Chapter 22: 19: 𝔹𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥

OrphicWords: 8130

𝘉𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵- any cause of impairment, destruction, ruin, or frustration

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Giovanni's POV:

Rose is my girlfriend; what an amazing thing to say. She's officially mine and I don't think anything has ever felt more right. Ever since we talked a few days ago, I can't help but think about the future we could have together. She's all I've ever wanted and more.

Rosary is the type of girl who needs constant validation and love in her life and I'll be damned if I can't be the person to give it to her. I don't care how many Disney movies we watch or how she loves to show me her outfits each day. In fact, I think it's flat-out adorable. I don't even mind when she accidentally yells when she is super enthusiastic about something.

Rosary is my life and my soul; my reason for existing.

This is why I need to find whoever dares to threaten her. I refuse to rest until I can wrap my hands around their throat and choke them until they beg me to put them out of their misery.

Recently, someone has also been screwing with me as well; two shipments have gone missing and there have been multiple attempts at hacking into my home security (which I really only have to keep Rose safe). I have a strange feeling that whoever is messing with her is the same person behind all of this nonsense as well.

It's so frustrating though; as soon as she finds safety and stability, someone decides to come barging in and completely obliterate it. Well I'm not about to let them do it.

This poor girl does not deserve all of this drama.

I promise it'll end soon Fragolina.

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"Do you have to leave Muffin?" My girl whines.

She likes to call me Muffin because apparently I have too many names for her and she didn't have any for me. She claims that she doesn't want me to feel like she doesn't care and I told her that don't feel that way. I honestly think she's putting way too much thought into it but if it makes her happy, then I'm happy.

Plus, it's cute. I kind of like being her Muffin... okay, okay, I love it.

"I'm sorry Angioletto but I do. Unfortunately, duty calls," I answer in a dissatisfied tone. My love nods her head in understanding and opens her arms wanting a hug. After a minute of basking in her pure love, I know it's time for me to leave.

I may only be leaving for a few hours but it's still so hard. I hate making Rose sad but it's for her own protection.

A few of my men were able to finally track down the guy who dares to disturb Rose's and my peace. In just two hours I will be paying him a surprise visit and hopefully, our meeting will end with me putting an end to his miserable excuse of a life.

"I love you Rose," I say placing one last kiss on her forehead.

Forty minutes later, I'm ready to strike. My men are surrounding the warehouse Leviathan–the imbecile who decided to mess with me–is currently in.

With a flick of my wrist, we attack.

When the doors are broken down and we step inside though, I'm met with silence. Not a single soul from the opposing side can be seen.

What the hell!

Something feels off though. I order a few of my men to spread out and look for people. As I turn to investigate things myself, my phone begins to vibrate; a call.

When I look at the screen to see the caller ID, I see it's Rose. I instantly feel better and click the answer button.

"What's up baby?" I say in a much softer voice than I had used just moments ago.

"G-Gio, yo-ou need t-to c-come ho-ome right now-now!" She struggles to form words and I panic. I run to my car and signal my men to follow me. In seconds, a motorcade of sleek, black vehicles are speeding down the road to my apartment.

For the first time in my life, I find myself without control and it's scaring the living daylights out of me.

"Baby, shh what's wrong?" I try to keep my voice stable despite my inner turmoil for her sake.

"Th-there's strange me-en who-o just arriv-ved at your ap-partment and th-they are yelling at me-e to le-et them i-in and Gio-o, I'm sc-cared." Her voice is reduced to a whisper by the end and my heart breaks when I hear her silent sobs.

"Rose, I'm going to need you to hide and whatever you do, DO NOT let them inside and don't hang up the phone. I'm heading over with some of my friends and we'll be there in just a few minutes. It's going to be okay, just breathe."

"O-ok," I hear some shuffling as she probably gets into a hiding spot.

"Just breathe, you're being such a good girl, baby. My good girl hmm?" I try to calm her probably racing brain by praising her. I wish this damn car would move faster.

"Yes," she whispers and a ghost of a smile paints my face.

Suddenly, a loud crashing noise can be heard and my poor baby lets out a muffled shriek. The smile disappears.

"They're in-insi-ide Gio! Pl-lease hurry!" She whisper shouts. I press on the gas harder. I'm only five minutes away, please be well hidden Rose.

For the next five minutes, we both are deathly silent not wanting to alert the intruders of her hiding spot.

And then I see it; my apartment building. Not caring about anything but my Rose, I sprint into the lobby to be met with gunshots, a multitude of dead bodies, and lots of blood. I manage to get to my private elevator and kill the buff dude who is guarding it. Hopping in with as many of my men as the elevator can hold, I punch the button repeatedly in desperation.

My heart races as the elevator leisurely lifts us up and I want to break something. My patience is non-existent already and the love of my life is in danger but the fucking elevator just takes its sweet time.

"I know you're in here Doll Face," a disgusting voice says from over the call and I feel sick. Shoot, just a few more floors. Come on!

3

"I won't hurt you darling, I just wanna chat," the man makes false promises and I hear Rose let out a shaky breath.

2

"I've waited so long to see you Rosary." He knows her name, fan-fucking-tastic. It's Leviathan, dammit.

1

"So you want to play games do you? Okay, have it your way," the evil pig spits out.

I mute myself before the elevator dings and as soon as the doors open, I jump out. Guns begin to shoot and I run for the door shooting the man blocking my way. As I'm stepping through, someone manages to hit my shoulder with a bullet and I curse under my breath.

It doesn't matter, my baby is in trouble and she is depending on me. As I burst into her room I'm met with a sight I wish I could forever erase from my mind.

Rose has a slap mark on her face as Leviathan stands over her and holds a cloth over her mouth. When she sees me, she stops struggling and her eyes widen.

She doesn't need to speak for me to know what she is trying to communicate to me; I love you. Such a brave baby. Slowly, her eyes close as she gives in to the drugs.

I instantly jump into action and lunge for Leviathan. It's too late though, he holds a gun up to her head and yells at me to stop. The only reason why I listen to him is because he threatens to kill my baby.

"Listen here pretty boy, I'm the one in control. If you don't wish to see dear little Rosary die today then I'd advise you take a step back." Again, I begrudgingly give in and take a small step back. The pig just rolls his eyes as he orders some men inside the room and they carry her out.

I make a move to run after her but before I can, something metal hits my head making me lose my balance. As I fall to the ground, an evil laugh erupts throughout the room.

In my split second of vulnerability on the ground, Leviathan shoots me twice; once in the leg and once in the stomach.

As I struggle on the ground in a growing pool of my blood, he begins to kick my stomach until he's satisfied. With a final blow to my head, he walks out. My body refuses to move as I struggle to try and get up. It's no use though as I gradually succumb to my wounds and eventually pass out.

And once again, I find myself doing what I do best; failing to protect those I love.

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