𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐅 𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄

Chapter Ninety-Seven

MIA
PETROV

I took a steadying breath as I watched Adeline, curled up on the bed, her knees pulled tightly to her chest. The bruises she bore weren't just physical; I could see it in the haunted glaze of her eyes, in the way she refused to even look at me at first. Luciano had mentioned she wasn't taking any medicine, wasn't allowing the doctors to tend to her wounds. It was almost as though she was punishing herself, holding on to the pain. I didn't know how to comfort her—I'd never known comfort myself. But this time, it was different. This time, I wanted to help her. I owed her that much.

Adeline had always been there, always standing up for me, even fighting Luciano and Damiano when they tried to keep me on too tight a leash. Now, I wanted to return the favor.

"Adeline," I said softly, sitting beside her on the bed. "Can you talk to me? You're scaring me. Whatever you're feeling... we can talk about it. I'll just listen, I promise."

She lifted her gaze slowly, and for the first time, I could see how hollow it was. No tears, just exhaustion—the kind that comes when there's nothing left to feel. "I'm so tired, Mia," she murmured. Her voice was hoarse, raw from days of silence, or maybe from screams she'd buried too deep.

I nodded, reaching out carefully to take her hand, though she pulled away, flinching. "I know, Adeline. You've been carrying so much—between the chaos in New York, the family... and now this. It's okay to be tired."

She stared at the floor, her words faltering. "He just... jumped on me. I did it for Carlo, to protect him, so he wouldn't have to feel the pain." Her voice broke, and she swallowed hard, as if forcing herself to continue. "He kept showing me that video of Luciano... of his Father's getting crushed. He burned me with his cigarette... kept hitting me... Then he touched me a bit. I don't care, though." Her voice was a flat monotone, as though she were describing someone else's pain. "I'll be fine. I always am."

I clenched my fists, anger sparking like a match. "Where did he burn you?" I forced myself to ask, my voice quiet, though every instinct screamed at me to lash out. I couldn't ask about the assault, I've gone through it and I wanted to comfort her about it but I wasn't healed enough to.

She shrugged, tugging her gown down just enough to reveal a burn mark on her chest. The red, raw scar was etched into her skin, a reminder of his cruelty. My stomach churned as I took in the sight. Adeline never shows her body that easily, her easily showing it to me shows she is so lost.

"He saw you... like that?"

"He got me naked to do it. Burned my thigh, too," she replied, her eyes empty.

I couldn't take it anymore. I stood up abruptly, my pulse pounding in my ears. "Adeline, give me a minute." I walked out, my steps quickening until I found myself in the hall, barely registering the distance I'd covered. The first guard I saw turned to face me, his stance straight and rigid. "Where's your leader?" I demanded, the fury in my voice sharper than any weapon.

"Ma'am, I'm not at liberty to—"

I glared, my voice low and dangerous. "If you don't tell me where Luciano is, I'll go to Damiano and tell him you laid a hand on me." I punctuated my words with a slap to his arm, and he flinched. He knew Damiano would kill him.

"The red warehouse. Around the corner," he stammered, fear flashing across his face.

I didn't waste another second. I followed his directions, barely registering the journey until I reached the warehouse, the doors open, casting shadows across the floor. Inside, I could see Luciano, his shirt splattered with blood, a sword in his hand, and before him, a man strung up like a piece of butchered meat. Tommaso.