CHAPTER 57

Ellis groaned softly as she woke up, her eyes slowly opening to the gentle morning light streaming through the curtains of her luxurious suite in Italy. She stretched her limbs and yawned, feeling a sense of warmth and contentment enveloping her. Memories of the previous night flooded her mind—the moments in the car and the elevator, Vittorio's words echoing in her thoughts.

Vittorio had promised to come back and stay with her in her suite. Ellis couldn't help but feel her heart race at the thought, although she still hesitated to fully embrace her feelings for him. Reluctantly, she left the comfort of the bed, slipped on a pair of slippers, and made her way to the living area of the suite.

Just as she was about to make herself a cup of coffee, the sound of the doorbell interrupted her thoughts. She furrowed her brow, confused, not expecting any visitors. Upon opening the door, she was greeted by one of Vittorio's security guards, wearing a serious expression on his face.

"Good morning, ma'am," the guard greeted respectfully. "I apologize for the interruption, but we have received orders from Don Vittorio. We must return immediately to Pedesina."

"Thank you for letting me know," Ellis thanked before closing the door.

Ellis's confusion heightened as she tried to make sense of the sudden change of plans. She quickly gathered her belongings, her mind filled with questions about what could have happened to alter their honeymoon. As she descended to the lobby, her thoughts were once again interrupted by a surprising revelation.

Two security guards awaited her, with two more stationed at the door of the black luxury car parked outside the hotel. She walked toward them and got into the vehicle.

Ellis looked out the car window as they traveled on the road back to Pedesina, leaving behind the dazzling city of Milan. The guards remained silent, aware that the brunette was lost in her thoughts. She tried to understand what could be happening with Vittorio.

She vividly recalled the exchanged kisses in the hotel elevator and the passion that ignited in the car after leaving the nightclub. However, now Vittorio wasn't there with her, and it worried her.

As the Italian landscape unfolded before her eyes, Ellis wondered where he could be. Had something happened?

***

An abandoned and dark warehouse, lit only by the dim light of a few bulbs hanging from the ceiling. Vittorio Amorielle, dressed in an impeccable black suit, stood in the center of the place. He was surrounded by his men, all dressed in elegant attire, with serious looks and determined faces.

"Today, we have a mission," Vittorio began with a cold and decisive voice. "I want to see the destruction of Matteo Amorielle's businesses, everything, and everyone. None of them will be spared. Today is the day you will bring hell to Pedesina."

Vittorio's men nodded in agreement. They were ready to act.

***

At the entrance, Elli was greeted by Sofia, Vittorio's cousin, who wore a warm smile upon seeing her. Elli couldn't help but feel a sense of relief amid the confusion, facing a familiar face.

"Ciao, Ellis! Ben tornata!" exclaimed Sofia, embracing her warmly. "I'm glad you're back. It's my father's birthday today. We're all gathering here at home to celebrate."

"That's great. Can you tell me if Vittorio has arrived?" Ellis asked anxiously.

"No, my dear. He hasn't arrived yet."

"Don't you find it strange that he's not here? I mean, it's his uncle's birthday..."

Sofia's smile faltered a bit, and she looked at Ellis with a mixture of sympathy and understanding.

"Sometimes, my dear, things in our family can be complicated. There may be matters that have arisen last minute and Vittorio needs to resolve them, but I assure you he'll join us soon."

Ellis nodded, still trying to comprehend the situation.

***

Vittorio's henchmen, equipped with weapons and explosives, stealthily advanced toward a dark and sinister location. They moved skillfully, following precise information obtained by the mobster through Isabela. As they approached the site, the sound of muffled voices and the scent of desperation filled the air. They came across a complex of rundown warehouses, surrounded by barbed wire and armed guards.

"We found it, Don Vittorio," one of the henchmen reported, pressing the communicator in his ear. "Looks like there are thousands of them."

"It's time to put an end to this, Stefano," ordered Vittorio. "I want the victims alive, but anyone who gets in your way, I want them to taste hell."

"Let's free them and take them to safety," Stefano warned the others. "Vittorio wants only the victims to come out alive."

Vittorio's henchmen sprang into action, using their skills and training to neutralize the guards and open the warehouse gates. They advanced through the dark corridors, finding overcrowded cells with people in inhumane conditions. Some were crying, others were malnourished and weak. The mobster's men worked quickly to open the cells and reassure the frightened prisoners.

"You're free now. We'll take you to a safe place," Stefano said, supporting a frail woman.

The men organized the liberated people into groups, helping them out of the warehouses and escorting them to waiting convoys nearby. Vittorio, with his lit cigar, observed everything from a vantage point, with an imposing and determined gaze.

"Great job," Vittorio said through the communicator as he looked at the chaos before him. "Now, it's time to take the next step."

While the prisoners were transported safely, Vittorio's men strategically placed explosives throughout the warehouses, preparing to destroy the site of horror and suffering.

"Everything is ready, sir," Stefano informed, receiving a nod from one of the men preparing the explosives.

Vittorio inhaled and exhaled a puff of smoke from his cigar, then said, "Do it."

The explosions ripped through the air, engulfing the warehouses in flames and debris. The human trafficking location was reduced to ashes and the evil that took place there was finally extinguished.

As smoke and flames danced in the air, Vittorio remained motionless, contemplating the outcome of his revenge.

"This is just the beginning," Vittorio murmured to himself as he watched the flames flicker.

***

Ellis was in the suite of the luxurious Amorielle mansion in Pedesina, organizing her things while reminiscing about the incredible moments they had spent in Milan. The city tour had been enchanting, filled with marvelous places and unique experiences. As she arranged her clothes in the wardrobe, her phone rang, indicating a call from her brother.

"Ah, finally, my brother is calling!" Ellis said with a smile as she answered the phone. "Hi, Jason! How are you?"

"Ellis! Glad you picked up! I missed you, little sister. How are things over there? You got married and disappeared... I got worried."

"Everything is fine. We just got back from Milan. It was amazing! We visited breathtaking places and had a great time. But..."

"What happened?"

"Well... Vittorio and I almost..." Ellis began, hesitating for a moment. "...almost slept together. But he's been missing since yesterday."

"What?! You almost...? Ellis, you can't be serious! Where is he now?"

"I don't know, Jason. He just vanished."

"Ellis, be careful. Remember, he made it clear that his intentions with you are solely for the debt, don't get carried away. Don't forget that he's a mafia boss."

"I know, Jason. I know the situation is complicated, but during this trip, I saw a different side of him. There's a part of him that is caring and attentive. He took me to visit Casa Atellani... He took great care in showing me around Milan..."

"Ellis, promise me you'll be careful. I don't want to see you getting hurt or involved in bigger problems."

"I promise, Jason. I don't think anything bad will happen..."

"Alright, Ellis. By the way, I called to let you know that we're moving."

"What? What do you mean?"

Well, Vittorio's top henchman is here with several junior henchmen, carrying our stuff and taking it to Vittorio's mansion."

"What? He can't send Rocco there. Put Rocco on the line," Ellis ordered. After a few seconds, Rocco's heavy breathing came through the line. "Rocco, what are you doing there?"

"Following orders, Miss Barker. Don Vittorio ordered us to take your belongings to the mansion..."

"Leave everything there, Rocco," Ellis said. "I'm not moving, and neither is my brother..."

"Miss Barker..."

"It's Mrs. Amorielle, and if that name means anything to you, you'd better follow what I'm telling you. I'm not moving... And if your boss wants me to accept that, he should come and talk to me personally." Ellis concluded before hanging up the phone.

After ending the call, Ellis pocketed her phone and looked around the suite, lost in thought. If Vittorio thought he could treat her like that, he truly didn't know the woman he dared to marry.

***

The city of Pedesina was in a state of uneasy calm when a fleet of powerful and intimidating cars emerged on the streets. The engines roared, attracting the attention of curious residents who began to gather on the sidewalks.

Moments later, the doors of the vehicles opened, and Vittorio Amorielle's men stepped out, dressed in dark suits and stern expressions on their faces. The murmurs from the crowd grew as people wondered what was happening.

Vittorio stood in the middle of the street, his imposing presence capturing everyone's attention. He raised his hand to signal that he wanted to speak.

"Residents of Pedesina, listen carefully!" Vittorio said through a loudspeaker, his voice resonating through the streets. "From this moment on, this city will become a battleground. The war between Matteo Amorielle and me is about to erupt, and there is no safe place for those who stand against me."

A tense silence fell among the crowd as Vittorio's words echoed.

"All those who remain on the streets will be considered enemies and will be treated as such. Those loyal to Matteo Amorielle will pay an even higher price," Vittorio continued with a hard gaze. "Take shelter immediately and protect your families. The danger is at our doorstep."

Vittorio's men began to act, moving through the streets and urging the residents to return to their homes. They showed relentless strength and unwavering determination, making it clear that they were willing to carry out Vittorio's words.

With determined steps, Vittorio returned to his car, his expression reflecting the weight of responsibility he carried. As the engine roared, he headed towards Matteo's business, his uncle, ready to continue with his plan.

As Vittorio's men continued to gather the residents, the atmosphere in Pedesina transformed into a ghost town, where fear and tension hung in the air. The silent and empty streets bore witness to the conflict about to unleash and Vittorio's fierce determination for revenge.