♥ Chapter 33♥

Caterina Vossini. 

I don't say a word, but the look I give the girl and the others is enough to silence them instantly. I stand next to my little one, my expression cold and calculating, like a lioness protecting her territory. My presence is a silent threat, and they feel it.

'' Any problems? '' I ask, my voice full of danger, without taking my eyes off them.

The silence that follows is charged with tension. The anger I feel at seeing these bastards bullying my little one is like a fire that burns inside, almost uncontrollable.

Finally, one of the girls, full of disdain, decides to speak.

'' Who are you? '' she asks, with an eyebrow raised, trying to look brave, but I see the fear in her eyes.

I give a cruel smile, taking my time.

'' My name is Catarina Vossini'' I respond, letting each syllable drip with an implied threat. ''The owner of this city that you trash are stepping on. Now, what the fuck were you guys doing with my little one?

My voice is low, but the anger in it is so sharp that I see some of them tremble. They know they have crossed a dangerous line. But the girl, still trying to cling to false courage, crosses her arms and snorts defiantly.

'' Your little one? What a ridiculous thing! Do you really think this thing is beautiful? '' She points at my boy and laughs, the shrill sound echoing in the air. ''An ugly boy…

She doesn't even finish the sentence.

I move with the speed of a snake, and the slap I give her face is so strong that it makes her fall to the ground. The sound of the impact echoes through the square, and for a moment, everything is silent. The others stand frozen, fear now evident in each of them.

Wasting no time, I step on her hand so hard that the sound of the bone breaking reverberates through the room, eliciting a sharp scream of pain from her lips. The desperation in the girl's eyes only fuels the anger in my chest. I reach down and grab his hair with almost inhuman strength, pulling it so hard it feels like I'm about to rip his scalp off.

'' What is your name? '' I ask, my voice low and cold, each word carrying a silent threat.

She can't even respond right away, writhing in pain, her face pale. But I'm not patient. I pull her hair even harder, eliciting a choked scream from her.

'' What's your fucking name? '' My voice is now a roar, and I see tears well up in her eyes as panic takes over her face.

'' C-Chloe… '' She finally manages to stammer out, her voice shaky and full of fear.

I recognized the name immediately. I remember the investigation I did into my little one's past, and her name was there. She is responsible for many of the traumas that have tormented him for years. Now, before me, this whore finally knows what it's like to be afraid.

I look at her with pure contempt, disgust growing inside me.

'' Chloe, right? '' I say with a cruel smile, my tone dripping with venom. ''It was you who humiliated my little one when he declared himself to you. Not just you. '' I raise my eyes, staring at the bastards who are shaking in fear. ''You're all humiliated, my little one. How lucky I am!

Before I can continue, I feel thin, shaking arms wrap around me from behind. Axel. He's hugging me, the trembling in his body is evident, and his grip is almost desperate.

'' Let's go, please'' he whispers, his voice weak and thick with panic.

I take a deep breath, realizing how bad he is. As much as I want to crush every one of those worms right then and there, the priority is my little one. I let go of the girl's hair, leaving her lying on the floor, and slowly walked away, but not before casting a cruel smile in their direction.

'' I hope you can get out of here. ''My tone is sweet, but the meaning is clear, and I see the terror in their eyes grow even more.

With a firm gesture, I grab my little one's waist and begin to guide him towards the car. Bóris is waiting, watching everything. Just the look I give him is enough for him to understand my silent order: kidnap these bastards.

As we approach the car, I see Bóris take out his cell phone and type something quickly, already taking the necessary steps. He opens the door for us, and Axel and I get into the vehicle. I pull my little one close to me, holding him tight as Bóris gets in and starts the engine, driving us back home.

Their childhood classmates think they can get away with it, but now, they will learn in the cruelest way possible that no one touches what is mine and gets away with it.

 Once we arrive at the mansion, I pull Axel out of the car, holding his hand firmly. He follows me silently, his head down, sadness and despair weighing on his shoulders. We climbed the front steps and quickly entered the mansion. I don't stop until we get to our room.

Guiding him to the bed, I make him sit down and kneel in front of him. I gently held his face, forcing him to look me in the eyes.

'' Are you well? '' I ask, my voice soft but laced with concern.

He tries to hold back, but tears soon start to stream down his face. His voice comes out weak and shaky, almost like a whisper:

'' I'm sorry... I'm sorry for being weak, Catarina, and for not being someone who can defend themselves. I thought... Furthermore, I thought I was fine, but I'm not. Seeing them made me feel horrible and reminded me of that humiliation. Why am I so weak? Why can't I at least defend myself? I-I'm so tired of being so pathetic...

My heart sinks as I hear his words, the pain evident in every syllable. Tenderly, I begin to wipe away his tears, my thumbs caressing his cheeks as my eyes meet his, full of suffering.

'' Axel, you're not pathetic, my love'' I say, my voice firm and full of conviction. ''You are stronger than you know. You endured so many things—the abuse from your parents, the humiliation, and the pain. And yet, he found the courage to run away, to start a new life—something that many would not even try. You are too brave, my love.

He continues to cry, but there is something in his eyes—perhaps a spark of hope—that begins to shine.

'' Traumas and fears don't disappear that easily'' I continue, my voice soft as a whisper. ''They leave deep marks and scars that cannot be erased overnight. You've been hurt for a long time, Axel. But now, you are beginning to accept yourself and the changes that I am making in you, and this is a testament to your strength. You are beautiful, not just on the outside but on the inside too. Your eyes are beautiful, and your face is beautiful. And your heart, Axel, is stronger than you know.

I hold her face more firmly, looking deeply into her eyes.

'' You don't have to fend for yourself, my little one. I'm here for you, by your side. I always will. Together, we will face these demons and overcome this painful past. And you will see, my love, that there is nothing weak or pathetic about you. You are strong, you are mine, and no one will ever hurt you again. I won't allow it.

As he calms in my arms, the anger I felt before turns to fierce determination. Axel is mine, and I will do everything to protect him, to make sure he never feels like this again, broken and defenseless. They paid dearly today, but the real punishment is yet to come.

Axel lets out a shaky breath, still visibly shaken, but with a certain determination in his eyes. He slides his hand into his pocket and pulls out something small and shiny, handing it to me nervously. I don't understand, looking at the object in his hand, but before I can ask, he murmurs:

'' I... I bought it for you. Something that shows how much I like you.

I accept the small object, noticing how his hands shake slightly. When I open it, I see a beautiful necklace inside the small box. The delicacy of the necklace contrasts with the brutality of the world we live in, and something inside me warms to see the gift he chose for me with so much care and intention.

'' You can keep a photo inside'' he explains, his voice still weak.

A soft smile forms on my lips, and I lean in to kiss him softly, letting my lips convey the gratitude and affection I feel for him at that moment.

'' I liked it, my little one'' I say, my voice full of tenderness. ''It's too beautiful, just like you.

I hold the necklace with affection, feeling the symbolic weight it carries. Axel, even in the midst of so much suffering, thought of me and wanted to give me a gift to show how important I am to him. And that gesture, as simple as it is, means the world to me.

Still holding the necklace affectionately, I turn my back to Axel, lifting my hair and exposing the back of my neck to him.

'' Can you put it on me, darling? '' I ask softly, my voice full of confidence and affection.

Axel gives a small smile, a shy but sincere gesture that makes my heart beat a little faster. He approaches and, with all the care in the world, fastens the necklace around my neck. I feel the light touch of your fingers, almost hesitant but, at the same time, determined to do everything perfectly.

When he's done, I let go of my hair, letting it fall over the necklace that now rests softly on my skin. I hold the pendant in my hands and turn to him, watching the sparkle in his eyes—a sparkle that reflects the care he put into this gift.

'' We have to take a photo together to put in here'' I say, looking at him with a smile that mixes both gratitude and affection.

Axel seems surprised, but also happy with the idea.

'' Yes, we have to take it off. '' He responds with a shy but genuine smile. The idea of ​​having something that symbolizes what we are building together seems to touch something deep within him.

I smile softly and, without saying anything, rest my head on his thigh, feeling the warmth and comfort his presence brings me.

'' I like my little one like this, happy. '' I murmur, letting my words carry all the affection I feel for him. ''Don’t worry about anything else, my love. Those people will never do anything to you again.

He sighs, and the slight tension in his shoulders indicates that something is still bothering him.

'' I'm scared of them telling my parents where I am'' he confesses, insecurity evident in his voice.

I caress his knees, trying to convey as much security as I can.

'' Don't worry, it won't happen'' I assure, keeping my voice steady and calm.

Axel looks at me blankly, with a slight confusion in his eyes, but I just smile back. I stand up in one fluid movement, gently pushing him so he lies on the bed. I climb on top of him and start kissing his lips again and again, in soft kisses full of affection.

Then I rest my head on his chest, over his heart, listening to its beat as he hugs me tightly.

We stay like that, holding each other, but my mind can't stop. As I feel your heart calm down, I think coldly, As soon as he sleeps, I'm going to have to eliminate some motherfuckers.