Crimson vows

Chapter 22: Reprieve

Valentina's POV

The drive back from the warehouse is silent, our breaths the only sound between us as the adrenaline of the night begins to wear off. The city lights blur past, casting fleeting shadows across Luca's face. His expression is hard, unreadable, but I sense a shift—a sense of finality, like a weight lifted off his shoulders.

We arrive at the safe house, and as Luca parks, he turns to look at me, his gaze softened, the harsh lines of his face relaxing.

"It's over, Valentina," he murmurs, almost as if he's still trying to convince himself. "Matvey's network... it's broken."

The words hang between us, surreal and strange, and it takes a moment for them to fully sink in. We've been running, hiding, fighting for so long that the idea of this chapter ending feels like a dream.

"Does that mean... we're free?" I ask, the hope in my voice almost foreign, as if I've forgotten what freedom even feels like.

Luca nods slowly. "Yes. At least, as free as we can be."

He reaches out, his hand gently brushing against my cheek, his touch grounding me in this new reality. I lean into his warmth, letting my eyes close as I take in the quiet intimacy of the moment.

"Thank you," I whisper, my voice barely audible. "For everything."

He doesn't respond, but the way he looks at me—like I'm the one thing anchoring him to this world—says more than words ever could.

Luca's POV

In the quiet of the safe house, Valentina falls asleep on the couch, her head resting against my shoulder. She's finally letting herself relax, her guard down in a way I've rarely seen. I stay still, listening to the sound of her steady breathing, feeling an unexpected warmth spread through my chest.

It's strange, this feeling of peace. I've spent so long focused on survival that I never stopped to consider what life might look like without constant threats hanging over us. With Matvey's men scattered and his network weakened, we have a real chance to escape this life for good.

But then, as I sit there in the stillness, an unfamiliar sense of fear seeps in. The thought of letting my guard down, of exposing myself to vulnerability, is more terrifying than any enemy I've faced.

I brush a strand of hair from her face, taking in the gentle rise and fall of her chest. She's brought a light into my life that I never expected, and as much as I want to believe we can have a future together, I can't shake the feeling that my past will eventually come back to haunt me.

With a sigh, I close my eyes, letting the weight of exhaustion pull me under.

The Next Morning

I wake to the smell of coffee and the soft sounds of movement in the kitchen. Valentina is standing by the counter, her back to me, hair still tousled from sleep. She turns as I approach, a shy smile gracing her lips.

"Morning," she says, holding out a cup.

"Morning," I reply, taking it from her, and for a moment, everything feels strangely... normal.

We sit in silence, sipping our coffee, and it's as if the ghosts of last night have melted away. I find myself wishing this moment could stretch on forever, this fragile illusion of normalcy.

"Do you think... we could really have a future?" she asks, her gaze searching, vulnerable in a way that makes my chest ache.

I take a deep breath, the weight of her question pressing down on me. "If we're careful, if we keep our distance from everything that happened here... maybe."

She nods, a glimmer of hope sparking in her eyes. But there's also a shadow there, a reminder that freedom won't come without a price.

"We'll take it one day at a time," I say, reaching across the table to take her hand.

Her fingers curl around mine, warm and steady, and for the first time, I allow myself to hope.

Later That Day

We spend the day laying low, waiting for word from Marco on the final cleanup of Matvey's remnants. I can tell Valentina is restless, her fingers tapping against her leg as she stares out the window. I understand the feeling all too well. The idea of leaving, of starting fresh, is both thrilling and terrifying.

By late afternoon, Marco calls with an update.

"Matvey's network has gone underground. The few men he had left scattered. They won't be a threat anytime soon, but I'll keep eyes on the situation just in case."

"Thanks, Marco," I say, feeling a sense of finality settle over me. It's strange, like closing a chapter of my life I thought would never end.

After I end the call, I turn to Valentina, who's been listening quietly. "It's done," I say, meeting her gaze. "We're clear."

She releases a shaky breath, her shoulders relaxing. I move closer, taking her hands in mine. "Are you ready to leave this behind?"

She nods, her eyes shining with a mixture of relief and excitement. "Yes. More than anything."

That Evening

We pack quickly, gathering only the essentials. As I lock up the safe house for the last time, I feel a strange sense of closure. This place held so many memories, so many secrets, but it's time to leave it behind.

Valentina waits by the car, her hand on the door as she watches me. I walk over, slipping into the driver's seat, and as we pull away from the safe house, I feel a strange mixture of nostalgia and freedom.

The road stretches ahead, open and endless, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like we're headed somewhere real.

Valentina reaches over, her hand finding mine, and as I glance over at her, I see the faintest hint of a smile.

For the first time, our future doesn't feel like a distant dream. It feels real, within reach, and I'm willing to fight for it with everything I have.