♥ Chapter 61 ♥

Alessio Vecchio.


10:10 '' Casino


I'm very angry. If I hadn't had to deal with an extremely important matter, I would have gone with my queen to the hospital to find out what's wrong with her. I want to get this over with and get back to her. I can't stay away for long. These two weeks have really affected me. I don't want to have to share our time with anyone else. After this meeting, I'm going to take some time off and spend some time with my queen.


I arrive at the casino, and Saulo opens the car door for me. I get out and we head inside my establishment. Furthermore, I notice that all my most trusted security guards are there, lined up, waiting for me. There's a palpable tension in the air, as if they know that any mistake could be fatal.


''Tell me why you called me here? I hope it's really important. '' My voice comes out serious, cold, causing a visible tremor in some.


I notice that there is no one in the casino, only my men. The silence is disturbing.


''Why isn't the casino working?'' My voice cuts through the air, and I see the dread in their eyes. They know something serious is about to be revealed.


''My lord, the reason we're closing the casino today is that the matter is extremely significant,'' Cezar begins, his voice trembling, drawing my attention.


''Then speak up, I don't have all day, Cezar.'' My tone is harsh, almost threatening, making him quickly agree.


Cezar takes a step forward, trying to keep his composure, but I can see the slight tremor in his hands. The silence in the hall increases the tension, every second that passes intensifying my fury.


''Sir, we have discovered that there is a traitor in our organization. '' He pauses, watching my reaction.


My anger intensifies. The surrounding air seems heavier, each breath difficult.


'' Go on. '' My voice is low, but full of venom.


''Someone has started investigating you… about Isabella. '' Cezar hesitates to say her name, fearing my reaction. ''The problem is that we don't have much information. The computer that was used to investigate was destroyed, and we don't know who the traitor is.


My blood boils. The idea of someone snooping on my queen is unacceptable. I feel an almost uncontrollable urge to smash something… or someone.


''So you called me here to tell me you have a traitor, but you don't know who it is?'' My words come out sharp, cutting.


Cezar swallows dryly, but continues.


''We're doing our best to find out, sir. We're checking every detail, every person, but… '' He doesn't finish the sentence, the fear evident in his eyes.


I lose control. In one swift movement, I grab Cezar by the collar and lift him off the ground. The shock in the eyes of the others is evident.


''If you don't find out who the traitor is and who dared to investigate Isabella, I will personally make each one of you pay for it! '' My voice is a roar, echoing through the empty hall.


I release Cezar, who falls to his knees, panting. My other men avoid looking directly at me, the fear clear on their faces.


''I want updated reports every hour. Understand?" I order, anger still pulsing through my veins.


They all quickly agree, visibly shaken.


I look around, still breathing heavily. I need to get back to Isabella, but I can't let this go unpunished. The traitor will be found and punished.


'' Saulo, you're in charge of leading the investigation. Don't let me down. '' My voice is more controlled now, but still full of menace.


Saul, who had been watching everything in silence, agreed firmly.


'' Yes, sir. I won't rest until I find the traitor. '' He says with conviction.


I leave the casino, the fury still burning inside me, but determined to protect Isabella at any cost. As I get into the car, my mind is already thinking of ways to increase her safety. Nothing will hurt her as long as I'm around.


On the way home, my thoughts turn to Isabella. I need to tell her what's happening, but in a way that won't scare her. She needs to know that she's safe, and that I'll do anything to keep her that way.


As I drive back to the mansion, my mind is still buzzing with questions. Who dares betray me? Who is the brave or insane person who dares to investigate my queen? Everyone knows that betrayal is punishable by death. The thought of someone messing with Isabella is enough to make my blood boil again. Death will find them, and I'll make sure it's slow and painful.


12:30. '' Mansion.


I arrive at the mansion still furious, my hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. I get out of the car, trying to control the anger still burning inside me. Dante, doing security at the entrance, immediately notices my furious expression. I quickly change my expression to a forced calm, determined not to let Isabella notice anything.


I enter the mansion, trying to maintain a serene appearance. My eyes quickly scan the interior, looking for Isabella. Finally, I see her sitting on the sofa, looking very happy. When she sees me, her smile widens even more, and she gets up to hug me.


''Alessio!'' she says, enveloping me in a tight hug.


''Precious.'' I say, trying to keep my voice soft. ''How are you feeling?


She looks at me with a sparkle in her eyes, full of emotion.


''I'm fine, but I need to tell you something.'' Her voice trembles slightly, revealing a nervousness.


"What happened?" I ask, feeling a twinge of concern.


''There was nothing wrong with me when I had the tests. '' She begins, hesitating for a moment. ''What I have is…''


She pauses, takes a deep breath, and a big smile spreads across her face.


"I'm pregnant.


I'm in a state of shock, unable to say a word. Isabella looks at me, waiting for a reaction, but I'm paralyzed, processing the news. She is pregnant. I finally find my voice.


''Pregnant?'' I mutter, still trying to absorb the news.


She nods, her eyes shining with happiness.


''Are you happy? We're going to be parents." I felt a wave of anger consume me.


"Why now?" I say, my voice laced with frustration. His smile disappears, replaced by an expression of confusion and concern.


'' How? Didn't I understand?" She asks, her happiness turning to apprehension.


I run my hand over my face, trying to control my frustration.


''We've been away from each other for two weeks, and now this? '' I say, feeling the despair growing inside me. ''Now I'm not going to be your priority anymore, Isabella. I wanted to have more of your time, to be the center of everything for you, but now I won't be.


She takes a step back, shocked by my words.


''Alessio, what are you talking about?'' she asks, her voice trembling. ''It doesn't change anything between us. I'm still here, I'm not leaving you.


''That's not how it works,'' I say, my voice rising. ''A child changes everything. He'll be your priority, and I… I'll be left aside.


Isabella tries to hold my hands, but I pull away, feeling the anger and despair growing inside me.


''Alessio, I'll never leave you.'' She says, with tears in her eyes. ''You're the father of my child, and I'm going to stay here.


'' Bullshit! '' I scream, my voice full of anguish. '' You'll love your son more than me. You'll leave me alone.


'' No, Alessio. I… '' She begins, but her voice breaks, and she looks at me with despair.


''You're going to leave me.'' I continue, my voice breaking. ''You're going to devote yourself to him, and I'll just be a shadow.


The shock in Isabella's eyes is palpable. I feel a wave of despair consume me. Without waiting for an answer, I turn my back and walk out of the mansion, leaving her alone. Every step I take is a weight, and frustration turns to anger.


I reach the car, get in quickly and lock myself in. As I turn the ignition key, the engine roars to life and the car starts up hard, taking me away from the mansion and Isabella.


Halfway down the road, anger becomes an immense force inside me.


'' Damn it, damn it, what the fuck! '' I hit the steering wheel hard, my breathing becoming irregular, the desperation growing by the second. Each blow is an explosion of frustration, of fear of being left behind, of no longer being the priority.


As the anger boils up inside me, something unexpected happens. Tears start streaming down my face, without me being able to stop them. My heart clenches, and I'm shocked by the intensity of the pain and fear I'm feeling. I never imagined that I could cry like this, me, Alessio Vecchio, a cruel and merciless mafioso, crying. The thought is so absurd that I almost can't believe it.


I wanted more time with her, for her to see me as the priority, for our relationship to pay off after these two weeks apart. The idea of being just a shadow in her life, of not being the priority, is almost unbearable.


Over time, the tears, and anger begin to subside. I feel a mixture of shame and regret for having run away and left Isabella alone. I realize that I was an idiot for acting impulsively and for walking away from her when she needed me most. My self-control is disappearing, and this only adds to the feeling of despair.


What's more, the revelation of a traitor in the organization is making everything even more unbearable. I feel lost, as if everything is falling apart around me. Every new piece of information, every new problem, seems to increase the pressure I'm under.