Chapter 32

Trigger Warning!

This chapter contains graphic scenes of torture.

I barely got any sleep last night, my thoughts too hectic for my mind to settle. When Cassie finally woke up, she smiled at me and went to the bathroom to freshen up. The whole time I've been awake, I've thought about what I want to ask her. Things I need to know. I made sure to get Cassie to eat before we left for the plane, and then I convinced her to 'make up for lost time with Olivia and Santiago' on the way to the airstrip. Ma and Pa took the second SUV, leaving me, Sebastien, and Carlo in the last one. I need some advice from someone I trust, and someone that knows Cassie. Luckily for me, Sebastien also knows Viktor.

"So," I begin as I turn the wheel.

"I need some advice with something. As you know, Cassie and I are expecting, and we're engaged. But yesterday, she told me something else and I don't know how to go about it."

I hate that I feel vulnerable. Vulnerability is a weakness that can destroy you in ways you can't always recover from.

"She told me that the day before she found out she was pregnant, she slept with-" I squeeze the steering wheel in a death grip.

"Viktor." I grit through my teeth.

"She what?" Sebastien asked, sounding infuriated.

That makes two of us, buddy.

"Yeah. Imagine how I feel." I take a deep breath before continuing.

"She said it only happened once. That she went into sub-drop and had a break down, but he convinced her we'd never see each other again and she was his. She says she hates herself for it, but I just- I don't know what to do about it now."

"Wait, when did you say this happened?" Sebastien asks from beside me.

"A couple of days ago. She said the baby is definitely mine because they had sex the day before she found out. No one would show up pregnant on a test that quickly."

"That piece of shit!" he exclaims.

"What?" zio asks.

"Me and Cassie left the house early that morning without telling him. It was our mother's birthday, and every year we always go - alone, may I add - to her grave and give her flowers. When we got back, he was pissed and carried her upstairs. Fucking hell, well I get my hands on him..."

So, it was a punishment?

I park up as I let this information absorb.

"Thanks, man. That helps a lot." I say, turning off the engine.

I get out and round the car to get to the trunk, hearing muffled yelling.

"What the hell is that?" Santiago asks, coming up beside me.

The door opens as I pull my gun out and point it at Viktor's head. Sebastien undoes the rope that binds his feet, tossing it carelessly in the trunk afterwards.

"Get out."

He glares at me, not making any signs to move.

"Santiago, tell the crew I said to keep the back of the plane clear." he nods and heads towards the plane.

I look at Sebastien and subtly nod my head in the direction of the idiot who clearly has a death wish. I hear Cassie and Olivia laughing on the other side of their car as Sebastien gets Viktor out of the car. He stumbles slightly as his feet hit the ground. I give him no time for his body to adjust from being cramped up as I grab him harshly by the back of the neck and begin walking towards the plane. The women stop laughing and Cassie gasps.

"What the hell?!" she exclaims.

"Che cosa ci fa lui qui?" [What is he doing here?] I ignore her and keep walking.

"You don't fucking look at her." I growl at Viktor, turning his head when he tries to look back at Cassie.

"Sebastien, che cosa ci fa lui qui?!" [what is he doing here?!] she tries again.

"What? You honestly think after all this monstro has done to you we're gonna put a bullet in his head and that's it? C'mon Cass." I hear him say to her just before I get out of ear shot.

I make it across the airstrip and up the stairs, pushing Viktor up carelessly. I force him down the aisle and force him to sit on one of the seats. When he tries getting back up again, I raise my knee up with full force at the same time as I pull his head down, upper cupping him. His head is knocked back and he falls back onto the chair with a groan. Sebastien comes to stand beside me and passes me some rope. I tie Viktor to the chair and use my gun to knock him out.

"Stronzo." I mutter under my breath.

"Voi due potete smettere di allontanarvi da me e darmi una risposta vera?!" [Can you two stop walking away from me and give me an actual answer?!]

I sit down on a single seat next to the isle at the back of the plane and take a seat, Sebastien sitting in the one opposite me. From here, we can both see Viktor.

"What do you want me to say, Cassie? That I want to kill him quickly and get his death over with? Because I don't. I want him to suffer, just like he made you suffer six years ago."

And like he's making our relationship suffer, I wanted to say, but I held my tongue.

"So, what? You're going to bring him all the way back to Italy, just so you can torture and kill him?"

"Precisely. Plus, I assume your brothers would love to get a piece of the action, am I right, Sebastien?"

"Fuck yes." He chuckles darkly.

"See?" I gesture to him.

"I'm not entirely being selfish."

"Miss, please take a seat, the plane will be taking off shortly." a flight attendant says to Cassie.

Cassie huffs and turns around, walking to a seat near Santiago and Olivia, and buckles herself into it. From where I'm sat, I can see her perfectly. She pretty much avoids looking at me for the entirety of take-off, not that I was particularly interested in having a staring contest or finishing the conversation from earlier. When there's about an hour left of the flight, I get up and approach her.

"Follow me."

I notice the way she subtly gulps. She nods and gets up, following me to the back where the plane's bedroom is. Once she's in, I close the door and take a seat at the edge of the bed.

"I know neither of us wants to have this conversation, but it needs to happen."

Cassie sighs – quite loudly – and nods her head.

"Yeah," she smiles sadly.

"I know."

She takes a seat on the other end of the bed and turns to face me, her head down as she plays with the sleeves of her hoodie. A nervous tick of hers – I noticed.

"So, as far as my understanding goes, you slept with Viktor because he punished you for leaving the house without telling him. My only question is, why didn't you say no? Use your safe word?"

"I was scared." She whispers after a moment.

"I was scared he would lash out. He's never forced me to do anything – sexually speaking – that I didn't want to. But that doesn't mean there's no chance that he wouldn't."

I take a moment to think before speaking again.

"I understand why you did what you did. But please, understand why I'm doing what I'm doing. I don't know how to get past this, Cassie. I will help with our child; financially, looking after them, and anything else, and you're more than welcome to stay in the mansion if you want. But as for me and you, I don't know if we can go on. I just don't think I can still see you as my wife. I'm sorry."

Tears are streaming down her face by the time I'm finished, and the sight breaks my heart. I stand up and walk over to her, placing a kiss on top of her head and walking out of the room, taking a deep breath. I walk back into the cabin of the plane and take a seat in an empty area. I love Cassie so much, and doing that broke my heart in more ways than one. Her saying no would have been one thing, but she just as easily could've used her safe word. Any Dom would've respected that. It's our duty to make sure our subs are comfortable, to make sure they never feel uneasy or uncomfortable.

The rest of the flight drags on and, once we land, I notice Cassie still has yet to return from the bedroom. I ask Santiago to go check on her and Sebastien helps me to deal with Viktor. Once in the SUV, Santiago comes up to me.

"Cassie asked if she could stay at mine. Everything okay?"

I figured this might happen. It hurts that I won't be seeing her around the mansion, but I suppose that's what she feels like best for her, and I respect that.

"Yeah. She'll tell you if she wants. Look after her for me Santiago, please."

"Yeah, man. Of course. She's my little sister, I'll always take care of her, no matter what."

I give him a grateful look before driving off.

"What was that-"

"I don't wanna talk about it, Sebastien."

"Please I beg of you, stop calling me that." he groans.

"You're not my father, and you most definitely are not my sister scolding me for whatever reason. Just call me Seb, Cole."

"Sure thing, Seb."

Half an hour later, I'm pulling into my driveway and getting out. I get a couple of guards to bring Viktor in and take him down to the basement, where he'll rot in a cell for the next few hours before my fun begins. I grab my bags and show Seb where his room is. I leave him to get settled and go back to my room. The sight of it seems even more depressing than it did the last time I was here. Sighing, I take a few suits and clothes, and take them to another guest room that Cassie hasn't been in. I decide to take a shower to try and clear my mind, but it does nothing for me, so I change into casual clothing and go to my office to do some work instead.

Once I start doing some overdue paperwork, time seemingly flies and before I know it, I realise I've been in here for the past five hours. I stand up and try to find Seb, but when I can't see any sign of him, I ask one of the guards, who said he left about half an hour ago in a rush. It's been six hours since I got here, and I figure it's time for Il Mietitore – The Reaper – to pay the man downstairs a little visit.

I open the basement door, nodding at the two guards who're on duty. I walk down to the end of the corridor, the smell of blood and rotting metal filling my nostrils. I take out my key from my pocket, unlocking the door to reveal just the man I want. His wrists are bound above him as he hangs from the ceiling, his feet barely touching the ground. There's a rusted bucket filled with water beside me, and I pick it, throwing at Viktor's unconscious body. He was up startled, panting from the coldness of the water. When he sees it's me, he glares, causing me to smirk.

"Rise and shine, idiota." I say, mockingly.

"Fuck you, suka." [bitch.]

Is he that stupid that he doesn't know I have no idea what he just said?

Ignoring him, I walk over to my tools of torture, contemplating on which one to use first.

"Where's Cassie?" he demands.

Like I'm going to answer that.

I roll my eyes at him and pick up one of the throwing knives, launching it into his leg. He grits his teeth in pain, hissing.

"None of your concern, jackass." I turn back around and continue observing the weapons in front of me.

"Who left who?" he asks, smugly.

I grit my teeth, refusing to answer him, and put on some thick gloves. Picking up the spray bottle of acid, I walk over and pull the knife out, causing him to groan. I spray acid onto his cut, and he cries out, flailing around like he's having a seizure. I go back to the table and put the bottle down, picking up a rusted machete. 

"Y'know, the only reason she slept with you is because she was scared what you would've done to her if she had said no to you." I stab Viktor's leg, and he screams in pain.

Once I pull it out, he starts laughing like a lunatic.

"Of course she did. She's a smart girl." he laughs again and my hands ball into fists on either side of me.

"The fuck is that supposed to mean?" I grit out.

"Do you honestly think I care about her? The whole thing was a game to me, a ruse. Get her to remember the sweet old days of our relationship. The ones where I treated her like a princess and spoiled her rotten. And it worked too easily. I used her favourite everything against her. TV show, food, chocolates, showered her with love, and affection, and care. Made her think I would do anything for her. In reality, the only thing I did do was torture and kill Vladimir, but that was his own fault." he chuckles at the last part.

"I told him before we came to get her that she was mine and if he so much as touched her, I'd kill him. Not my fault he didn't listen to me. But yeah, I don't really care about Cassie. I absolutely would've gone through with my plan of fucking her that day, regardless if she said yes, no, or used her safe word." he chuckle sent a chill down my spine.

What kind of sociopathic sicko is he?

"So, your whole time with her was a lie?"

Oh my God, what have I done? No wonder she didn't say no or use her safe word. She knew he would've done it anyway. I'm such an idiot.

I turn around and grab a blow torch from the table.

I need to get to Cassie as quickly as possible, but first, he needs to hurt.

"Pretty much. One thing - and the only thing - I didn't lie about, is that she is mine."

I storm up to him once it's lit and yank his head back by his hair.

"Cassie belongs to one person, and one person alone. Her lupo. In case you haven't got the memo, that's me. and she's my gattina." 

I bring the torch up and place the flame directly to his eye. He screams and wriggles, which just results in him burning himself more. Once I'm satisfied, I grab an axe and chop off his foot. Then the other. He screams and screams, trying his hardest to get out of the chains and be free of me, but that won't happen anytime soon. I pull my gun out from behind me and shoot both his kneecaps, then use the back of the gun to knock him out. I smile in mild content as I stare at his limp figure, and turn around, walking out of the basement.

" Chiama il dottore. Assicurati che non sanguini. Lui muore, tu muori. Inteso?" [Call the doctor. Make sure he doesn't bleed out. He dies, you die. Understood?]

"Si, Don."

"Bene." I walk up the stairs and go to the room I've been staying in, changing out of my bloodied clothes, and taking a quick shower.

I change into a suit and make my way downstairs, making sure that I reload my gun before I do so. When I make it down the stairs, I'm surprised to see Santiago opening the door, looking as pissed as ever. I get to the bottom of the stairs before speaking.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I ask, my brows furrowing. 

I'm taken off guard when Sebastien pins me to the wall by my throat.

"Figlio di puttana del cazzo!" [You son of a fucking bitch!] he screams at me as he strangles me.

I manage to get out of his grip after a few seconds and dismiss the guards who have their guns pointed at Seb.

"What are you on about? What's going on?"

Like seriously, what?

"Follow me." Santiago says sternly, walking out of the house.

I furrow my brows, but follow him anyway, Seb on my tail like a hound waiting to be set off. Santiago goes into his car and throws a letter at me. I just about catch it, confused as ever.

"Saint Morenio's Hospital." he says, signalling for Seb to get into the car.

A mafia hospital?

Seb forcefully bumps into me on his way.

Okay?

I walk to my own SUV as they pull out of my driveway. I open the door and sit down, looking at it.

'Cole.'

I recognise that handwriting instantly and my heart sinks.

No.

I open the envelope and pull out a letter. The same handwriting as the envelope.

Dear Cole,

I'm sorry for the pain I've caused you while I was gone. I would never deliberately hurt you, and the fact that I have pains me.

I don't mean to say this to try and excuse my actions, but to try and show you my perspective of the situation. Viktor manipulated me into believing my life with you was over, and no matter how hard I tried to fight it, I could never see a bright side for our future. I thought that conforming to the life I was thrown back into was my best means of survival. The guilt of what I've done is too overwhelming, and I can't see a way to cope with the betrayal I've committed.

I wish you a lifetime of happiness with someone you deserve, someone who deserves you. You deserve the best of everything the world has to offer.

Your feelings about me are quite clear, and I do not blame you. The only thing is, I do not wish for me or the baby to be a burden on you or your life. Now that I've left, I will be out of your life for good. Thing is, though, there is always the possibility that we may cross paths again, given the life we live. There is only one way I can truly ensure that we will be out of your life for good.

I love you, Cole. I always have, and I always will. Even after death, wherever that may be for me.

We love you, lupo. Always and forever.

We love you always, 

Cassie and your cub.

I stare at the page for a few moments, tears stinging my eyes.

What have I done?

I jump out of my car and get into my Aventador, the same red Aventador from my dinner with Cassie, the one where she told me about the Russian's.

I speed to St. Morenio's, easily going at 80/mph. A cop tries pulling me over but retreats shortly after.

Benefits of paying off cops.

I make it to the hospital in record time and leap out of the car, locking it as I run inside. I go up to the receptionist and demand to know what room Cassie is in, but all she says is that she's still in the operating room.

No. Cassie, baby, what did you do?

This is all my fault.

A doctor comes through a set of double doors. I recognise him instantly.

"Doctor Marcel!" I gain his attention and he begins walking over to me. 

I close the distance and waste no time with formalities.

"Cassie Clarke. Where is she? Is she okay?" I ask frantically.

"Of course not. È qui solo per colpa tua." [She's only in here because of you.] Seb seethes, anger rolling off of him in waves.

Not that I particularly blame him.

"Non lo sapevo." [I didn't know.] I snap.

"Okay, gentlemen, would you like to know Miss Clarke's current condition, or would you like to go outside and kill each other?" doc asks, raising an eyebrow at us.

"We were able to pump her stomach. Most of the pills hadn't settled get, and the amount that did will cause no harm to her. As for the baby, we still need to run more test, but so far, they look perfectly healthy." he asks us is we have any questions and her brothers say no, so the doctor goes to leave when I stop him.

"Can we see her?" he nods his head and tells us to follow him.

We trail behind him in silence until we get into the elevator.

"Why would you even do that? I mean seriously, do you not have a brain?" Seb asks, still seething.

"Of course I do. I wasn't thinking straight. But then Viktor-" I groan, running my hands down my face.

"He told me that it wouldn't matter if she had used her safe word or not, because he still-" I take in a deep breath to try and calm my boiling blood.

"Look, I fucked up man. I know I did. I acted impulsively. But that doesn't mean I stopped loving her. I can't picture myself with anyone else. And I drove her to-" I inhale a sharp breath, suddenly unable to breathe.

I start hyperventilating and Doctor Marcel turns to me, giving me instructions to follow in order to calm down. When I can breathe properly again, I turn to the doctor.

"What the fuck was that?"

"A panic attack." he replies simply as the doors open.

"How many pills did she take?" I ask no-one in particular as we walk down the corridor.

"At least 30." Santiago says.

It's the first time he's spoken since seeing him at my mansion. The doctor opens the door and I see Cassie turn over to see who's here. The doctor turns and leaves, closing the door behind him. As soon as she sees me, her eyes begin to well with tears and she drops her head. She's hooked up to all sorts of machines and my heart shatters when I hear her sob.

"Oh, gattina." I rush over to her and scoop her up in my arms.

She turns her body and snuggles into me, her tears being soaked up by my shirt - not that I care. She continues to cry and cry, and I simply run her back in an attempt to try and soothe her. I look up at the two men with a knowing look, and they nod their heads, leaving to give us some privacy.

"I-I'm sor-rry, lup-o." she hiccups, clutching onto my blazer like a life depends on it.

"Shhhh. You have nothing to be sorry for, gattina. I do." my voice breaks as my tears threaten to spill.

I hate myself for doing this to her.

"I should never have acted so rashly. I should've been more understanding. I'm so sorry I did this to you, gattina." the tears are now flowing down my face and Cassie sobs harder, her cries filling the room.

We lay there for a while, just crying in each other's arms. Soon, though, she falls asleep, still snuggled into me. The nurse tells me that visiting hours are over, and I need to leave, but one dark glare, and she scurries off. I stay with Cassie all night, falling asleep at some point.

The last thought on my mind is, I need to fix this as soon as possible. Because I'm never letting her go again.

Word Count: 3,872