Four letters.
Punk.
"This is what happens when you touch my property," I whispered in his ear, voice cold as ice. "Remember this lesson, Lorenzo Conti. Next time, I won't just carve letters in your arm."
I released him. He convulsed in the pool of blood.
"Dmitri." I stood up, shaking blood off my hands.
"Yes, boss."
He walked in with two bodyguards—I'd had them waiting outside.
"Send him back to the Belluccis," I said coldly. "Tell Sofia that next time, there won't be a body to send back."
"Understood."
Dmitri and the guards lifted the moaning Lorenzo. Blood traced a long streak across the floor as they dragged him.
"Noelle..." Lorenzo called weakly. "Noelle... don't... don't trust him... he's a monster..."
"Get him out." I waved impatiently.
The guards covered his mouth and dragged him away.
The hall fell into deathly silence.
Everyone stood frozen like statues, not daring to make a sound.
I turned around. Noelle knelt on the floor, hands covering her face, shoulders shaking violently from crying. Her dress had spread around her, the pink fabric stained with blood.
I walked over and crouched down.
"Look at me."
She shook her head, covering her face tighter.
"Noelle." My voice turned colder. "I said look at me."
She still wouldn't obey. I lost patience, prying her hands away and gripping her chin, forcing her to look up. Tears streaked her face, eyes swollen red, lips white from biting them.
"Open your eyes," I commanded.
"I..."
"Open them!"
She opened her eyes, trembling, those brown eyes filled with fear and despair.
"Look closely." I pointed toward the exit where Dmitri was directing the guards dragging Lorenzo out. "That's what happens to him."
Lorenzo was still struggling, still calling her name.
"That's the price for touching you," I whispered in her ear. "That's what happens when someone tries to take you away."
"Kholod..." Her voice shook. "Please believe me... I really didn't know he was coming..."
"Believe you?" I laughed coldly. "Noelle, how many chances have I given you?"
