Beautiful Mistake

Chapter 34 - Discoveries

Giovanni's POV

My phone's text message ringtone rang as I entered the bathroom. Had I been on the dance floor, I wouldn't have heard it. I pulled my cell from my pocket, noticing my cousin's name lighting across the screen.

Angelo needs you.

One sentence. One simple sentence that made absolutely no sense to me. It was sent from Angelo's phone, but it sounded like someone other than him sent the message. I felt my brows knit together as I stared at the three words, a strange unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach making me not want to ignore this.

I made my way to Katena, gently and politely pulling her aside. I led her to a secluded corner of the hall where I could speak with her without having to scream over the noise.

"Bellissima (gorgeous), I need to just sort out a small security issue. Enjoy yourself on the dance floor with the family, I will be back in a couple of minutes." I spoke to her while wrapping the end strands of her stunning red hair around my index finger.

"Is everything ok? You seem worried." She mentioned. This woman was so perceptive of things, instantly noticing the slightest change in demeanors. However, I refuse to let her night be ruined if this lands up being one of my cousin's bullshit pranks. Like this, I can simply return and enjoy the rest of my wedding night should it turn out to be just that.

"Everything is fine, I promise. Just don't drink too much." I warned her. "I would like to have you conscious for the rest of tonight's festivities. You have no idea what I've got planned for you."

Her mouth sat open for a moment before finally releasing the giggle I knew she was trying to suppress. She then hit me on my chest while shaking her head. I gave her a quick peck then hurried out of the venue.

Arriving at the hotel, I noticed how everything seemed normal. Upon walking into the lobby, my thoughts were confirmed. The evening was running smoothly, like any other Saturday night would be. The restaurant was buzzing, guests were checking in and checking out. Not a single thing seemed out of place.

Part of me wanted to turn around and walk right back out until something caught my eye. Marco, Angelo's elevator operator, was sitting behind the desk with his cap sunken over his eyes and part of his face. He seemed to be asleep which, on its own, was unusual. He has never slept on the job in all his years of his career with us.

I casually made my way towards the desk, placing my arm down on the counter while startlingly hitting it with my hand, but he never moved.

"Marco, wake up! You don't sleep on the job, man! Angelo will have your head if he..." I trailed off, noticing how he wasn't reacting in the slightest to my raised voice.

I made my way around the frame of the desk, placing my hand upon his shoulder and shaking him unevenly. His cap tipped over, falling onto his lap, and that was when I noticed it. The small bullet sized hole in his temple with a trickle of blood running down the side of his face.

My whole body went cold and instantly numb. That unsettling feeling I had before turned into a full-on sunken experience as I skid across the floor towards the elevator. I pressed the button numerous times until eventually, it opened, revealing a red-stained floor and wall.

"Oh, Mio Dio (oh, my God)..." I mumbled,  stepping inside and quickly swiping Marco's card that I had ripped from his neck.

I clicked on the 12th-floor button, waiting as it ran painfully slow. I pulled out my gun, cocking it in preparation then hiding beside the opening doors. I peeped around the side, exiting the elevator with my gun outstretched in front of me. The scene before me was gruesome, to say the least. Broken glass scattered across the floor, trails of blood spread on the marble tiles, blood splattered all over the walls, and finally, my gaze settled on my cousin. He was unconscious in the middle of the foyer, a bloody mess with his arm stretched in front of him in my direction.