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dannazione = dammit

sorellina = little sister

ti amo = I love you

io ti maledico = I curse you

bastardo = bastard

fratello = brother

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Bruno and Dino escort Scorpia to her side of the boxing ring. She looks at Bruno and he sees the panic in her eyes. He playfully hits her cheek and says: "Don't go down easy, okay? Let him work for it." She nods and crawls through the ropes. She sits down on the stool and puts her mouth guard in.

Logan is sitting in his corner en Ciro whispers: "This is the only time I will allow you to hit my little sister." Logan nods and tries to breathe calmly. He and Scorpia get up and get introduced. Logan looks into her eyes and sees she's ready. He swallows and prays she doesn't knock him out right away.

The first punch she throws is a clean hit. He sees stars for a few beats but manages to block her following two attacks. He hits her shoulder and she loses balance for a bit. His eyes meet hers and he sees the shine in her brown orbs. She taunts him and dances on her feet. They block each other's attacks and circle around, looking for an opening. She throws a powerful punch, aimed at his chin and he barely manages to dodge it.

He hits her in the ribs and she gasps for air. Panic flashes through his eyes and she whispers: "Bonnie." He squeezes his eyes shut and hits her with everything he has. She falls down and lands on her back. The referee starts counting.

Logan is afraid to look at her and when he's announced winner, he still has his eyes closed tightly. When he finally opens them, he sees Bruno carrying her limp body and walking through a door at the other end of the building. His heart stops for a few beats as he tries to stay calm.

Salvatore comes up to the ring and hands Ciro a stack of cash. He asks Logan to come over. Logan climbs out of the ring and Salvatore slaps his hand on Logan's shoulder. "Well done, Barman! You knocked her unconscious. Only a real man can do that. I've added a bonus for you because I want to offer you a job. I need more men like you."

Logan tastes the bile on his tongue and hears Ciro say: "Salvatore, leave the man be. He's just a simple bartender, he needs to rest."

Ciro hands Logan the money and says: "Come with me, Barman. I'll show the showers because you could use one."

Salvatore studies Logan, who pretends to be in a lot of pain. "Yeah, man. I hope they're close because every part of my body hurts."

Ciro leans over to Salvatore and asks: "Don't you want to see that fighters pussy up close? She can't resist you if she's knocked out." He laughs loudly and supports Logan as they walk away.

Salvatore takes big strides towards the door Dino is guarding. Logan tries to control his raging anger and clenches his fists. As soon as Salvatore leaves, he punches the wall with all his might. He hears the bones in his hand break but doesn't feel any pain.

Ciro says: "Dannazione, Barman. I know. But stay calm, okay? For Scorpia." They slowly move towards the door Salvatore has just entered.

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Scorpia lies on a desk and Bruno is seated on a chair next to it. Dino has promised to guard the door and to announce Salvatore when he's there. Bruno whispers: "Sorellina, you can still change your mind."

She looks him straight in the eye with a confident look and says: "No. Ti amo."

Bruno sighs and gets up to hide in the corner of the room, behind a row of file cabinets. He watches her take off her bracelet and hide the knife in her sleeve. She relaxes her body and closes her eyes. He folds his hands and prays to whoever is willing to listen.

They hear three knocks on the door, followed by Dino's voice: "Yeah boss, she's in here. Have fun."

She empties her mind, while she hears Salvatore come in. He lets his hand slide from her ankle up to her thigh and she can't prevent a tear from escaping. She prays in silence that he doesn't notice it.

He pushes her sweater up a bit and pulls at the cords of her sweatpants. He lets his hand slide down and caresses her. "Maybe I should knock out the bitches I normally play with too. Because I've never had a more compliant whore. I do hope you wake up before I take you. I love looking my harlots in the eye, to make sure they know who's boss."

Bruno bites his fist and squeezes his eyes shut. He doesn't want to hear all this, but he has to, in case something goes wrong.

Salvatore pulls her pants and panties down and pushes her sweater further up. He unbuckles his belt and unzips his fly. Scorpia listens to every detail and sees it all play out in her head.

He roughly pulls her towards the edge of the desk and pushes her legs apart.

He says: "Goddamn what a beautiful pussy. I'm already rock hard at the thought." He bends down to her ear and whispers: "Wake up, sleeping beauty."

Her eyes fly open and she slits his throat in one clean, powerful cut. He grabs his throat and she takes off her hood, mask, and wig. The look in his eyes is her reward.

She says: "The tightest pussy ever has just sent you to hell. Io ti maledico, Salvatore."

He sinks down on top of her and she feels him let out his final breath.

She whispers: "Bruno." She doesn't hear or see anything and Salvatore is kind of heavy.

She starts to shake and yells: "Bruno!"

Bruno comes from behind the file cabinets with a ghostly white face and runs up to her. He aggressively pulls Salvatore off of her and puts her clothes back on.

She faints and the tears roll down his cheeks as he looks down at his sister, covered in Salvatore's blood.

He takes her into his arms and kicks the door open. Dino takes one look at Scorpia and nods with his head towards the backdoor, where Bruno starts running to. Dino closes the door to the office and pulls out his gun. He sees Ciro do the same and Logan punches one of Salvatore's guys in the face.

Dino starts to move back towards the door, while he keeps his gun aimed at Salvatore's men. Who all know something is going on by now. The group of guys grows and Logan and Ciro struggle to keep them away from the door.

Logan takes a punch to the face and loses his mask. Thankfully he manages to stay on his feet and tries to keep as many men at bay as possible.

Salvatore's second in command yells: "Hey! It's that Scottish guy! Bastardo! Get him!"

Dino has reached the door and notices how Ciro tries to provide Logan cover.

Logan looks over his shoulder and screams: "Go Dino! Make sure she's safe!"

Dino looks into Ciro's eyes and he nods at him.

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Dino runs outside and finds his brother next to a green Jeep. He has just laid Scorpia down in the backseat. Bruno sinks to the ground and Dino runs over to him. "Fratello! Give me the key and get in! Now!" Bruno hands the key over to him and slowly gets up. Dino drags him to the other side of the car, opens the door and pushes him onto the passenger seat.

He closes the door, runs around the jeep, gets in, and starts it. The tires squeal as he speeds away from the parking lot and through the streets. Bruno collapses and Dino screams: "Bruno! You have to stay with me here! I need you! I have to know where we're going! Fratello!"

Bruno sounds emotionless as he speaks. "My house. Can't go to mamma. Lexy and Lucas are there. If they see the car... Oh my god! Where's Logan? And Ciro?"

Dino says: "Fratello, we can't go to your house. Who are Lexy and Lucas? And mamma is not safe either. You have to call her! They know that Ciro and I... They are definitively going to bring our family a visit. Let's pray they didn't recognize Scorpia."

Bruno says: "The cafe. I still have the key. Take us to the cafe. No one knows it's Logan's, besides you and Ciro."

Dino parks the Jeep behind the cafe and lifts Scorpia from the car. Bruno runs to the back door and opens it. They carry Scorpia upstairs and put her down on the bed. Bruno says: "You stay with her. I'll go to mamma."

Dino says: "No! Call mama. Now! I will call some friends. Only mamma has to know about the danger they're in. We'll stay with Scorpia until we know more." Dino walks out of the bedroom with his phone against his ear.

Bruno dials his mother's number and holds his breath when she picks up. "Mamma..."

She already knows by the tone of his voice and asks: "Are we in danger?"

Bruno says: "Salvatore's dead mamma. I'm with Scorpia and Dino, we're safe. But we had to leave Logan and Ciro behind."

He hears his mother swear in Italian and the sound of cabinets opening and closing."I will hang up now and call mister Gentile. I will guard Lexy and the boys with my life, you do the same for your sister. If you know more about Ciro and Logan, send Lexy a message. I'll keep her phone with me, in case we have to flee. Ti amo, Bruno."

She hangs up and Bruno breathes out slowly, rubbing his temples. He stares at his little sister, who hasn't opened her eyes yet. He hears Dino bark orders in Italian and waits for him to come back into the bedroom. Dino gives him an inquiring look and Bruno nods.

Dino sits down on the bed and says: "A couple of friends of mine are posted in front of mamma's house, heavily armed and loyal. If any of Salvatore's men dare to come near there, they're dead."

Dino looks at his little sister and a tear rolls down his cheek. "What have I done to her Bruno? She was such a sweet little girl." Dino starts to sob and Bruno wraps his arms around him. They cry together, looking at the sickly pale Scorpia.

Bruno quietly asks: "How am I going to tell her about Logan?"

Dino raises an eyebrow and asks: "Does she like the bartender?" Bruno nods. Dino says: "And he's obviously into her too, or he wouldn't have done all of this."

He rubs his face and says: "We have to wash her, Bruno. And you should shower too. Change your clothes... And burn what you two are wearing now..."

Bruno chokes and says: "I can't take her clothes off, Dino. Not after... I can't."

Dino walks over to the shower, turns it on, points at Bruno, and says: "Take your clothes off."

He walks over to Scorpia and methodically undresses her and throws her clothes in a pile on the floor. Bruno took his clothes off too and Dino lifts Scorpia off the bed. "Sit down on the floor brother." Bruno sits down on the floor of the shower and Dino hands Scorpia to him.

Bruno holds the cold, limp body of his sister and stares at his brother with a desperate look on his face. Dino washes Scorpia, till all the blood is gone from her skin.

He says: "Can you look after her alone? I will destroy the clothes and try to get more information on Ciro and Logan. Don't let anyone in here and protect her. I'll lock the door behind me." Bruno nods and lifts Scorpia from his lap in slow motion.

He gets up, steps out of the shower, and dries himself off haphazardly. He rummages through Logan's closet and pulls some clothes out of it. He puts some boxers on and grabs a towel for Scorpia. He walks over to the shower and turns it off.

He crouches down and is about to lift her up when her eyes shoot open. Her eyes look wild when she looks at him and she clings to him.

He strokes her cheek with the back of his hand and says: "Easy sorellina. You're safe. Come, you need to dry yourself off."

She gets up in a trance-like state and Bruno dries her off. He helps her into one of Logan's shirts and some boxers. She sinks onto the floor and Bruno quickly sits down next to her. "Scorpia? Come sister, lets get you into bed."

He hopes she will fall asleep as soon as she lies down, saving him from explaining where Logan is.

He helps her up and she walks over to the bed and lets herself fall onto it. She clings to one of the pillows, curls herself around it with a pained expression on her face, and falls asleep. Bruno sighs and sits down on the ground, next to the bed.

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Mamma called mister Gentile and he has drummed up all friends, family, and acquaintances to make sure that her house and the people in it are safe. Mamma has grabbed her revolver and walks into the living room with it, where Lexy is reading a book. Lexy looks up and is startled when she sees the revolver.

Mamma says: "Relax. It's not to hurt you with, but to protect you and the boys. There's no time to explain everything, but I hope you'll do what I tell you to do. For everyone's safety, mostly Enzo's and Lucas'. Help me gather drinks, snacks, and toys and give me your phone."

Lexy nods and immediately obeys mamma Anna. The boys are napping upstairs, tired from playing together. They put all the gathered items in a bag and go upstairs. Lexy lifts the sleeping Enzo from the bed and mamma hides her gun and gently wakes Lucas up. She places her index finger against her lips and Lucas nods.

They go up the stairs to the attic and mamma barricades the door with a huge chest of drawers. She throws blankets and sheets over the table in the middle of the room and grabs two flashlights from the shelf on the wall. "Lucas, get under the table. Mama and Enzo too. We will camp out here. I packed snacks and if you're still tired, you can sleep here."

She grabs a few decorative pillows from a wooden chest and throws them under the table. Lexy gently lies Enzo down on the floor with his head on a pillow. Mamma hands Lucas a sleeping bag and Lucas lovingly covers Enzo with it, before lying down next to him. Lucas falls asleep and Lexy starts breathing again.

Mamma Anna rubs Lexy's back and whispers: "It's very likely that I am overreacting and that nothing will happen. But I rather do all of this for nothing, than regretting not protecting you all later."

Lexy nods and nervously asks: "Where are the men? And Scorpia?"

Mamma says: "Bruno called to warn me and said they were all safe. And I am holding onto that, till we hear differently." She gives Lexy a confident look and hopes the young woman believes her. Because they have to stay calm for now."

Lexy looks at the sleeping boys and says: "I'm glad I'm with you. You seem to know what you're doing."

Mamma Anna gently smiles at her and says: "I sure do. And I have a huge family, who will all keep us safe." Lexy's phone vibrates and mamma opens the received message. It's mister Gentile, letting her know that the nephews he sent over to guard the house, ran into a heavily armed group of Dino's friends, who were already doing that. And that he sent half of the nephews over to the cafe to keep an eye on things there.

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Bruno stares at the screen of his phone, trying to will it into giving him some news. He sees Dino's name flash on the screen and quickly walks out of the bedroom to pick it up.

"Bruno? I've spoken with some people, but they all contradict each other. No one knows where Logan and Ciro are exactly. I am going back to the building where the tournament was held. I'll take some buddies with me to see if we can find someone or something that can lead us to Ciro and Logan. I will keep you posted. Mamma and the others are safe. The house is heavily guarded, even by part of the Gentile clan. The rest of the nephews are guarding the cafe. Be strong brother. Talk to you soon!"

Bruno says: "Be careful brother. Try to find Logan and Ciro." He rubs his face and sighs.

He suddenly hears a hoarse voice behind him.

"Where's Logan?"

His heart sinks and he slowly turns around to face Scorpia.

As soon as his brown eyes meet hers, she knows. She bolts away, down the stairs and towards the back door. But the door is locked and Bruno wraps his arms around her waist, pulling her away from the door. "Let me go! Let me go! I am going back! Now! Bruno!" He keeps his arms firmly around her and she keeps trying to escape from them until she's too tired to stand.

She falls onto her knees and cries uncontrollably. Bruno kneels down next to her and pulls her against his chest. He feels her warm tears on his skin and his heart breaks for his sister, who has been through way too much already.

She whispers: "No. It wasn't worth it. No."

She starts to shake and all the crying makes it hard to breathe.

Bruno rubs her back and feels helpless. This day was supposed to be a happy one. A day to close the book of Salvatore. A day from where his little sister would slowly get a little better day by day.

She whispers between her sobs: "Where's Logan?"

"We don't know sorellina. Dino brought us here and he is trying to find out where Ciro and Logan are right now."

She repeats the question: "Where's Logan?"

Bruno looks at her with sad eyes and says: "I don't know."

She whispers Logan's name again and Bruno picks her up and carries her upstairs.

He lies down on the bed with her in his arms and gently rocks her to sleep. He kisses her forehead, tears streaming down his face.

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There you go. Chapter 15 or Capitolo Quindici.

This was hard to write.

How was it for you to read?

Where's Logan?

See you in the next chapter.XO Hankie ❥