VINCENZO'S POV
The shot rang out in the room and the maid cowered as the bullet harmlessly whizzed past her head.
She screamed and pressed herself to the ground while I dropped the gun back to the table, looking at my father who frowned at me.
"I didn't take you for the type of miss" He grinned just as suddenly, the sight making me cringe inwardly.
His finger adorned with rings was slowly tapping on the leather of the couch, his gaze fixed on me.
"I don't miss, Master LaRosa" I slid the gun across the table again before casting the maid a spiteful glance. "I have my own rules. I don't harm women, children, or innocent people. Don't test me with shit like this" I scowled at him and brought my phone out to check the message.
It was from Val and it made my blood run cold. "Your bride is having a fit. Does she have Trauma? It's bad"
Fuck. I needed to get back.
"Get out," I said to the maid again who shakily got up bowed, and went out of the room.
"Are you in such a hurry to leave?" My father called out before I could leave the room.
I halted at the door, turning around to glare at both men.
"I have other things to do. Far more important than chatting over a cup of coffee with the both of you" I coldly said.
My father didn't bother to turn to me but the anger coming from him was palpable. "You have changed, Enzo. You don't show up to see me for a whole month then you come back like this … you seem to forget who you're talking to" Any form of amusement was gone from his tone and he was spelling out his words carefully, each word laced with anger.
I raised an eyebrow, my expression unyielding. "I haven't forgotten. You're my father, the Don of the LaRosa family. But I'm not the same boy who used to cower at your feet."
My father's gaze snapped to mine, his eyes narrowing. "You'd do well to remember your place, Enzo."
"I know my place," I said, my voice even. "And it's not here, indulging in your games."
Antonio snorted. "Games? You think this is a game, Enzo?"
"I think it's a waste of time," I replied, my eyes locked on my father. "And I have better things to do than play along."
My father's face darkened, but I stood my ground, my phone still clutched in my hand. Val's message still lingered in my mind, and I needed to get back to the mansion.
"Fine," my father said finally, his voice dripping with venom. "Leave. But don't think this is over, Enzo. You'll come crawling back when you need something."
I turned to leave, but Antonio's voice stopped me.
"Enzo."
I glanced over my shoulder.
"Don't forget, you have a responsibility to this family. No personal endeavors first."
My gaze hardened. "I don't need reminders."
With that, I walked out of the room, leaving the tension and the toxic air behind.
The drive back to the mansion was a blur. My mind was consumed by Val's message and the look on my father's face haunted me.
I had pushed his buttons and he wasn't going to sit back and watch. He would want answers and I would make sure he never found them until I had a plan.
As I stepped into the mansion, I was greeted by the sound of raised voices. I followed the noise to the living room, where Henry was seated next to Adriana who buried her face in her palms.
Henry looked up on my arrival, his eyes filled with concern as he quickly stood up as fast as lightning.
I didn't pay him any heed as I walked into the house, Val hot on my heels.
"Get out" I growled and Henry bowed, leaving the house immediately.
Looking back over my shoulder, I glanced at Val and nodded toward the door, she rolled her eyes, bowed, and left the mansion leaving me alone with Adriana who had yet to acknowledge me.
Usually, when I came this close to her, she would tense but now it felt like she had zoned out and didn't even care that I was right next to her.
"Tesoro?" I called out, my brows furrowed as I looked down at her.
She still didn't flinch. Didn't acknowledge me and I just wanted to shake her out of it.
"Adriana!" I called a bit more loudly and she flinched this time, slowly raising her gaze to mine.
"Oh, it's you…" She let out a low chuff of laughter and sighed.
I don't think I had ever seen her in this state and I didn't know what to do. Maybe walk out? I didn't get the chance to contemplate that because she looked up at me again with bloodshot eyes, her brown eyes darker than usual.
To say I was baffled by that simple look was an understatement, her eyes were dull and dark like she had no idea what was even happening around her.
"You know…after you left high school… Cheryl took it up" She muttered, coughing slightly, her gaze dropping.
"Cheryl..?" I muttered confused.
She suddenly raised her gaze to me again sharply with a glare that made me jerk a bit startled and I staggered back a bit.
"You know who I'm talking about" She hissed. "The bitchy queen bee. Oh god, I hate her. I hate her so much. I hate everything" She gave me a venomous glance. "I hate you"
I tucked my hands in my pockets shrugging. "Well, it's mutual…" I paused and scanned her over. "You look a mess" I bluntly said.
She looked down at her clothes stained with tears and she looked back at me. "Yeah, the correct depiction of my life" She chuckled at her own private joke and I bit down on my lip.
Was she okay? Mentally? I had begun to doubt that.
I would regret this if my father found out but it didn't feel right so I opened my mouth. "If you don't feel good, I could call a doctor to check you out"
She suddenly stood up, the sudden action making me jerk slightly. She looked …horrible. Her hair had fallen across her face and she was glaring at me through her hair slightly parted.
Demonic.
"If you bring a doctor an inch near me… I'll kill him" She threatened before storming off, her shoulder lightly brushing past mine.
I just stood there dazed. What the fuck…was that?
Note to myself: Stay away from the demon when she was mad about something.
The door to my mansion opened and Val walked in, her hands folded across her chest.
"Is she all right?" She paused seeing the bewildered look on my face. "You look like you've just seen a ghost"
I felt like it too. The woman who was just here was a far cry from the usual Adriana and it intrigued me yet also scared me.
"Worse…" I muttered looking at the stairs which she had just marched up. "I think I just met the devil's incarnate in the flesh"