Chapter Sixteen
Adriana
The gravel crunches under the tires as Enzo pulls up to my parents’ sprawling vacation home. My stomach twists. I’m not ready for this.
“We’re here, Mrs. Rossi,” Enzo says, his gruff voice oddly gentle.
I nod, unable to speak. I exit the car. The tension coils tighter in my chest with each step toward the house. Music and laughter spill out onto the manicured lawn. How can they act so normal when everything’s falling apart?
Inside, the party’s in full swing. Crystal glasses clink. Champagne flows. But beneath the festive veneer, I sense an undercurrent of unease. Or maybe that’s just me projecting.
I scan the room for my father, dreading our inevitable encounter. How can I face him after learning what he’s done? The betrayal cuts deep, reopening old wounds I thought had healed.
“Adriana! There you are!”
I plaster on a smile as Valentina rushes over, enveloping me in a perfumed hug. “Val, it’s so good to see you.”
She pulls back, dark eyes sparkling. “Where’s that handsome husband of yours? Don’t tell me he’s working on your mother’s birthday!”
My throat tightens. I hate lying to her. “Unfortunately, yes. An urgent business matter came up at the last minute.” The words taste bitter on my tongue.
Valentina’s brow furrows. “Oh, what a shame. I was looking forward to seeing you two lovebirds together.”
If only she knew the truth. I force a laugh. “You know how it is with Dante. The business always comes first.”
“Well, his loss is my gain. Now I get you all to myself!” She links her arm through mine. “Come on, let’s get a drink. You look like you could use one.”
As we weave through the crowd, I catch sight of my father across the room. Our eyes meet for a brief moment before he turns away. The weight of unspoken words hangs heavy between us.
I down a flute of champagne, trying to quell the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. How long can I keep up this charade? One thing’s certain - this birthday celebration is just the calm before the storm.
I sip my champagne, the bubbles dancing on my tongue as I scan the room. The beautiful vacation home feels less welcoming tonight, its grandeur quite different to the undercurrent of apprehension I am feeling.
Dante’s absence looms large in my mind. His earlier words echo: “It’s better if I don’t attend, Adriana. My presence would only complicate things.”
I understood his reasoning, but part of me still wishes he were here. His steady presence would be a comfort amidst this sea of false smiles and veiled threats.
My mother’s laugh rings out, too high-pitched to be genuine. She stands beside my father, her hand resting on his arm in a picture-perfect pose. But I see the strain in her eyes, the slight tremor in her fingers as she lifts her glass.
“Your parents seem… off tonight,” Valentina remarks, following my gaze. “Is everything okay?”
I swallow hard. “Just the usual family drama,” I lie smoothly. If only she knew the half of it.
The walls feel like they’re closing in, the weight of secrets and lies pressing down on me.
“I need some air,” I mutter, setting down my empty flute. As I slip away from Valentina, I can’t help but wonder: how long before this carefully constructed fa?ade comes crashing down around us all?
I’m halfway to the terrace when the first shot rings out.
The sound slices through the air, shattering glasses and conversations alike. For a heartbeat, everything freezes – a grotesque tableau of shocked faces and raised hands.
Then chaos erupts.
Screams fill the room, a cacophony of terror drowning out the frantic pounding of my heart. Bodies surge around me, a panicked tide of silk and perfume. I stumble, nearly falling as someone shoves past.
More gunshots. The acrid smell of gunpowder mixes with spilled wine.
“Get down!” a voice bellows.
My mind unhelpfully supplies vivid images of blood spray and bullet holes. I force them away, survival instinct kicking in.
I drop to the floor, crawling beneath a nearby table. The lace tablecloth offers flimsy protection, but it’s better than nothing. My fingers dig into the plush carpet as I try to make sense of the mayhem.
“Adriana!” My mother’s voice, high and terrified. Where is she?
I peer out, searching desperately. People running. A vase shatters. Another shot.
My breath comes in ragged gasps. This can’t be happening. Not here. Not now.
Who’s shooting? Why? Is it because of Father’s deal? Because of Dante?
Oh God, what if they’re here for me?
A flash of chestnut hair catches my eye. Valentina. She’s looking for me, her head swiveling frantically.
“Val!” I hiss, waving desperately. “Get down!”
She spots me, relief flooding her face. She takes a step towards me–
The gunshot is deafening.
Valentina’s eyes go wide. A crimson stain blooms across her pale blue dress like spilled wine. Time slows to a crawl as she crumples to the ground.
“No!” The scream tears from my throat, raw and loud.
I want to run to her, but my body won’t obey. I’m frozen, horror rooting me to the spot. This isn’t real. It can’t be real.
A blur of motion catches my eye. Enzo. He moves like a panther, all coiled power and lethal speed. In an instant, he’s on the shooter.
They collide with bone-jarring force. The gun skitters across the floor as Enzo tackles the man to the ground. His fist connects with a sickening crunch.
“Stay down!” Enzo snarls, pinning the attacker.
I tear my eyes away from the brutal struggle, back to where my friend lies motionless. Blood pools beneath her, staining the expensive carpet.
“Someone help her!” I manage to choke out, my voice drowned in the chaos.
My paralysis breaks and I rush to Valentina’s side, dropping to my knees beside her. The metallic scent of blood fills my nostrils, making me gag.
“Val?” I cradle her head in my lap, pushing her chestnut hair away from her face. “Stay with me, please.”
Her eyes flutter open, unfocused. “Adri?” she mutters, her voice weak.
Tears blur my vision. “I’m here. You’re going to be okay.”
But even as I say it, I know it might be a lie. There’s so much blood.
“It hurts,” she whimpers, gripping my hand.
I squeeze back, trying to pour all my strength into her. “Help is coming. Just hold on.”
My mind races. Where are the emergency services? Why is it taking so long?
“Remember when we were kids?” I say, desperate to keep her conscious. “And we’d sneak out to watch the stars?”
A ghost of a smile flickers across her pale lips. “You… always got us lost.”
I choke out a laugh that’s more of a sob. “Yeah, but you always got us home.”
Her eyes start to drift closed.
“No, no, no. Val, stay awake!” I plead, my voice rising in panic. “Look at me!”
She struggles to focus on my face. “Adri… I’m scared.”
“I know,” I reply, my tears falling onto her cheeks. “I am too. But we’ll get through this. Together. Like always.”
The wail of sirens pierces the air. Relief floods through me, but it’s short-lived as paramedics swarm around us.
“Miss, we need you to step back,” one of them says firmly.
I shake my head, clinging to Valentina. “I can’t leave her.”
A gentle hand on my shoulder. Enzo. “Let them help her, Adriana.”
Reluctantly, I let go. They lift Valentina onto a stretcher, her hand slipping from mine.
As they wheel her away, a crushing wave of helplessness washes over me. I’ve never felt so powerless, so utterly devastated.
“Val,” I cry, watching her disappear into the ambulance. “Don’t leave me.”
Enzo’s hand on my elbow startles me. “We need to go,” he says, his voice low and urgent. “It’s not safe here.”
I nod numbly, letting him guide me through the chaos. Shards of glass crunch under our feet. The acrid smell of gunpowder burns my nostrils.
“Where are we going?” I ask, my voice trembling.
“At Capo’s house,” Enzo replies, ushering me into a waiting car. “It’s secure and safe there.”
As we pull away, I catch a final glimpse of the party - now a scene of devastation. My stomach churns.
Inside the car, Enzo’s on the phone immediately. “Boss, there’s been an incident,” he says tersely. I tune out the rest, pressing my forehead against the cool window.
The city blurs past, but I can’t shake the image of Valentina’s blood-stained dress. My hands won’t stop shaking.
“Who would do this?” I ask aloud, more to myself than Enzo.
He glances at me in the rearview mirror. “We’ll find out,” he promises, his jaw set.
I want to believe him, but doubt gnaws at me. In this world of shadows and lies, can I trust anyone?
We arrive home. As soon as we’re inside, my legs give out. I collapse onto the couch, trembling violently.
“Val,” I choke out, the reality of what happened finally hitting me full force. “Oh God, Val.”
Enzo kneels beside me, his presence solid and grounding. “Breathe, Adriana,” he says softly. “In and out. That’s it.”
I try to focus on his voice, on the steady rise and fall of my chest. But my mind keeps replaying the gunshots, the screams, Valentina falling…
“She has to be okay,” I say, my voice cracking. “She has to be.”
Enzo’s hand on my shoulder is gentle, unusual to his usual stoic demeanor. “The paramedics got to her quickly. She’s strong.”
I nod, clinging to that sliver of hope. The ticking of a nearby clock feels deafening in the silence.
Suddenly, the front door bursts open. Dante strides in, his face a mask of worry and barely contained rage. Our eyes lock, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe.
“Adriana,” he says, crossing the room in three long strides. “Are you hurt?”
I shake my head, but as he reaches for me, anger booms within me and I snap. I shove his hands away, anger surging through me like wildfire.
“Was this you?” I demand, my voice shaking. “Did you do this to punish my father?”
Dante’s eyes narrow. “Watch yourself, cara,” he warns, his voice low and dangerous. “Don’t let your emotions cloud your judgment.”
“Answer me!” I shout, standing up on unsteady legs. “Are you behind this?”
His laugh is cold, humorless. “If I wanted your father dead, I’d do it myself. I don’t need theatrics.”
I search his face, looking for any sign of deception. But all I see is grim determination and… concern?
“Then who?” I ask, my anger deflating, leaving me hollow. “Who would do this?”
Tears well up in my eyes, and before I can stop myself, I’m collapsing into Dante’s arms. His embrace is strong, unyielding, and I hate how safe it makes me feel.
“Val”, I choke out between sobs. “Valentina… she was just standing there, and then…”
Dante’s hand strokes my hair, surprisingly gentle. “Shh, tesoro. We’ll find out who’s responsible.”
I pull back slightly, searching his face. “How can you be so sure?”
His eyes, usually cold and calculating, burn with an intensity that makes my breath catch. “Because I won’t rest until I do. Whoever did this, they’ll pay. I promise you that.”
“I’m scared, Dante,” I admit, hating how small my voice sounds.
His fingers tilt my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. “Don’t be. I’ve got you now.”