The luxurious Amorielle mansion in Pedesina is illuminated and full of life. An impeccably decorated table is ready to receive the guests.
Ellis descended the elegant staircase in her red dress. She felt a little nervous, knowing that Matteo's birthday dinner, Vittorio's uncle, was an important occasion for the family. As she walked towards the table, she noticed Carmela, Vittorio's aunt, sitting there, smiling warmly.
The dining room was lavishly decorated, with a long and imposing table where the members of the Amorielle family were seated.
Next to Carmela, Ellis saw Matteo sitting at the head of the table, radiating an aura of power and mystery. His cousins, Alessandro, Carlo, Marco, Sofia, Giovanni, and Luca, were scattered around, all displaying the elegance and confidence that seemed inherent to the family.
"Ah, Ellis, you look stunning tonight," Carmela said, welcoming Ellis with a smile. Ellis sat down next to Carmela and greeted the other guests: Matteo, Vittorio's six cousins - Alessandro, Carlo, Marco, Sofia, Giovanni, and Luca.
"Thank you, Carmela. It's a pleasure to be here and celebrate Matteo's birthday with all of you," Ellis replied before walking over to Matteo and offering him a hug. "Congratulations, Matteo! If I had known, I would have bought a gift."
"Thank you, dear," Matteo said, returning the gesture. "Your presence is already the greatest gift I could receive."
"Come, Ellis," Sofia said, patting the seat next to her. "Take a seat."
Ellis smiled and sat down next to Vittorio's cousin. The conversation flowed smoothly as they shared stories about their trip to Milan, talking about the places they visited and the experiences they had.
"Milan is wonderful. Wow, the architecture there is magnificent," Ellis praised before taking a sip of her wine.
"But you really enjoyed the nightclub, admit it," Luca commented, laughing.
"True," Sofia agreed, laughing. "Mom and Dad, you missed Ellis dancing on the Passione dance floor."
"She even made Vittorio lose his way," Alessandro added.
Ellis smiled and then looked at the seat where Vittorio should be sitting, but he hadn't arrived yet, which puzzled her a little.
---
The dark and gloomy warehouse complex located at the Gera Lario Port Pier, thirty minutes from Pedesina, was the perfect setting for Vittorio to lead a team of his best-trained men, dressed in dark suits and carrying heavy weapons. They advanced silently through the alleys between the warehouses, with cold and determined looks on their faces.
"Stay alert," Vittorio whispered. "Shoot anything that moves."
Vittorio's men cautiously advanced through the labyrinthine corridors of the warehouses, following the orders of the mobster. The atmosphere was tense, and vengeance filled the air.
As they approached the exact location, Vittorio gave the signal, and his men split into two teams. Each team carefully positioned explosives in strategic points of the warehouses, ensuring there was no chance of escape.
"Is everyone ready? On my signal..." Vittorio whispered into the communicator.
He raised his hand and, with a quick gesture, signaled to detonate the explosives. A series of violent explosions rocked the warehouses, engulfing the area in flames and smoke. Vittorio's men quickly moved to take cover as chaos ensued.
While Matteo's warehouses were consumed by the flames, causing a commotion among the personnel at the port, Vittorio's men, now regrouped, emerged from the shadows, armed with firearms and unwavering determination.
The henchmen positioned themselves along the pier, vigilant for whoever dared to burn the warehouses. However, they were unprepared for the sudden attack that was about to unfold.
Vittorio and his men swiftly moved, opening fire on Matteo's henchmen, who responded in a fierce exchange of gunfire. The sounds of bullets ricocheting and explosions filled the air as the battle unfolded.
As the battle intensified, some of Vittorio's men headed toward Matteo's vessels. They strategically placed explosives, aiming to leave a trail of destruction in their path.
Vittorio's men quickly retreated, seeking shelter, as the explosives detonated with force. Matteo's vessels were engulfed in flames and debris, turning the port into a scene of chaos and destruction.
"No one will escape," warned Vittorio, looking at the carnage.
Gradually, the gunfire subsided, and the river waters were filled with the blood and bodies of Matteo's men, while Vittorio and his men withdrew from the port, leaving a trail of destruction behind.
***
Vittorio's uncles laughed and enjoyed their meal as the sons recounted the scene of Vittorio with Ellis at the nightclub.
"Seriously, out of nowhere, Vittorio lifted Ellis on his shoulder and pulled her out of the dance floor," Luca continued, excited. "It was epic!"
"Of course, we can't forget the punch he threw at the guy," Marco commented, laughing. "Vittorio got all worked up at that moment."
"Seriously, Dad. Vittorio left Mexico and Somalia waiting at the table for Ellis," Alessandro revealed.
"Guys, I'm sorry. I had no idea he would do something like that," Ellis apologized, embarrassed.
"Oh, cara mia, don't apologize," Carmela said, holding Ellis's hand. "Vittorio has always been like this, especially when someone messes with what's his."
"When Vittorio goes into fury mode, there's no stopping him," Sofia commented.
***
As the vessels and transport vehicles burned in flames, Vittorio and his men blocked the main entrance of Pedesina. They set up an ambush, ready to prevent the vehicles carrying the victims freed from human trafficking.
"No one leaves alive. They will pay for every soul they tried to take," Vittorio said determinedly.
The sounds of engines approaching could be heard in the distance. Vittorio and his men took their positions, guns in hand, waiting for the right moment to attack.
The transport vehicles approached Pedesina, unaware that they were about to fall into a deadly trap. Matteo's convoy approached the ambush. Vittorio Amorielle and his men emerged from the shadows, opening fire on the drivers and guards who tried to counterattack.
Vittorio's men acted as a well-orchestrated machine, attacking fiercely. They neutralized Matteo's henchmen and set their vehicles on fire.
As the smoke from Matteo's burning vehicles and the tension of the battle dissipated, Vittorio disappeared into the darkness of the night, determined to continue his quest for revenge.
***
"There was this one time..." Matteo began calmly, capturing everyone's attention at the table. "Vittorio came here to Pedesina on vacation... He must have been around six years old, and I gave him a football autographed by a player he loved and idolized. I told him to take care of the ball no matter what because it was unique. These boys here," Matteo said, pointing to his sons, "convinced Vittorio to take the ball to the football field to play. Innocently, Vittorio took the ball to the field."
"What happened?" Ellis asked, curious.
"Alessandro," Matteo spoke to his eldest son. "You were there, tell Ellis."
"Well, there were some older boys who didn't have good intentions. These boys tore Vittorio's ball in front of him, laughing and mocking. I froze, afraid of how things would turn out. And what he did... Oh, it surprised me."
"What did he do?" Ellis asked.
"Vittorio, being a true Amorielle, didn't cry or shrink back. On the contrary, silent rage filled his eyes. He watched the boys leave, and his expression became cold and determined. But we knew he wouldn't let them get away with it," Giovanni continued. "So..."
"He patiently waited, studying every move of the boys. And when he had the opportunity, Vittorio enacted his revenge. He destroyed their bicycles, killed their beloved pets, and demolished anything they showed interest in. He even planted evidence to make them turn against each other, causing violent fights with no chance of defense. And he didn't stop there..." Carlo spoke.
"Even when he grew up, Vittorio continued to seek revenge, destroying their careers and any chance they had of succeeding in life," Carlo revealed.
"He still does that?" Ellis asked, shocked. "With the boys?"
"He stopped," Sofia informed. "He left the boys alone."
"He stopped because the boy whose ball he tore couldn't handle it and took his own life," Luca revealed before taking a sip of wine. "That's when we nicknamed him Rabbia."
"Wow," Ellis exclaimed, surprised by the revelations. "I had no idea..."
"Ellis, Vittorio always showed he had an uncompromising side. He wouldn't allow anyone to humiliate or hurt him without consequences. This story reminds me that even as a child, Vittorio had an unwavering determination and a peculiar sense of revenge," Matteo explained.
"But believe me, he's much better now after he met you," Sofia commented, trying to ease the tension. "Isn't that right?"
"Oh yes, of course. That guy at the nightclub wouldn't have made it out alive if it happened before," Giovanni said. "I think the attack changed him..."
"Attack?" Ellis asked, not understanding what they were talking about.
"Yes, Vittorio and his father were attacked on his thirtieth birthday," Sofia revealed.
As the guests continued to recount the attack on Vittorio at the table, Matteo received a notification on his phone. His face turned pale and worried, but he tried to hide it.
"Excuse me for a moment, I need to attend to an urgent matter," Matteo said.
He quickly got up from the table and left, while the others exchanged curious glances
. Ellis felt a strange tension in the air, but Vittorio's aunt remained calm and smiling.
"Carmela, do you have any idea what might have happened?" Ellis asked.
Carmela seemed slightly concerned but tried to reassure Ellis. "Oh, dear, don't worry. Matteo must be dealing with some important matter. You know, Amorielle men are very dedicated to family and business. I'm sure Matteo will be back soon."
As they talked, Ellis felt a knot in her stomach, a sense that something serious was happening.
"They say Vittorio was shot at least forty times," Luca continued.
"It was fifteen shots," all eyes turned to Vittorio as he entered the dining room with a serious expression on his face.
"I apologize for the delay. Some setbacks needed to be resolved," he sat at the table next to Ellis, and everyone seemed to notice the tension in the air. Ellis looked at Vittorio, seeking answers in his eyes, but he remained mysterious and distant.
"Where were you?" Ellis asked.
"I told you," Vittorio replied, signaling to the staff to serve his glass.
"I was worried."
"I'm here, Ellis."
"We need to talk..." Ellis whispered.
"Not now."
Matteo returned to the table and found Vittorio sitting there. His face transformed into a mix of anger and disbelief.
"I see you received my gift, uncle," Vittorio broke the silence between them.
"Yes... A very expensive gift, Vittorio," Matteo replied, putting his phone away. He sat down and continued, "You were quite extravagant."
"I disagree. I think it still doesn't match the gift you gave me two years ago," Vittorio said with a satisfied smile. "I know everything now, uncle."
"What is Vittorio talking about, Matteo?" Carmela asked, not understanding.
"He didn't tell you, aunt?" Vittorio began before taking a sip of his wine. "It was his idea for my father to give me the golden Lamborghini Aventador. He even paid for the customization."
"It was nothing, Vittorio," Matteo replied sternly.
"Nothing? As humble as always, sir," Vittorio said with a slight smile. "It was the best gift of my life. I will never forget your gesture. In fact, that's why I'm rewarding you so much tonight. I hope it doesn't end too soon."
As the dinner continued, Ellis stared at Vittorio, who kept his gaze fixed on his uncle. She had no idea what was happening between them, but she knew something very serious was taking place.