*Mafia boss and his lost love*
Alessa Romanov had endured a difficult childhood. Kidnapped at two years old, she had no memory of her biological family and spent fifteen years in captivity. It wasn't until her stepfather's death that she was finally...
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"Talk," his cold voice demanded, and I could feel the weight of his stare on me.
I felt dread settle in the pit of my stomach. Facing Ace's anger was never a pleasant experience, and I knew this conversation was going to be anything but easy.
"What was that?" he asked, his tone slicing through the air like a blade.
I tried to offer him a cheeky smile. "A nightmare?"
He shot me a glare that could freeze hell over. "Don't be smart with me, Alessa. Tell me what happened, now," he growled, his patience clearly wearing thin.
My fingers fidgeted nervously as I hesitated. I knew I couldn't evade this conversation any longer. "He got kidnapped," I admitted, my voice quieter than usual. "I managed to get him out in a few days, but... it still left its scars. They didn't physically hurt him, but they didn't feed him, and..." My voice trailed off, the memories of those days flooding back and the anger resurfacing.
"And what?" Ace's voice thundered, making me flinch in my seat. It was a side of him I hadn't seen directed at me before, and it was scary as fuck.
I swallowed hard, Avoiding his gaze, I looked down, my fingers fidgeting with the edge of my shirt. "He had a twin," I finally admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
Ace's question cut through the heavy silence, his tone demanding an answer. "And where is that twin?"
"They made Nico watch while they tortured and..." My voice wavered, and I took a shaky breath, forcing the words out, "killed him."
"What," he replied, his voice oddly controlled.
"He got kid-," I started to say, but he interrupted me abruptly. Rude
"I heard you," he cut in, his tone unnervingly calm.
"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT, THIS NEVER WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF YOU'D JUST STAYED WITH ME," he yelled, his anger echoing through the room.
My throat tightened, and I whispered in a small voice, "I know."
A dangerously low question followed, "Do you?"
His strides were purposeful, each step a calculated advance that brought him closer until he was near me. "DO YOU, ALESSA?" His voice was a venomous growl, his gaze an unrelenting drill that bore into my very core.
I said nothing, just dropped my head in shame. His fingers suddenly gripped my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. "I believe I asked you a question," he hissed, his touch both demanding and punishing.
His grip on my chin tightened, his fingers digging into my skin as if he wanted to leave an imprint. I stared into his cold, unforgiving eyes.
"Yes," I finally whispered, my voice trembling.
His grip loosened slightly, his expression still stormy. "Say it louder," he ordered.
"Yes," I said, my voice stronger this time, my gaze not wavering from his.
His grip on my chin slowly released, and he took a step back, his gaze never leaving mine. It was as if he was trying to sear his anger into my very being, to ensure that I understood the weight of my choices.
Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, my heart shattered and my mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The room felt colder after he left.
Fuck
"Wait, Ace," I finally managed to croak, my voice shaky as I rushed after him.
He turned to face me, his expression a mix of frustration and impatience. "What now?"
"I know that it's my fault," I began, my voice cracking "And I swear, I-I didn't w-want to leave you, I h-had to because-."
"Because what?" His tone was harsh, his eyes searching mine for answers.
I swallowed hard, gathering my courage to speak. "Because I had to protect you," I blurted out, the words tumbling from my lips before I could second-guess myself.
His eyes narrowed, his frustration evident. "Protect me? From what?"
"I can't tell you," I whispered, my voice barely audible even to my own ears.
"Why the hell not?" He snapped, his frustration boiling over.
"I can't," I repeated, a tear sliding down my cheek. "I'll tell you when the time is right."
His anger flared, his voice dripping with bitterness. "And when the hell is that? In another 5 years?" Thathurt
I had no response. I watched him for a moment longer before turning away, my shoulders hunched with defeat. "I'm sorry," I murmured, retreating back to my room.
