I made this chapter extra long. ;)))

Don't think that you'll enjoy it, though hahahahah

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Omniscient teller:

"Why is it taking so long?" Theo whined.

He was only six years old and the boys had been waiting for their parents for a couple of hours. Their mother was in labour with her last child.

"It takes a while for a baby to come out," Hector told him softly.

Theo groaned and laid his head down in his older brother's lap. A bit further, Silas had already fallen asleep against their bodyguard's shoulder. He was a wild child but still an eight-year-old that needed sleep.

Hector had gotten used to this. The long hours before meeting his newest sibling. Last year when they had welcomed Victor to their family was the first time Theo had come along. He fell asleep on Hector's lap two hours in and didn't wake up until their father came to collect them.

Luckily this would be their last time waiting for so long.

They were happy to welcome their last sibling because they finally got a baby sister. After so many brothers, Hector was especially excited to see what it would be like to have a sister. They've already welcomed Amelia into their family but this girl would be their actual sister.

He was curious to see who she would look like and if she would like him.

Brothers are easy to control. Hector was the oldest and the tallest. He showed them cool tricks and they always looked up to him. Would his new sister also look up to him?

"Topolino." His father finally stepped out with a gigantic smile.

Luca Cassano was always happy to welcome a new child into his family but everybody knew how ecstatic he was to finally have a daughter.

Hector wanted to wake up his brothers but his father shook his head.

"Let the boys sleep for now. I want to introduce you to your baby sister first." His father held out his hand.

Ten-year-old Hector doesn't hold his father's hand often. He had so many siblings that he matured quite quickly. Besides, he had big shoes to fill when he grew up. He had to be strong and perfect at all times because he was the future of the Famiglia.

His father took him to the hospital room his mother was in. The nurses had placed the baby on her chest and he saw his mother crying. She looked radiant and happy.

"Do you want to see your sister?" She spotted Hector.

He let go of his father and hurried over to his mother's side. The nurses left the room for a while to give the family some privacy before they would take the baby for some tests.

Hector stared at his new sister with curiosity. She couldn't open her eyes but he knew that would take a while. Her hair was brown like his and her skin had turned red. The first thing he noticed was how small she was, so much smaller than all his other siblings.

"Her name is Elena." His mother told him.

He raised his hand to touch her. She felt warm and soft. A smile crossed his face and excitement filled his stomach. He wanted to know what she will look like and what kind of person she'd become.

"You're her big brother, topolino. Protect and love her." His father told him.

"I will," Hector promised firmly.

It was a promise that he would keep for the rest of his life but sadly she passed away before he could even keep the promise.

/////////////

Theo always wanted to hold Hector's hand wherever they went. Hector got annoyed by it often but today he couldn't turn away his little brother. Not when they were burying their baby sister.

Hector stood in between Theo and Silas. His parents sat next to them but he couldn't look at them. He heard his mother's sobs and they would haunt him for the rest of his life. No one could comfort her, not even their father.

"Where did baby Elena go?" Theo asked Hector.

His blue eyes were filled with tears and he hung onto his older brother. Hector's heart felt heavy. He was sad as well but his siblings turned to him and he needed to be strong for them.

"A better place. We'll see her again one day." Hector promised him.

"That's bullshit. She's dead." Silas grunted.

Theo started to cry while Hector sent Silas a glare. He wasn't supposed to swear but Silas was acting out more and more. The death of their sister didn't help calm him down.

"Shut it, Silas. Don't say things like that around Theo." Hector scolded him.

Silas just rolled his eyes while Hector tried to comfort Theo. The ceremony was painful to withstand and the sight of the tiny coffin placed into the ground was awful.

Afterwards, so many people came up to the Cassano's to offer their condolences. It suddenly became too much for Hector and he hid away in the bathroom. He slid down the wall and hugged his knees to his chest. Tears streamed down his face and he tried to wipe them away.

No one can know that he cried. He had to be strong for his siblings and his parents.

His hands were shaking and he felt overwhelmed by strong emotions that he didn't even understand. How was any of this fair? His baby sister only got a few hours on this earth. He was so excited to meet her, to play with her, to get to know her.

He'll never get to meet her again.

The door to the bathroom opened and his father stepped inside. Luca Cassano found his son crying on the bathroom floor and hurried to him. Hector tried to cancel his tears but his father had already seen them.

"Topolino?" He asked carefully.

Hector couldn't respond so his father pulled him in for a hug. He caressed his brown locks and held his son close to him. His other children were too young to understand what was happening but Hector understood. He even met Elena.

"I didn't protect her." He cried to his father.

Luca cupped his face carefully while tears burned in his own eyes. Today was the most difficult day in his life. He had to bury his child and he didn't wish that upon any other parent.

"This isn't your fault. Some things are out of our hands, okay? Your sister's passing is one of those things. Nothing we could've done would've changed that."

Hector stubbornly shook his head. He kept on believing that this was his fault. He had to protect his little sister.

"No one can stop death, caro. You did nothing wrong and you shouldn't blame yourself for this." His father insisted.

Luca lifted Hector on his lap. It's been a while since he babied Hector because Hector didn't enjoy it and he was growing up. Hector wasn't his quiet baby who liked to fall asleep on his chest anymore.

"You're ten years old, Topolino. You don't need to act tough or strong. You can be sad about what's happening. You can always cry to me."

Hector hugged his father tightly while Luca closed his eyes and pressed a kiss on his forehead.

"Stay my baby for a little while longer. You don't need to grow up just yet."

It was a desperate wish from his father but it was futile because Hector had already grown up.

/////////////////////

Silas laughed bitterly as he scanned through Alexander's photo album on his phone. They were filled with pictures of Elena. Pictures of them together, pictures of her snuggling with animals, pictures he took of her, selfies that she sent him.

"She sends you selfies of her eating cake pops?" Silas snapped.

Alexander was tied up to a chair in one of their many cells. Hector had kicked his door down and taken him from his home to their warehouse. Even before Silas arrived, Hector had punched Alexander repeatedly all over his body. Silas was quite shocked to see his older brother out of control but this was about Elena.

He always got tense when it concerned her.

Alexander didn't answer Silas. He's been quiet ever since Hector captured him. He took the punches without grunts or protests. Hector had expected it. Alexander was just like them, they knew what torture felt like and could withstand it.

"How long have you been dating?" Silas questioned.

Alexander kept his mouth shut but it didn't really matter because Hector already knew everything that he had to know.

"Six months." Hector got out.

Silas cursed loudly and glared at Alexander. How did they manage to keep this from them for six months? He didn't even notice anything weird going on with Elena.

"Remind Alexander again of what I said I'd do to my men who can't stay the fuck away from my baby sister?" Hector instructed Silas.

Hector said down in a chair and threw his jacket aside. He carefully rolled up his sleeve and took off his Rolex. If it was up to him, which it was, he would beat the living shit out of Alexander.

"They'd be dead men walking." Silas grinned excitedly.

Hector had warned his men and had even made an example out of Cosmo Russo, who had the guts to propose to Elena without his approval. No one who tries to take Elena away again will come out of it alive.

Alexander was going to leave this room dead.

Before Hector could start the torture, his phone rang. He picked up when he noticed that Theo was calling him. He'd instructed his younger brother to take Elena back to their home where she'd stay for a while. They didn't want her out of their sight right now.

"Elena passed out," Theo muttered into the phone.

"What?" Hector demanded.

Elena knew that she was in trouble. Hector saw it in the way she behaved earlier. When he caught her in a lie or when she misbehaved, Elena always acted tough. She tried to joke her way out of getting punished or use her favourite tactic on him: her puppy eyes.

He didn't expect her to pass out.

"She's stressed. Victor helped her regain consciousness." Theo explained.

Hector sighed deeply and rolled his eyes. What did she see in Alexander Ferrari? Why was she fighting for him? He didn't understand. Alexander was known for sleeping around and breaking women's hearts. Hector wouldn't allow him to do the same with his little sister. He was going to tear that bastard to pieces.

"Prepare her a bag for Las Vegas. She's staying with Nicolas for a while."

Silas stopped his assault on Alexander when he heard his older brother. They did not discuss this and he wasn't a big fan of sending Elena away. Nicolas had a tight grip on Nevada but it was still dangerous. There was no doubt that Nicolas could protect Elena but Silas rather wanted her to be surrounded by most of her brothers.

"Hector, this isn't a good idea. She's sobbing her eyes out." Theo sighed deeply.

Hector clenched his jaw tightly and glared at Alexander who was haunched over. He spat out blood and took deep breaths.

"It's her fault," Hector replied harshly.

Silas gave him a look but Hector ignored him. Elena had changed because of Alexander. She was pushing away her family and deliberately wanted to hurt Hector. He won't allow that type of behaviour.

Family was everything and it seems that she's forgotten all about that because of her boyfriend.

"She wants to talk to you." Theo didn't even try to change Hector's mind.

When Hector felt angry and betrayed, you had better luck walking through a wall than trying to change his mind.

"She can talk to me after she comes back from Las Vegas." Hector wanted to end the call but then he heard weird shuffling noises.

"I want to negotiate with you!" Elena's voice rang through the phone.

Hector tightened his grip on his phone, so hard that it almost broke. Silas had come closer as well but he couldn't hear what Elena was saying.

"Pack a bag, Elena. I don't want to talk to you right now."

"If you end things like this, I'll hate you forever." She threatened.

Silas noticed the rage on Hector's face and took a few steps back. When his brother became so angry that he lost whatever was composing him, it was dangerous to be around him.

"You already do." He spat.

"And whose fault is that?" She snapped.

This wasn't his fault! All he's done was for her well-being but she never understood that. She always thought that he was being too much or ruining her life. It was as if she deliberately choose to ignore all the things he did for her, how much he loves her.

"Let's just talk things through. I'll promise to be reasonable if you promise the same." She sighed almost in defeat.

He didn't have to be reasonable, he already had what he wanted. Alexander was going to die and never get near Elena again. Why would he even bother negotiating with her?

"I already have everything I need." He shrugged.

It was quiet for a while and he thought for a second that she'd given up, but that was dumb. This was Elena. Elena who looks too much like him.

"If you love me, you'd do this for me."

Hector sighed deeply and looked at Alexander. His Capo was leaning backwards in his chair without a hint of pain in his expression. No form of physical torture was going to get to him. He'll die without showing any pain and that was not satisfactory for Hector.

"Tell Theo to bring you here." Hector ended the call.

There was a reason why he preferred psychological warfare.

////////////////////

Elena's POV:

Theo tightened his grip on the steering wheel and kept throwing me worried glances. I sat calmly in the passenger's seat and watched how we drove from our nice neighbourhood towards an abandoned warehouse. I've been here before when Hector caught me with Daniel.

Oh, the irony of this situation!

"Tesoro, are you sure-"

"I don't need you to worry about me. It wouldn't be genuine." I snapped.

He flinched and turned his eyes back on the road. Theo was my favourite brother. I always felt safe and comfortable around him but there was a wall between us now. Between me and almost all of my brothers.

This wasn't just about Alexander but about them being controlling over everything I do in my life.

I was done trying to write it off as them just being protective or thinking that it was their way of showing love.

It's wrong and toxic. I won't allow it anymore.

If they won't change, then they'll lose me forever.

We finally arrived at the warehouse and I took a few deep breaths. I can do this. I will save Alexander.

Whatever it takes.

Theo led me inside. I spotted a few men working out in the gym. They spared me a few glances but continued working out after a glare from Theo. This time, I didn't walk up the iron staircase that led to Hector's office. We walked through a heavy door instead and then went down a staircase. A familiar scent filled my nose and I shuddered.

Cells and basements were triggers to my traumas.

Theo inspected me, waiting for a panic attack to come up, but nothing happened. Ronan was only a bad memory now and I won't allow him to be anything more.

"I want to give you a fair warning: Alexander has had a few punches," Theo warned me before we walked into a cell.

I'd expected that but I was not prepared when I did see Alexander. He was chained to an iron chair. His white shirt was bloodied and he looked beaten up. His left eye was swollen and his pretty lips were busted. I saw a gigantic bruise forming on his right cheekbone. Those were the only injuries I could see but there must be more.

Despite all that, he didn't look like he was in pain.

His green eyes met mine and I bolted towards him. I softly placed my arms around him in the hopes not to hurt him. He tensed before he relaxed and moved his head closer to my neck.

"You can't be here, amore. I don't want you to see this." He whispered to me.

Tears fell down my cheeks and I bit down on my lips. Alexander knew what had happened to me in a cell. He knew how nasty and painful my attacks could get. My tears fell down on his shoulder which made him tense again.

"Don't cry, bellissima. You know that it breaks my heart." He whispered.

"I'm sorry." I sobbed.

He shook his head and forcefully tugged at his chains. I could see the panicked look in his eye. Alexander and my brothers had a lot in common. They were overprotective. If my brothers could only see that, then maybe they wouldn't try to break us up.

"I brought you here to negotiate, not to have you reunite with your lover boy." Hector pulled me off Alexander.

My brother laid his arms around my waist and carried me away. For once, I did not feel safe in his arms. I flinched, which he noticed, and tried to calm down my anxious heart. I needed to get Alexander out of here.

Hector sat me down on a chair before grabbing another one and placing it down in front of me. We sat too close to each other and his intimidating eyes held me captive. This was going to be his approach: terrifying and intimidating.

"Talk." He nodded.

I stared at him for a while, trying to find any weakness but he wore that damn emotionless expression again. All it told me was that he was extremely angry and that wouldn't help me.

"I'm sorry for hurting you and for going behind your back. But I want you to understand why I did this." I started.

He glared at me. I grabbed onto my knees tightly and forced myself to continue. I had to be aware of everything I said and I couldn't afford to make a mistake.

"You love me very much, you all do..." I gazed at Silas and Theo.

They were leaning against the wall. Theo avoided my eyes and scratched the back of his neck. Earlier, when I regained consciousness, he locked me up in my room. I was screaming at him to let me out and I nearly kicked down my door.

"I love you too." I grabbed Hector's hands.

He stared at our hands and I swallowed. I did love them, even when they treated me like shit. Sadly, that was the way love worked. It was horribly beautiful.

"I knew that if I told you that I wanted to be with Alexander, you wouldn't allow it."

He scoffed and gave me a stern look.

"So you decided to date him behind my back?" He demanded.

"Would it have made a difference if I told you?" I questioned.

He was silent. We both knew the answer to the question. In both scenarios, he wouldn't have allowed me to be with Alexander and he'd want to hurt Alexander for coming to me.

"I don't tell you some things because of the way you react. It scares me and I'd rather hide it from you than tell you about it."

I watched how he let go of my hands and rolled his eyes. I was being open with him but he didn't want to listen.

He was not used to listening to anyone. So why would he listen to me?

"Killing Alexander won't solve anything. You will only drive me further away to a point both of us don't want to reach. Believe me, Hector."

No matter how close we are or how much we love each other, there's always a breaking point. And right now we were close to reaching it. Once we reach it, everything is done. I'd never forgive him. I'd never want to see him again.

"She's right," Theo spoke up.

Though it was late for him, I saw grateful that he stepped in. Maybe this was the reality check he needed to stop this mess.

"No, she isn't." Hector got up and kicked his chair away.

I flinched and leaned away from him. He would never hurt me but I didn't feel safe around him right now. He was becoming too unhinged.