As we race away in the car, a storm of anger and fear swells inside me. How could she be so reckless? How could she risk everything like that?
When the empty road stretches before us, I slam on the brakes, my heart pounding in my chest. I throw the...
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The dockyard loomed before us as we arrived at 8pm, the scent of saltwater and diesel hanging heavy in the air. My mind still reeled from the encounter at the cafe, the attempted attack replaying in my thoughts like a broken record. Matteo's voice broke through my trance, reminding me of our present situation.
"We're here, boss," he said, his tone edged with concern.I shook off the remnants of Chiara, focusing on the task at hand. We checked for any threats as we disembarked, moving with practiced precision. As we approached the area where John, the American gang leader, and his men awaited us, I steeled myself for the conversation ahead.
John greeted us with a smirk, his eyes flicking over our group with a mix of amusement and calculation. "Well, if it isn't Gabriel Romano. What brings you to my neck of the woods?"I ignored the taunt, getting straight to business. "Let's talk about the shipment."
As we discussed logistics, my attention was drawn to a commotion nearby. David, one of John's men, was dragging a struggling figure forward. Upon closer inspection, I realized with a sinking feeling that it was Chiara.Anger surged through me at the sight of her, but I forced myself to maintain a neutral facade.
She wasn't supposed to be here, putting herself in danger by meddling in affairs she had no business in. I stood tall, pretending not to know her, even as I saw the hurt and betrayal in her eyes.David spoke up, his voice dripping with malice.
"We caught her snooping around."The revelation hit me like a punch to the gut. Chiara, caught in the crossfire of my world, her safety jeopardized by her own curiosity. I wanted to lash out, to demand answers, but I held myself back, knowing that now was not the time.I turned to John, my voice steady despite the turmoil of emotions raging within me. "What do you want to do with her?"
As John turns to David and issues the command to deal with the snoopers, my heart sinks. I watch in horror as David pushes Chiara to her knees, her eyes burning with hatred and loathing. That's when I lose it.
"Stop!" I bark, my voice cutting through the tension like a knife. John scoffs, his expression mocking. "And why would I do that?" he retorts.
"If you want to make it out of here alive," I growl, my fists clenched at my sides, "she should be left unharmed."
Matteo and Antonio step forward, their weapons drawn, a silent but menacing display of force. John hesitates, his eyes flicking between us. But then he shakes his head. "I don't think so," he sneers.
I signal to my snipers, hidden in the shadows, and they take out a few of John's men. The sound of gunfire echoes in the night, sending a chill down my spine. "This doesn't have to end in bloodshed," I warn, my voice low and dangerous.
But John is stubborn, refusing to back down. Before I can stop him, he gives the order to harm Chiara. My blood runs cold as I see the glint of a blade in David's hand.
That's when I know I have to act. I hear the distant wail of sirens, a warning that time is running out. "We're leaving," John declares, his tone brimming with defiance. "But this isn't over. And I won't leave her for this."With that, John and his men make a hasty retreat, leaving Chiara kneeling on the cold concrete, her eyes wide with shock and fear. Without a moment's hesitation, I move to her side, pulling her roughly to her feet."Get in the car," I command, my voice sharp with urgency.
"We need to leave, now."As we speed away from the dockyard, anger courses through me like a raging inferno. Chiara sits beside me, her own emotions running high. When we're finally far enough from prying eyes, I pull the car to a stop on a deserted road."Out," I order, my tone brooking no argument.Chiara exits the car, her expression a mixture of defiance and defiance.
I approach her, my steps deliberate and purposeful."Why were you there?" I demand, my voice low and dangerous. "What might have happened if I hadn't intervened?"She meets my gaze with fiery intensity, her anger matching my own. "Why do you care?" she retorts, her voice tinged with bitterness. "You claimed you didn't even know me."I close the distance between us in an instant, my hand gripping her chin with bruising force until our faces are inches apart.
"You're mine," I whisper, my voice barely a growl. "Mine to torment, mine to punish, mine to kill."Her eyes widen with a mixture of fear and defiance, but beneath it all, I see something else—a dangerous allure that draws me in like a moth to a flame. I know the danger of my obsession, the risks it poses to both of us and the empire I've built. But in that moment, none of it matters.
As I release her, I can feel the tension crackling between us, a palpable force that threatens to consume us both. But as she stands before me, her breath coming in ragged gasps, I know that I'm playing a dangerous game—one that may have consequences far beyond anything I could have imagined.
As we pull up to my mansion, I can feel the tension in the air thickening with every passing second. My men are on high alert, their eyes shooting daggers at Chiara as she exits the car. I can practically feel the waves of animosity rolling off them in waves.
I step out of the car, my gaze sweeping over my men with a warning glare. "Enough," I growl, my voice low and menacing. "She's under my protection. Anyone who dares to disrespect her will answer to me."
There's a palpable sense of tension as my men exchange uneasy glances, but they heed my warning, stepping back reluctantly as Chiara follows me inside.
Once we're safely inside the confines of my mansion, I turn to her, my jaw clenched in frustration. "You're safe here," I assure her, my tone firm.
She meets my gaze with defiance, her eyes flashing with anger. "I didn't ask for your protection," she retorts, her voice laced with bitterness.
I can feel my temper flaring, but I reign it in, pulling her closer to me until our bodies are inches apart. "You may not have asked for it," I reply, my voice low and dangerous. "But whether you like it or not, you're under my protection now."
There's a moment of tense silence between us as we lock eyes, the air crackling with unresolved tension. Despite how much I hate her, I know deep down that I can't let anyone hurt her. She may be a thorn in my side, but she's my thorn, and I'll be damned if I let anyone else lay a hand on her.
