Heartless Ending Book 3 of the Heartless Series

Chapter 34 - Complications and Consequences

Carmela's POV

Shock. Complete and utter shock stilled my movements and filled my eyes. I think that Seth knew this would be my reaction and made it seem that seeing the thickly welted scars from being tortured previously be the reason for my reaction. "Whenever you're ready whore." He spat the words at me, quickly bringing me out of my state and turning my features hard and cold at being called a whore. Without hesitation my first lash landed across Seth's back. He hissed through his teeth at the sting of leather against his bare skin.

"You will regret calling me a whore." I seethed as a dominatrix would, and delivered punishment. I made the whole situation authentic to whoever maybe watching. Seth remained silent for the most part and took everything I gave him. I know he didn't deserve how hard I landed my whips tip against his back, he was in the end helping me with information, even with the risk being so high. I just couldn't help but take some anger I felt towards my grandfather out on him, he was his right hand after all.

I never saw much of him while I was growing up, he always seemed to be on an assignment that I was never allowed to know the details of. Seeing him again though did make me wonder if he was with Emilia all that time. Was he protecting her or was he something much worse. I couldn't bring myself to think any more on the matter and stopped his punishment.

I coiled my whip back up wiping the splatters of blood off the soft braided leather as I did, letting it pool on my palm. I took hold of the bottle and poured a glass that he previously drank from, and I stepped beside him. "Now, kiss my feet and thank me for my mercy." He tentatively moved, the muscles in his back clenched with his movement and did what he were told, I could feel his hand around my ankle pulling down the zip of my boot and sliding something inside before securing the zip back in place. "Thank you for your mercy." I handed him the glass as he straightened but did not raise from his knelt position. I didn't allow him to before I left the room.

Sarah's curious eyes were the first to greet me upon leaving the room, I nodded towards her curtly and continued on with my shift as if nothing had happened. My mind constantly going back to the message that was written on the back of Seth's shirt. She were alive, that's all that mattered, although this will cause a complication that I didn't know if I could face.

Romeo's POV

I knew exactly what would be going through my Rose's mind the moment she processed that message. She would want to save her sister and my mother but she wouldn't be the reason for her sisters unhappiness nor would she go up against her. That would mean that Maxwell's demise is off the table, but would he feel the same way we do that's the thing. If we managed to infiltrate the main house and even get anywhere near them. Would he hesitate to fight back? would Emilia be on our side or theirs? There were too many risks and consequences that needed to be now discussed, alternative actions ran through.

I just needed to be patient and wait for her to come back, then we could logically talk about things. Well maybe logically, but I feared that emotions would run too high and arguments would erupt. I knew this would affect her deeply, even if she wouldn't show it to anyone. Maybe Timo would be better equipped to deal with this situation. After all he has been there for her emotionally when I wasn't, he supported her through the worst parts of her life. Guilt washed over me like a wave, I never wanted her to feel any of that, I wanted to give her everything, I wanted her to want for nothing, to be a family with her and Luca. Fate however, had other plans for us, again tearing us apart and leaving her in a disparaging position and me... me with everything she wanted. Luca.

I pushed away from the monitors suddenly needing to distance myself, needing air and space to think and breathe. I snatched up a bottle of whatever alcohol was on the kitchen counter and stormed out of the front door and swiftly ran up the stairs to the roof. The night air was calm and the sky a twinkling black canvas of stars. I walked to the southern edge and looked out over Stefano's compound. It was luxurious and grand, every building cut from the same sandy coloured stone the rest of the town were built from. It tied in perfectly not once would anyone look upon it and think it out of place or a monstrosity that tarnished the picturesque values the people here held dear.

It was nearing 2am and I still stood on the roof, an unopened bottle in hand just staring at nothing in particular. "Hey." My focus came back to me and it seemed that I was staring at a well-manicured bush over the road. I turned to face the direction of the voice I have longed to hear all night. "How do you feel?" I didn't waste time in asking her how she felt, and as I thought her face fell but was quickly masked. "I'm fine." A sad smile quickly pulled the corner of my lip up but disappeared seconds later. "Emilia is married. I thought you would have more of an opinion on that." She shrugged. I could tell that she hadn't processed that information herself yet so didn't know what to think about this new information.

"I have plenty of opinions, I just don't have much context on the matter to comment properly. I don't know if she was forced or accepted him for herself. I don't know this Maxwell guy enough or know if he loves her. There's just too much I don't know." She kicked the loose stones of the roof with the tip of her boot, still in contemplation. I sighed heavily, I knew some about Maxwell but probably not enough and very much biased information about him. There was always one thing, he seemed fiercely loyal to a girl he once mentioned and squashed every advance Melanie gave him.

I stayed silent though, not wanting to upset Rose even more than she already was. The bottle's content swished in my hand, reminding me that I held it. "Wanna drink. It's..." I brought the bottle up to view what the hell it was. "Tonic water." What the fuck? Her beautiful melodic laugh filled the air and I couldn't help but laugh along with her as I advanced towards her and took a hold of her waist. "Easy there tiger, wouldn't want to take advantage of a drunken man." I rolled my eyes, I couldn't believe I'd nursed this bottle for so long, and it wasn't even anything good or even nice to drink. "Shut up. Come on let's go inside."

As we re-entered the apartment Leo had the worst scowl on his face and looked furious. It was easy to tell what was plaguing his mind but I paid no attention to him. Carmela left my arms and walked straight into Timo's, I had to let it go but it was difficult. I knew there were nothing between them which helped, slightly. "What do you plan to do?" She just shook her head where it laid on his chest. "I don't know." He nodded his head in understanding with pursed lips. "What is it you want to do?" She sighed and pushed away from him, only enough to look into his eyes. "What I've wanted since knowing she's alive. Just her safe."

"That's what we're going to do." I stated wanting to be involved in their conversation, instead of feeling like an outsider. Her eyes were emotionless as she turned to look at me. "It changed a lot of things though. Seth said she won't leave him, which makes me think she will fight against us if she has to. I won't fight her Romeo and I won't let anyone else either."

"I know." I wanted to quickly reassure her. "I know that, we all do. We just have to think of other ways to get her and my mother out of there." Timo was nodding behind her but I know she couldn't see that. "Can Seth get word to her, maybe then we could see how she feels." Timo's suggestion was a valid point, maybe we could. "No, I don't want to endanger his life any more than needs be. Besides I don't know how to get in contact with him, or even if he would want to talk to me again after the whipping I just gave him." Leo snorted from the corner of the room. I didn't even know he was listening to the conversation. "He deserves a lot more than that and you know it." He spat. I couldn't disagree with him there. He was the right hand to her grandfather after all, it did however bug me that he was still alive.

"Your right. He does but I suspect that he was the reason why she was safe while with my grandfather." Her tone was grim as she defended him. My phone vibrating within my pocket put an end to our conversation and Rose left the room. I took out the device and stared at its brightly illuminated screen telling me I had received a text message.

Maxwell: I think we need to talk about our wives.

Romeo: Mines dead.

Maxwell: She didn't look dead whipping Seth tonight.

Romeo: Then talk.

Maxwell: Villa d'Este. 1 hour.