6

Caelum 

"Get her up now! " I commanded, filled with nothing but intense anger towards her. She was curled up, covered in blood and wearing a torn red dress. A coward who stayed hidden while my family faced death to save herself. My thoughts drifted to Vincent's last words. 

"I know I messed up. Promise that you will keep her safe. I need to know she'll be alright. Promise me, brother! " He clutched my shirt, blood escaping his mouth with a harsh cough. My dear cousin, who I had raised like a brother, was dying in my arms, and all he cared about was that woman who shattered our family.

 "Vincent, don't think about her. She's the reason we're in this mess. Save your strength and hang on for me. " I pressed my forehead against his, fighting the urge to cry. I wasn't one to shed tears, but witnessing the only person who mattered to me slip away was tearing me apart.

 "This isn't her doing. Even if it were, she's still worth it. Promise me, Caelum! " He insisted. This kid was going to make me vow to protect her. "I promise on my life and the Cosa Nostra  that Solenne will be safe with me. Alright? Now just hold on for me. I can't bear to lose you too. "

 "Thank you," he murmured before closing his eyes. I shook him a few times, unable to hold back the tears any longer. "Vincent! " I yelled in fury at his lifeless figure.

 "Find her! " I commanded the men around me with a fierce look in my eyes. They immediately sprang into action. With Vincent's father killed the night before and now him gone as well, I had become the new Capo of the families. The Bolzico family had put a hit out on us the previous night, with me being one of the targets. I had been ready for them, ensuring Vincent and I were safe. 

My uncle was a proud fool who got shot in the head by a stripper who had just performed oral sex on him. This was a common way for men of our type to be eliminated. That's why I only allowed women who had been thoroughly vetted into my bedroom and never indulged with the same women too often. Vincent was foolish enough to fall in love.

 That was the second most frequent way men like us met their end. There was a reason for arranged marriages and the way we were taught to behave like animals. Love was the weakness that could bring us down. The Bolzico family represented the next line of pure Italian blood to dominate the families.

 My family was wiped out when I was just a child, leaving my uncle as Capo. He had Vincent, who then became the heir, and I was pushed down to third in command. I didn't mind, though. Vincent was like a brother to me, and I felt nothing but pride standing by him to protect him.

 My uncle turned into a monster after losing his second wife, going too far and creating too many enemies. It wasn't because he loved her, but because he felt disrespected that she was taken from him. Vincent just wanted more freedom and enjoyment before he fully committed to our world, making himself an easy target. I looked back down at the small woman who had just caused the downfall of two generations of my men.

 She was an attractive woman with an expression that seemed to beg for punishment. She was a wild, chaotic creature whom I had warned Vincent about. Now she was in torn clothing that barely concealed her, with dried blood all over her skin, tangled hair, and swollen eyes from crying all night. I took off my jacket and draped it over her. She gazed at me, appearing grateful for my assistance. Then I grasped her chin. 

"I really don't like you. Everything about you repulses me. You will obey and you will follow my orders, or I will break you in ways you can't even imagine. Do you understand? "