Mafia's Surrogate Bride Chapter 62

Aria’s POV

The gunfire outside grew closer, each sharp crack echoing through the warehouse like thunder. My heart leaped with desperate hope as the sound of heavy footsteps and shouted commands filtered through the grimy windows.

Is it Damian? Has he found me?

The three men holding me captive had gone rigid with tension, their weapons drawn as they positioned themselves defensively around my chair. The casual confidence they'd displayed moments earlier had evaporated, replaced by the alert wariness of predators who'd suddenly realized they might have become prey.

"What the hell is that?" one of them hissed, moving toward the window with his gun raised.

"Could be cops," another suggested, but his voice carried doubt.

"Or worse," the third muttered grimly.

The sound of splintering wood exploded through the warehouse as the main door was kicked open with violent force. I turned my head as much as the ropes would allow, straining to see my potential savior.

But the figure that emerged from the doorway wasn't Damian.

Vito Cavalieri sauntered into the warehouse, his expensive suit somehow still immaculate despite the industrial setting. Several armed men flanked him, their weapons trained on my captors with professional precision. Despite the obvious danger of the situation, Vito's face wore that same infuriating smirk.

"Gentlemen," he said, his voice carrying lazy authority as he surveyed the scene before him. "I believe you have something that doesn't belong to you."

Relief flooded through me so suddenly I felt dizzy. Whatever his motivations, whatever business had brought him here, Vito was a Cavalieri. He had the power to end this nightmare, to get me away from these killers and back to safety.

Thank God.

"Let her go," Vito continued, his tone almost bored as he gestured toward me with casual indifference. "Now."

The lead kidnapper, the one who'd been coordinating with Adriana, stepped forward with his weapon raised. "This is none of your business, Cavalieri. The girl crossed the wrong family. Walk away."

Vito's laugh was cold and sharp. "Walk away?" He tilted his head with predatory interest. "Do you have any idea who you're talking to? I don't walk away from anything I want. Last warning. Cut her loose and walk away, or my men paint these walls with your brains."

The standoff stretched for several tense seconds before the kidnappers seemed to realize they were outgunned and outmaneuvered. With obvious reluctance, they lowered their weapons and began backing toward a rear exit.

"Smart choice," Vito called after them. "Tell whoever sent you that the Cavalieris protect what's theirs."

As soon as the kidnappers disappeared into the darkness, Vito's men moved to untie me. My hands shook as they worked at the ropes binding my wrists, and I had to bite back tears of relief as the coarse fibers finally fell away.

"There we go," Vito said, moving closer as his men freed my ankles. "All safe now."

I tried to stand on unsteady legs, my circulation slowly returning to my numb extremities. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice hoarse from the tape that had covered my mouth. "I don't know how to repay you—"

"Oh, I can think of a few ways," Vito interrupted. "I've been thinking about you quite a lot since that night at the Moon Bar," he continued, moving closer until I could smell his expensive cologne mixed with something darker, more dangerous. "My brother interrupted us before we could properly get acquainted."

No. Oh God, no.

The horrible realization crashed over me like ice water. This wasn't a rescue—it was just a different kind of trap.

"You see," he said, reaching out to touch my face with fingers that felt like ice against my skin, "I happened to be in the area tonight, handling some business with a shipment that needed... personal attention. When I heard the commotion, I thought I'd investigate. Imagine my delight when I discovered it was you."

I took a step backward, my legs still weak from being tied for so long. "Vito, please. I just want to go home. Damian will be looking for me—"

"Damian is busy playing escort to the Montrosso princess," Vito cut me off with obvious satisfaction. "He has no idea where you are, no idea what's happened to you. Which gives us plenty of time to finish what we started."

His men had formed a loose circle around us, effectively cutting off any escape routes.

"I've been thinking about that night at the club," Vito continued, his voice dropping to a whisper that made my skin crawl. "How sweet you looked in that little costume, how you trembled when I touched you. You remember, don't you? "

Vito's hands on my body, the way he'd cornered me in that alcove.

"Please," I whispered, my voice breaking with desperation. "I'll do whatever you want, just—"

"Oh, you'll definitely do whatever I want," Vito interrupted. "Starting right now."

He nodded to one of his men, who moved behind me and began working at the zipper of my white gown. The expensive fabric, which had made me feel so beautiful just hours earlier, suddenly felt like a shroud.

"Such a pretty dress, though I have to say, I think you'll look even better without it."

His hand moved to his belt buckle, and I closed my eyes, trying to retreat somewhere deep inside my mind where this couldn't touch me.

Just as I felt his subordinate's hands beginning to pull the dress from my shoulders, another gunshot cracked through the warehouse—closer, louder, final.

Warm liquid splattered across my face and neck, and my eyes snapped open to see Vito's man collapsing beside me, a perfect hole where his forehead used to be. Blood and brain matter painted the concrete floor in a grotesque pattern that made my stomach heave.

I screamed.