Chapter 5: Being His.

CHAPTER 5-CELESTINE

Chains bit into my wrists behind my back as I woke up in this same damn dark and dusty room, thick with the scent of mold and despair.

The stale air clawed at my throat since yesterday and it was so exhausting to squint just to see.

I noticed a shadow of someone in the faint reflection of light in the room.

“Celestine Valera” Father muttered my name in a tone so low and deadly, it shook me to my core.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

I knew what came next.

I didn’t dare speak—not in front of Don Brigos Gabrielle. Not even as his daughter.

He stood and crossed the room with slow, heavy steps before slamming a slap across my face so vicious, I saw white. My head snapped to the side, and pain burned across my cheek.

Tears sprang from my eyes as I clutched the stinging side of my face.

“Fath…” I tried to plead.

Another slap—same cheek, harder. I hit the floor with a gasp and a loud thud, the chains rattling as I struggled to breathe.

“What did I ever do?” I cried out, pushing myself onto my knees despite the pain. “Why do you hate me so much?”

I was trembling—but I was done being silent.

“How dare you question my authority?” he snarled, and his palm met my face again. The same side. My skin screamed. My body swayed.

My cheek was blazing red, swelling with each strike.

“Sir, we've received payment,” Paolo announced as he stepped in, face unreadable.

Father paused. For the first time, he looked... uncertain. His gaze flicked to me, then back to Paolo.

So it was true.

I was being sold—to Cassano Luca, the trafficker.

A cold calm settled over me. “I may not get another chance to say this,” I whispered, forcing myself upright. “So hear me now.”

I lifted my eyes, met his, and let my voice steady.

“I disown you. Today. Right here. I will never, ever regard you as my father again. I’d rather die than carry your name.”

My words fell like stone, final and sharp.

“I mean it,” I added, my voice hoarse but firm. “And I swear it.”

My heart was shredded. But this—this was me fighting with what little I had left.

I turned to Paolo. His eyes darted away from mine, guilt flickering in the shadows of his expression.

Tears streamed freely down my cheeks now.

“What did I ever do to deserve this?” I whispered.

Not that I expected an answer. Not anymore.

“You killed Liam,” I said, lifting my eyes back to Gabrielle. “Yes, I did." He answered, shamelessly in a knowing tone.

“And this is your next move?”

There was no light in his gaze. Just cold. I should’ve known he was capable of this. But I never imagined he’d sink this far.

“You ended his life like it meant nothing. I swear on everything—on your life and mine—that I’ll make you pay.”

Another man entered and leaned close to Paolo, whispering something into his ear. I watched, alert, even through the ache in my shoulders. My hands remained bound, but my senses were sharp. Every move, every breath—they didn’t slip past me.

Gabrielle turned and walked out without another word. Paolo followed, then returned minutes later and knelt beside me, unlocking the chains.

There was no point fighting.

No one was coming to save me.

Not even Carlo. Of course, he couldn't interfere with businesses of other families.

As I stepped forward, tears trailing down my face, my sister appeared in the hallway—smiling.

“Sister,” Lucia sneered, her tone laced with mockery. “It was hard pretending I ever loved you.”

I froze. The words pierced deeper than any slap. They cut my heart to the other end.

“Lucia, anche tu?” I asked, voice cracking. Even her?

From the corner, Mother watched it all with a smile, calm and satisfied—like she'd won.

This was it.

“Sir,” I said quietly to Paolo, pausing just as they opened the main door. “Let me say something first.”

He hesitated, then nodded.

I turned to Lucia, eyes blazing.

“I denounce everyone in the Brigos family. I cut all ties. I leave behind the name and everything it stands for.”

I didn’t wait for permission. I turned and walked forward on my own.

Outside, the black convoy of six cars waited. I stared at the sleek cars—my prison in disguise.

Cassano Luca had money. Influence. Power. It was nothing for him to buy me.

A part of me still longed to turn back and beg Gabrielle again. But no.

I had already made my choice.

This was my new beginning—even if it started in chains.

“You can come for her." Gabrielle raised his voice.

That man, tall, and hot, walked down from the car in his well-tailored suit that fit every curve of his body.

That particular man looked nothing like Luca. Was it his friend or what? As he moved closer, I saw him.

Carlo!

I gasped from inside.

What was he here to do?

Was he here to start another fight with Father?

“Release her," He said to my Father, his gaze was cold and striking.

*********

CARLO'S POV

I walked towards Gabrielle, to take my new possession.

She was beside him, standing as weak as anything.

I'd settled scores with her Father for just $500, 000 and she was mine now.

I got her and we were driving back home.

I could tell. She was surprised. Clueless. Broken.

“You don't have to worry about him again…… Just be a good girl" I said to her, after so much silence in the car taking us back home.

When she raised her head to look at me, I noticed the slap marks on her face.

That bastard! How dare he touch what is mine?

I pretended to not notice.

“Why…why would you buy me?" She asked, her voice hoarse.

I knew all she had in her was little strength.

As we arrived, Larrio slowed down and parked the car where we needed.

She looked around, it was her Father's friends estate.

It wasn't my house.

I looked at the big polished signboard bearing ‘The Rinaldis Family” name on it in gold lettering. ..

“Come in with me," I said to both her and Paolo.

They came down and walked in with me.

Little did she know I had business with the Rinaldis.

My men had gathered information and that all the members of the family had gone on vacation and the only one left was Diano.

Besides, it was his old house and he only came there once in a while to check on the money he stacked up in his basement.

I smiled, stretching my hand to Larrio.

He knew his job. He placed my customized Beretta 92FS in my palm.

I snapped off the safety of my Beretta, slid the silencer onto the barrel with a quick click and then, loaded the magazine.

Each movement was swift and perfect.

Ready. Silent and deadly.

I smiled as we walked into the house.

He was half- naked, sitting by the edge of the pool.

“Diano" I called his name, waking him form his short slumber.

He woke up to me pointing my gun at him from the other side of the pool.

He gasped in shock, seeing the girl beside me

I didn't give him the chance to beg for his life.

“Even Brigos won't save you," I said to him with a dark grin, placing my hand on the girl's shoulder.

One. Two. Three.

He fell into the pool, colouring the water with his filthy blood.

The girl beside me was half-alive. She shivered uncontrollably.

“Let's go," I smiled to Larrio who was already happy.

That was the business. Of those who meddled and toyed with the Mafia.