In the heart of a modern city, two rival families hold the power. Valentina, a fiercely loyal daughter, and Matteo, a cunning and determined son, find themselves on opposite sides of a dangerous feud. But when their paths unexpectedly intertwine, th...
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I was just about to start another round of training when my phone buzzed with a message. It was from an unknown number, but the words froze me in place:
-Valentina, if you ever want to see Logan alive again, come to my workplace. You have one hour. Lorenzo.
I immediately showed Alejandro, my hands trembling. He quickly scanned the message, and his face hardened. "Valentina, it's going to be okay. I'll take you there, and we'll handle this."
We jumped into his car, and the drive to the warehouse felt like an eternity. The place was old, beaten down, with crumbling walls and broken windows. My stomach twisted with fear as we pulled up outside. I rushed inside without a second thought, desperate to save Logan.
But the moment I entered, I froze. Logan was slumped in a chair, his body battered and bruised, barely conscious. A sob tore through my throat, and I rushed to his side, grabbing his limp hand.
"No, no, no... Logan, please," I cried, my voice shaking. "Please wake up."
A cold laugh echoed through the warehouse, and I looked up to see Lorenzo standing there, smirking. He seemed amused by my panic, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
"If he's not alive," I spat out, tears streaming down my face, "I'll kill you. I swear I'll kill you."
Lorenzo raised an eyebrow, seemingly unfazed. "You have Matteo to blame for this."
His words barely registered in my mind as I held onto Logan, desperate to see any sign of life. But then, footsteps echoed through the warehouse, and I looked up to see Matteo standing at the entrance. His eyes were wide with shock, his face pale as he took in the scene.
He seemed frozen in place, and the only word that escaped his lips was my name. "Valentina..."
I didn't have time for him. All I cared about was Logan.
"Stop it, Lorenzo," I shouted, standing up on shaky legs. "If you need to hurt someone, hurt me instead! Just leave Logan alone!"
Lorenzo's smirk grew more sinister as he took a step closer to me. "You want me to hurt you instead? Fine. Let's see how brave you really are."
Before I could brace myself, Lorenzo's fist shot toward Logan again. I screamed and instinctively threw myself in front of him. The punch landed hard on my shoulder, knocking the wind out of me as I crumpled to the floor, pain radiating through my body.
I was crying so hard, I could barely see. "Please, Lorenzo... don't do this. Please..."
Alejandro's body tensed as soon as Lorenzo's fist connected with my side. His eyes darkened with fury, and before I could even register the pain, he was already moving.
"Who the fuck do you think you are?" Alejandro growled, charging at Lorenzo. "You think you can just do that to her? You're dead, man."
Ale didn't waste any time. He tackled Lorenzo to the ground, fists flying as he tried to defend me. His rage was palpable, each punch landing with the weight of his anger. He was like a force of nature, completely unleashed.
"Stay away from her, you piece of shit!" Alejandro snarled, pinning Lorenzo to the floor. "You don't touch her. Ever!"
Lorenzo, caught off guard, tried to fight back, but Alejandro was relentless. The sound of fists connecting with flesh echoed through the warehouse, but through the chaos, I could see Matteo.
He just stood there, frozen, staring at the scene in front of him. His face was a mixture of shock and something else—something I couldn't quite place.
"Matteo!" I screamed, my voice hoarse from crying. "Do something!"
But he didn't move. He just stood there, eyes locked on me, on Alejandro, on the chaos unfolding around us. It was as if he couldn't process it all. As if seeing me like this had paralyzed him.
Alejandro glanced at me, his anger softening just a fraction. "Val, I won't let them hurt you. I swear," he promised in a low voice, just for me. But even as he said it, I could see the toll it was taking on him.
Matteo finally took a shaky step forward, his eyes locked on me. "Valentina..."
But Alejandro wasn't done. He threw another punch at Lorenzo, who groaned in pain beneath him. "You hear me, Matteo? This is your fault! You let this happen!"
My heart pounded as I watched them fight. Everything was spiraling out of control. I couldn't take it anymore. "Ale, stop!" I cried, my voice trembling. "Please, just stop..."
Alejandro's gaze flicked to me for a brief second, his anger wavering. "Mariposa, it's okay."
But even as he said it, I could see Matteo struggling with the reality of the situation. He wanted to move, to do something, but something held him back, leaving Alejandro to protect me while everything else fell apart.
AUTHORS NOTEEE
guys I feel insanely bad for Val but why do I kind of feel for Matteo too😭😭 Protective ale?? Please follow my TikTok @heartss4bookss for more updates and content!!
