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 drive back to the mansion was a blur, my hands tight on the steering wheel, knuckles pale under the pressure. Chiara sat quietly beside me, her face unreadable, though I could feel the tension in her every breath, in the way she clutched her phone in her lap. Her apartment—her sanctuary—had been completely destroyed. The sight of it, the sheer audacity of Gio’s message, still churned in my gut like acid. Every corner of her place was thrashed, broken, violated, but it wasn’t just the damage to the walls or the shattered glass on the floor that haunted me. It was the mocking symbol left behind, the one carved into the wall in blood-red paint—*I’m coming for you, tuono.*
*Tuono.* My chest tightened at the thought of that word in Gio’s hands. A name I’d given her, a private endearment, twisted and used against me. It was a taunt, an insult that cut deeper than any knife could. He knew exactly how to hit me where it hurt—through her. Gio was close. Closer than I’d anticipated, and I couldn’t afford another loss. Not now. Not her.
Back at the mansion, I didn't let myself calm down. The anger simmered beneath the surface, fueling every step I took. As soon as I got inside, I called for a meeting with my men, giving quick, clear instructions, the way a general would in the heat of battle.
“We need surveillance on every corner of her block,” I ordered, pacing the length of the room like a caged lion. “I want eyes everywhere. No one comes in or out without us knowing. Double the guards at every entrance to the estate. Secure the perimeter—lock it down.”
They nodded, their faces grim and determined. But it wasn’t enough. Not for me. “Gio’s playing games,” I growled, my voice low, dangerous. “I’m not. You see anything out of the ordinary—*anything*—you report immediately. No hesitation. We’re not losing ground to this bastard.”
My men dispersed with purpose, knowing the gravity of the situation. But the weight on my chest only grew heavier as they left the room. I called Antonio and Matteo, my two most trusted lieutenants, knowing the next steps were crucial. I could see the tension in their faces as they stood before me, waiting for instructions.
“I’m taking Chiara to the cabin in New Orleans,” I told them, my voice steady, though my heart beat like war drums in my chest. “She’s not safe here. I want her out of Gio’s reach.”
Antonio frowned, the lines in his face deepening. “What about the kids?” he asked, his voice rough, protective.
“You take them somewhere safe,” I said, locking eyes with him. “Go to your sister’s place in the countryside, far from all of this. Don’t let them out of your sight.”
Antonio nodded, the seriousness of the situation settling between us like a dark cloud.
Matteo stepped forward next, always the one to challenge, even when he understood the stakes. “And what about Fiona?” His voice was tight with concern. “You’re asking us to run, Gabriel. We’re not runners.”
I met his gaze, knowing the question was coming. “I need you to take Fiona to the safehouse,” I replied. “We can’t fight this war if we’re worried about them. Gio’s coming for everyone we care about. We protect them first, then we fight. There’s no going back after this.”
Matteo clenched his jaw, the frustration clear on his face, but he nodded. He knew, just like I did, that this was about more than pride. It was about survival.
We spent the next few minutes discussing our communication plans, how we’d stay in touch, and how we’d coordinate once we got everyone secured. The tension in the room was palpable, the weight of what was coming bearing down on us like a storm on the horizon.
After they left, I made my way to the room where Chiara was. Nonna sat beside her, the older woman’s presence a calming force even in the midst of chaos. She looked up as I entered, her eyes sharp, knowing what was happening without me saying a word.
“Take this,” I said, handing her a thick envelope of cash. “I need you to go to a safe place in the suburbs. Somewhere quiet, where Gio won’t find you.”
Nonna gave me a hard look, the kind that made me feel like a child under her gaze. “You take care of her,” she said, her voice firm, but softening just enough to remind me of the love she held for both of us. “She’s what you needed in your life, Gabriel.”
I nodded, feeling the truth of her words settle in my chest like a weight. “I will, Nonna. I promise.”
She patted my shoulder, a gesture of quiet understanding, and left the room, leaving just me and Chiara in the dim light. I could see the fear in her eyes, the way her shoulders tensed, but when she looked up at me, she smiled. Always the strong one. Always pretending like the danger wasn’t so close she could feel its breath on her neck.
“I’m not scared for me,” she said softly, the honesty in her voice catching me off guard. “I’m scared for you.”
I stood there, stunned. This woman, the one whose life was under threat, was more worried about me than herself. My chest tightened at the realization. Chiara was more than just strong—she was resilient, steadfast in the face of danger. She was my queen, and I was damn lucky to have her.
“You’re worried about me?” I said, stepping closer, pulling her into my arms. “I’m the one who’s supposed to protect you.”
She laughed softly, the sound barely more than a whisper. “You’re my life now, Gabriel. I couldn’t bear to lose you.”
I kissed her then, deeply, like it was the last time, though I swore to myself it wouldn’t be. I would do everything—*everything*—to make sure she was safe, that nothing would ever take her from me. I pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, my hands cradling her face.
“I won’t let anything happen to you,” I vowed, my voice firm. “Not now. Not ever. I’ll be safe too, I promise you that. I’ll win this for us. For everything we have.”
She smiled up at me, her eyes filled with something that looked a lot like hope, though I knew it was mixed with fear. But that smile, even with everything crashing around us, was enough to give me the strength I needed.
And as I held her close, I knew that I wasn’t just fighting for survival anymore. I was fighting for a future. A future where this woman by my side would always be safe, where Gio would be nothing but a shadow of the past, and where we would finally have the peace we both deserved.
