His Bambina

Chapter 24

        I feel like I'm wearing a cone of shame. Of course it's all mental, but as Daddy decided my punishment will be absolute silence and slight solitude, I can't say I'm a fan. I've spent the day biting my tongue, reminding myself to only smile and wave. I've also avoided everyone who would tempt me to break my punishment, only getting me into deeper shit. Hence, me giving myself slight solitude.
         I can't stop worrying about my family. Is the selfishness I have for one man risking the safety of everyone I love? No. I need to trust in Vincenzo. He promised me after his meeting with his new business partners that he would go over a process on who he could spare and get them over as soon as he could. That has to be good for something.
         I frown at the thought of his business partners, one in particular putting a sour taste in my mouth. Victoria. With her condescending voice and glare letting you know she's clearly up to no good. Not only does she wear clothes which leave little to the imagination, and clearly flirt with MY man, but she just gives me bad vibes. I'm not sure what yet, but something about her puts me on edge.
       "What are you talking about?"
    "Please, Tony, there has to be a part of you which agrees with me. You've heard what people are saying. He's going soft and his business in slipping from his grasp. But, I've gotten into something which could start a whole new life for us. We'd be a part of something so much bigger than this!"
    I slowly creep myself up against the wall trying to listen in to Gabriella's and Tony's conversation. Call me nosey, but by the sounds of their hushed, yet desperate, tones it must be something important.
   "Gab, they took me in when I was nothing. This is my family. You are asking me to just drop everything for you... I... I can't betray them like that."
    "So what? Your 'family' is more important than what we have?" Silence looms in the air making even me cringe. That was a stupid question to ask on her part, and I'm sure she realized that the moment she asked it. Family is everything. She sighs, "Tony... something may happen soon, and I just want to give you the option to make the right decision here."
    "You're talking crazy Gabriella! Just... get out." I peeks over to see Gabriella's stunned and very pissed off face.
    "Ton-"
    "Get out! Before I tell Vincenzo how much of a traitor you are." Tony's fists are white as he restrains himself, and when Gabriella doesn't take the move to leave, he storms out the other side of the kitchen.
    I know it's not my business, but questions quickly flood my mind. What exactly was she asking of Tony? What  "bigger" thing has she become a apart of? And what is she expecting to happen here?
    I enter the kitchen, standing tall, holding an aura stating 'I heard you and I now know everything'. I rummage through the fridge and she sniffles trying to compose herself. It's silent and I'm surprised she hasn't stormed out yet either.
    "This is your fault you know." Excuse me? I close the fridge looking at her with a blank face. I take in my surroundings and finally notice the bags at her feet. Only her tote bag and a duffle bag. She was packed and ready to run, midday. What was going on?
    "If you would've just left I wouldn't have to take such desperate risks." What does she mean I should've left? I take a step towards her ready to interrogate, but she continues her spiteful ramble, "Why would you even risk your family for him? You are not special! Why can't you get through your skull the you are just a disposable thing to him. I bet he's already upstairs sealing the deal with his next play toy."
    I don't know what came over me, but the stinging of my hand and the sight of Gabriella cradling her face happens before I can process it. She laughs a sinister laugh, and I feel like the walls are closing in on me.
   "He wanted me to tell you time is running out. You have a week to decide. I suggest you choose wisely."
    She works for him. The man behind the curtains has puppets everywhere, and I'm staring in the face of one. I need to tell Vincenzo. I storm out, almost slipping on the freshly polished floors. How could I not have connected the dots? She has been trying to push me out ever since I got here. She been feeding me the same lies her boss has been trying to snake into my mind for his benefits.
   I push open the office door, paying no mind to the consequences of barging in during a meeting. It was a rule my father has drilled into my brain ever since I was a child. Do not disturb a meeting without heeding the dangers that are bound to follow. I don't care what warning this mysterious man had given me, Vincenzo needs to know he has traitors under his roof. Not only that, but they're trying to turn others.
    Victoria's fingers are wrapped around his tie, and her breasts are practically overflowing out of her tight dress as she leans across the desk. Vincenzo's look is bored, but he doesn't look like he was about to push her off any time soon and he leans back comfortably in his chair. I thought this was a business meeting, not a brothel.
    "Aria. I'm in the middle of a meeting." His tone is harsh as he places down his whiskey glass.
    Meeting?  I didn't seem like I was interrupting anything beneficial.
    "Sorry sir, but-" With the snap of his fingers my mouth shuts.
    "I was going to find someone to get you anyways." A sure lie, but it's a good way to save my interruption from embarrassing him too much, "Come, bambina."
    He pats his lap, and finally the brown haired skank takes a step back. My pride and jealousy poison my mind, and I smirk making my way to Vincenzo's lap.
    I sit on my throne, and she only glances at me with disgust. She's lost her power she thought she held in this room, and I revel in the victory.
    His warm lips make their way to my ear, "You better have a good explanation princess." The grip on my thigh tightens pulling me out of my daze.
    "Sir I-"
    "As I was saying," Her voice is loud, overpowering my own, "We should open some bit of our shares and workings in the gambling business to neighboring groups. Once they get a taste, we'll be able to sit back and let them do all the work for us."
    I scoff, "Yeah or you'll lose all your money and they'll get power hungry and bring us to the ground."
    Vincenzo's grips tightens even more, a silent warning to tell me to be quiet.
    "I'm sorry, I don't remember asking your mutt for her opinion," She looks at Vincenzo with a disapproving look.
    I open my mouth, but Vincenzo's cold voice cuts me off, "I don't remember giving you permission to speak." I almost smirk at the thought of him defending me, until a sharp slap comes to my bare thigh, "Neel."
    I look at him dumbfounded, and he points to the ground completely serious. The command feels like a knife to my pride.
    I kneel, and the smirk Veronica gives me makes my blood boil. She continues with her ideas, which are all about Vincenzo sharing his business, but nothing about her doing her share. I know her family is the best in extortion, and in theory her plans could work out greatly. Instead, though, her ideas are flawed, as if she's purposefully ignoring the obvious loopholes. My father has been looking into extortion himself, and even let me in on some of his plans, but we knew going against a family like hers would be nearly impossible. So why would Vincenzo listen to her suggestions as if she's the smartest woman he's ever met.
    "We could be stronger than anyone would imagine." She seems so confident it makes me laugh.
     "Have you ever actually done this before? I mean honestly, does any of your ideas actually work? Or do you just get anything you want with the flash of your plastic tits?"
    She practically lunges at me, full claw ready to tear me apart. Before she can reach me a rough hand pulls me up by my hair.
    "You are on thin ice Aria. I suggest you keep that pretty mouth shut."
     "Honestly Vincenzo, how can someone like you have such an untrained dog by your side. It looks terrible." I can see in her eyes. This is exactly what she wanted. She throws the last punch, throwing dirt on Vincenzo's image and blaming me for it.
    "This meeting is over. Both of you, out." His face is stone cold but his eyes are furious.
    "I recommend keeping her on a short leash, before she keeps you from growing this family to its highest potential." She glares at me making me snap.
    "Dammit Vincenzo! This is all stupid! You know I'm right. She'll bring this family down. If you weren't so occupied letting her put her hands all over you, you'd see what's going on around here!"
    The slap echoes through the office instantly shutting me up. Did he just? I lift my hand to rub out the stinging pain on my face and Veronica smirks, fully knowing she's won. Without another word she shuts the door behind her.
    My heart is going to explode with anger. This is ridiculous. She was clearly in the wrong here, and instead of defending me he's taking her side? Business partners be damned, I refuse to be just his second choice. I most certainly will not be treated like this.
    I storm out before he can catch me. I run to our room, blinded by my frustration. It's not worth it. I can't be here while everyone I care about is potentially being put danger.
I don't bother folding my clothes, grabbing random items to put into my duffle bag. I will have my father get anything I miss, but I need to go home.
    "What are you doing?" His voice sends shivers down my spine. If I wasn't so angry, maybe a sick part of me would find pleasure in his menacing voice. But it only makes me shake more.
     "Going home." I continue shoving things in my bag, not even paying attention to whether they're mine or not. My only thought is trying not to cry in front of him. 
     He grabs my bag, practically ripping it out of my hands, "Like hell you are."
     "You can't stop me." I try to push my way past him, not caring all of my belongings now litter the floor.
     "Aria, I'm warning you." His whole body is ridged, like a volcano ready to explode. Is this it? Is this the man the rumors have warned me about? The man that shall never be tested? The man who kills first asks questions later?
    "No! My family needs me, and unlike you I'm not too blinded by skanks to put my family first. I'm leaving and you. Can't. Stop me!" My angry finger points into his chest emphasizing my point.
    My eyes blur, and I'm so stunned by my own words I can't fight Vincenzo as he throws me against his computer desk. My skirt is lifted and the whip of his belt snaps me out of my daze making me yelp, "You. Will. Not. Disrespect me. Like that. Ever. Again."
    The spankings come fast and hard between each angry word. Tears fall past my face and screams pass my lips but he's unfazed. Only getting rougher with each whip. Why is this happening to me? I know I broke some rules, but why wouldn't he just listen first? How long will I go through this before he listens to me?
     My mind swarms with uncertainty and I can feel myself shutting down, "Da- ple-please stop! I'm sorry!"
     No, I'm strong. I can get through this then we can talk. As if jinxing myself, they become erratic, switching from my ass, to my thighs, to my back. I can't. This is too much.
"Pickles!" Another spank follows, as if my safe words if falling upon deaf ears. "Pickles Daddy! Ah! Vincenzo stop it, you're hurting me!"
       His belt falls to the floor, but my sobs are the only thing that follows. He storms out making my stomach drop. My skin is throbbing, but my body is numb. What just happened?
              I think I'm going to be sick. I dash to the bathroom and dry heave as I try to silence my sobs. How could he? Did he not hear my safe word? I stated it loud and clear. Why would he be so rough with me? Especially when he knows my pain tolerance isn't built up that high yet?
              I know I can't try to leave, afraid of what he might do if he catches me. But I can't sit in this room for another second.
              My body goes into autopilot, as I leave the room as quickly and as quietly as possible. I don't have to look for long, since it's the closest and I've spent so much of my free time in here.
              I knock on the door, and it doesn't take long for them to answer, "Aria? What's wrong? What happened?"