GIO
My gaze shifted to Millie, her eyes locked onto mine with a mixture of worry and understanding. For Millie, I’d dismantle the world. Any threat to her safety or presence in my life would be extinguished, no matter the cost. “But Millie is my wife. There’s a significant difference.”
“In my mind, Sienna should have been my wife months ago.”
Had he truly considered marrying her? Did he genuinely believe any of us would emerge unscathed from this predicament? “Someone will pay for this,” I declared with a cold resolve, the mantle of the Famiglia’s leadership compelling me to assign blame to Sienna. My hope was that Mathias would accept it, sparing us from a war that would ravage us all. Millie’s grip on my arm tightened, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “You can’t do that.”
Dario knelt before me, arms outstretched, offering his life as restitution. “I’ll bear the full responsibility. Tell them I lost control, driven by my desire for Sienna. I killed Arman when he resisted, when he tried to protect Sienna and himself. Then, as I was about to harm her, you sensed my absence and went searching. This way, war can be averted between the Outfit and New York, and Sienna might have a chance at a new life.”
His earnestness was palpable, though the tale he proposed would be a hard sell. But his willingness to sacrifice himself for Sienna showcased the depth of his emotions. What was it about the Pearce women that sparked such intense reactions in all of us? “If we’re going with this narrative, something’s missing,” I mused.
Dario nodded, resolute. “I’m prepared to give my life for this. Shoot me.”
“No!” Millie’s anguished scream pierced the tension-charged air, but I gently disentangled her trembling hand from mine, my gaze never wavering from Dario’s resolute eyes. A lifetime of camaraderie and shared experiences tied us together. From wild celebrations to the grim task of eliminating threats, Dario and I had stood side by side. Next to Sebastian, he was the man I trusted implicitly, the reason he had been entrusted with Millie’s protection. I was certain he would sooner perish than cause her harm.
In a swift but agonizing instant, Sienna interposed herself between Dario and me. Fear, a blend of dread and desperation, etched her features. It was the same fear I had seen mirrored in countless faces over the years-fear of me, my decisions, and the weight of my power.
“Please,” her voice trembled, barely above a whisper, her eyes imploring me. Her plea sought the side of me that only Millie could reach, hoping to invoke a compassion that had remained dormant. “Please don’t end his life. I’ll do anything, just please spare him. I can’t fathom a life without him.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks, her heartrending display of emotion attempting to sway me. Yet, her tears didn’t strike me with the same force as Millie’s ever did.
Dario rose from his seat, his hands reaching out to pull Sienna gently away from our intense confrontation. “Sienna, don’t. I’ve sworn my loyalty to the Famiglia. I broke that oath by putting my heart before my duty, and I must face the consequences.”
“I care nothing for oaths. The thought of losing you is unbearable,” Sienna protested vehemently, her voice edged with desperation.
My hand inched toward the firearm holstered at my side, the need to conclude this painful chapter overwhelming. But then, like a beacon of reason, Millie materialized in front of me, her hands splayed over my chest. Her touch was gentle, yet her intention was to awaken the sliver of humanity that had stirred to life within me-something I had tried to bury long before she entered my life.
Her unwavering gaze locked onto mine, her plea resonating within the depths of my soul. “Gio, I implore you, spare Dario. He acted out of love, to protect someone dear to him. He and Sienna are destined to be together. I beg you.” Her hands quivered against me, her eyes brimming with urgency.
I understood that I should have rejected her plea, adhering to the practicality that was the cornerstone of my leadership. But the notion of losing Dario gnawed at me. He was one of the precious few I held true trust in, a man who would shield me, Millie, and our world without hesitation. Yet, I also grasped the inescapable truth that his newfound emotions for Sienna could taint that loyalty, compromising the very core of our alliance.
I cautiously peeled Millie’s fingers from my chest, the disappointment etched onto her face mirrored the turmoil within me. “My decisions can’t be swayed by emotions alone. I am the Capo, burdened with choices that serve the greater good of the Famiglia.”
Dario stepped closer, a tacit acceptance of whatever verdict awaited him. His eyes, devoid of resentment, conveyed his readiness for the fate he anticipated-a sentence of death.
Our gaze held steady for an extended moment, the weight of my resolve pulling at me. Then, with a revelation that startled both him and myself, the words flowed from me, unexpected and unbidden. “You’re the most valuable soldier I possess. The Famiglia relies on your skills, and my faith in you to safeguard Millie surpasses anyone else’s. A war looms, and postponing it for a mere few months at the cost of your life is senseless. We shall stand united.”
A sense of relief swept across Dario’s face, his gratitude evident. He didn’t voice his gratitude, but I perceived it in the unwavering steadiness of his gaze. He would spend the remainder of his days striving to repay a debt that I hadn’t intended to create.
“However, escaping this dwelling alive is no easy feat,” I mused aloud. “We find ourselves encircled by adversaries.”
“The majority of the attendees are inebriated or slumbering. If we move discreetly, they’ll remain oblivious until dawn, by which time we shall be safely back in New York,” Dario proposed.
Doubt clouded my mind, casting shadows on the likelihood of such a seamless escape. Picking up my mobile device, I attempted to contact Sebastian for counsel, yet his response eluded me. Presumably preoccupied with his own affairs, he had disregarded my call, consumed by the pleasures of his marital union. “Cursed luck. Sebastian’s neglecting his responsibilities, lost in his conjugal bliss.”
“Could something have befallen them?” Millie’s worry pierced the air.
“The only ‘something’ transpiring is likely an intimate encounter with your sister, as he conveniently disregards his device,” I scoffed, my frustration evident. With Gallo’s lifeless body in our custody, we navigated toward the bathroom. Sienna required privacy to change from her tattered wedding attire.
As Dario vanished into the room to assist her, Millie and I found ourselves alone. She sidled up to me, her arms enveloping my waist, her cheek pressed against my chest. A rush of warmth coursed through me at her touch. “Thank you, Gio. I’m indebted to you beyond words. Today’s act has kindled a fire of love within me I thought impossible. I can’t express how much this means.”
Her voice quivered, tears tracing the contours of her cheeks. I reached out, gently brushing them away, my inner turmoil simmering anew. Damn it, this woman held sway over me in ways no one else ever could, or ever should.
Dario’s reappearance disrupted our intimate moment, and Millie stepped back, conscious of the constraints of public exhibition, even in the presence of one I held close.
“It’s done,” Dario announced succinctly.
“Alright, we’re all set. Now, let’s not waste any more time here than absolutely necessary,” I declared, my voice tense with urgency. I extended my hand towards Millie, a small but determined smile on my face as she hesitantly took it. My grip tightened around her fingers, and in that unspoken connection, I reassured her that I was going to protect her at all costs. The weight of my gun hung heavily at my side; its presence was a stark reminder of the stakes we were facing. My focus was unwavering I had to ensure Millie’s survival, no matter the challenges that lay ahead.