The Mafia And His Angel Series (Tainted Hearts)

by Lylah James

  “No,” I whimpered. No. Stop it! I brought my hands to my ears and shook my head, but I couldn’t block his words, his voice.

  Phoenix stared down at me in shock, Artur glared, and Viktor just stared with his emotionless eyes. While Alessio—nothing. He gave me nothing. His back still faced me as he kept his eyes on Alberto.

  He hadn’t drawn his gun. No, he just stood there. Staring. Unmoving.

  But I could feel it…the fury rolling off him. I knew he was begging for control. He was trying to keep the monster in.

  For whose sake? I didn’t know.

  “C’mon now, love. Don’t be shy. It’s time for you to come home. You have wandered away for too long,” Alberto said, his voice almost soothing, but I knew he was taunting.

  I looked at Viktor, begging him with my eyes, saying the words I couldn’t speak. Please, don’t let him take me. Please.

  Viktor shook his head and then looked at Alessio. His eyes went back to Alberto, glaring. “Only over my dead body will you take Ayla away,” he finally growled menacingly.

  “This doesn’t have to be hard. Alessio, as a Boss, I’m sure your people are more important than just a measly whore who keeps your bed warm.” Alberto chuckled.

  His laughter rang through the air, and my blood roared. It felt like my ears were bleeding. His voice, his presence, his sadistic laughter, it was all too much for me.

  His last words finally got a reaction from Alessio. But not one I expected.

  “Viktor, get her inside,” Alessio said, his voice calm, yet so cold and deadly.

  Viktor nodded and took my arm, pulling me toward the gates. I saw Alessio, Artur, and Phoenix still standing, facing Alberto. But Alberto’s eyes were on me, trained on my body and every movement I was making.

  Viktor stopped at the gates, and I huddled closer to him, seeking protection.

  “Get the fuck out of here, Alberto. This is the last time I am going to say this. It takes only one bullet to be fired and war will be upon us. Leave my property or my men will be forced to shoot.”

  Alberto raised an eyebrow and started to back away slowly. “You are right. We will let Ayla decide.”

  Alessio’s fists tightened even further, his face murderous.

  Alberto sent me a wink. “I will be waiting, love.” With that, he got into his car, his men following behind as they drove away.

  And then we were alone.

  Alberto was gone, yet my heart pumped fiercely, fear still coursing through my body until I was weak in my knees. I was going to be sick. I bent forward as my stomach rolled, and I dry heaved in the driveway.

  Alessio walked by me, leaving me there. Artur and Phoenix followed closely behind. “Alessio,” I gasped through my dry heaving, my throat closing, tears stinging my eyes as I tasted the bitterness on my tongue. “Alessio…”

  But he never turned. Viktor patted my back awkwardly until my stomach settled. He grabbed my arms again and pulled me inside, closing the gates behind us before locking it.

  I shrugged off his hold and ran after Alessio. “Alessio! Please listen to me. Please.”

  But my legs weakened. I went down in a heap but struggled after Alessio. “Give me a chance to explain, please. I was going to tell you the truth. That’s why I wanted to come back. Let me explain. Alessio!”

  But he never looked at me. Not even once. None of the men turned. I was left on the ground, crying after Alessio, begging for him to listen.

  “Alessio. Please,” I whimpered. “Just let me explain.”

  Viktor stopped and turned toward me. “Let it go, baby girl.”

  “No. Viktor, let me explain, please.” But he, too, followed Alessio into the house.

  And then I was left alone. I sank to the ground and sobbed. Wrapping my arms around my knees, I rocked back and forth, my mind quickly going numb, my body growing colder with each passing second.

  You’re my Angel.

  The creek. The piano. Flowers. Alessio’s smiles. Sweet kisses, gentle caresses, and softly spoken words.

  I filled my mind with the good and tried to forget the bad. It’s okay, Ayla. You’re okay. Everything is okay. Perfect. Complete happiness. Laughter, love, and beautiful smiles. I floated and went to my happy place.

  I rocked myself gently and smiled. I laid on the ground. Happy. I was happy. Alessio was kissing me. He was making love to me. We were happy.

  We were at the creek, playing in the stream. Alessio was running after me. Laughter. Happiness. We were happy.

  We were dancing. Alessio twirled me around the room. We were happy. I was his Angel. I was loved. We were loved.

  Happy. Happy. Happy.

  I smiled, pulling my legs to my chest. It’s okay, Ayla. You are happy. Everything is okay. Nothing is wrong.

  And then suddenly I was thrust back into reality. I didn’t feel anything for a minute. I felt so cold.

  But then my skin was on fire. I was burning. My skin prickled as if thousands of tiny bugs were crawling under my skin. I scratched and scratched. I was sobbing again, my chest squeezing with so much pain, it was impossible to breathe.

  I had to explain and make Alessio listen to me. Even if I had to resolve to beg on my knees, I would. But he needed to know the truth—from my side.

  Swiping away my tears, I went to stand up but fell back down again. My legs wouldn’t support me. My body was weak from my panic attack, and my vision was still blurred with dizziness.

  So I crawled. I had to get to Alessio, no matter what.

  When I reached the steps, I swallowed and wiped off the sweat on my face. Holding onto the banister, I stood up and walked up the three steps.

  I stood in front of the porch and went to take a step forward.

  But never got the chance.

  Artur stood in front of me, blocking my way. I breathed out a sigh of relief. “I need to speak to Alessio. Please, let me in. Let me talk to him and explain,” I begged, holding onto his arm.

  But he sent me a glare so cold that I cowered away. Artur grabbed my arm roughly, and I squeaked as pain shot through my muscles. He pulled me away, and my knees buckled underneath me. But still he didn’t stop.

  He pulled me down the steps, and I shook my head wildly. “No, let me go. Artur, let me go! I need to talk to Alessio.”

  But he didn’t stop. Instead, he pulled me toward the gates, my legs dragging behind me as I tried to force him to let go.

  He was stronger. I was dizzy, sick, and weak from my melt down. It wasn’t a fair fight.

  “No. Let me go. Artur! Stop!”

  He did. I bumped into his back, and he swiveled around, his face filled with hatred and anger.

  “Bitch! Do you really think Alessio wants to see you? After what you did?” he snapped, his lips curling up in disgust. “You are more delusional than I thought.”

  “No. Let me go!” I said, frustration and desperation building inside of me. “I don’t care. I have to make him understand why I did it.”

  He laughed, shaking his head. “You are really delusional,” he said, spitting at me.

  I stood there, completely shell shocked by his action. He was dragging me again. I begged him to stop. I choked out a scream.

  “You little whore. He doesn’t want to see your face. Ever again. He wants you out of his life and far away from him,” he uttered, breaking my heart even further.

  This couldn’t be happening.

  I dug my nails into his arms and scratched, hoping Artur would let go. “No! He wouldn’t do that. Alessio wouldn’t do that.”

  Artur turned around and threw me over his shoulders. “No!” I punched his back repeatedly. “Let me go. I don’t believe you! Alessio wouldn’t say that. He wouldn’t.”

  “Alessio!” I screamed, my voice hoarse. It was useless. My voice was scratched raw. I sounded like a newborn kitten.

  “Artur, let me go. Alessio will kill you. Don’t touch me. He wouldn’t say such a thing. He would never cast me out of his life like that.”

  I
wanted to believe the words I threw at Artur. But deep in my thoughts, maybe he was right.

  I mentally screamed in denial.

  I had to believe in Alessio. Even if he hated me, I was sure he would talk to me himself. Not send one of his men. But what if?

  What if he hated me so much that he couldn’t bear to see my face?

  No. Alessio—the Alessio I knew, he would never do such a thing.

  “You are lying. Let me go,” I kicked at Artur.

  “Your father killed his mother and sister. He hates you, Ayla. Deep loathing. If you come into his sight, he will kill you without a second thought. You would never get a chance to speak. He is not the man you think he is. He is a killer. And you are his enemy,” Artur said, chuckling at the last words.

  “Alessio!” I screamed, but my voice was low and croaky from my tears. He would never hear me.

  “Do us all a favor and get the fuck out of here,” Artur said, pulling me down. We were out of the gates now, and I felt a rush of panic.

  I pushed at Artur. “If Alessio hates me and really wants me out of his life, he will have to say it to my face. Only then will I believe him. If he kills me, then so be it.”

  I tried to walk back in, but Artur grabbed my arm, pulling me away. “Fuck off, bitch.” I struggled, not giving up without a fight. I had to fight—for me, for Alessio, and for us.

  Artur pushed me away, and I would have fallen if it wasn’t for another set of arms.

  NO!

  His touch…my skin burned under it. My voice was gone again as I retreated into my head. I screamed internally. Screaming so much until it felt like my insides were going to combust.

  His touch alone was enough to drive me insane.

  My eyes widened, and I gasped loudly, my breathing coming out harsher as I felt panic claw at my throat. Fear slithered its way into my body and mind until my soul knew nothing but fear and pain.

  His grip was strong, and I couldn’t move away from him. I was paralyzed as I saw Artur walking backward, leaving me alone with the devil.

  I tried to struggle, but my body wouldn’t move. I submitted under the devil’s hold because my body didn’t know what else to do. It was so accustomed to submitting to that man, it was the only thing it was capable of doing.

  My muscles tensed and locked until it hurt. Panic spread through me as I slowly started to go numb, unfeeling.

  “She’s all yours,” Artur said before closing the gates.

  And then I was alone. With Alberto.

  I was too overcome with fear and pain. My head felt like it was going to explode in two. My heart was already broken. How does someone live without her heart? Because mine had shattered in thousands of pieces. I felt it shatter. My whole body and soul felt it.

  And this time, I knew it was beyond repair.

  Alberto’s grip tightened, and my stomach dipped. I repressed the urge to retch as dizziness took over again. An obsidian darkness surrounded me, and I wanted to scream.

  Alessio! But no words were uttered.

  Alberto pulled me away, and when he pushed me into the car, I screamed.

  “Alessio!”

  But it was too late.

  The door closed, and Alberto sat beside me. I crawled away from him, plastering myself against the door as the car started moving. No. No. No.

  I pulled at the door, trying to open it, but Alberto wrapped his hand around my hair, roughly pulling away until my scalp burned under his assault.

  He slammed my head into the door. Once. Twice. Pain splintered its way into my skull, and my cheek ached. I could taste blood in my mouth.

  “You’ve been very bad, love. But it’s time for you to come home now,” Alberto said, keeping my cheek pressed firmly against the door. I winced as tears splashed down my cheeks.

  He pulled me so that I was facing him. Alberto smirked, but his eyes were on fire. My blood ran cold.

  My death had come sooner than expected.

  “Time for you to go to sleep.”

  My eyebrows furrowed, and then I screamed when I felt a sting in my thigh. I looked down to see a syringe in his hand and the needle in my thigh. “No,” I slurred.

  His stares were cold and unfeeling, just like him. The back of his hand smacked across my face, and I flew against the door, my head cracking under the pressure.

  I was losing myself as darkness clouded my vision.

  “Alessio,” I whimpered.

  Alberto roared and pressed my face harder against the window. “You will learn to never say his name again. I think you forgot that he handed you over to me.”

  I tried to shake my head, forcing my eyes open even though I was slowly fading away.

  “I think I’ve been too easy on you before. Now, you will feel what real pain is.” Alberto whispered his promise into my ears, his nail digging into my cheeks painfully.

  A wash of numbness filled me, and I shuddered violently, my body crumbling and weakening under his hold and the drug he gave me.

  My eyes rolled into my head. This was it. My reality. My fate.

  All I could do was cry and stay still as the drug took over and the dizziness threw me into a cloud of darkness and despair.

  I submitted to the heavy hold that was pulling me under, and my eyes closed.

  My final thought as darkness took over was Alessio.

  I’m sorry, Alessio. I love you.

  His name was a mere whisper in my head as I lost consciousness.

  Alessio.

  Chapter 28

  Alessio

  The sight of Alberto had caused a lava of rage to course through my body. But I had tried to stay as calm as I could.

  My only thought was to keep Ayla safe. Far away from Alberto.

  He couldn’t know that she was my weakness.

  But then he looked at Ayla like he knew her. Like she was something to possess. I wanted to gouge his eyes out, put a bullet right in the middle of his eyes. Only because he was looking at Ayla. My Angel.

  What I never expected was the shock that came next. And the pain of betrayal.

  I heard Ayla whimper behind me and felt her nails digging into my skin. I felt her panic. It was vibrating off her. The air surrounding us growing thick with her fear.

  But only Alberto’s words were ringing through my ears. Everything else was a blur.

  The woman you are protecting behind you right now is Ayla Abandonato. The late Alfredo’s daughter and only child. And my very soon-to-be wife. The Italian’s queen. Your enemy.

  Ayla Abandonato. A fucking Abandonato.

  She lied to me. All this time, it had been a lie.

  My shoulder ached with the tension, but I kept my face as blank as I could.

  No weakness. Alberto didn’t need to know how his words affected me. Ayla didn’t need to know what her betrayal was doing to me.

  I trusted her. I let her in.

  She was my fucking Angel.

  I swallowed the boulder of emotions that clogged my throat and stared straight into Alberto’s eyes.

  “Viktor, get her inside,” I said, my voice calm yet the coldness and deadly warning was there.

  The words came out instinctively. She was the enemy, yet my need to protect her never lessened. No matter how much my mind raged, I still felt for her.

  She betrayed me, but she was still my Angel.

  From the corner of my eyes, I saw Viktor pulling Ayla toward the gates. She was staring back at me, her eyes never leaving mine, begging me to give her a chance.

  I saw everything there. Her pain. Fear. Panic. And lastly, her love.

  My stupid treacherous heart hung on to it. I wanted to believe that look.

  My decision might have been stupid, but it was the only one that made sense.

  Giving Alberto my full attention, I sent him a chilling glare. “Get the fuck out of here, Alberto. This is the last time I am going to say this. It takes only one bullet to be fired and war will upon us. Leave my property or my men will be forced to shoot.”
>
  Alberto raised an eyebrow and started to back away slowly. “You are right. We will let Ayla decide.”

  I was tempted to shoot him right now. Put a bullet right through his eyes. But that would only bring war upon ourselves.

  And Ayla would be right in the middle. Her safety couldn’t be compromised.

  My murderous intent must have shown on my face, because Alberto smirked and then glanced at Ayla, his look lecherous. “I will be waiting, love.”

  I felt Phoenix’s hand on my arm, making me realize that I had reached for my gun. I was vibrating with the need to end the bastard’s life. Slowly and painfully.

  That day would come. Not now. But soon.

  I watched the cars drive away before finally taking the courage to turn toward Ayla. I saw her bend forward, and she started to dry heave, hyperventilating right there in the driveway. Her small body was shaking violently, her sobs making my heart clench tightly.

  I wanted to take her in my arms, hold her safely, and tell her everything was going to be okay. But I stopped myself.

  I knew I would lash out and hurt her. And the last thing I wanted to do was hurt her…even though she was the reason for my pain right now.

  So I walked away. From her.

  I did it to protect her.

  I had been shot before. Multiple times. But Ayla’s betrayal was more painful than bullets piercing through my body.

  She called out after me, my name on her lips. She begged me to listen, but I was numb. Too numb to care. To numb to understand her lies, her betrayal. I trusted her, but she didn’t give me anything in return.

  After giving her myself and opening my heart to her, she still lied.

  But even through the tides of anger, I understood why.

  I hated the Abandonatos.

  And she was one of them. The daughter of the man who killed my mother and sister.

  “Fuck!” I swore, punching the wall next to the door. She must have been scared. So damn scared. No wonder she never told any of us.