Chapter 254 Black Sheep

Words : 2238 Updated : May 27th, 2025

A FEW HOURS AGO- Alessandro's heart pounded with panic when he received news of the attack on his beloved wife. Without wasting a second, he immediately left to reach the scene. Matteo, upon hearing the same news, jumped into his car and sped toward the location as well. When Matteo arrived, the sight that greeted him was chilling- His men lay lifeless, and the police had already arrived, combing through the aftermath. But there was no sign of Aria or Emily. Some witnesses informed the police that they had seen the two women getting into a car, seemingly unharmed and without any force or struggle. "What happened here?" Matteo growled in frustration, his fists clenching as his gaze swept over the scene. "Why can't I reach Emily or Aria?" he muttered, furiously dialing their numbers again, only to be met with the same result phones were switched off. "I know what happened," Alessandro murmured, his voice cold as ice. Matteo's gaze sharpened, a flicker of curiosity mixed with concern in his eyes. "What are you talking about?" he asked, frowning. "You knew who went after our women," he pressed, his tone edged with accusation. "The Marino gang," Alessandro replied grimly, his eyes hard as he glanced at the lifeless body of one of the attackers being loaded into the coroner's van. "Those fucking Marinos," Matteo growled, raking a hand through his hair in frustration. "Then what are we waiting for?" Matteo snapped, his gaze fixed on Alessandro with growing impatience. "If you know where to find them, let's go before it's too late." Alessandro's heart was tight with apprehension, each passing second fueling his fear, but he hid it well behind a mask of calm. "I'm waiting for Lucas's call," Alessandro replied quietly, his voice barely audible as a police officer passed by. "He's getting the CCTV footage from the traffic cameras. Once we know whose car Aria and Emily were in, we can move." "Hurry up, Alessandro," Matteo urged, his tone sharp with desperation. "I swear, I'll burn the whole world down if anything happens to my beloved." His breath came in ragged gasps, and the anger bubbling inside him was dangerously close to erupting. Alessandro didn't reply because he knew how Matteo was feeling at that moment. He felt the same rage, overlooked, festering, and burning within him as well. His eyes kept scanning the area, searching for clues, but they found nothing. Then suddenly, his phone rang. It was Lucas delivering the information he needed to locate Aria. "Let's go," Alessandro commanded, striding quickly toward his car with authoritative steps. Matteo followed without a word, slipping into the passenger seat as Alessandro took the wheel. Alessandro sped toward their destination, Alecsandra's Hangt Uns, a storm of hatred brewing within him, bringing him closer to unleashing it. How could Vittoria do that to his wife? Did she forget what happened to her husband and mother-in-law? The anger burned through him as he realized she had chosen to side with the fucking Marinos, going against the Italian Don. His teeth ground together, and his grip tightened on the steering wheel. The weight of the realization hit him: there were too many black sheep around and even in his own family. Lucas joined them midway, his car packed with more men. It fell in line behind Alessandro's vehicle, and the entire force now headed toward their destination, all focused on saving the wife of the Italian Don. As the car screeched to a halt in front of an old building, all of Alessandro's men sprang out, following his instructions to surround the place. The assault began immediately- Gunfire erupts from both sides. Alessandro and his men charged forward, breaking down the door and taking out every goon who dared stand in their way. Lucas grabbed a member of the Marino gang by the throat, his voice low and menacing. "Where have you kept Don Valentino's wife?" he demanded. The gang member, trembling with fear, spilled everything with a single punch. They descended into the basement, where the stench of rot and despair hit them. Lucas and Alessandro kicked in the door to the dungeon, and what they saw made Alessandro's blood boil. Alessandro lifted his gun, aiming it directly at the Marino gang leader, his finger tightening on the trigger as his men trained their weapons on the Marino henchmen. Without a second thought, he charged toward his wife, his eyes locked on her, "Put your gun down and don't move, Don Valentino, if you want to see your wife alive," Rafael warned as his tone was icy, loud, and calculating, causing both Matteo and Alessandro to freeze in their tracks. Alessandro's eyes flickered between the gun barrel pressed to his wife's head and Rafael's cold, calculating gaze. He felt a surge of panic like he'd never experienced before. His heart was pounding so loudly in his chest that it felt like it might burst out. Aria was his love." Don Rafael, don't do anything reckless," he warned, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Put your gun down and tell your men to do the same, Rafael demanded, pressing the cold metal harder against Aria's temple, making her wince at the painful contact. "No! Don't hurt her," Alessandro shouted desperately. "I'll do anything you ask," he added, his voice dropping to a trembling whisper. A mocking smile spread across Rafael's face, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "Then step aside and let me leave here safely," he demanded. "You keep your promise, and I'll keep mine." The deal lay heavy on the table, and Alessandro felt an overwhelming helplessness. But he knew one thing for sure: he would protect Aria at any cost. "Drop the guns, now!" he barked at his men. In seconds, his guards tossed their weapons to the floor as Matteo and Alessandro did the same, letting their guns slip from their hands. Alessandro took a steadying breath. "I did what you asked. Now let her go, and I'll clear a way out for you," he said, his tone hard and controlled, though his eyes betrayed a simmering fury. Rafael sneered, a cold glint in his eye. "You think I'm that stupid, Alessandro? Your beautiful wife here is my ticket out, and she's coming with me." With a smug smirk, he tightened his arm around Aria's waist, pulling her closer. Alessandro's jaw clenched, his fists curling at his sides, every muscle in his body taut with barely contained rage. His hands ached to punch Rafael bloody hard, to rip his filthy hands right off his body, to tear him apart for even daring to touch her. But he knew that one wrong. "Take me as a hostage instead," Alessandro proposed, his voice steady, though every muscle in his body screamed to act. Rafael shook his head arrogantly, a mocking laugh escaping his lips. "You think I'm that stupid?" Rafael sneered, his eyes glinting with cruel amusement. "Then take me instead," Matteo suggested, his voice calm but firm. "But leave her. Real men don't use women in their fights." His words were a challenge, a provocation aimed straight at Rafael's pride. Rafael snorted, his laughter mocking. "The famous lawyer, Matteo Vinci!" he scoffed. "You're good at manipulating people, but your tricks won't work on me." "We're not playing tricks, Rafael, and you know that," Alessandro replied, his voice cold and emotionless, hoping to make an impact on the arrogant fool. "We're just negotiating." Rafael's expression hardened. "I'm not in the mood for negotiations!" he bellowed, making Aria flinch in his grasp. Emily's eyes widened in fear, watching helplessly as Aria remained trapped in that monster's hold. "I'll leave Emily," Rafael continued, his voice dripping with malice, "but I won't leave Aria." His men etanned forumed ralancing Emilu from their mein Matten immedintely, martired for her to huretto hie As soon as Alessandro hung up, the low hum approaching motorcyclés quickly escalated into a thunderous roar, filling the air like a scene from a racetrack. Within moments, a fleet of riders appeared, speeding toward him with precision. One of the bikes pulled up directly in front of Alessandro, and the rider dismounted, handing over the motorcycle to the Italian don without a word. Lucas took his place on another bike, hopping on behind one of the riders. Matteo moved toward a bike, preparing to join them, but Alessandro halted him with a firm hand. "Matteo, you stay back and look after Emily and handle everything here," Alessandro commanded, his tone leaving no room for debate. His gaze shifted just behind Matteo, catching sight of Emily as she emerged from the building. "But I want to come with you," Matteo protested, the determination clear in his voice. "Don't argue, Matteo," Alessandro replied coldly, his voice cutting through the noise with an unyielding authority. He didn't have time for debate; he needed Matteo to follow orders. With a single, pointed look of authority, Alessandro mounted the bike and revved the engine. In an instant, he shot forward, his motorcycle tearing down the road as the rest of the riders followed in formation. Matteo watched Alessandro speed off, feeling uneasy about his friend's decision, as his expression clouded with dissatisfaction. He wasn't pleased with the decision, but he knew his mafia friend was capable of far more than anyone could imagine. "Matteo?" Emily's voice broke his thoughts. "Baby," he murmured, rushing to embrace the hug he'd been holding back through the tense standoff. "Are you alright?" His concerned eyes searched her body, scanning for any sign of harm. Finding none, he let out a relieved breath. "I'm fine, Matteo," Emily assured him, though her voice quivered. "But Aria..." she whispered, filling with tears. Her eyes shimmered with unshed emotion, the weight of fear and uncertainty pressing down on her chest. Matteo offered a soft smile, brushing a tear from her cheek. "Don't worry, mon amour. She'll be back safe and sound," he promised, his voice gentle but confident. "Alessandro Valentino is not a man to be crossed. Rafael will pay dearly for even thinking he could touch his wife." Emily nodded in understanding, her eyes still clouded with worry, but holding on to the hope his words offered. "Let's get you home," Matteo suggested gently, noticing a few cars pulling up with more of Alessandro's men, ready to assist with the cleanup. He reached for her hand, beginning to guide her toward the car. "Wait, Matteo," Emily stopped him, her grip on his hand tightening. "I need to tell you something." His brows knitted in concern as he looked down at her. "What is it, ma douce?" Emily took a deep breath. "We were lured here... by Vanessa and Vittoria." Matteo's eyes widened, a wave of shock crossing his face. He had already seen Vittoria's lifeless body inside, but Vanessa's involvement was news that hit him hard. La could understand Vittacin's matinee. She had for her husband and mother-in-law. But Vanessa? Why would she betray them like this? "She's still in the building, hidden somewhere, probably locked up by Rafael's men," Emily informed him. A steely resolve hardened Matteo's gaze as he turned to Alessandro's men. "Search every room in that building," he ordered. "Take anyone you find into custody." His heart clenched at the thought of Emily being dragged into this mess, and he vowed to make whoever was responsible pay. "Yes, Mr. Vinci," one of the men said. Nodded, then swiftly organized the team. They spread out, moving through every room and corner of the building. After what seemed like an eternity, the first of Alessandro's men returned, dragging a single figure behind them. Matteo's heart filled with malice as he locked eyes with the prisoner. This wasn't over-not by a long shot. "Where to, Don?" the driver asked, his eyes focused on the road ahead as Rafael sat in the backseat, forcing Aria to sit beside him. The rest of Rafael's men were in other cars, following closely behind. "Take us to the airport. We're leaving right now," Rafael ordered curtly, his voice dripping with impatience. The driver nodded without a word, maintaining a calm, professional demeanor. Aria tried to glance at the driver's face discreetly, but the white cap he wore was too large, casting a shadow over his features, and the dark sunglasses obscured his eyes. Still, the tone of his voice was unmistakable. Aria recognized it- she had heard that voice far too many times. After driving for a while, the car suddenly took an unexpected turn. Rafael's voice cut through the air, sharp and irritated. "Hey, you fool! You took the wrong turn!" The driver remained calm, unfazed. "No, Don. It's a shortcut," he replied. "And you've reached your destination." With those words, the driver slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a screeching halt. Throwing his cap aside, he pulled a gun from beneath his seat and pointed it directly at Rafael's head.

Chapter 254 Black Sheep

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