Sold to the Capo-Chapter 124: WALKING GHOSTS

ADRIANA’S POV

"Come on, princess. Time to get comfy" Julius mumbled as the car pulled to a stop.

The gag was now loose around my mouth and while it was certainly painful to speak, I could manage to get audible words out thankfully.

Julius immediately wrapped his hand around my arm, pulling me out of the car roughly before I could put up a fight.

It seemed to be a warehouse of some sorts and my mind was reeling, trying to look over my shoulder for Vincenzo but Julius wasn’t wasting any time as he pulled me foward.

The moment my feet hit the cold concrete floor of the warehouse, a chill ran down my spine. The place was dimly lit, the flickering overhead lights casting eerie shadows against the metal walls. The faint scent of gasoline, sweat, and something metallic—blood—hung in the air.

Julius’s grip on my arm was firm as he dragged me forward, his smirk widening when he noticed my hesitation. "Don’t look so scared, princess," he taunted, leading me toward an old chair placed in the center of the room. "We’re just getting started."

Vincenzo was forced to walk behind us, his hands still bound. His movements were slow, calculated, as if he were waiting for the perfect moment to strike. But Julius knew better—he wasn’t letting Vincenzo close enough to get that chance. Julius had been keeping his distance from Vincenzo and rather glueing himself to me, using me as a shield against Vincenzo because he knew Vincenzo wouldn’t harm him as long as he stood next to me.

"Sit," Julius ordered, shoving me down into the chair.

I swallowed, keeping my eyes locked on Vincenzo, searching his face for any hint of a plan. But he wasn’t looking at me—his entire focus was on Julius, his expression murderous.

"Now, Enzo," Julius said with mock pleasantness, gesturing toward another chair placed opposite mine. "You take a seat, too."

Vincenzo didn’t move. His jaw was clenched, his body wound tight like a coil ready to spring.

"Sit," Julius repeated, his tone darkening. One of his men stepped forward, aiming a gun at me.

Vincenzo let out a slow exhale before lowering himself into the chair. "What do you hope to achieve? Do you really think this will work?" His voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge beneath it.

Julius chuckled, resting a hand on his knee as he leaned forward. "I know it will."

They stared at each other, tension thick enough to cut with a blade.

"I won’t kill you, Enzo," Julius said after a moment. "I’ve decided I’d rather let someone else do it."

I stiffened.

Vincenzo’s expression didn’t change, but I saw the subtle shift in his posture. He was waiting, analyzing, predicting.

Julius smiled at my reaction. "You didn’t think I’d dirty my own hands, did you?" He gestured vaguely. "I have men willing to do it for me. People who’d pay to watch a legend like Don Enzo fall. But I would rather that you die in the hands of the person whom you least expect it from"

Vincenzo’s lip curled. "Coward."

Julius feigned a look of offense. "Coward? No, Vincenzo. I just understand how power works."

I gritted my teeth. "And what exactly do you want?" I asked through the gag.

Julius turned to me, an almost amused glint in his eyes. "Oh, princess, you’ll see soon enough." Then, as if he’d just thought of something, his gaze flickered back to Vincenzo, his smirk deepening. "Tell me, Adriana, did Vincenzo ever tell you about what he did in high school?"

A beat of silence passed and my heart skipped a beat.

I frowned, confused. "What?"

I turned to Vincenzo, expecting him to scoff or dismiss it, but instead, his entire body tensed.

He wouldn’t meet my gaze.

My stomach twisted.

Julius noticed my reaction, and his grin widened. "Ah, so he didn’t." He pulled out a knife, twirling it between his fingers. "What a shame. I would’ve thought he’d be more honest with the woman he claims to love."

Vincenzo’s hands clenched into fists, the handcuffs digging into his wrists.

"What is he talking about?" I demanded, my voice hoarse.

Julius waved a hand. "Don’t worry. We’ll get there." He reached forward and finally removed the gag from my mouth.

I gasped, my throat dry, but before I could speak, Julius continued. "You see, our dear Vincenzo has a past. A past he’s tried very hard to bury. And you? You being oblivious to that crucial aspect just proves that he doesn’t trust you enough to open up."

I turned to Vincenzo again, but he still wouldn’t look at me.

Something inside me cracked.

He always met my gaze. Always. Even when he was furious, even when we fought—he never looked away.

But now?

Now, he wouldn’t even glance at me.

"Vincenzo," I whispered. "What is he talking about?"

Silence.

Julius chuckled. "Looks like your little lover boy isn’t as honest as you thought."

I clenched my fists, a sick feeling creeping into my chest.

Before I could push further, Julius sighed, shaking his head. "Well, enough of that. We have more pressing matters." He gestured to one of his men. "Bring him forward."

A tall, broad-shouldered man stepped toward Vincenzo.

And in an instant, Vincenzo moved.

He jerked forward, yanking his arms upward, and with a sharp twist of his wrists, he wrapped the chain of his handcuffs around the man’s throat, pulling tight.

The guard choked, his gun clattering to the floor. Vincenzo tightened his hold, his face unreadable, his movements precise.

A sickening crack echoed through the warehouse.

The guard slumped to the floor, dead. The room went silent.

Julius barely reacted. He simply sighed, shaking his head. "Really, Enzo? Must you always be so dramatic?"

Vincenzo’s gaze was pure ice. "Tell your men not to touch me again."

Julius smirked. "Noted.

Fuck, I felt sick.

Another man stepped forward, gun raised, but Julius held up a hand. "No, no. Let’s not ruin the fun just yet."

For the next 10 minutes, Julius was still talking, still dragging this out like he enjoyed watching Vincenzo tied up, bleeding but unbroken.

It seemed like Julius was taking his time for a reason. Waiting for something...waiting for someone, maybe?

I couldn’t focus on his words. My heart slammed against my ribs, my wrists burning where the ropes dug into them. My breathing was shallow, forced. I had to get out.

I wasn’t waiting for a miracle. I had already found my chance.

The guard standing closest to me had been careless. His knife, tucked into his belt, was within reach. He wasn’t watching me—his attention was on Julius and Vincenzo, as if this was just a show for him.

I shifted, inching my bound hands closer. My fingers trembled as they brushed the hilt. Just a little more.

Julius stepped forward, blocking my view of Vincenzo. His voice dropped lower. "You’ve been curious lately and I’m about to satiate that curiousity of yours. Curiosity killed the cat."

Vincenzo let out a short, dark laugh. "Then why haven’t you killed me yet?"

That was enough to make Julius pause. Just a second. But that second was all I needed.

I gripped the knife. A quick twist, and it was in my hand. The guard didn’t flinch. Didn’t notice since the blade hadn’t been touching him. I clenched my teeth as I maneuvered the blade, sawing at the rope, careful not to make any sudden movements. My pulse pounded as the fibers frayed, my skin raw from the friction.

Almost.

A sharp snap—my wrists were free. I held my breath, forcing myself not to react, not to move too fast. If I made it obvious, I’d lose my only advantage.

Julius turned slightly, distracted by whatever look Vincenzo was giving him. That deadly, knowing smirk.

He knew I was free.

Vincenzo spoke before Julius could. "How do you plan to satisfy my curiosity?" He asked though he glanced at me with a slight brow raise

I met his gaze, my body already tense, my legs ready to move. He wanted me to run.

For once, I didn’t argue.

I shifted slightly, making sure my movements were smooth, deliberate. I could feel the other exit—just a few feet away. A door on the far side of the room, barely noticeable, something I’d spied earlier when they’d first dragged me in.

Vincenzo moved. It was so fast, so brutal, I barely saw it—he kicked the chair leg up, breaking the frame, and lunged. The nearest guard barely had time to react before Vincenzo snapped his neck with one clean, brutal motion.

Julius spun, rage flashing across his face. "Bastard—"

But I was already gone.

I darted toward the exit, my breath locked in my throat. My fingers curled around the handle. One step and I’d be out.

I turned the knob.

The door swung open.

I barely had time to register the figure standing there before I crashed into them. My breath hitched, my entire body locking up as I lifted my eyes—

And froze.

My vision blurred, my pulse deafening in my ears. The room, the chaos, everything around me disappeared in an instant.

I barely heard my own voice when I whispered in shock—

"Dad?"