Becoming Your Sacrifice / 18+

Chapter 2: I Promise You

(TW: Anxiety Attacks and fear about death)

(Anastasia's POV):

Today I'm going to my parents' house since they are having an overdue dinner for Giovanni since he became the heir of "The Ravens." So I'm getting ready right now.

I thought Aurora and Dante would be there, but they made their own plans. So I finished my light makeup, went to my closet, picked out a black dress with a slit down the leg, and paired it with some black heels and silver jewelry.

I grabbed my clutch, put my phone into it, and grabbed my keys. Then, I got into my car and drove to the gate. My house is about a 2-minute drive to the security gate.

Once I arrived at my parents' place, I said hello to everyone. I then went to help my mom in the kitchen.

"Ciao amore (hello love), how was your day?" she said as I walked in. "Ciao mamma (hello mom), my day was good. It smells delicious in here." I said as I walked closer to her and hugged her. "Thank you, dear," she told me. "Your welcome, mamma," I said.

The thing about my mom is that even though we have a cook, she likes to make everything for dinners and have the cooks have the ingredients prepped already.

After making the last dish, my sister, Sofia, and I went and set the tables. We then informed my brother Vinnie to let everyone know that dinner was ready.

I head back into the kitchen, grab the champagne bottles, and hand them to one of our butlers to place them on the table.

By the time I'm back, there is one seat left right at the end of the table next to Gio. Gio and I usually are very busy at the warehouse. We haven't spoken or spent much time together besides last month at the carnival. Our only conversations and encounters are during meetings or missions.

I went and sat down in the empty seat, set the napkin on my lap, and began to eat.

(Giovanni's POV):

"So Giovanni, how has it been since you became heir of "The Ravens"?" Mr. Russo asked.

"It's been great, sir; I'm very thankful for my father for handing over the business and trusting my abilities," I told him.

"That's great; I'm glad to have you and Anna working together to continue our businesses," he told me.

"Dad, the big attack on "The Vipers" is set for December, so we have a good six months to train new people as well, and thanks to "The Devil," we have all the information now," Vinnie tells his father.

"That's good; for this mission, I would like it if only Gio and Anna went on the mission, but we will have back up, just not visible," Mr. Russo says.

Both Anna and I looked at each other after he said that. We haven't been on a mission alone; it's usually Vinnie, Anna, myself, our guards, and others on each of our teams.

Anna and I agreed on Mr. Russo's request since my father also chimed in and agreed. We finished our meals, and I saw Anna get up and head to her old room.

I excused myself from the table and went to her room a moment later. I found Anna in the corner of her room in complete darkness. I rushed over to her and saw her shaking with her head and arms around her knees. I touched her arms, and she looked up with tears streaming down her face.

When she realized it was me, she hugged me. I hesitated at first to hug her back. It had been four years since I last hugged her before our breakup. I then hugged her and lifted her chin. She tried saying something but was hyperventilating.