Chapter 2 His Bella, His Revenge

Alessio's Pov

My fists clenched as I stared at Gabriella. That name once brought a sense of warmth and comfort to me. But now, it tasted bitter. Hatred overwhelmed me, burning hotter than the cigarette between my fingers.

She hadn't changed much, her soft brown hair tied in a bun, brought out her sparkling hazel wide eyes. I hated those eyes. I despised everything about her, but now, she wasn't the same girl I had known, she's prettier, fiercer, and at the same time, fragile.

"Why did you buy me?" She asked softly.

I closed my eyes, taking a slow drag out of my cigarette, the thick smoke filling the air before placing it in the ashtray by my side.

"Wrong question ," I murmured. "You should be asking what happens next."

"Alessio," she called out harshly this time . "You can't just....."

"Shut up." I warned, clearly pissed off with her tantrums. "If you say one more fucking word, I promise you that you won't make it alive before dawn."

Her eyes widened at my words, as she sank further into the seat, fumbling with her dress. I wouldn't kill her, I can't but she knew better than to test my patience. I wanted to see her fight, to see her struggle before she finally breaks.

Carlo, my personal bodyguard, kept his eyes on the road, silent as always. I gave him a brief nod. "Continua a guidare (Keep driving)."

I turned to Gabriella. She was sweating, which was was weird because the weather was cool.

She had every right to be afraid. Because I hadn't planned to buy her tonight. I had gone to the auction house for business, a meeting with one of my suppliers. The auction was simply background noise, something I had no interest in.

Until I saw her. Bound, terrified, humiliated.

Gabriella. My Bella.

The girl who once meant everything to me. After years of searching, I finally found her. I should have walked away. I should have let her fate be decided by someone else but no I want to be the one to decide her fate.

But when the first bid was called, a twisted, possessive rage filled my veins. The thought of another man touching her, owning her, made my vision blur with fury. She wasn't meant for them. She was meant for me.

So I had to do the unthinkable. I outbid every bastard in the room, bidding an insane amount without thinking. And when the gavel slammed down, she became mine.

We arrived at my mansion moments later. No, my parents' mansion. I rubbed my temples at that thought. This was a place I've always considered a home but now, it felt lifeless.

I clenched my jaw, rubbing my temples as I stared at the massive gates. This was a place I once called home but now felt lifeless.

So many years had passed and those memories remained locked away at the back of my mind, but sitting here, close to her, inhaling her scent, seemed to bring those memories to the surface.

I was once a boy who had everything anyone could ever wish for, a loving mother, a father who ruled the empire with strong hands but loved and cared in his own way and lastly a brother, Leonardo, my best friend and protector. We were both heirs to the De Luca empire. An empire built on sweat and power. We had been untouchable.

Until her father destroyed everything.

The scent of the gunpowder remained fresh in my mind, my mother's screams which echoed in the halls. I had been twelve, Leonardo fifteen. We were hiding in the library, just as our father had ordered us to.

"Stay quiet," Leonardo had whispered, pressing me against the shelves, his body shielding mine. "No matter what happens, don't move."

But I had moved. I had run when I heard my mother's cries turn into silence. I had burst into the main hall just in time to see my father fall, a bullet between his eyes. Leonardo had chased after me, but it was too late.

Gunshots rang out. Leonardo's body jerked as the bullets tore through him. His blood on my hands as I knelt beside him, screaming his name before passing out.

When I woke up, I was at my uncle Martini's house. He had found me barely alive. He took me in, raised me, trained me. Taught me that weakness was a death sentence. That revenge was the only thing worth living for.

My throat tightened at the thought of them. I missed them more than I'd ever admit. Their deaths filled me with nothing but sorrow, carving me into this monster I'd become. And now the girl I'd once loved, sitting beside me, was the daughter of the man responsible for their deaths.

I glanced at Gabriella whose mouth hung open as she took in the view of the mansion. She has no idea who I was, not a clue that I came from a world of secrets and danger. My parents had insisted I keep it a secret from her, but at this point she needed to know the truth since she'll be spending the rest of her life with me

My men rushed to open the car door, bowing their heads in respect. I stepped out, straightening my suit as I observed the surroundings. All my men were stationed in their various positions just as I had instructed.

"Don." They greeted me in unison, raising their heads.

" Ci sono problemi? (Any problems?)" I asked, my voice hoarse.

They shook their heads. "Everything is secure."

"Good." I nodded.

I looked back at Gabriella who gripped the seat as though she was safer there than with me.

"Get out of the car," I ordered.

After a moment, she stepped out of the car, her eyes roaming the mansion, staring at the guards and then back at me. She took a shaky step back as though she realized something.

"You...." She began, her voice low. "You're part of the Mafia? No, you're the leader?"

I nodded, a grin forming on my lips. "Took you long enough to find out."

She turned around, but before she should take a step I caught her wrist, leading her towards the entrance of the mansion.

Gabriella let out a gasp the moment we were inside. Her eyes sparkled as she stared at the diamond chandelier above us, casting a warm glow over the marble floor.

"Let go of me!" She shouted, pulling her hand from my grip, but I only tightened my hold.

"From today, this will be your new home. You're not allowed to leave and you're allowed to ask questions."

Tears welled in her eyes but she refused to let them fall. "You can't keep me here, Alessio."

I chuckled darkly. "I already have."

Despite her protests, I led her upstairs to the second floor. I pushed the first door open, revealing a room I had specially prepared for her. The walls were painted in soft lilac, the furniture soft and elegant.

Gabriella's mouth hung open once more as her eyes swept the room. It seemed like she wasn't used to such luxury.

"Why does this look like....."

"Like it was made for you?" I finished for her, stepping closer. She stiffened as I leaned in, my breath fanning against her ear. "Because it was."

Her body shook slightly as she asked. "What exactly do you want from me?"

I leaned against the doorway, watching her closely. "I bought you, Gabriella. And I bought you for a reason."

She turned to face me, her eyebrow furrowing. "What reason?"

I took a slow step forward, closing the distance between us. "Revenge." I whispered.

She stared at me, confusion written all over her face. "Revenge? Why?"

A deadly smile etched across my face. "Your father, Gabriella. He killed my parents. Did you think I'd forget? Did you think I'd let it go?"

Gabriella staggered back as if I had struck her. " What? My father? No... you're lying, my father would never do such, he was a good man."

I stepped forward, caging her in against the bedpost.

"Tomorrow, we're getting married."

She stepped back, staring at me with anger. "This is madness Alessio, you can't force me to....."

I grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at me. "I can and I will, you don't have a choice."

I could see her hands clenching at her sides. "I will not marry you because I don't love you," she spat.

A low chuckle escaped my lips. "Who said anything about love Bella?"

She flinched but held my gaze, fire burning behind her fear. "You think forcing me into this marriage will break me?"

I leaned closer, my lips a few inches from hers. "You got it all wrong Bella. I don't want to break you," I murmured, my fingers tracing her arm, slow and sensual.

"I want to own you, I want to own every fucking inch of you," I whispered, my voice laced with anger. "You will walk down the aisle tomorrow, say the vows I demand and become Mrs De Luca,"

"If you dare to disobey me, there will be consequences."

Gabriella's face hardened at my words. "I hate you, Alessio. You're a monster." she breathed.

I smiled darkly, ignoring her statement."That I am, and tomorrow, you'll be this monster's bride.