34. Manuel
THIRTY-FOUR
MANUEL
T he basement of the castle was musty and rarely used. Back in the fifteenth century, it functioned as a dungeon to detain captives and enemies of the family who owned the castle.
I hadn’t had the pleasure of using it… until today.
“You should let me handle it,” Enrico stated as we made our way down the stone steps. “It’s your wedding day.”
I flashed him a smile. “No fucking way. These men are after Athena. They’re mine.”
While I would regularly object to bringing these men anywhere near my home, especially with Athena here, I knew that time was of the essence. We needed to get to the bottom of the reason the Triads were after Athena.
“How did you find them?”
He shrugged. “I had Danil followed.”
My steps halted at the bottom step and I turned to face him. I took a breath and asked the question that’d been burning since we ran into him outside Athena’s apartment last night—after the men from that very organization had tried to harm her. My gut warned that such coincidences didn’t exist, and I feared I was about to have my suspicions confirmed. “He’s working with them?”
“I don’t know,” he admitted, and I felt my shoulders relax. “My men didn’t bug the room, so we have no idea what they discussed. But this guy was in the room with Danil when he talked to the head of the Triads, Qian Long.”
We resumed walking while I churned over this information. “Did you get anything out of Lykos?”
“Just that Athena’s mother is not to be trusted.”
I agreed with him there. “It seems to be a recurring comment,” I pointed out.
We entered the first cell, lit by a single naked lightbulb hanging in the center of the room. A small table sat in the corner with some coercion equipment while a man sat strapped to a chair, glaring at us, his eyes burning with hatred.
“You’ll pay for this,” he spat in a mixture of Chinese and heavily accented and very poor English. “You cannot touch the Triads without consequences.”
There was an unspoken rule between criminal organizations—no encroaching on each other’s business. The Triads hadn’t technically done either— yet —but the moment my ring was on Athena’s finger, any subsequent attack would become my business.
“Well, from where I’m standing, you’re on my territory, so I can do whatever I want to you,” I drawled, speaking in Chinese. Not too many of the Triads’ members could speak English, even less Italian. Enrico didn’t speak the language, but this concerned my woman, not his. “And now you’ve gone and involved my wife.”
Fear entered his eyes. “Your w-wife?” he stuttered. “You’re not married.”
I smiled viciously. “Oh, but I am.” I’d removed my suit jacket and had begun to roll up my sleeves. “Athena Kosta Marchetti è la mia donna . My wife.”
She might not be legally my wife yet, but the moment my seed entered her womb, she was mine.
The realization entered his eyes with the knowledge he’d die here today.
“Do you know who we are?” Enrico asked, and I translated. The man closed his eyes, his lips moving soundlessly as if he was praying.
“When you fuck with the Marchettis, you get skinned alive,” I stated casually.
He stopped praying and swallowed loudly.
I continued. “There is one thing we never forgive, and that’s going after our women and families.”
He shook his head. “We didn’t know?—”
I raised my hand, silencing him. “Before I leave this room, you will tell me what Danil Popov and your boss discussed.”
“I don’t know, I swear.”
I didn’t believe him for a second. “Let’s test your knowledge, shall we?”
As if on cue, the door to the cell opened and Umbrio strutted in with another man, pulling a cart behind him, its squeaky wheels the only sound apart from our guest’s anxious breathing and unintelligible murmurs. The brazen bull sat atop the dolly’s metal tray, a contraption used by the ancient Greeks and Romans. The bull-shaped brass device was hollow and big enough to put a human inside and roast him alive. Flute-like pipes would carry his screams through the bull’s nostrils, creating animalistic music while the smoke of the scorched flesh billowed out as puffs of incense.
It’d be a slow and painful death.
Giving a nod to Umbrio, he jerked our captive out of the chair and put him into the pot, still tied.
Once the fire started, it took no time for his screams to fill the dungeon.
“What did they talk about?” I asked calmly.
“I don’t know!”
“Bullshit. Cooperate and I’ll give you a quick death.” He was trembling, eyes wide with visions of what was to come. I flicked a glance to Umbrio. “Add some heat to that fire, will you?”
He did as asked, and soon the musty room stunk of burning flesh. The man’s head was hung low, saliva dripping from his mouth.
“Tell me,” I gritted.
“I don’t know.”
Pissed off he wasn’t breaking, I reached for my knife and sliced his ear off. Blood surged down his face as he screamed again.
“I won’t stop until I get the answers I’m seeking,” I warned.
He shook his head. “Please, they spoke in English mostly. Couldn’t understand most of it.”
Cazzo.
“You said mostly,” Enrico chimed in. “What did you hear?”
When he didn’t answer, I sliced his other ear while Umbrio added an extra log to the fire. When the screams died down, I spoke again. “Tell me what was said.”
“He—they mentioned a wedding. No names.”
“And?”
“It will unite the Triads with the Balkans.”
Qian Long had no daughters or sisters, which led to one conclusion. Danil Popov planned to marry either Nicki or Athena off. Considering it was widely known that Nicki Popova was damaged goods and the woman didn’t know how to shut the fuck up, I’d put my money on Athena being the best and only choice.
I glanced at Enrico, who must have come to the same conclusion. I stood and began rolling my sleeves down, then I put my jacket back on.
The man begged for his life, sobbing as his shoulders shook, and it was Enrico who put him out of his misery with a single bullet.
Enrico and I left Umbrio to clean up, heading back upstairs to my office. We ran into the boys, their smirking faces buried in a book.
“What are you two reading that’s so entertaining?” Enrico called.
Their heads whipped up and a blush crept up their olive skin as Amadeo quickly snapped the book shut.
“Nothing.”
I flicked a glance at the title along the spine and groaned. “Didn’t I tell you to stop reading that stuff? You’re too young.”
Enzo rolled his eyes, but Amadeo shoved the book behind his back as if to keep me from snatching it.
“We are not,” Amadeo protested.
“We’re learning the art of lovemaking.”
“ Che ?” Enrico asked, confused, his eyes darting between his sons incredulously. “What lovemaking ?”
I groaned, muttering a prayer. “ Dio mio, salvami .”
“You boys better explain,” Enrico demanded.
Amadeo shrugged. “It’s a romance novel.”
Enzo smiled. “It’s good education.” This confused Enrico even more.
“We just learned how to give women cumlashes,” Amadeo explained, chuckling and grinning like a fool. “Our women won’t stand a chance.”
“You two will earn a kick in the balls if you attempt that with the wrong woman,” I warned them, then added, “ Mi dispiace —with the wrong girl .”
Amadeo puffed out his chest. “Woman or girl, she’ll like it.”
Enzo elbowed him, hissing something under his breath, but his brother ignored him.
“Give me that book,” Enrico gritted, extending his hand, “before I decide to beat you with it.”
I found myself praying Athena was carrying a girl.
I took a shower in the guest room and got dressed, then entered the adjoining walk-in closet to put on my vest, tie, and jacket.
The back of my neck itched as I worked on my tie, and as I turned around, I found Alexandra lounging on the bed of the guest room. The dress she was wearing was hiked up, her thighs spread, giving me a clear view of her underwear.
I breathed harshly through my nostrils, my anger igniting.
“Like what you see, baby?”
My anger turned into rage and I had to take a step back to keep from murdering my soon-to-be mother-in-law.
“No, and if you had an ounce of respect for your daughter or yourself, you would get the fuck out. Your games aren’t welcome here.”
She palmed her breasts, moaning. It was like watching a budget porno. I really should have followed my intuition and not invited the bitch. The woman was a snake.
“Get the fuck out, Alexandra. You’re in the wrong room,” I stated, my voice cold as ice while my control teetered on the edge. There was nothing about her that tempted me—not even a little. “Go help your daughter get ready or I’ll make you regret ever stepping foot on these grounds.”
Alexandra smiled, showing her full set of teeth, her likeness that of a shark.
“She’s quite capable,” she rumbled, her hand inching lower. “Maybe I can help you ?”
“I’d rather be burned alive,” I greeted. “How did you get in here? When did you?”
“You were in the shower.” She chuckled. “Don’t worry, I didn’t watch. Voyeurism isn’t my thing.”
“I really don’t give a fuck what your thing is. Never have and never will. You’re only here because I want to see Athena happy.”
“That’s just it,” she purred. “I don’t believe you. You wanted to get close to me.”
This fucking woman .
“You’re delusional. And if you think I’d touch you on my wedding day, let alone fucking ever , you need to see a doctor, because you’re also insane. Athena is the only one I want.”
“Athena is a girl, Manuel. You need a woman. I can give you passion and so much more.” I scoffed, not even granting her a response. “Our relationship would be unmatched.”
I laughed.
“You mean your thorns of desire would be deadly. They’d make the love of my life bleed and cause her pain. But you don’t care, do you? You’re a snake, only a cheap and faded version of Athena.” I fixed my cuff links and pulled on my suit sleeves. “Now, what is it that you really want, Alexandra? I thought I made it crystal clear eleven years ago that you aren’t the woman for me.”
For a moment, she hesitated. Then she pulled her dress down and cut the shit, knowing her attempts at seduction were futile.
“You were cruel to me that day.”
“I made a point that day,” I corrected her. “You should heed it, because it still stands.”
Memories of her deceit and attempted entrapment filtered in like a bitter pill.
Her petite body lay in the hospital bed, pale and bruised, and regret hit me at the harsh words I spat at her a week ago when I caught her using an innocent child’s voice as her own. Even after she had been caught red-handed, Alexandra didn’t bother recognizing the child—whoever that little girl with the mean kick was—as the owner of that amazing voice.
But that was neither here nor there. Alexandra was in the hospital bed, looking fragile and so damn beaten. I didn’t like to see any woman in this condition, no matter my scruples. It was the reason the Omertà never got involved in human trafficking.
None of us could tolerate that shit.
The smell of bleach and disinfectant dominated the room, her soft whimpers moving her lips in a distorted prayer.
“What happened?” I asked her, keeping my voice low.
She mumbled quietly and I leaned in, putting my ear closer to her mouth.
“Say that again.”
It was then that it hit me. The heavy scent of powder and makeup.
“They were looking for you,” she said.
“Who was?” I straightened to my full height, studying her face with narrowed eyes.
Her eyes fluttered open, but nothing about them fascinated me. All I saw was deceit. Again.
“I didn’t tell them anything,” she whispered.
She couldn’t have told them anything because she knew nothing—not about my business and not about the Omertà.
I brought my finger to her face, dragging it across her cheek, and the coat of heavy makeup came off, revealing nothing but healthy skin underneath. She startled, frozen in shock that I’d discovered the truth so easily, and tried to shift away, but it didn’t matter.
Without a word, I turned on my heel. I was almost at the hospital room’s door when her voice stopped me. “I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t know what else to do… You weren’t answering my calls.”
“So you decided to… what? Lure me here and play the victim?” I hissed. “The bruises were a nice touch. How did you get the hospital to call me?”
She lowered her eyes in remorse, but I knew better. The conniving woman didn’t possess a conscience.
“I bribed them,” she admitted, tears magically appearing. She was an excellent actor, I’d give her that. “I had to see you again.”
“No, what you need to do is find that child and apologize for using her.”
Her eyes widened. “She’s nobody.”
My molars ground so hard, I was surprised they didn’t crack.
“That alone tells me so much about you, Alexandra,” I gritted. “Besides, with a voice like that, that girl is somebody.”
“You can’t do that to me; discard me like I’m nothing,” she screeched.
I sighed. “I’m not doing anything to you. In fact, I’d prefer never to see you again.”
She started crying, throwing theatrics and looking so pitiful that it almost made me feel sorry for her. Almost.
Gripping the cool metal handle, I opened the door. “You’re a real piece of work. A fucking bastard. Just like the rest of them,” she spat.
I scoffed. “Maybe, but let me ask you.” Glancing over my shoulder, I continued. “Where did that girl end up?”
She blinked, quiet for a moment before she found words.
“I don’t know. Why does it matter?”
“Men might be bastards, Alexandra, but you’re no better. You use and discard.”
Then I walked out and shut the door on her forever.
“My daughter isn’t right for you,” she hissed, her fury bringing me back to the present. I disliked her then, but now I hated her, because I knew the girl she used was her own daughter . Because she left her child alone and vulnerable while she went around seducing men. And Athena, who looked for the best in people, was loyal to a woman who didn’t deserve her grace. I doubted Athena even knew the extent of her mother’s toxicity.
I let out a sardonic breath. “Impossible.”
Her eyes flared. “Why?”
“Because she’s the only right and good thing in my life,” I said, feeling the truth reverberate down to my marrow.
“You don’t know what you’re doing, Manuel,” she hissed, straightening up on the bed. “You can’t even begin to fathom the repercussions of marrying her.”
She broached the subject, so I seized the moment. Athena might have escaped the Triads’ wrath twice now, but unless I knew what I was up against, she’d remain in danger.
“You mean the fact that she’s Atticus Popov’s daughter,” I said casually, reveling in the way Alexandra’s eyes widened. “Or that the Triads are after her?”
She glared at me. “How do you know any of that?”
“I’ve done my homework,” I deadpanned.
Understanding gleamed in her eyes. “And you think you can use her birthright and the Popov name to your advantage.”
I took a step forward, hovering over her like a dark cloud. “Listen here, Alexandra. Nobody will be using Athena for anything,” I said, warning clear in my tone. “That includes you. Capisce ?”
Her smile was oily. “How could I possibly use my own daughter?”
“Why are the Triads after her?”
She sprung up, scoffing dismissively. “Why would they care about her?”
“Because of what you and Atticus did.” I was speculating, but I had a hunch she wouldn’t call my bluff.
“I never got involved in Atticus’s business, so you’ll have to ask him what he did.”
“I don’t believe you.” It infuriated me that Alexandra was so selfish she refused to tell me how to protect her daughter. The thought of losing Athena to the Triads squeezed my chest. “So tell me where in the fuck he is and I’ll ask him.”
She shrugged nonchalantly. “I don’t keep track of my old lovers.”
I took a deep breath. I wouldn’t learn anything from Alexandra, not unless it benefited her in some way.
“If you have something meaningful to say, do so now. Otherwise, get the fuck out.”
She dragged a hand through her hair.
“You cannot marry her,” she insisted. “Athena can’t be associated with the Omertà. Or any criminal organization.”
“Why not?”
Her chest heaved. “Because…”
I waited but she never finished the sentence.
My voice was unnaturally calm. “You’re her mother, but unless you tell me what’s going on, I can’t protect you. And please understand, I’ll only be doing so for Athena’s sake—because she matters, not you.”
Thick silence crept through the room while I waited for her to come clean.
“You can’t possibly want her. She’s half your age. I should drag her out of here by her hair. One day she’d thank me.”
I snapped.
I stormed over to the bed and wrapped a hand around her throat. It was so tempting to just squeeze and end her. It’d be so easy, and she’d cease to be a threat.
This woman had some balls. If she was wary of me out of genuine concern for her daughter, I’d commend her, but she was doing this for entirely selfish reasons.
“Athena is mine now—to protect, to love, and to cherish. I’m not going to stand for you dragging her into any kind of shit. Stay clear of anything that could put Athena in harm’s way. This will be your only warning.”
“Maybe you should heed your own warning. Nothing good can come out of this life, out of marrying you .”
“If you even think about harming my wife, emotionally or physically, I’ll smash your skull in with my bare hands,” I warned, gritting my teeth.
Her mother smiled coldly. “She’s not your wife.”
“Yet,” I said coldly.
By the time the sun set on this day, she’d be mine forever.