Chapter 11 Welcome back , Boss ? I repeated , my voice trembling . Boss ? I turned to Lorenzo , who hadnt taken his eyes off me . His lips curved into that familiar smile , but it held a different weight now . He guided me toward a metal chair in the corner . Sit , bella . You wanted the truth . My legs shook as I sank into the cold seat . The mens whimpers and pleas filled the concrete room . Lorenzo turned to his subordinate . What did these gentlemen do to deserve such hospitality ? They crossed lines , Boss . Tried selling information about Constantine International to our competitors . The mans voice was flat , emotionless . We caught them before any real damage was done . Lorenzo nodded , walking slowly past each hanging man . His footsteps echoed with each deliberate step . He paused before the first one , studying him like a curator examining artwork . Lower them , he commanded . Metal chains creaked . The men descended toward large metal tanks filled with water beneath them . My heart stopped as I realized what was about to happen . No ! I leaped from the chair . Lorenzo , stop ! The first mans head submerged . Bubbles erupted as he thrashed against his restraints . The second followed , then the third . * Please ! I screamed , rushing toward him . Youre killing them ! Lorenzo caught my arm , holding me back as the men struggled underwater . Their movements grew weaker with each passing second . This is who I am , Valentina , he said quietly . This is the truth you wanted . I stared at Lorenzo , then back at the thrashing men in the water tanks . Their movements were getting weaker by the second . My stomach churned . Stop ! Please , Ive seen enough ! I screamed , my voice breaking . Make it stop ! Lorenzos lips curved into a cold smile . He raised his hand in a swift motion . Pull them up . Chapter 11 11:52 Sun , 2 Mar 95 % The chains creaked as his men yanked the prisoners from the water . They came up gasping and coughing , water streaming down their faces . Lorenzo guided me toward the door , his hand firm on my lower back . But before we could leave , he turned to his subordinate . Tell her what else these men have done . The subordinates face darkened . We found evidence of their other activities , Boss . Human trafficking ring . Theyve been kidnapping women , selling them overseas . At least twelve confirmed murders of girls who tried to escape . Three cases of gang rape just last month . My blood ran cold . The room started spinning as bile rose in my throat . Lorenzos voice cut through my horror . So tell me , cara mia what would you have me do ? Should I show mercy ? His eyes locked with mine . Should I let them go with a warning , knowing theyll continue destroying innocent lives ? I looked at the men hanging there , seeing them in a completely different light now . These werent just corporate thieves . These were monsters whod brutalized women , stolen lives , shattered families . Whats your answer , Valentina ? Lorenzos voice was soft but demanding . Should I stop ? I stared at the men hanging there , water dripping from their clothes . My mind raced with conflicting thoughts . Who was I to decide if someone lived or died ? That kind of power shouldnt belong to anyone . But as I watched them , their faces morphed into Dominics sneering expression . I remembered how hed tormented me , broken me down piece by piece . These men had done far worse to countless women . Theyd stolen lives , destroyed families , inflicted pain that would echo through generations . The memories of my own trauma crashed over me the isolation , the fear , the helplessness . How many women had felt that same terror at these monsters hands ? How many hadnt survived to tell their stories ? Drown them . The words left my lips without hesitation , cold and final . Lorenzos deep laugh filled the concrete room . It wasnt warm or friendly it was the laugh of a predator pleased with its prey . His hand found the small of my back as he guided me toward the exit . You heard the lady , he called over his shoulder to his men . As we walked away , the sound of chains creaking and water splashing echoed behind us . I didnt look back . The screams that followed grew muffled , Chapter 11 95 % 11:52 Sun , 2 Mar then silent . Lorenzos grip on my waist tightened as we made our way back through the winding corridors . I couldnt tell if the gesture was possessive or protective . Maybe it was both . Now thats the woman I love . Lorenzos voice carried a dark pride that sent shivers down my spine . He spun me around to face him , his hands gripping my shoulders . His eyes blazed with an intensity Id never seen before . This strength inside you , this fire this is what Ive been waiting to see . Youre not meant to be a victim , Valentina . Youre meant to take justice into your own hands when needed . My heart raced as his words sank in . The weight of what Id just done ordering those mens deaths should have crushed me . But instead , I felt … powerful . Like Id finally shed the last remnants of that scared , broken girl Dominic had created . Lorenzos thumb traced my jawline , tilting my face up to his . This is the truth you wanted , cara mia . This is who I am Lorenzo Constantine , the strongest mafia lord on this continent . The man whose enemies whisper my name in fear , whose word can build empires or destroy them in a breath . His other hand slid down to the small of my back , pulling me closer until I could feel the heat radiating from his body . The question is , Valentina will you accept me? Will you take your place as the queen beside my throne ? Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!