Aurelio's POV
I was born into the family of the Dons.
A mafia bloodline that ruled the city through fear, violence, and power.
From the moment I could walk, I was taught to be ruthless… fearless… domineering.
At first, I hated it.
I didn't want that kind of life.
But who was I to choose where I was born?
The only thing that kept me going… was my little sister, Rio.
She was the only sunshine in my world.
The only person who could make me smile even when darkness surrounded us.
I always told myself I would never become like my father…
Until one day, everything changed.
10 Years Ago
Rio's POV
"Big brother! Big brother!!"
I ran through the crowd, waving my arms excitedly.
Aurelio turned sharply, his serious eyes narrowing.
"How many times have I told you to stop running around?" he scolded. "You never listen."
I giggled, grabbing his sleeve.
"But big brother, can we go to the park now? I've been waiting forever!"
He sighed, but the corner of his lips lifted.
"Alright. I'm all set. Let's go."
"Yay!!" I squealed. "When we get there, I'm going on every ride! And you have to join me!"
He chuckled softly.
"Of course I'll join you."
"Then hurry!" I said, bouncing on my feet. "Go register us and get our bands!"
Aurelio raised a finger sternly.
"Rio. Don't go anywhere. Don't talk to strangers. And if anything happens…" his voice lowered, "…call me immediately. Understand?"
I nodded quickly.
"Okay, big brother."
Aurelio's POV
Rio was more excited than I had ever seen her.
We needed to be quick and get back home before Mother and Father noticed how long we were gone.
The line was painfully long, but at last, I got the wristbands.
I turned back, already imagining Rio's impatient face.
But when I returned…
She wasn't there.
My heart stopped.
"Rio?" I called.
No answer.
I looked around sharply.
"Rio!!"
Nothing.
Panic rushed through my chest.
I grabbed a passerby.
"Please—have you seen a young girl? Blonde hair, about twelve years old?"
The stranger pulled away nervously.
"No… excuse me."
My hands began to shake.
What have I done?
Father will kill me…
No.
Worse.
I lost the only person I was supposed to protect.
I had no choice.
I called him.
"Dad…"
His voice was cold. "Aurelio. Why are you calling?"
I swallowed hard.
"Dad… Rio is missing."
Silence.
Then—
"What?" His voice turned deadly. "Rio is what?"
"I—I turned away for a moment—"
"I want every detail," he growled. "Now."
Rio's POV
I was waiting… just like Aurelio told me.
Then suddenly—
Something covered my head.
A black bag.
Before I could scream, a sharp blow struck me, and everything went dark.
…
My head throbbed when I woke up.
It was cold.
Pitch black.
"Hello?" I whispered. "Is anyone there?"
Then a rough voice cut through the silence.
"Keep your mouth shut… unless you want me to shut it for you."
My breath caught.
Oh my God…
I've been kidnapped.
Tears filled my eyes.
Mom… Dad… Aurelio…
They must be worried sick.
I knew this had to be one of Father's enemies.
Even though they tried to hide his business from me…
I wasn't completely blind.
But my biggest fear wasn't for myself.
It was for Aurelio.
I knew how Father treated him.
Like an adult.
Like a weapon.
And I could already imagine the punishment he would face for failing to protect me.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
Please… don't let things get worse.
Aurelio's POV
I still don't know how Father did it…
But Rio was found.
Alive.
Safe.
When I saw her again, I nearly collapsed from relief.
But Father's eyes held no softness.
Only fury.
"You failed," he said.
And for that failure…
I was punished.
The whipping burned, but I didn't cry out.
I deserved it.
Because I had almost lost my little sister.
10 Years Later
Aurelio's POV
I haven't seen Rio since that day.
Sometimes I wonder if she's even alive…
If she still remembers me.
Ever since my sunshine disappeared, my world has been nothing but darkness.
And the only way I've learned to endure it…
Is by inflicting pain on others before they can hurt me first.
That is how I became the man the city fears.
The ruthless…
Wildly feared…
Don Aurelio De Luca.