Ariana's POV:
For the first time in what felt like forever, the Romano headquarters appeared calm and stable. It felt good to finally be able to breathe without constantly worrying about what disaster would happen next.
Elena was recovering in the hospital and Asher had received his punishment. Once she recovered enough to travel, the two of them would leave New York and move overseas.
Everything appeared to be returning to normal.
But I wasn't.
I kept remembering the words that man had spoken before he died.
'Our boss has been watching your family for years.'
'He is interested in you.'
Those words kept replaying in my mind over and over again.
I knew he wasn't lying.
There really was someone out there who had been targeting my family for a very long time.
Maybe my kidnapping was connected to him.
Maybe the attack on my parents was connected to him too.
Maybe everything that had happened recently was because of him.
The more I thought about it, the more uneasy I felt.
Just then my phone rang.
I glanced at the screen and immediately smiled.
Valente♥️
"Hello."
"Hello baby. How are you?"
"I am fine."
"No, you're not."
I sighed.
"How did you know?"
"Because I know you."
I couldn't help smiling. Sometimes it was annoying how easily he could read me.
"So tell me what is bothering you."
"Nothing."
"Baby."
I immediately knew he wasn't going to let this go.
"Is it related to what happened in your mafia?"
I wasn't surprised that he already knew. News spread quickly in the mafia world.
"Yes."
There was silence on the other side.
"You can tell me."
Just as I was about to answer, someone knocked on my door.
"I'll call you later. Someone is here."
"Fine."
"But we're finishing this conversation later."
I laughed.
"Okay."
"I love you."
My smile softened.
"Bye."
After ending the call, I opened the door. Tony fratello was standing outside.
"Tony fratello. What happened?"
"We're going to visit Elena. Do you want to come?"
"Of course."
Then his eyes narrowed.
"Who were you talking to?"
I froze for a second.
"My friend."
He looked at me suspiciously. I tried my best to keep a straight face. After a few moments he nodded.
"Let's go."
I secretly sighed in relief. We went downstairs where papa and Leo fratello were already waiting.
"You guys are coming too?"
Papa nodded.
"The others wanted to come as well."
"But Rafael threatened all of us."
I laughed.
That definitely sounded like Raf fratello.
"He said Elena needs rest and not an entire mafia family crowding her room."
"He isn't wrong."
We got into the cars and headed toward the hospital.
****
When we arrived, we went directly to Elena's room. Tony fratello knocked before opening the door.
Asher opened it.
For a moment things felt awkward. Then he stepped aside.
"Come in."
We entered.
Elena was sitting up on the bed watching television. When she saw us, her face immediately brightened.
"You're here!"
I smiled and handed her the flowers I had brought.
"How are you feeling?"
"Much better."
She genuinely looked healthier than before.
The dark circles under her eyes had faded slightly and she no longer looked terrified every second.
That alone made me feel relieved.
"Thank you for saving me."
She looked at all of us sincerely.
Tony fratello shook his head.
"You don't need to thank us."
"Actually, I do." She smiled.
"You all risked your lives for me."
Nobody knew what to say. After all, she wasn't wrong. Elena glanced at Asher before looking back at us.
"I know what my brother did was wrong."
The room became quiet.
"But please don't hate him forever."
Asher immediately looked uncomfortable.
"Elena."
"No." She shook her head stubbornly.
"I want to say it."
She looked directly at Tony fratello.
"I know he hurt all of you."
"He hurt himself too."
Nobody said anything.
"He cried every day."
My eyes widened slightly.
Asher looked like he wanted the floor to swallow him.
"Elena."
She ignored him.
"He thought about telling you many times."
"He just couldn't risk my life."
The room fell silent. Tony fratello looked at Asher. Then he sighed.
"We know."
Elena looked relieved.
"Really?"
Tony fratello nodded.
"We know."
Elena smiled.
For the first time, the tension in the room eased.
She then started telling us about what happened during her captivity. She didn't go into too many details but she told us enough to understand what she had gone through.
"They kept changing locations."
"They never allowed me to see their faces properly."
"Sometimes they wouldn't talk to me for days."
Everyone listened quietly.
"When I thought about giving up, I remembered Asher."
Her eyes became slightly red.
"I knew he would come."
Asher immediately looked away. I could tell he was trying not to cry.
After that, the atmosphere became lighter. Papa started telling embarrassing stories about Tony fratello's childhood.
Tony fratello immediately objected.
"Papa."
"What?"
"You don't need to tell those stories."
"They are important family history."
Everyone laughed. Even Asher smiled. For a little while it felt like everything was normal again.
Eventually Raf fratello entered.
"How is my patient?"
"I'm fine."
"We'll see about that."
He checked her thoroughly. A few minutes later he looked satisfied.
"Good news."
Everyone looked at him.
"You can leave tomorrow."
Elena immediately brightened.
"Really?"
"Really."
Then her smile dimmed slightly. Because tomorrow was also the day she and Asher would leave New York.
Everyone noticed. Nobody said anything. Because it was inevitable.
"Come to the headquarters tomorrow before leaving. Say goodbye to everyone there." Tony fratello said.
"I will." Asher said, his voice was a little hoarse.
****
After spending more time with Elena, we eventually left.
The moment I returned home, I went directly to my room. I opened my computer and started searching again.
There had to be something. Anything. Some clues. Some evidence. Some connections.
Hours passed.
I searched through old reports. Archived files. Police records. News articles. Business transactions.
Nothing. Every lead ended at a dead end.
I rubbed my eyes tiredly.
"This makes no sense."
I knew someone had been after us.
The evidence was right there. Yet every trace vanished before I could reach it. It felt like chasing a ghost.
Eventually I leaned back in my chair.
Maybe I was looking in the wrong place. Maybe the answers weren't in the present. Maybe they were hidden somewhere in the past. I made a note to investigate further later. My head was starting to hurt.
****
That evening everyone had dinner together. The atmosphere was peaceful. Nobody mentioned Asher. Nobody mentioned the mastermind. Nobody mentioned the attack.
For one evening we simply acted like a normal family.
Alf fratello and twinnie argued over something ridiculous. Ben fratello kept teasing them. Leo fratello looked annoyed by all of them. Papa occasionally laughed at their behavior.
And for a little while, I forgot about all my worries. I hadn't realized how much I needed that.
After going to my room, I called Valente. He picked up the call immediately like he was holding the phone.
"Finally you remembered to call me."
"Were you holding the phone?"
"Yes. I was. I was waiting for your call."
My heart melted at those words. This man can always make me mushy no matter what.
"Well I was very busy the whole day and finally had the time to call. How was your day?"
"It was good. I was thinking about you all day long."
"Really? Then what exactly were you thinking?"
"Baby I think it would be best if you don't ask." Valente's voice immediately turned husky.
A shiver went down my spine from listening to his voice. I could imagine his expression right now and I felt my face flush a little.
I cleared my throat a little.
"Can you speak properly?'
"What did I do wrong? You asked me a question and I answered what I thought was right. If you want me to answer your question exactly what I was thinking then I could tell you. I was thinking about how your lips would feel on my..."
"Okay okay. Stop. Who asked you to answer it? Stop speaking nonsense."
This man is getting bolder day by day.
"Baby." He said in a serious voice.
"Yes. What happened?" I thought that he was going to tell me something serious.
"If you are like this now then what will happen in the future."
I blanked a little as I processed his words. When I understood what he had said, I immediately hung up the call. This man is really getting shameless.
He called me again but I ignored it. He kept calling and when I didn't answer he messaged me.
'Okay I will not tease you. I know that you will not be like this in the future because I will get you accustomed to it.'
'Can you stop?'
'Yes. When you will ask me to stop I will.'
'Then stop right now or you will be single the next moment.'
'Copy that.'
'Good night baby. Love you.'
'Good night.'
Although I was a little annoyed by his flirting I was still very happy that I have a man who is romantic and cherishes me this much. I can feel my likeness for him growing day by day.
I went to sleep with a smile on my face and heart full of contentment.
****
The next morning I woke up early. Today was the day Asher and Elena would leave.
When I went downstairs everyone was already there. Including all my brothers. We all went to the headquarters.
Around noon a car finally arrived. Asher and Elena stepped out. Twinnie and I led them into papa's office.
The atmosphere immediately became emotional. Everyone in the mafia only knew that he was going overseas because papa had given him an important mission.
No one knew of his betrayal. That was the least papa and Tony fratello could do for him.
Elena smiled when she saw everyone. Asher looked nervous. Very nervous.
Papa walked over first.
"Asher."
"Boss."
Papa looked at him for several seconds.
"You disappointed me."
Asher lowered his head.
"But."
Papa sighed.
"You also spent years protecting this family."
Asher looked surprised.
"Take care of your sister."
"I will."
"Good."
Then papa hugged him. Asher froze. The next person was Raf fratello. Raf fratello handed him a file.
"What is this?"
"Medical instructions."
Raf fratello looked serious.
"Follow every instruction."
"I will."
"If Elena gets sick, call me immediately."
"Okay."
Raf fratello nodded in satisfaction.
Alf fratello stepped forward.
"If anyone bothers Elena, call me."
Asher laughed weakly.
"You'll fly overseas?"
"I absolutely will."
Ben fratello smirked.
"And stay away from hacking."
Everyone laughed. Even Elena.
"Princess is definitely watching."
"I am."
That caused another round of laughter.
Twinnie wrapped an arm around Asher's shoulder.
"You owe me."
"For what?"
"I saved your sister."
Elena immediately nodded.
"You did."
Twinnie looked proud.
"See?"
Leo fratello was next. The two stared at each other.
Finally Leo fratello spoke.
"Don't die."
Asher blinked.
"That's it?"
"What?"
"You expected a speech?"
A few people laughed.
Then unexpectedly Leo fratello hugged him. Only briefly. But everyone saw it.
Asher's eyes immediately became red.
Finally only Tony fratello remained. The room became silent. The two men looked at each other.
"You betrayed me."
Asher nodded.
"I know."
"You broke my trust."
"I know."
Tony fratello sighed.
For a moment nobody spoke. Then he stepped forward and hugged him.
Everyone froze. Even Asher.
"You idiot."
Asher laughed through his tears.
"Sorry."
"It will take time."
"I know."
"But you're still my brother."
At those words, Asher completely broke down.
Because deep down that was what he had been most afraid of losing.
Not his position. Not the mafia. His family.
After a while Tony fratello let him go.
Then everyone looked at me. I sighed.
Why was I always last?
I walked over. Asher looked at me.
"I'm sorry."
"I know."
Silence.
"I don't forgive you."
His eyes dimmed.
"But." I looked at Elena.
"I understand why you did it."
Hope returned to his eyes.
"I hope one day I can forgive you."
"Thank you."
"Take care of Elena."
"With my life."
I nodded. Then Elena suddenly hugged me.
"Thank you for saving me."
I hugged her back.
"You're welcome."
We spent some time there giving this moment a little time as this will be a goodbye for a long time. We don't know when we will meet them. This was an emotional moment for everyone present there.
After some time they went around the headquarters saying goodbye to everyone there. They had spent so much time there that they all had become family.
After saying goodbye to everyone, they finally got into the car.
Nobody moved as the vehicle slowly drove away. We stood there watching until it disappeared completely.
It wasn't a happy goodbye. But it wasn't a bad one either. It was simply the end of a chapter.
Just as I was about to go back inside, my phone vibrated.
Unknown Number.
Frowning, I opened the message.
The moment I read it, my body froze.
One pawn removed.
My heart skipped a beat.
Another message appeared.
Now let's see how well you play the game, Ariana Romano.
The smile vanished from my face.
Because I knew exactly who had sent it.
The mastermind had finally made his move.
****
Read edited and polished chapters here of 'The Famiglia's Heart'. 👇
***
Here's another chapter.
Guys just one chapter more to go for the book to be completed and we will move to book 2 soon after that.
Happy reading.
Love, Stella.