncle Marzio nods towards his wife who steps forward to reach for Bella. "Bella, my little sweetheart, will you come with me and help me read a story so I can fall asleep? "
Bella looks from me to Aunt Lisa and then smiles. "I help." She says, leaning into Lisa's arms.
"Thank you," I whisper, then kiss Bella on the cheek.
I turn back to Vera and take her hand.
I am exhausted, but I still need answers. And I know she does too.
I lead her at my side - not upstairs - but down towards the back of the house - towards the cellar.
We walk down the stairs and my stomach knots tightly.
I am about to face my cousin. The man who has stood by my side for years, sharing my victories, my struggles, and the weight of leading this family. He's been woven into every aspect of my life, into decisions that shaped our future. My cousin, part of my blood, part of my trust, has betrayed me.
All the while... I clench my fists, the anger rising in my chest. All the while, he has been working with Dante Vitale, scheming behind my back. And even worse—he has known. He knows that my son is alive. My breath catches in my throat as the realization cuts deeper. He kept that truth from me, stole the one thing that could have brought me back from the edge all those years ago.
My heart hardens, and my jaw tightens. I can't let emotion cloud my judgment now. This betrayal has cost me more than I can even comprehend.
I hear Adrian's voice from inside the cell.
"Why? Why the fuck did you do it?" he asks his voice tight with the pain of betrayal. "You have been my best friend since before we could walk, man. I don't understand." My heart breaks for him.
"Adrian?" I say gently as I step into the room.
He turns to look at me, his eyes are dark and his shoulders tense. His fists are clenched at his side.
"Massimo." He replies tightly.
"Has he given you anything?"
"Nothing. He hasn't said a word."
I step closer to Elio who is backed up against the wall. He looks skittish and uncomfortable.
"If you don't talk - then you are useless, and I will put you out of your misery." I snarl quietly.
"You can't kill me." He says quickly. "I deserve a trial. I deserve to tell my side of the story."
I snort, sarcastic laughter. "You want to try and justify betraying your entire family - not once - not just once - but for years. Over and over again, for at least six years that I know of."
"Six?" Adrian asks, curious.
"Yes, he was involved in the kidnapping of my newborn son," I say, staring at Elio, and watching his reaction.
He shakes his head. "I don't know what you're talking about." He denies it. But I can see in his eyes that he's hiding something. His gaze shifts from place to place as he does his best to control his expression.
He is a terrible liar. I don't know how he managed to get away with this for so many years.
Our trust in him was the only thing that kept him safe.
I take a deep breath. I don't have all night .
I need to sleep, I need rest, I need to have a fresh start tomorrow morning so that I can decide what to do.
"Massimo?" Adrian says, sensing my shift in mood.
"I've had enough," I whisper darkly.
Without hesitation, I grab Elio around the throat, my fingers digging into his flesh as I lift him off his feet and slam him against the stone wall. The sound of impact echoes through the room, and Elio squeals in fright, his eyes wide with terror. He kicks his legs frantically, clawing at my hand, desperate to free his airways. But I don't ease up.
I tighten my grip, my voice a low growl as I lean in close, my breath hot against his face.
"Talk. Tell me what I need to know—or die."
Elio's eyes bulge, his face reddening as panic flashes across his expression. His lips start to turn blue, and tears stream from his eyes, mixing with the sweat on his face. He's suffocating, and he knows it.
For a few more seconds, I hold him there, watching the fear in his eyes flicker into something darker—desperation. Finally, I loosen my grip, just enough for him to gasp for air, his body sagging as he sucks in a strained breath.
He chokes and gasps.
I drop him and he collapses to his knees. Looking up at me, his eyes are filled with hate. All of the malice he has hidden for years is pouring from his soul.
"I know where your son is." He spits the words out at me .
I clench my jaw, holding back my fists. I want to drive them into his face, again and again.
"Where?" I demand.
"I am the only chance you have of ever seeing him again. You can't kill me, because you will lose your son forever."
"Where is he?" I snarl again.
"Tomorrow night take me to the Winter Ball. I will tell you then."
"Take you to the Winter Ball? The Christmas party? Are you out of your mind?" Adrian snaps shocked at his request.
"Why do you want to go to the Winter Ball?" I ask.
Elio pushes his lips together.
He knows, but he isn't going to tell me.
He is going to bargain with the information.
I should have expected nothing less from a snake like him.
I speak to Adrian. "Chain him to the bed. I will find a way to make him talk tomorrow. Let him simmer for a while. Let him fully accept his situation."
Vera hasn't said a word. She has been watching everything closely.
"Are we leaving it for now?" She asks, mild panic in her voice.
"He isn't going to tell us where our son is tonight," I whisper to her.
I can see the tears of frustration threatening to slip down her cheeks, but she holds them back, nods tightly, and turns to leave the room .
I follow her upstairs, both of us in heavy, silent thought.
She walks up towards her bedroom, and I find myself following her into it.
She pauses, turning to look at me.
"Do you think he will tell us?"
"I will kill him if he doesn't," I say to her.
Adrian hasn't said much since Elio's confession. I glance at him now—his fists are clenched, his breathing uneven. The betrayal hit him hard. He trusted Elio more than anyone.
I know Adrian, though. After something like this, he needs space. After we cross lines this dark, he always retreats to his condo. He’ll shut down emotionally, block it all out. Whether it’s a bottle or someone to help him forget, he won’t be here by morning. He won’t talk about it, but I know where to find him.
I don’t say anything to him now. He needs time to deal with it, but I’ll check on him tomorrow.
"No - " She gasps. "You can't - our son."
Closing my eyes for a second, I try to clear my thoughts, when I open them again her bright green eyes are locked onto me. Intense and sharp and full of emotion.
I step forward, wrapping my hand around the back of her neck, and pulling her closer.
"I will find our son, Vera. I swear to you," I growl, my voice thick with emotion.
She moves in, pressing her body firmly against mine. Her skin is ice cold, and she shivers, trembling in my arms .
"You're freezing," I whisper, my mouth hovering just over hers, the heat of my breath mingling with hers.
"I know," she breathes out softly, her voice barely a whisper before she rises onto her tiptoes, closing the space between us. Her lips press against mine, soft but insistent, sending a shock of warmth through my body.
The kiss ignites something in me, melting the tension in every muscle.
"You're mine, Vera. You'll always be mine," I murmur against her lips, my hands tracing down her spine, pulling her tighter against me.
I scoop her into my arms effortlessly, carrying her to the bathroom. My fingers work quickly, peeling away her soaked clothes, layer by layer, while the steam from the shower fills the room. The heat rises around us, but nothing feels as intense as her skin beneath my fingertips.
"Look at you," I whisper, my voice low and thick with desire as I guide her under the heavy spray of water. "So beautiful."
The water scalds us, a sharp contrast to the cold, but neither of us cares. I press her body against mine, my hands tracing the water's path down her back, savoring the feel of her shuddering under my touch.
"I've never stopped wanting you," I rasp, my hand sliding around to cup her jaw, tilting her face to meet mine.
"You've always been mine, Vera. And now…" I press my mouth over hers, deeper this time, my tongue slipping past her lips, demanding everything from her as her hands travel across my back, urging me closer .
Her nails scratch feint lines in my skin and my cock grows hard against her.
She moves, rocking against me, her fingers reaching up to knot in my hair.
I lift her, wrapping her legs around my waist and pushing her back against the shower wall.
She gasps when she feels my cock brush over her pussy.
"Massimo - " She sighs against my mouth as I rub myself against her.
She tilts her face up towards the shower and water splashes down her neck. I run my teeth over the delicate skin of her neck and my cock throbs in need.
She tilts her hips forward, trying to guide me inside her.
The tip of my cock pushes into her and she gasps in pleasure.
My heart races - I grip her hips tightly and thrust up into her pussy.
Ecstasy rushes through me, shooting up my spine and making me growl like an animal.
I pull out and thrust into her again.
She digs her nails into my shoulders, holding on tightly as I start to slam into her, over and over again, my cock filling her up, burying inside her, and then pulling out, only to do it all over again.
The pleasure builds and her legs start to shake. Her moans are echoing against the shower walls and the splashing hot water has turned our skin red.
I keep fucking her, I can't get enough of her .
All of the adrenalin and tension from tonight is pouring from me as I lose myself inside her.
Vera arches her hips forward and tilts her head right back. Her legs are shaking around me.
I hold her tightly, rocking my hips in circles and letting my cock dance around inside her.
She moans so loudly I clamp my hand over her mouth.
Her body goes rigid, and she lets out a sharp scream, smothered against my hand.
Her pussy tightens on my cock as her orgasm explodes through her and I groan with pleasure, coming inside her.