Chapter 7 Truth Changes Everything

The roads winding out of Reggio Calabria were eerily empty that night, the city lights fading behind Talana as the engine hummed beneath her hands. The Morelli villa disappeared in the rearview mirror like a dream fading into smoke. Her heart pounded with purpose and dread, every mile pulling her closer to Vibo Valentia, and closer to the man she'd sworn to never fear again.

The abandoned factories loomed like skeletons against the horizon, the broken windows catching the moonlight like shards of glass. Talana parked at the edge of the property, the air thick with salt and oil from the sea nearby. She stepped out, boots crunching over gravel, her breath clouding faintly in the cool air.

Meanwhile, miles away in Catanzaro, Don Roberto Sanchiano's study glowed with lamplight. The old man's expression was grim as he handed sealed orders to two of his most trusted men.

"Vibo Valentia," he said, "I want thia gril peotected at all times. No one touches her, not Fabrizio, not De Marco. Understand?" They bowed, loaded their weapons, and vanished into the night.

Back at the factory, Talana crept through the corroded steel door. The smell of dust and oil choked the air. Her voice came out in a whisper, "Gianna?"

A muffled sound answered her. Talana's pulse quickened as she followed it, weaving between rusted machinery and flickering shadows. Then she saw Gianna tied to a post, a bruise on her cheek, her hair tangled and damp with sweat.

"Hang in there, my friend," Talana breathed, rushing forward. As she worked at the ropes with trembling fingers, a low, mocking voice echoed through the dark. "Doctor Fabrizio."

Talana froze. The voice was smooth and venomous, qshe'd know it anywhere.

"Let her go," she demanded, spinning toward the sound. "Say what you want, but let her go. She's innocent in all this."

A cruel laugh rolled out of the shadows.

"All in due time, my dear."

From behind a steel column, Pablo Fabrizio stepped forward, his face half-lit by the harsh overhead bulb. The reek of whiskey clung to him like sin. He sauntered over to Gianna, cutting her bonds loose with a flick of his knife.

"Dad, stop!" as she lunged forward, only to be yanked back by another pair of hands. A tall, dark figure pressed against her back, his grip iron-tight.

"Feisty, aren't we, Miss Fabrizio?" Drake De Marco's voice rasped in her ear, dripping with arrogance. "Guess Morelli likes them this way. Too bad he won't get to taste you."

"You bastard!" Talana spat, struggling against his hold. "You think you're going to get away with this? Massimo will have your head!"

Pablo sneered. "Don't you dare mention that name in front of me."

"Why not?!" she snapped, "because he's ten times the man you'll ever be? Because he's coming, and when he does, there won't be a place in hell for you to hide!"

Her fury sent De Marco laughing. "You belong to me now," he hissed, "and I'll do with you as I like."

Gianna screamed as De Marco's men grabbed her, blindfolded her, and dragged her toward a waiting vehicle outside. Talana thrashed against his grip, but his arm tightened around her throat.

"Gianna!" she cried out, her voice breaking.

By the time the sound of engines faded, Talana was shaking with rage.

Back on the main road, two black cars sped toward Sanchiano's villa. Gianna, shaken but alive, was ushered inside by the Don himself. "Where's Talana?" Roberto demanded.

"She's still there. Her father, and Drake De Marco, they're inside," she stammered.

Roberto's jaw tightened. "It was a trap," he muttered. "They wanted her as bait."

When Massimo burst into the room moments later, his eyes burned with barely restrained violence. "I'm going in," he said simply.

"I'm sending my men with you," Sanchiano insisted.

Gianna caught her breath. "There's someone else... someone watching the factory. He's not De Marco's, and he's not Fabrizio's."

Massimo stilled. "A mole?" he murmured. His thoughts snapped to the one man who'd been acting strange, Raphael.

He pulled out his phone. "I've got it. Meet me there. Two of your men, Don Sanchiano."

The Maserati roared into the night. Gravel sprayed as Massimo's convoy tore through the gates of the factory district.

Inside, Drake's grip on Talana tightened as headlights flashed through the broken windows.

"What's that?" Pablo hissed.

Before De Marco could respond, three engines screamed to a halt outside. The factory doors burst open,and at the entrance stood Raphael, gun in hand, but his hesitation betrayed him.

"You piece of shit," Massimo snarled, his voice echoing across the steel hall. "Matteo! Take him back. I'll deal with him later."

Matteo seized Raphael by the collar and dragged him toward the cars. Massimo didn't even look back. His eyes were fixed on Talana, on the terror in her gaze.

He and Lorenzo advanced, Sanchiano's men fanning out.

"Did you really think I'd leave her to you?" Massimo roared, his tone dark and possessive.

Pablo's face twitched. "The only reason I'm still breathing is because she begged for mercy, isn't that right?"

Massimo's lips curved into a cold smile. "That mercy just ran out."

"Then kill me," Pablo spat.

"Oh, I will, but not before you watch me burn everything you, De Marco, and Donatello, ever built to the ground."

De Marco laughed, forcing Talana closer with a blade to her throat. "Try me, Don Morelli," he sneered.

"Put the knife down," Massimo ordered, his voice low and dangerous. "Hurt her, and I swear your next breath will be your last."

The air crackled with tension, metal, sweat, and fear mingling like storm clouds ready to break, and then, a gunshot. The bullet missed Massimo by inches, slamming into a rusted pillar.

Lorenzo didn't hesitate. His own shot cracked the air, striking De Marco in the shoulder. The man howled, stumbling backward.

Talana twisted free, rushing into Massimo's arms as he caught her mid-run.

"You're safe now, angel," he whispered, breathless, his hand trembling as it brushed her hair from her face.

But Drake's voice rose, snarling from the ground. "This isn't over!"

Massimo turned, eyes burning. "I'm aware it's not."

He lifted his gun again, and the world went still.

The sound of a gun cocking sliced through the silence. Massimo's finger hovered over the trigger, eyes fixed on Drake De Marco, who knelt on the floor clutching his bleeding shoulder. Dust and smoke hung thick in the air, the tension so heavy it hummed against Talana's skin.

"Don't do it," Talana whispered, her hand trembling as she touched Massimo's arm. "He's not worth it."

Massimo's jaw flexed. "You have no idea how many lives he's ruined," he hissed through his teeth, his voice low and shaking with fury. "Including yours."

Drake spat blood on the floor and gave a taunting grin. "You think you've won? You think this is over because you got your girl back?" He chuckled darkly, eyes flashing toward Pablo. "Tell him, old man. Tell him what happens when you play with men like us."

Pablo's face had gone pale, the drunken arrogance draining from him. He glanced toward Massimo but said nothing.

"Tell him!" Drake barked, the madness in his eyes flaring.

Bbefore Pablo could speak, a sharp crack split the air, a backhand from Massimo that sent him staggering. "You disgust me," Massimo growled. "A father who trades his daughter's life for power."

"Power?" Pablo rasped. "You think you know power, Morelli? You're a boy playing Don. You don't even know what bloodline you've crossed."

Massimo's eyes narrowed, but before he could demand more, Sanchiano's men stepped in. "Boss, we have De Marco contained," one of them reported.

Massimo lowered his gun slowly. "Take him. Don't kill him," he ordered. "I'll deal with him myself."

As De Marco was dragged out, he sneered, "You'll regret this, Morrelli. You and your precious little whore."

Massimo's knuckles tightened, but Talana gripped his hand before he could react. "Don't," she whispered, her voice steady but soft. "Please. Let him rot in whatever hell Sanchiano decides."

He turned to her, his gaze softening. The fury drained away, replaced by something raw, and dangerous in a different way. "Did he hurt you?" he asked, brushing his thumb along her cheek.

"Not in a way I can't handle," she replied, forcing a small smile. Her voice wavered, betraying the truth that trembled beneath. "I've had worse nights."

He pulled her into his arms, his heartbeat fierce and steady against her ear. "Never again," he murmured, a vow hidden in the words. "Not while I'm breathing."

Outside, the sound of engines echoed as Sanchiano's men secured the perimeter. Pablo struggled against two guards as they pushed him toward the exit.

"You can't do this!" he yelled, voice breaking. "She's my daughter!"

Massimo didn't even turn. "You lost that right the moment you sold her," he said coldly.

Talana didn't look at her father. She couldn't. Seeing him like this,so small, so venomous, was almost worse than the pain he'd caused. Instead, she pressed closer to Massimo, trying to breathe through the chaos around her.

As they stepped outside, the night air hit them like a blessing. The factory glowed behind them, lit by the harsh flashlights of Sanchiano's men sweeping through the ruins. Talana's body trembled as adrenaline drained away.

Massimo guided her to the car, opening the back door for her like something sacred. "You're safe now, angel," he whispered again, his voice hoarse, the words carrying a weight that felt like more than a promise.

She looked up at him, eyes searching his face. "Why do you call me that?"

"Because that's what you are to me," he said simply, his tone stripped of pretense. "You don't even see it yet, but you will."

She didn't answer, but the heat in his gaze sent something fluttering through her chest, a pulse that matched the ache she'd been fighting since the day she met him.

As the car pulled away, the city lights glinting on the horizon, Talana rested her head against his shoulder. For the first time since her mother's death, she felt safe and seen, but she also knew it couldn't last. Safety was a fragile thing in their world, one wrong move and everything shattered.

Massimo's voice broke the silence. "We're going to Sanchiano's villa. There's someone you need to meet."

"Who?" she asked, eyes lifting to meet his.

He gave a half-smile. "Remember when I told you I'd answer your questions? Tonight, some of those answers will be revealed."

Her stomach tightened. "My mother?" she asked softly.

His eyes flickered with something unreadable. "You'll see."

The drive was long and quiet, broken only by the hum of the engine and the occasional flash of headlights cutting across Massimo's face. When they finally reached the villa, the gates opened with mechanical precision, revealing the grand estate glowing with soft golden light.

Don Roberto Sanchiano stood at the entrance with his son, Mariano, both men waiting in silence.

As Talana stepped out, the Don's eyes softened.

"You look just like your mother," he said quietly, admiration and sorrow mixing in his tone.

Talana froze, the words catching her off guard. "You knew her?" she asked, voice trembling slightly.

Roberto smiled faintly. "We did, but first, come. Eat. Rest. There will be time for stories."

Massimo's hand lingered at her lower back, a protective gesture that didn't go unnoticed by the old man. "Mariano, fetch the young lady," Roberto instructed gently.

Moments later, Gianna appeared at the top of the stairs, rushing forward. "Talana!" she cried, throwing her arms around her friend.

"I'm fine," Talana whispered, holding her tightly. "I'm just glad you're safe."

Gianna turned to Massimo, her tone softening. "Thank you for getting her out."

Massimo nodded, his gaze lingering on Talana. "I'd do it again."

Gianna blinked, realization dawning. "Wait, Massimo Morrelli? The Don of the Morrelli family?"

Massimo smirked faintly. "That's me."

Talana's breath caught, but before she could speak, he added softly, "but right now, I'm just the man who'll protect her. You'll understand everything soon."

They sat down at the long dining table, the scent of wine and roasted herbs thick in the air. The walls whispered old secrets, portraits watching them with knowing eyes.

For the first time in years, Talana felt something she'd long forgotten, belonging, and yet, beneath that warmth, a dangerous current stirred. Something about Roberto's words, about her mother, about the way everyone kept glancing at her when they thought she wasn't looking, it all felt like the calm before a storm.

Massimo reached for her hand under the table, his fingers brushing hers. "Eat, angel," he said quietly. "You'll need your strength for what's coming."

Talana froze, her gaze flicking from Massimo to Roberto. "What's coming?" she asked, her pulse quickening.

The Don smiled faintly, his eyes dark with memory. "The truth, my dear, and trust me, it changes everything."