"𝐼𝑡'𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑠， 𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔,"
- 𝑼𝒏𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒏

𝓛𝓲𝓼𝓪 𝓒𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓪𝓷𝓸

The harsh lighting in the room makes me squint, my head pounding—like someone knocking on the door too hard. Why am I here? Where am I? As I slowly turn my head towards the door, I see men in black suits or mostly the backside.

My hands twitch—the diamond catching the light, glinting like a warning. Why do I have this on?

The door creaks open and he strides in with a huge smile on his face. Rocco? What's he doing here?

"Ah, you're awake, darling," he says, voice deep—reverberating in my chest. "What's wrong? You look a little pale...."

He cups my cheeks, and looks into my eyes. But something in my gut is pulling, telling me this isn't reality. My expression stays still as I stare into those dark brown orbs.

"Darling you said yes before the surgery."

"I... I did?" I ask, my brows furrowing slightly.

"Yes, and when we were about to leave for the honeymoon he shoot at you."

"Who?"

"Enzo Romano," he replies and pulls me into a hug.

Something about that name was familiar but I couldn't place it. His fingers roam my light brown hair a couple times—like he's petting a dog. My stomach takes a double take.

"Look at the lovebirds. Son, I wanna talk with you alone.." mom's voice flits through—sweetness wrapped in venom.

Rocco pulls back, and faces mom, his hand still on my hand—stroking it a little. The gesture somewhat comforting and yet distant.

"Of Course, Mother."

Helping me back onto the bed, he leans down and whispers, "if you ever think about running away, things will be worse for you, got it?"

I take a deep breath before saying, "Got it."

His smile sends chills down my spine—like I told him I'll behave for him. "Good girl."

Pressing a light kiss to my forehead he looked at me and smirked, before getting up and leaving with my mom.

Rocco 'The Beast' Moretti

I follow Lucia outside her hospital room and to somewhere where she won't hear this conversation. She kept walking for a bit. A smile creeps in once I know what's coming for me.

Her heels stop clicking and turns to face me. "You've done well, but... remember it's not over just yet. While he's still alive... there's a chance she could crawl back to him. My daughter doesn't need the weak souls," Lucia says, her eyes a cold and detached.

"Of course, Mother."

I twist my head to look at her, sitting there in confusion. Things are almost perfect. I just need one more thing and I'll get the empire to myself.

"So Mother, I was thinking of taking her on a honeymoon."

Lucia gives me a smile, something behind them tells me I'm getting through to her. She turns back to walk when she stops midway, her body stiffening.

"Look you stirred a hornet's nest," His voice send needles poking through my skin. I thought I got rid of him. I look away and he walks up to us.

"Man, you thought that money was enough to make me disappear off the face of the underworld?"

He pats me on the shoulder. "Dante—"

"Why are you here, Romano?" Lucia asked, interrupting me.

"You know exactly why I am here, Lucia."

𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗼

I drove with him to the hospital where Lisa is still recovering. Enzo sat next to me in the passenger seat, the bouquet held between his thighs—lost in thoughts.

"Whiskey? Are you okay?" I ask as soon as I park the car in the free spot.

He seems to have not heard me so I poke him again. "Hmm?"

"Lisa is gonna be fine. The doctors know what they're doing..."

As we start to get out, I spot Lucia and Rocco come out. Both are smug about something. My stomach sinks at the sight. Lisa. Somethings wrong.

I have to get in there. I make a line to her room Enzo flanking my tail—the plastic crunching against his tight hold. As we turn the corner things are just as bad which makes this even worse. What the hell? Why are there guards around her room?

𝓛𝓲𝓼𝓪 𝓒𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓪𝓷𝓸

My mother was in on this from the very beginning. I was such a fool to think she'd care. Why did I trust her like this?

The door creaks and I scramble to get back in the hospital bed. Wrapping the sheets around me, I accidentally leave most of my leg exposed to the cool air. My back... ow. I forgot about that.

Thinking it's Rocco my 'husband' I say, "I didn't hear anything?"

"What did you hear?" He asks, voice a tad lighter than Enzo or Rocco. "Well? Enlighten me, sister."

"Who are you calling sister? And who even are you?"

He chuckles and strides over—a weightless balloon floating across the room. Taking the seat next to the bed he stares. "So my brother is very infatuated with you..."

What the hell? How do I tell.... "I didn't get your name..."

"Dante... Romano..." he replies and shares his hand for a shake. I don't shake it. Is it really okay for me to give him my hand?

Why is the last name so familiar? It's foggy like something is lodged there and won't come out no matter how hard you try. "Romano...?"

"Something wrong?" Dante says, furrowing his brows and leaning back. His eyes shift to my hand. "Wait.... Did you marry...?"

"Rocco..."

"Ah... got it. The Beast stole you instead. Seems like I missed a lot while I was... gone..."

"Gone?" I press on but he just laughs it off.

𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗼

A figure of a guy, somewhat familiar went in with no problem. I stop Enzo from going up there doing something stupid. "Wait."

"But, Sera..."

"There are no buts... just keep quiet," I whisper to him, tugging on his sleeve—tightly like a child not waning their parents to leave. 

The guards were in and around her room—alive and active, waiting for one wrong move. Clocks were ticking and we were hiding on one of the corners watching them. Those men in their black suits, it's sure a sight to see.

After quite awhile, someone comes out. His face seems like I've seen him before. Is that?

"Dante!" Enzo shouts, the bouquet going slack against his side. He turns toward us and walks—quick and rapid. What happened? Why is he back? And why the hell is he back?

𝙍𝙤𝙘𝙘𝙤 '𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙩' 𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙞

I dial one of my trusted goons numbers and wait for the call to go through. I know exactly what kind of punishment they need for interfering with my plans. Once it connects, I say, "Tie em up, light them on fire."

Cause that's what they deserve. I cut the call and turn back. My wife is there in the bed waiting for me like a good girl. Pocketing my phone I walk back into the doors of the sterile grounds full of needy patients.

I pass by Dante and to the room. She's mine, forever. And she'll be molded so perfectly. Pushing it ajar, my footsteps muffled yet loud against the floor and stop near her.

Ruby Kane

The flames licked at the rusty walls, smoke rising from all four sides. I struggled against the hold of the rope but it digs deeper cutting into my skin—like a knife slicing easily through bread.

I screamed, only its muffled by a thick cloth. The other goon, loyal to Rocco walked away like he never started it in the first place.

Rocco... I will haunt you, forever.