♥ Chapter 62 ♥

Alessio Vecchio.

I can't go back now, I'm not well; this feeling of being abandoned won't go away. Maybe I need to talk to that idiot. I start the car again and drive off towards that idiot's house. The whole way is tense, I still feel like hitting something. I'm also surprised by the certainty of my feelings for Isabella. I really do love her; I never thought I would love someone like this.

Furthermore, I drive for a while longer until I reach an isolated house in the woods. I get out of the car and knock hard on the door. Soon, the door is opened by Eric, my best doctor, who has served our organization for many years. His eyes widen in surprise when he sees me.

''It's good to see you, Alessio. '' He says, with a small smile.

"You're finished, Eric." I reply, keeping my cool.

He is indeed finished, of course, age has caught up with him. Eric has served the Vecchio family for a long time, he's always been by our side, he was the first to stand by me during the war against my brothers.

Eric lets out a laugh before inviting me into his home.

'' What are you doing here? You haven't come to see me since I left the hospital.

I enter the house and sit down on the sofa, trying to calm the storm inside me.

'' I need some advice, Eric.

'' Advice? You? He arches his eyebrows, visibly surprised.

'' Yes. '' I take a deep breath, keeping my expression impassive. "I now have a wife…

Eric looks even more surprised and suddenly lets out a laugh.

''You? I never thought that one day I would be alive to witness this event.

I look at him seriously, my expression intense. Eric quickly maintains his posture, realizing the gravity of the moment.

''You know, I was taught not to love, only to kill and kill. '' I cross my legs, feeling the weight of the words. ''I fought against my brothers to become the leader I am today. But I ended up meeting a woman. She managed to charm me, she made me obsessed and crazy about her. I can no longer keep myself under control, she moves me in a way that no woman ever has.

Eric listens to me in silence, absorbing every word.

'' I wanted to have heirs with her, but something happened, and we were apart for two weeks. We soon reconciled, and now I find out that the woman I love is going to have a child." I lower my head, feeling the anguish take over. "I can't share the woman I love with my own child. I only wanted her for myself, so that I could make up for lost time.

Eric is silent for a moment, reflecting on what I've just shared. Finally, he speaks, his voice low and serious.

''Are you an idiot?'' I'm a little surprised by his tone. ''Alessio, you really are an idiot. Even though you're incredible as a mafia leader, right now you're being a tremendous idiot. Do you think she would abandon you?

I open my mouth to insult him for swearing at me, but he quickly cuts me off.

"Shut up and listen." I face him seriously. "I'm not afraid of you, Alessio. You came here for advice, but I'm not going to put my hand on your head. Your wife is carrying your child in her belly, and all you can think is that she's going to abandon you? If she was, she'd have done it by now. You say you wanted time with her, but you still have nine months with her. Children grow up and leave. We don't raise them for ourselves, we raise them for life. When they leave, everything goes back to normal, it's just you again.

Eric's words hit me like a punch. I remain silent, absorbing the truth in his words.

Eric continues, his voice softer now.

''Alessio, love is not something that divides. It multiplies. You'll realize that the love you feel for your wife will only grow with the arrival of the baby. And she'll love you even more for being a good father. But for that to happen, you need to be there for her, support her and show her that you're strong enough to deal with this new phase.

I take a deep breath, feeling the tension begin to ease.

'' Alessio, I know you're new to this emotion stuff, I know you more than you know yourself. I've been by your side since you were just a baby. I guarantee that when you're by her side, watching your son grow up, you'll love him. Likewise, I know that in the Portevecchio mafia, it's normal for brothers to fight for power. Your father and his ancestors chose that, because they never loved anyone.

He pauses, watching my reaction before continuing.

''But you, Alessio, you have the chance to be different. You have the chance to love and be loved. To build a real family, something your ancestors never had. Don't let fear and insecurity stop you from living it.

Eric's words hit me like a punch. I stay silent, absorbing the truth in his words. He's right. My fear of being abandoned is irrational. I'm sure Isabella loves me. I really was an asshole to her.

"Do you think I'd be a good father?" I ask, my voice wavering.

He smiles, a glint of understanding in his eyes.

''You're going the right way. You came to me for advice, and that means you can be a good father. Since you put your pride aside and came to me for help.

I snorted at his audacity, making him laugh.

'' Alessio, being a good father isn't about being perfect. It's about being present, loving, and protecting. And from what I can see, you already have that in you. You just need to believe it.

I nod slowly, feeling all that frustration go away.

'' Thank you, Eric. I needed to hear that. '' He laughed.

''I can't believe Alessio Vecchio thanked me! I need to thank your wife for changing him.

'' Fuck you. '' I growl, making him laugh, but then he sighs and smiles at me.

''You're welcome, Alessio. Now go home and make up with your wife. She needs you now more than ever.

'' Right. '' I get up from the sofa. '' Thanks again.

He pats my shoulder.

''Don't worry, now go, it's time for my nap. '' I roll my eyes.

Suddenly, my cell phone starts ringing.

''One moment. '' I see it's Saulo. '' Go ahead.

'' My lord! Mrs. Isabella has been kidnapped outside your apartment! '' Saulo shouts from the other end of the line. ''The traitor was bloody Oliver. He approached her in front of her building! We can't trace the car, I've already sent a team after him.

I feel like my world is falling apart. Suddenly, I'm consumed by an immense rage, which blinds my vision and makes me very angry.

''I'm coming.'' My voice came out so dark.

''What happened, Alessio?'' Eric asked in despair at my tone.

"Isabella's been kidnapped." I say, my voice so rough that Eric seems to feel the impact of the words.

Without looking back, I leave Eric's house, my mind boiling with rage. I quickly get into the car and start the engine, driving off towards the shed. Every second seems like an eternity as I drive, anger and desperation driving me on.

I arrive at the shed with a rage so intense that the room seems to tremble at my presence. The men standing around are paralyzed, fear on their faces. The tension is palpable, and no one dares to speak. They know that the stakes are too high and that I am in a state of rage that must not be destabilized.

Saul is the only one who approaches, his face pale and tense.

'' My lord, we're doing everything we can to find her. '' He says, his voice heavy with concern, trying to keep his tone firm despite his obvious panic.

I enter the shed with a rage so intense that the room seems to freeze with my presence. The men there shrink back, fear etched on their faces. The tension is palpable, and no one dares to speak. They know that the stakes are too high and that I am in a state of rage that must not be destabilized.

I look around, my eyes burning with frustration. Saul is the only one to approach, his face pale and tense.

''My lord, we're doing everything we can to find her.'' His voice trembles, and he seems to be trying to keep his composure.

I stare at him with an intensity that makes him cringe a little, anger almost consuming me. Despair for Isabella is the fuel for this fury.

''How did this happen?'' My voice comes out as a growl. How the fuck did he manage to kidnap her?

Saulo stutters, visibly shaken.

"Our lady left the mansion, saying she was going to her friend's house, and it was true. We checked the security cameras; she really did go. As soon as she got out of the cab, a black car approached and pulled her in. '' He looked away, clearly nervous under my deadly gaze.

'' Why didn't Dante take her? '' I shout, making everyone duck their heads.

''She didn't want to, my lord. She said she'd take a cab." Saulo replies, his tone full of fear.

I run my hand desperately through my hair, frustration turning into a storm inside me.

'' Find her! Find her, damn it! '' I command, my voice tearing the air with the fury I feel.

The tension in the shed is so thick it's almost palpable. I feel the weight of despair and impotence. Every minute that passes without finding Isabella is a direct blow to my heart, and nothing will stop me from bringing her back. Anger and determination consume me, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to bring her back.