CHAPTER 27

"Overthinking is a habit that can be broken. It's all about redirecting your thoughts and focusing on the present moment."

Piero Antonio POV

As I picked up Belle, I cradled her in my arms, gently rubbing her back to soothe her. It took some time, but eventually, she began to calm down, her sobs softening into sniffles. Wanting to distract her from whatever had upset her, I asked Fabiano, perhaps an older cousin, to take her outside and engage her in some playful activities.

With Belle momentarily occupied, my attention shifted to the concerned faces of my family members. Ma, my mother, spoke up, her voice reflecting her worry. "What happened to the deep cut on her wrist? Did someone hurt her?" The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to me, awaiting my response.

Benjamin, a family member known for his protective nature, couldn't contain his indignation. "Who would dare to hurt such a small child," he exclaimed, his voice filled with righteous anger. His reaction resonated with everyone present, and a collective sense of empathy and protectiveness toward Belle filled the air.

The room fell into a solemn silence as my uncle Lorenzo shared a piece of information that left us all shocked and deeply concerned. "That's why she reacted like that when I came last time," he said, his voice heavy with regret. "She was so startled that she cried and had a panic attack." His revelation elicited glares from everyone, as they realized the gravity of the situation and the pain that Belle had been silently enduring.

As the weight of this revelation settled upon us, I felt compelled to share what we had recently discovered about Belle's past. "Natalie and John abused her," I said softly, my heart heavy with sorrow. "We only found out recently, and she's still in the process of recovering from the trauma." I paused, taking a moment to gather my emotions before continuing.

"I hope you all understand the sensitivity of the situation and the importance of respecting her boundaries," I implored, looking around at my family members. "She's still afraid that someone will punish her if she makes a mistake or does something wrong. So, it's crucial that we ask for her opinion and consent in everything we do with her."

The gravity of Belle's past experiences sank in, and the room was filled with a mix of emotions—sadness, anger, and a collective determination to protect and support her. Each family member seemed to grasp the significance of their actions and the responsibility they held in creating a safe and nurturing environment for Belle.

My words had a profound impact, and the room was engulfed in a sense of empathy and understanding. It became clear that we needed to be patient, compassionate, and gentle in our interactions with Belle, giving her the time and space she needed to heal and trust again.

My father's anger was palpable, his hands tightly gripping the armrest of his chair, his eyes burning with fury. "Where are those bastards that hurt her?" he demanded in a tone that sent shivers down my spine. The room seemed to tense up as everyone held their breath, waiting for a response.

"They are in the basement. I kept them alive for everyone," Piero, one of my family members, responded with a steely resolve. His words carried a weight of justice, a promise that those who had caused harm to Belle would face the consequences. I could see a glint of satisfaction in his eyes as he shared his plan to protect her from any further harm.

The collective agreement that followed was chilling as evil smiles spread across everyone's faces. There was a unified determination to ensure that those responsible for Belle's pain would never be able to harm her again. The intense love and protectiveness we felt for her turned into a fierce shield against anyone who posed a threat to her well-being.

In the midst of the charged atmosphere, Lily, another family member, stepped in, breaking the tension. "I should cook something to cheer her up," she suggested with a warm smile. The abrupt change in tone brought a moment of relief, shifting the focus from vengeance to care and compassion.

As Lily inquired about Belle's favorite food, I couldn't help but feel a surge of love for my family. Despite the anger and determination to protect her, their concern for Belle's well-being was genuine and unwavering. Each member of the family was ready to go above and beyond to bring her comfort and happiness.

"She loves anything that is sweet," I chimed in, my heart warming at the thought of Belle enjoying her favorite meal. "She always smiles when she sees strawberry in front of her."

After our discussion about Belle's condition and the disturbing events she had endured at Natalie and John's house, As Santino entered the office, he started to speak, but his words were interrupted as Ma, my mother, immediately rushed over and enveloped him in a warm hug.

Santino was like a son to my parents, and he had practically grown up with us, spending much of his time at our home when we were young. The bond between him and our family was strong, and seeing Ma's affectionate reaction was a testament to the love we shared with him.

"They want to meet Belle, so all of them are here," Santino finally managed to convey, his voice filled with concern and a sense of protectiveness. I knew he was referring to the individuals responsible for hurting Belle, and their presence posed a threat to her safety. The room fell silent as the gravity of the situation settled upon us once more.

"We need to tighten security and coordinate with Salvatore about everything," I instructed Santino, my mind racing with the need to ensure Belle's safety and the safety of everyone in our family. The mention of the previous shipment problem that remained unsolved added to our concerns. I wanted to be certain that each member of our family had bodyguards to safeguard them during this time.

As the topic shifted to the lost shipment, a sense of intrigue filled the room. Santino hesitated, unsure if he should divulge the details. However, the weight of the situation compelled him to speak.

"About the lost shipment," Santino began, his voice laced with a hint of uncertainty. The mention of the incident immediately piqued everyone's curiosity. The three ladies, understanding the seriousness of the discussion, excused themselves from the room, expressing their desire to spend time with Isabelle and further acquaint themselves with her.

Santino took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "We have managed to identify who was responsible for robbing our shipment," he revealed, the gravity of his words hanging in the air. A collective understanding passed through the room, as everyone present was well aware of the workings of our organized crime network.

"We will handle this matter internally," I declared firmly, my voice carrying a sense of authority. "No one threatens our family or undermines our operations without facing consequences."

As Santino provided the information about the culprits behind the lost shipment, it became evident that the Spanish mafia was involved, led by a man named Javier Sanchez. The revelation sparked a mix of emotions in the room, ranging from anger to a strong sense of determination.

"The Spanish," I repeated, my jaw tightening with resolve. Javier Sanchez's name carried weight in the underworld, and the audacity of his organization to target us demanded a response.

"The reason why they robbed it is still unknown," Santino continued, explaining that their motives remained unclear. However, it was clear that we couldn't let this act go unanswered. Our reputation and standing within the criminal underworld were at stake, and it was essential to strike back with a powerful message.

Gathering around the table, we started to devise a plan, brainstorming on how to recover our stolen shipment and deliver a fitting response to Javier Sanchez and his men. Our minds buzzed with ideas and strategies, each one carefully evaluated for its effectiveness.

"We need to find Javier's location," I emphasized, knowing that taking down the head of their organization would send a powerful message to the rest of their ranks. "But before that, we should make them pay for their betrayal."

The room fell silent as we contemplated the options before us. Revenge was not something we took lightly, but in this instance, it was a matter of reasserting our dominance and ensuring that no one dared to cross us again.

"We will hit them where it hurts the most," Uncle Lorenzo declared, his eyes burning with a fierce determination. "We'll make them regret ever laying a hand on our shipment."

As we continued to map out the plan, we focused on making their punishment both enjoyable for us and agonizing for them. Each step was meticulously crafted to ensure maximum impact and send a clear message that our family was not to be trifled with.

"We strike hard and swift," I said, my voice filled with conviction. "No one robs from us without facing the consequences."

As the discussion progressed, I couldn't help but voice my concerns about the possibility of a mole within our own ranks. The secrecy surrounding our shipments was paramount, and the thought of someone leaking information to our adversaries sent a chill down my spine.

"Have you found any leads on the mole within the mafia?" I asked Santino, my voice filled with a mix of caution and determination. We needed to ensure that our plans remained confidential and that we could trust those within our inner circle.

Santino's expression tightened, reflecting the seriousness of the situation. "No, boss, we're still working on locating the mole," he replied, acknowledging the significance of the task at hand. He assured me that he would keep me updated as soon as any progress was made.

"Santino, you should stay for a meal," Father insisted with an unwavering tone. It was a command, rather than a mere invitation, leaving no room for argument. The authority in his voice was a testament to his position as the patriarch of our family and the respect he commanded.

A sense of warmth filled the room as Father mentioned the prospect of sharing a meal together. The significance of such gatherings was not lost on any of us. We had always valued the importance of family and the bonds that held us together, even amidst the challenges we faced.

Grace, our family cook, and the girls, referring to the other women in our family, had prepared a meal downstairs, creating an atmosphere of comfort and familiarity. The aroma of home-cooked food wafted through the air, enticing our senses and reminding us of the moments we had cherished in the past.

It had indeed been a long time since we had all gathered around the table, partaking in a meal as a united front. The hectic nature of our lives and the demands of our underworld dealings often kept us apart, but Father recognized the significance of these shared moments, knowing that they helped strengthen our familial bonds.

Santino, aware of the unspoken rule that no one said no to Father, nodded in agreement, accepting the invitation graciously. It was a chance for him to experience the warmth and camaraderie that defined our family, further solidifying his place as an integral part of our close-knit unit.