"We don't hang out with them, Giovanni." The Vincente family is a stain on this city, and we don't let stains stay.
Giovanni slammed the glass down on the desk, and the loud noise broke the unbearable silence. His eyes darted to the window, where the city lights flickered below, teasing him with the truth of what was about to happen. His family had built their empire on blood and ruthless power. Now Giovanni was about to give up everything for the woman he loved, the woman he was supposed to kill.
Sophia Vincente. Every second, her face and voice haunted him. Nothing else had ever broken through his armor like the weight of her plea and the weakness in her words. She needed him, and for the first time in his life, Giovanni had to ask himself if he was willing to give up everything for her.
Yes, the answer came right away.
But as soon as he thought about it, another voice in his head snarled, reminding him of his duty and the family legacy. His father's voice came back, sharp and demanding. "Giovanni, the DeLuca name is everything." We don't like the Vincentes. We lose if you show weakness or kindness to the enemy. "You lose."
Giovanni's jaw clenched with the well-known sting of betrayal and anger, and his hands balled into fists. His steadfast devotion to his father and the DeLuca family now appeared to be a delicate thread that was about to break. Was love really less important than family loyalty? Was it really possible for him to abandon the woman who had won his heart and was now battling for her life?
A knock on the door broke his train of thought. It was a sharp sound that seemed to cut through the noise in his head. He didn't need to ask who it was.
"Come in," Giovanni said in a low, strained voice.
Marco walked in, his face unreadable as usual, but Giovanni could see the tension in his body language, as if the weight of the situation was hanging over them both. Marco had been his best friend in the DeLuca family since they were kids. But tonight, Giovanni could feel the distance between them. There was an unspoken disagreement that had been growing since he had decided to help Sophia.
Marco's voice was full of anger when he said, "Giovanni, we need to talk."
Giovanni took a moment to react, his eyes still fixed on the window, his head racing with too many ideas. Even before Marco's words were spoken, he was aware of what he would say. He had been hearing the same thing for days. Our adversaries are the Vincentes. We don't assist them. We demolish them.
Giovanni said in a low voice, without looking at his brother, "I've already made my decision, Marco." "I'm needed by Sophia. I will not allow her to pass away.
Marco was quiet for a moment, and the tension between them was thick. He spoke again, and this time his voice was cold and a little bitter. "And what about your dad? What about all the things he's made? What about the DeLuca family? You're ready to give up everything for a woman you've known your whole life? Giovanni, she's a Vincente. You're going against everything we believe in.
At last, Giovanni's gaze turned to Marco, his chest and jaw clenched under the strain of the dispute. With a sharper tone than he meant, he shot back, "I'm not betraying anything." "I'm keeping her safe." You're not understanding. I can't let her pass away. I've lived my entire life doing as my father says and abiding by his regulations. However, this is not the same. I'm taking care of myself.
With his fists clenched at his sides, Marco took a step closer, his face growing darker. And I'm supposed to comprehend, isn't that right? Is the DeLuca blood still coursing through your veins? What became of loyalty? To pay respect? Giovanni, do you believe this is merely a fairy tale? Do you believe that you can cross boundaries, violate regulations, and escape punishment? His voice grew colder with each word as he shook his head. "You're not strong. You're not that person. You are superior to this.
The words hurt, more than Giovanni wanted to say. But they were right, weren't they? What kind of person was he turning into? What kind of leader would he be if he let his feelings control what he did? What kind of leader would he be if he let the woman he loved destroy everything his family had worked for?
With a voice heavy with emotion, Giovanni answered, "I'm not weak." However, I refuse to watch her suffer. Marco, I can't. When I have the ability to save someone's life, I cannot be the man who lets them die.
Marco's eyes blazed with annoyance, and Giovanni briefly feared his brother would snap. Instead, Marco remained motionless, his eyes hard and unblinking.
With a tone of finality, Marco said softly, "You're making a huge mistake." "You're signing our death sentence if you carry out this plan and assist her. There is no mixing of the Vincentes and the DeLucas. You've gone too far for us to turn back.
Giovanni's hands were shaking from the weight of his choice, and he clenched his jaw. Marco was correct, he knew. He was aware that this could destroy them both. However, it was no longer relevant. Sophia was important.
Giovanni stated, "I've made my choice," in a firm voice, his decision already made. "I'll handle the fallout afterwards. I'm focused on saving her for the time being.
For a considerable amount of time, Marco gazed at him, his face unreadable. Giovanni was left alone with the storm building inside of him as he turned and left the study after giving a sharp nod.
Giovanni's heart thumped in his chest as the door clicked behind him. The choice was made. Now there was no going back.
However, a voice inside of him whispered the truth he had been trying to ignore even as he stood there with the weight of his decision bearing down on him. How much will this cost you? How much will this cost you both?
Giovanni was aware that there was no simple solution. All he knew, however, was that the conflict between the Vicente's and the DeLuca's had just reached a breaking point.
What's the worst? He doubted that either side would make it through the fallout.