I make my way back to Vittoria's room, finding her asleep again. I watch her for a moment, the sight of her bruised and battered form reigniting my anger.
Leaning down, I whisper in her ear, "I'll make this right, Tori. I promise."
With one last look at her sleeping form, I turn and leave the hospital, my mind focused on the task ahead. Domenico Costa's day of reckoning has arrived, and I intend to make sure he feels every ounce of pain he's inflicted on his daughter.
The car pulls up to the abandoned warehouse, and I step out, straightening my suit. Lorenzo waits with three of our men, Bruno, Vito, and Paolo.
Inside, everything is ready. Domenico Costa is tied to a chair in the center of the room, his face already showing signs of rough handling.
Good. He deserves far fucking worse.
As I approach Domenico, I can see fear in his eyes. He knows exactly why he's here and what's coming. But I'm not here for a quick execution.
No, Domenico Costa has some explaining to do first.
"Cesare," he croaks, voice hoarse. "Please, this is all a misunderstanding?—”
I silence him with a backhanded slap across the face, the sound echoing in the empty warehouse. "Shut the fuck up," Igrowl. "You don't get to speak unless I ask you a question. Understood?"
Domenico nods frantically, blood trickling from his split lip.
I begin circling him slowly, like a predator stalking prey. "For years," I say, my voice dangerously calm, "you've been abusing your own daughter. Your flesh and blood. Why?"
Domenico's eyes dart around wildly, looking for escape. When he doesn't answer immediately, I nod to Bruno, who steps forward and lands a solid punch to his gut. The bastard doubles over as much as his restraints allow, gasping for air.
"I asked you a fucking question," I remind him coldly.
"She... she needed discipline," Domenico wheezes. "To learn her place. To be worthy of the Costa name."
His words ignite fresh fury within me. I grab a fistful of his hair, yanking his head back to force him to look at me. "Worthy?" I snarl. "She's worth a hundred of you, you pathetic excuse for a father."
I release him roughly, stepping back to regain composure. "You had a daughter who was intelligent, capable, and loyal. And instead of nurturing those qualities, you beat them out of her. Made her fear her own family."
Domenico's eyes flash with defiance. "You don't understand our ways, Mariano. In our family?—”
"Family?" I cut him off, voice rising. "You dare speak of family? Family protects their own. Family lifts each other up. What you did... that's not family. That's fucking tyranny."
I turn to Lorenzo, who's been watching silently. "Show him the footage."
Lorenzo steps forward with a tablet, playing the security video from the restaurant. We all watch as Domenico follows Vittoria into the bathroom, grabs her by the throat, and slams her against the wall. The sound of Vittoria's head hitting tile is audible even through grainy audio.
As the video plays out, showing the full extent of Domenico's brutality, I watch his face. I see the moment when reality truly hits him, when he realizes there's no talking his way out of this.
When it ends, I step closer, voice low and deadly. "That's your daughter. Your child. And this is how you treat her?"
Domenico's face has gone pale, eyes wide with fear. "Please," he whimpers. "I... I lost control. It won't happen again. I swear it."
His pathetic pleas only fuel my rage. I grab him by the throat, mimicking his actions toward Vittoria. "You're right," I snarl. "It won't happen again. Because you will never lay a hand on her again. You will never even see her again."
I release him and step back, straightening my suit. "You know, Domenico, I've been thinking about the appropriate punishment for someone who abuses their own child. Death seems too quick, too merciful."
I nod to Vito, who steps forward with a small case. He opens it, revealing surgical tools.
"Do you know what these are for?" I ask conversationally. His eyes widen in terror as he shakes his head.
"These," I continue, picking up a scalpel, "are going to help me make sure you never hurt my wife again."
Domenico starts struggling against his restraints, panic clear in his eyes. "No, please! I'll do anything. I'll leave the country. You'll never hear from me again!"
