CHAPTER TWO —Lyra Got Shot!
Salvatore's POV.
"You were strangely calm with that little missy in there, Salvatore," my youngest brother, Russo, said as we walked to the car from the Klein's.
"Don't tell me it's love at first sight because what the hell has gotten into you? You're very much aware dad's going to be against it" Bianchi, my immediate brother pointed out.
I inhaled deeply, tucking my hands into my pocket. Bianchi was right. My dad would never agree to this goddamned alliance. We had one sole motive before coming to New York — getting the money from the Klein's.
Dad was home, probably waiting for us to return the money before he returned to Sicily, and he hated it when there were holes in his plans.
And that little missy? What was her name again….? Lyra! Yes, Lyra. That little, fearless, feisty missy. I liked her…. Her personality. But she'd swiftly turned into a complete red flag for me.
She had the audacity to call me a 'cunt' and as if that weren't enough, she'd hit me on my damn head. She clearly wasn't aware of what she had co-signed for. I would sure show her what a real 'cunt' is like.
A devilish, sly smirk played on my lips.
"You're busy smirking like it's nothing serious? What the hell are you plotting, huh?" Bianchi asked, a big frown settled on his forehead.
"I'm honestly not happy with your decision. You know what it's impact it's going to be on us, but you still did it, and I'm sure you did it to get back at her. Petty!" Russo hissed.
"Didn't you fucking see how she called me a cunt? Why are you getting so worked up about the decision I made for myself?!" I snapped at him, though I didn't intend to. Maybe that was me just transferring my aggression to him.
"Magari perché stiamo per perdere la capacità di camminare per un paio di giorni in poche ore (maybe 'cause we're going to lose our ability to walk for a couple of days in just few hours)" he retorted going into the car.
Bianchi followed suit.
Well…. He was right.
_____
"Stronzo! (You cunt!)" My dad flared, throwing the glass of whiskey he held right at the face. The glass hit me on my forehead, leaving a cut.
I'd explained in details the whole that happened at the Klein's and of course omitting the part where a little missy I was 6 fucking years older than had called me a cunt and gave me a hard knock on my head.
Blood oozed freely from the cut, soaking my white T-shirt, but I cared less. Not like it was the first. And the real torture was yet to come.
"Mi dispiace( I'm sorry) I said clenching my fist tightly, my fingers digging into my palm.
"Dispiace?(Sorry?)." He landed a hard punch on my face, bursting my lower lip. "Who's going to pay the money? You? Or those imbeciles of you call your brothers?"
"I told you Bianchi and Russo weren't part of it. The decision was solely made by me and I'll take full responsibility. I'll pay the money".
"And Octavia? What about her?"
Oh well, the rude, arrogant and manipulative bitch who'd always hung around me like my gun!
"Our engagement will get cancelled. I never even loved her to start with".
Another heavy blow landed on my face, its weight throwing me on the floor. One thing I was grateful for was Russo and Bianchi wasn't part of this. I wouldn't have been able to bear it— seeing my siblings getting hurt for what I did.
"The Russian and the Sicilian mafia will turn into enemies until eternity, do you know what that means?" he thundered.
Of course, I knew. It meant nothing but WAR.
"I'll protect La Famiglia" I said, my voice calm. My breath heavy.
"You said that so easily. Is that how easy it seems?"
"Lo farò. Con l'ultima goccia del mio sangue(I will. With the last drop of my blood)" I raised my gaze to meet his, "Lo giuro(I swear)"
"It took me 30 fucking years to bring this organization to where it is today, and you want to destroy everything for me because of your incompetence? Over my dead body will I let that happen," he spat.
"Better keep to your words, or I can promise you a really painful death. Don't joke with me, son" he warned—more like a threat.
It was so pathetic despite being feared in the outside world. Despite being known to the world for being ruthless, I still cave in when it comes to that one person. My dad.
After three fucking hours of torture, I staggered towards my room, my bruised body dripping blood.
The pain?
The torture?
It made me more lethal. More dangerous.
I flung my bedroom door open and found three pairs of eyes staring at me. And of course, it was that of my brothers and cousin.
I rolled my eyes, annoyed while I shot the door behind.
"Oh my dearest, sweetest cousin brother" My cousin, Miley said teasingly, "look what you've gotten yourself into"
"I warned you, didn't I?" Russo said.
I was so sure he was the one who told Miley about it.
"If I were the three of you, I wouldn't even stay in this room for another second" I limped towards my bed.
"Get your asses out of my room before I transfer all my aggression on you and do something stupid!"
I snapped, and like bees, they buzzed off.
I collapsed onto my bed as I stared at my ceiling. Tuesday, What a big day it would be.
…..
The days flew by so quickly and it was Tuesday, my wedding day and guess what! My bride was standing in front of me looking as feisty as ever with a massive frown settled on her forehead.
Only a few of her relatives, Russo, Bianchi, and Miley were invited along with the Sicilian bodyguards. Dad had returned to Sicily last night. He wasn't happy about the wedding so there was obviously no reason to attend.
I leaned forward, consuming the space between us then whispered, "Smile a little, princess. The guests will think I'm forcing you into the marriage when it isn't so".
She stared dagger at me for a while, then her lips stretched into a smile. One that was from the teeth and not from the heart.
"Do you, Salvatore Leone Morano, take Lyra Helga Klein to be your wife, to love and cherish her, through all the joys and challenges of life, forsaking all others and holding only to her, so long as you both shall live?" the priest asked.
Love and Cherish her? No! Nahhh! Nauuur! Never!
"Yes, I do," I replied, and the priest turned to her.
"Do you, Lyra Helga Klein, take Salvatore Leone Morano to be your husband, to love and cherish him, through all the joys and challenges of life, forsaking all others, and holding only to her, so long as you both shall live?"
Her gaze was locked into mine, anger, resentment was clearly visible in her eyes.
She was mad at me when I was just doing them a favor? So ungrateful!
"I do" she responded and we exchanged rings.
I smirked.
Oh, welcome to hell, princess.
My triumph moment was interrupted with a clap that had suddenly erupted, echoing loudly in the church. I needed no soothsayer to tell me it was that Bitch Octavia.
She cat walked towards the altar, swaying her hips seductively.
"Long time, no see, octopus" I smiled lightly at her.
She was a full-time bitch. Sly as a fox. Lethal than a volcanic eruption and more dangerous than a nuclear war.
She was here, in New York because I cancelled the engagement. I knew her so we'll, and I knew she was here to create a fuss, but I was a thousand and one ready.
I signaled my men to surround and protect Lyra's family.
Lyra's safety was under my control. I own her, after all.
"So this is the bitch you're getting married to?" She scoffed, "you've got such a bad taste"
"You think you're better than I?" I smirk walking to where she stood "touch some grass, sweetheart"
Anger blazed in her eyes, she seethed her teeth staring dagger at Lyra.
If looks could kill, my feisty bride would have drop-dead
In a swift motion, she brought out her gun and pointed it directly at Lyra.
"This bitch can't have you if I can't, Salvatore" she cocked the gun, "You're Mine alone!"
She spat then pulled the trigger.