Crimson Heart: FORBIDDEN DESIRES OF MAFIA.

Chapter 7: A Dangerous Dance

But fate had other plans.

Just as Elena was within reach of Ivanov, a hulking figure stepped into her path, blocking her way. His sneer cut through the dim light as he raised his weapon, ready to strike. Elena moved without thinking, ducking under his arm and delivering a sharp kick to his knee. The man staggered, and with one fluid motion, she raised her gun and fired. The shot echoed through the warehouse, and the man crumpled to the ground, but in that single breath of time, Ivanov had vanished.

"No!" Elena's voice rang out in frustration, her eyes scanning the shadows, searching for any sign of him. But Ivanov was gone—again.

Alessio appeared at her side, his face set in a grim expression. "He's running. We can still catch him."

Determined, they moved quickly through the maze of crates and debris, chasing Ivanov's shadow through the warehouse. Every corner they turned led to another dead end, the dim light and the echoing footsteps playing tricks on their senses. Elena refused to let her frustration take hold—this was not the time for doubt. They had come too far.

Finally, they burst through a side door, emerging into the cold night air. The alley behind the warehouse was narrow and dimly lit, the shadows stretching long and foreboding. And there, just a few feet ahead, was Ivanov.

Elena's heart pounded as she raised her gun, taking careful aim. Her finger hovered over the trigger, poised to end it once and for all. This was her chance—her one shot. The tension in the air was palpable, every second feeling like an eternity.

But just as she was about to fire, Ivanov turned, a twisted grin on his face. He wasn't aiming at her—he was aiming at Alessio.

Everything happened in a blur. Time seemed to slow as Elena realized what was about to happen. She had to choose—take the shot, end Ivanov, or save Alessio.

Without a second thought, Elena dove in front of Alessio, her body colliding with his as Ivanov's bullet sailed past them, missing its mark by mere inches. The force of the impact sent them both crashing to the ground, but as they lay there, breathless and shaken, Elena's heart pounded with the knowledge of how close she had come to losing him.

Ivanov was gone—again. But as Elena looked up at Alessio, his arms wrapped tightly around her, the weight of the moment struck her. She hadn't lost everything.

She hadn't lost him.

Alessio's grip on her tightened, his breath warm against her temple as he whispered, "You didn't have to do that."

"I couldn't let him take you," Elena replied softly, her voice trembling with the intensity of everything they had just been through.

For a moment, there was nothing but silence between them, the world fading away once again. Then, Alessio's lips brushed against her forehead, the contact igniting something deep within her, a spark that had been growing ever since the moment they first met. His hand trailed down her arm, the warmth of his touch anchoring her in the chaos.

"Thank you," Alessio murmured, his lips barely grazing her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. "For saving me."

Elena's breath hitched, her pulse racing as she turned to face him, their eyes locking in the dim light. "We're in this together," she whispered, echoing his earlier words, but now with a deeper, undeniable meaning.

Alessio leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a slow, heated kiss. It was filled with the unspoken connection they had been holding back for too long—desire, fear, and the realization that no matter how dangerous their world became, they would face it together.

When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads rested against each other, both of them breathing heavily, their bodies still humming with adrenaline.

"We'll get him," Alessio whispered, his voice filled with quiet determination. "Together."

Elena nodded, her fingers tracing the edge of his jaw as she smiled, her heart lighter than it had been in a long time. "Yes. Together."

And with that, the spark between them burned brighter than ever, illuminating the path they would now walk side by side—no matter the dangers that lay ahead.