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Chapter 47

Domenico's Pov

Spending this much time alone in a place like this really forces you to sit with your thoughts. It's a chance to reflect on the choices you've made and gain a clearer view of life. Lately, I've been thinking about how far Olivia and I have come. Through everything—the highs and the lows—I can't picture myself with anyone else. We've had our rough patches, sure, but we worked through them and found our way back to each other.

People don't usually get married so soon after meeting, but something in me just knew—I couldn't let her go. It felt like she was already mine, and my heart had chosen her the moment I saw her. I just didn't realize it at the time... I was too naïve to understand what that feeling truly meant.

I was shattered when she left me—it felt humiliating, especially in front of family and friends. All of it stemmed from my own failure to communicate. The time we spent apart was agonizing, like my entire world had collapsed. I can't even begin to imagine how she must've felt. I've promised myself never to let our relationship go through that again. That's why I make an effort to be open and honest with her—because that's what she deserves as my wife. Still, I sometimes hold back on the small things, just to protect her from unnecessary stress, especially now that she's pregnant.

I can't wait to be a dad—and honestly, if it were up to me, Olivia would be pregnant every year. The thought of us chasing after messy little toddlers makes me smirk, especially imagining how fiercely protective she'll be over our kids. It's a future I look forward to with all my heart.

I'm lying here, trying to figure out a plan, weighing everything they might do to us while we're stuck in this place. Deep down, I know the beatings and torture are just on pause—they're waiting for the right moment to break me again. That's how things go in this world. I just didn't have the courage to tell Olivia. I couldn't bring myself to add more weight to what she's already carrying. She's been through enough, and I didn't want to make it worse.

When you're born into a life like this, you're conditioned from a young age to survive near-death torture. So yeah, they've done a number on me—but I've endured worse. In places like this, your mind becomes your greatest enemy. It's what either breaks you or keeps you going. Left alone with nothing but your thoughts, you start to overanalyse everything around you. The silence amplifies it all, and it's easy to lose yourself in it.

My biggest fear is them laying a hand on Olivia while she's alone with them—especially knowing I'm not there to protect her if something goes wrong. Anyone bold enough to kidnap the Capo and his wife from their own home clearly has no regard for life. They know exactly what kind of retaliation comes from a Mafia like ours, and still, they went through with it. That takes guts—and careful planning. They knew what they were doing. I've been in this game long enough to recognize that better than anyone.

I noticed it from the way they moved through our house—too smooth, too precise. It was clear they'd been watching us for a while. There's no way their first time inside went off without a hitch unless they knew exactly what they were walking into. They had to know how many guards were posted and where to go. That kind of precision doesn't happen by chance. The only conclusion I can draw is that there's a rat in my circle. And whoever it is... their time is running out.

You'd think someone like me would be a light sleeper, but the truth is, I sleep like a rock. Thankfully, Olivia was awake and managed to warn me in time to get dressed—because guys like that don't give you a second to prepare. The more vulnerable they find you, the better it works in their favor. From the moment they entered to the moment they reached us, it all happened fast. Too fast.

I know the Spanish Mafia well—even if their new boss keeps a low profile, I'm no stranger to who he really is. It's always the quiet ones you watch out for—the ones who stay in the shadows are often the most dangerous. And this guy? He's no exception. He's a twisted, ruthless bastard, and from what I know, he's behind one of the largest sex trafficking operations in the world. That's why I'm on edge, sitting here while Olivia is upstairs. Just the thought of her being anywhere near someone like him makes my blood boil.

Watching how Olivia has handled everything makes me realize I made the right choice when I gave love a chance. She's so much more than just my wife—she's a protector, a nurturer, a fighter. She'll go to any length to make sure the people she loves are safe and cared for. I'm unbelievably proud of her for adapting to this life so fearlessly, especially considering she wasn't born into it. She never hesitates when faced with life-or-death decisions. I love her more than words can express, and I wouldn't think twice about giving my life to keep her safe—no matter the cost.

I was genuinely stunned when I saw Olivia pull out the gun and phone. Of all people, I never expected her—someone who's never been part of this life—to think that far ahead. If it had been me hiding the gear, they would've found it instantly. The first thing they did when we were caught was pat me down. She knew that, and somehow, she stayed one step ahead.

I've been lying low, playing the part of someone broken—it's better to let your enemies believe you're powerless than to actually be. Before they took Olivia, she left the gun behind, so I'd have a way to defend myself if things went south. It would've been far more dangerous if they'd found it on her. She took the phone instead, hoping to find a way to contact Luca. I just pray they don't discover it—because if they do, things could get a lot worse.

Back then, finding people or gathering intel was never a problem—my tech, combat skills, and intelligence network were sharper than even the government's. But lately, my team's been slipping in key areas... and so have I. As messed up as it is to admit, it's the truth.

I've definitely become more lenient with the guys lately, and I know that's Olivia's influence—her kindness has started to rub off on me. It's affecting how I run things in the Mafia, but that's on me, not her. I'm responsible for how I respond to what's happening around me. The fact that my crew still hasn't shown up says a lot, and it's something I need to fix the moment I get out of here.

Just like that, my moment of reflection is shattered by the sound of footsteps echoing down the corridor. The door swings open and standing there is a man I've never seen before. He's cracking his knuckles; eyes locked on me with a glare that could kill. The tension in the room shifts instantly.

They're clearly not here for a friendly chat—this guy's probably about to mess me up. But honestly, I've had enough of their crap for one week. As he steps closer, I spot three more guys trailing behind him into the room. Yep... they're here to keep the nightmare going.

I've made up my mind—it's time to stand my ground. If I don't, these bastards won't stop until I'm dead. I need to fight back, not just for myself, but for Olivia and our child. I want to meet my kid, and if I stay passive, there's no telling if we'll ever make it out alive. It's now or never.

All four of them move toward me slowly, smug grins stretched across their faces. They're trying to surround me, preparing to strike—but not today. In one swift motion, I reach under the mattress and pull out the gun. Their smirks vanish instantly. There's no time to hesitate or second-guess. I fire—two clean shots to the head. The first two drop hard, their bodies hitting the concrete with a heavy thud.

The third guy lunges at me, but I react fast—aiming straight for his chest and pulling the trigger. He drops instantly, collapsing to the ground. Before I can reset, the fourth one dives for the gun. I'm a second too late to stop him.

I tried to stop him with a punch to the face, but in the chaos of our struggle, he managed to grab the hand holding the gun and force it downward. Now the barrel was aimed at my leg, and he was pressing hard, trying to pry my fingers off the grip. With no other option and no free limbs left to fight back, I did the only thing I could—I slammed my head forward and drove it straight into his oversized nose.

I have no idea why I'm noticing details like this in a moment like this—but I do. His focus shifts from the gun to his injury for just a split second, and that's all I need. I take the shot, right between the eyes. He drops instantly. Now there's no time to waste—I need to find Olivia and get us the hell out of here.

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