My Childhood Bully is a Mafia Boss-Chapter 121

Giovanni

I stood there, seething.

The shop was a war zone—glass shards glinted like treacherous ice on the floor, necklaces and rings lay scattered amidst velvet displays torn apart.

I cursed out loud. My hands curled into fists at my sides, nails digging into my palms hard enough to leave crescent marks. Anger surged through my veins like hot steel, pulsing with each rapid beat of my heart.

"Who the fuck destroy Giovanni Leones’s business?" I spat the words out, tasting the bitterness of betrayal.

"Someone with a death wish," Sam muttered.

I moved deeper into the chaos, eyes scanning the disaster before me.

Everything was in disarray, from the toppled showcases to the shattered display cases. It was clear that whoever had done this wanted to send a message. But to whom?

I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was personal. My mind raced, trying to connect the dots, but anger clouded my thoughts.

Maybe it was one of Slava’s men doing. Someone who decided to stay loyal even after his death.

"Sam, who do you think did this?" I asked gruffly.

Sam’s eyes narrowed as he surveyed the wreckage, his jaw clenched tightly. "Slava’s men are a possibility," he said, his voice measured but tinged with anger. "Even after Slava’s gone, his influence lingers. Could be one of his loyalists trying to send a message."

I nodded, my thoughts whirling. "We need to find out who exactly did this and why," I said, my voice steely with determination. "We can’t let this stand."

Sam nodded in agreement, his expression hardening.

I rolled up my sleeves, ready to dive into the mess that lay before me. The shattered glass crunched under my boots as I surveyed the damage, the metallic scent of blood lingering in the air. I could feel the rage bubbling inside me, a fire fueled by betrayal and the threat to my family.

With Sam by my side, I spent hours speaking to the insurance company and the law enforcement, whom I usually avoided like a plague.

My phone started to ring toward the end of the day. I looked down and saw it was Viktor, one of the guards I left at the house.

"What is it, Viktor?" I barked.

"You have to come home, Capo. The house was under attack," Viktor said urgently.

My heart stopped. The chaos at the shop suddenly seemed insignificant compared to the terror of the thought that my family might be in danger.

I didn’t waste a second. "Let’s go," I ordered Sam, my voice clipped with urgency.

We raced through the streets, every sound amplified, every shadow a potential threat. The tires screeched as we pulled up to our house, my pulse thundering in my ears.

I burst through the gate. What I saw made my blood run cold. There were ambulances everywhere. I rushed inside the house.

Ellie stood there, her eyes wide with fear but unharmed. The kids clung to her, tears staining their cheeks.

"Giovanni," Ellie whispered, her voice trembling.

My heart clenched at the sight of Ellie and the kids, safe but terrified. Relief flooded through me, momentarily easing the tight knot of fear that had gripped me since I received Viktor’s call.

"What happened? Are you all okay?" I demanded, my voice rough with emotion.

Ellie rushed into my arms, burying her face in my chest. "We are okay. Someone attacked us, but I was able to hide with the children."

My heart swelled with gratitude and protectiveness for Ellie as I held her tight. "You did well," I murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead before turning to Luke. "And you, little man? Are you alright?"

Luke nodded, his eyes wide but determined. "I’m okay, Uncle Gio. We hid in the closet, and I didn’t make a sound."

"Brave boy," I muttered and turned back to Ellie. "Why are the ambulances here?"

Ellie’s eyes filled with tears as she looked up at me. "It’s Nonna, Giovanni. She had a heart attack. They rushed her to the hospital. The rest of the ambulances are here to take some of your injured men away."

My blood turned cold at the news. Nonna, the one who had always been my pillar of strength, lay in a hospital bed, fighting for her life.

"I have to go see her," I said.

"We want to come with you," Ellie said quickly.

I looked at Ellie. I didn’t trust anyone to leave her alone here, so I nodded. "Yes, you are coming with me."

Ellie nodded, relief and worry mingling in her eyes. "Let’s go then," she said, gathering the kids quickly.

We moved swiftly, and the urgency of the situation drove us forward. I ensured Viktor and the remaining guards were on high alert, their expressions grim and resolute.

This wasn’t over.

The drive to the hospital was tense. Ellora whimpered softly in her car seat, sensing the anxiety in the air, while Lucas clung to his mother’s hand, his face pale.

As we arrived at the hospital, I parked as close to the entrance as possible. "Stay close to me," I instructed Ellie as we hurried inside.

Inside, the antiseptic smell and the hum of activity greeted us. I approached the nurse’s station, my heart pounding. "I’m here for my grandmother, Isabella Leones. She was brought in after a heart attack."

The nurse nodded, checking her records quickly. "She’s in the ICU. Room 304," she said, pointing down the hall.

"Thank you," I muttered, leading Ellie and the kids toward the room.

When we reached the ICU, the sight of Nonna hooked up to various machines nearly brought me to my knees. She looked so fragile, a stark contrast to the indomitable woman who had always been my rock.

"Nonna," I whispered, taking her hand gently. Her eyes fluttered open, and a weak smile touched her lips when she saw us.

"Giovanni," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "You came."

"Of course, Nonna," I said, my voice choked with emotion. "We’re all here."

Ellie stepped forward, holding Ellora close while Lucas stayed by her side. "Hello, Nonna," she said softly, her eyes filled with compassion.

Nonna’s eyes moved to Ellie and the children, and a faint smile touched her lips. "So glad you are safe," she whispered.

"We’re here for you, Nonna," Ellie said gently.

"I don’t have long, I’m afraid," Nonna said weakly.

"Don’t say that, Nonna," I pleaded, gripping her hand tighter. "You’re strong. You’ll get through this."

Nonna’s eyes, still bright with a lifetime of wisdom and love, met mine. "Giovanni, my dear, there’s no escaping fate. I’ve lived a full life and seen you grow. That is all I could ever ask for."

I fought to keep my composure. "Don’t die on me, old woman."

She smiled weakly. "My sweet boy. How I wish I could see you settle down before I died."

I shot a quick glance at Ellie who was looking at us with tears in her eyes. I squeezed her hand, willing her to stay with us a little longer. "You will, Nonna. We’ll get through this, and you’ll see it all."

Nonna’s gaze softened as she looked at Ellie, then back at me. "Ellie is a good woman, Giovanni. Trust her, lean on her. She will be your rock, just as I’ve been."

Nonna’s breathing grew more labored, and her grip on my hand weakened. "Ellie, my dear, you will have to forgive me for asking this much of you, but could you promise me something?"

Ellie stepped closer, her voice gentle but steady. "Anything, Nonna."

"Promise me you’ll take care of Giovanni in my absence. He looks like a terrifying beast, but he has a good heart. And promise me you’ll find your own happiness, too."

Ellie nodded, tears streaming down her face. "I promise, Nonna."

"Then you will marry him?" Nonna asked.

Ellie looked taken aback, her eyes widening as she glanced at me. I felt a jolt of surprise too, but I quickly masked it, focusing on Nonna’s face.

"Marry him, Ellie," Nonna repeated, her voice frail but determined. "Give him the love and support he needs. Be the family he deserves."

"Err...Nonna..." I tried to interrupt, but Nonna glared at me.

"Stai zitto, bambino!" she barked.

I narrowed my eyes. For someone who was dying, she sure looked like she could bite my head off.

"Um...I..." Ellie hesitated.

"Of course, you couldn’t do this, Ellie. It was cruel of me to ask of you," Nonna said in a sad ridden voice. "I am sorry, dear. I know I’m being unreasonable. It’s just that...this has always been my wish. To see my boy have a family," she said.

I furrowed my brows. Was this old lady scheming right now?