Chapter five

Bullets flew past Alessio's head as he tried to make a run for it and duck behind his office table,

where he retrieved a pistol from underneath and started firing back. Gunshots and loud voicesshouting commands echoed throughout the building. They had broken into Alessio's casino,

heavily armed and shooting every man within their reach. This was definitely payback for

Alessio's previous attack on their warehouse.

Screams from men and women filled the air as everyone scrambled to find a place to hide.

Alessio's men kept firing back, making sure to prevent the intruders from advancing further into

the casino. Alessio let out a string of curses in Italian as he continued shooting. Diego was right

behind him, covering him while returning fire to ensure Alessio's protection.

"Prendi i soldi dalla cassaforte!"

(Take out the money from the safe!) Alessio yelled, tossing a duffle bag at Diego.

Diego, acting quickly, punched in the code and started stuffing stacks of money into the bag.

Alessio kept firing, making sure to protect him. More of Alessio's men entered the room and

began shooting at the intruders, ensuring that neither Alessio nor the office was infiltrated.

"Ho i soldi e i file!"

(I have the money and the files!) Diego shouted as he zipped up the duffle bag, still firing shots

while ducking behind the office table.

"How many left?" Alessio barked at one of his men.

"About five!" the man yelled back.

"Bloody bastards! Coming into my casino and killing my men and girls!" Alessio roared.

Rolling back the carpet under his table, he punched in a code to the underground safe and

retrieved a machine gun. Cocking the already loaded rifle, he signaled for Diego and the other

two men in the room to shut the door, stay still, and take cover. Alessio positioned the gun on the

table, bracing himself. Right on cue, the door was kicked open, and Alessio unleashed a hail of

bullets on the intruders.

"Dobbiamo andare!"

(We need to go!) Diego yelled, pulling a framed picture off the wall to reveal a secret passage.

"Make sure you bring me some bloody scapegoats!" Alessio instructed one of his men.

Diego waited for Alessio to enter the passage first before following him inside.

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Alessio was covered in blood, shirtless, sweat dripping over his glistening body. He could have

passed for a god of war. He stood before a man dangling upside down, bound and beaten. Taking

a slow puff of his cigar, he exhaled the smoke into the prisoner's face. His dark hair was damp,

and his knuckles were bruised and bloodied, a brass knuckle glinting on his right hand. The

prisoner appeared barely alive, his breathing shallow.

Alessio's men had brought back a scapegoat from the attack, and Alessio had personally

tortured him until the man finally spilled the information they needed after resisting at first.

"Is he dead?" Diego asked from the corner of the room, lounging on a couch.

Alessio, who had insisted on doing the torturing himself, replied dryly, "We'll find out."

He picked up a bucket of water and dumped it over the prisoner. The man gave a weak jerk,

confirming he was still alive but barely.

"Tough soul," Diego commented.

"Damn Marchetti bastards. I don't want him dead yet—I want it slow and painful. I want him

begging for his life. I want him praying for death," Alessio instructed his men as he picked up his

bloodstained shirt from the chair.

"We lost three of our girls at the casino, six of our men are dead, and eight injured. Seven

civilians were killed, and five wounded," Diego informed him as they left the room together.

"You know what to do. If the cops come snooping, which they will, just cover it up as a robbery."

"Already taken care of. We also reached out to the families of the dead and made arrangements

for the funerals," Diego responded as they reached the car.

Alessio got in, and Diego joined him in the back seat.

"I want all footage of the scene wiped. The last thing I need is the cops meddling in my

business." Alessio leaned his head back against the seat and sighed, exhausted.

"What about the girl?" Diego asked, referring to Kim, who was back at the house.

"No news about any bounty. We'll probably cut her loose with a warning to keep her mouth shut

if she wants to live," Alessio replied, closing his eyes for a moment.

"You seem interested in her," Diego teased.Alessio opened his eyes and shot Diego a sharp look, silently telling him to shut up before

closing them again.

Diego chuckled in response.

The car pulled into the driveway, and Alessio and Diego stepped out, heading inside. Alessio was

beyond exhausted and just wanted a shower. Diego split off midway through the hallway and

retired to his room, while Alessio continued toward the second flight of stairs.

Just then, Kimberly came into view. She had exited one of the guest rooms when she heard

Alessio's footsteps. She had been waiting for him all day, and when she finally noticed a car

pulling into the driveway, she decided this was the best time to confront him about the situation.

"Alessio," she called softly.

Alessio stopped in his tracks, letting out a sigh. "Yes?" he replied impatiently.

The hallway was dark, the housekeeper having turned off the lights, making it difficult for Kim to

see him. She stepped closer, and a sliver of moonlight illuminated him. She gasped, taking in his

bloodied and bruised appearance.

"Oh my God!" she exclaimed, rushing toward him and reaching out to touch his arm. "You're

covered in blood and injured! You should see a doctor!"

Alessio looked impatient. "It's fine. Most of it isn't mine," he replied dryly, pulling his hand away

from hers.

Kim immediately stepped back, clearing her throat. "I've been meaning to talk to you. I waited all

day, but you never came back."

Alessio raised an eyebrow. "Waited for me? I don't need a babysitter, young lady," he said, his

tone void of emotion.

Kim blinked rapidly. "It's not like that! I just wanted to talk to you, but I didn't know how to reach

you. And the workers in the house—well, let's just say they don't answer questions about you."

She fidgeted nervously.

Alessio sighed, relaxing slightly. He had been snappy due to exhaustion. He tried to respond as

calmly as possible. "Well, it's three in the morning, and as you can see, I'm exhausted. I'll reach

out to you when I'm well-rested."Kim nodded. "Okay." She curled her toes nervously, and Alessio noticed she was still wearing the

same clothes from the previous day.

"Are you comfortable in those clothes? If not, I can spare you a shirt."

"Yes, please. I wouldn't mind a change," she admitted, avoiding his gaze.

"I apologize. My men will get you some clothes by daybreak. In the meantime, I can spare you a

shirt to sleep in."

Kim nodded, and Alessio signaled for her to follow him. She trailed behind as he led her to his

room. It was much larger than hers, with furniture of exquisite taste—almost fit for royalty. Just

how rich was this man?

He entered what appeared to be a walk-in closet and returned with a neatly pressed white shirt,

handing it to her.

"Thank you," she murmured, taking it.

As he turned away, he began unbuttoning his shirt, heading toward the shower. Kim's eyes

lingered on his toned body, tracing the tattoos on his back. His pants hung low on his hips as he

unbuckled his belt.

As if sensing her gaze, Alessio turned to face her.

Kim flushed in embarrassment.

"Is there anything else I can help you with?" Alessio asked, clearly amused.

No," Kim croaked, quickly exiting his room