Keegan’s POV
“What is she really to you?” I heard him ask, struggling to catch his breath.
“None of your business!” I growled, taking a step toward him.
He let out a mocking laugh.
“CIFFARELLI! You and your father are the same, huh?”
Another laugh followed.
My fist ttightene and I turned toward him and drove my fist into his face.
Again and again.
He didn’t fight back.
There wasn’t even a trace of rage in his eyes.
Instead, with the little strength he had left, he grabbed my necktie and yanked me closer until I was beside his face.
“What do you think will happen to that whore when this news reaches La Cosa Nostra?”
He smirked that made me fume in rage as something inside me snapped.
“SHUT UP!”
My fist struck his face one last time, sending him stumbling onto the cold floor.
I stood there, breathing heavily.
His words crawled through my head, repeating themselves until I couldn’t think straight.
I left him behind unconscious as his word’s keep piercing me with frustration.
“Damn it! FUCK!”
I stormed toward my car and slammed the door shut.
My palm hit the steering wheel.
I pressed the horn hard, the blaring sound cutting through the silence.
Cold sweat slid from my temple to my jaw as I started the engine.
The roar filled the air as I sped away.
╰┈➤
I stormed into the mansion and headed straight for her room.
My hand stopped over the doorknob.
For a moment, I stood there.
I knew what I had to do but I wasn’t ready for this either.
I opened the door and she was still sleeping.
I walked toward her, my hands trembling despite my efforts to steady them.
She never failed to affect me.
The pang in my chest seems to be more heavy.
I forced my expression into something cold.
“Wake up, Savannah.” The words came out harsher than I intended.
Her eyes slowly opened.
Confusion crossed her face, followed by a hint of worry when she saw me standing over her.
Damn it.
I grabbed her arm and pulled her upright.
Her expression tightened from the pain.
My chest clenched as my throat feels so dry and rigid.
“Get dressed and make it fast.”
She immediately wrapped the duvet around herself.
Her legs trembled as she lowered her feet onto the cold floor.
She tried to stand but her knees gave way, and she stumbled with a quiet groan.
My hands twitched at my sides.
I wanted to reach for her.
I wanted to steady her.
But I couldn’t protect her.
The thought came instantly.
I wanted to keep her under my protection but my heart said let her go.
My jaw tightened.
“Make it fast!” I shouted.
I turned around, opened the door, and slammed it behind me.
I leaned against it for a second, closing my eyes and trying to keep myself from locking her in this misery beside me.
Her pain was still fresh in my mind.
I couldn’t afford to turn around nor couldn’t afford to change my mind and keep her.
Why the hell did my heart want both?
I slammed my fist against the wall.
Then the door slowly creaked open.
I straightened immediately as she stepped outside.
Without looking at her properly, I grabbed her wrist.
“Come.”
I pulled her away from the mansion.
The cold morning air hit us.
Her shadow tells that she’s shivering from the cold air.
“Where are you taking me?” she demanded.
She took another step, but her legs buckled beneath her.
Until she stumbled onto the ground.
“What are you doing?” she snapped.
“Can’t you see that I’m sore and can barely walk properly? Have you lost your mind, Keegan?”
I said nothing.
“Hey! Answer me!” Her voice cracked through the silence.
I finally looked at her.
As anger burned in her eyes.
Good.
That’s it, baby…Hate me…Hate me until you forget me.
Maybe then I could finally breathe knowing she was far away from this life.
I pulled her back to her feet and guided her toward the fountain.
“Sit.” She glared at me but lowered herself onto the edge.
Her leg shifted as if she were about to kick me.
Instead, pain crossed her face.
“Aaah! Damn it!” she demanded
I almost smiled but pull my composure in a way she would hate me entirely.
She caught me looking at her and her glare sharpened.
She forced herself to stand and to show her dominance.
“How dare you?!”
I remained still and keep listening.
“After everything that happened, you’re just going to act like nothing?” Her voice trembled.
“You don’t even care?”
I scoffed.
My eyes narrowed towards her.
“So what?”
The moment the words left my mouth, I wanted to take them back.
Her face fell as I saw her eyes gleaming and affected
“So what?” she repeated quietly.
“Is that all you can say?”
I swallowed.
Forcing myself not to look at her.
“Besides,” I said, forcing the words through my teeth, “you enjoyed it yourself, didn’t you?”
Her eyes widened.
I hardened my expression.
“What’s with that behavior? Does it feed your delusion?” I snapped.
“Do you think you matter more than anything?” I stepped closer and our eyes met.
“You’re pathetic, Savannah.”
Her eyes searched mine.
Mixed of emotions etched on her face curiosity, hurt and hatred.
“What?”
My hand moved before I could stop it.
I grabbed her neck and tightened my grip.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
I could feel my own pulse racing beneath my skin.
“I bought you for a billion,” I said coldly.
Her eyes widened.
“Only to end up disappointed.” I leaned closer to her ear.
“You’re useless to me now.”
I released her.
I turned away.
For several seconds, there was nothing but silence.
Then I heard her shouted something that she seemed to stop from coming out.
“FUCK YOU, CIFFARELLI!”
I stopped and I didn’t turn around.
That was the last thing I heard from her.
I walked faster.
Until I reached the mansion.
The moment the doors closed behind me, my composure shattered.
“AAAAAAHHHHH!” My scream echoed through the corridor.
I dragged a hand through my hair and paced forward.
A chuckle escaped me when I noticed my underboss leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest.
“Is it new to you, Vincenthius?” I asked.
He stared at me with open dismay.
“You were excited to see what she could do back then,” he said coldly.
“But what exactly happened, Boss?”
He walked toward me and extended a hand.
I immediately swatted it away.
“Leave me alone.”
“Do you want me to send someone to look after her?”
“No.”
I stood and walked toward the dark room.
I pulled the key from my pocket and threw it toward him.
He caught it effortlessly.
I didn’t explain.
I simply entered the room and shut the door behind me.
The furniture was new again.
I grabbed the vase and hurled it against the wall.
CRASH.
A frame followed.
Then another, ws everything went flying and breaking in instant.
The table was overturned, leaving scattered pieces across the floor.
Only the bed remained untouched.
My breathing grew heavier.
My hands trembled.
I sank onto the cold floor and stared at nothing.
Why did letting her go hurt more than keeping her?
A knock came from the door.
I ignored it and followed by another knock.
My jaw tightened then I pushed myself up and approached the door.
Before I could open it, it burst inward.
Caspien stood there, catching his breath with one hand braced against the door.
“Boss, the Salvadorian Mafia demanded a marriage alliance.”
My fist tightened.
I slammed it against the door beside him.
“Proceed.” Caspien’s expression changed instantly.
“Boss?” He stared at me utterly curious.
“Would you really do this? What about Savannah—”
My eyes narrowed at him and scruff his necktie.
“I don’t want to repeat myself, Caspien.” I stepped close to him.
“And don’t mention her name. Again!”
He fell silent.
I turned away and walked toward my room.
The cold breeze brushed against my upper body.
I stopped in front of the huge mirror.
My reflection stared back at me.
My jaw clenched.
A man who had just pushed away the one person he couldn’t afford to lose.