Shadows of Affection (GxG)

Chapter 52: Memory's Embrace

The drive back home was serene, the silence between them not uncomfortable but rich with the emotions of the night. Alessia sat beside Lily in the car, her hand resting idly on her lap, occasionally glancing sideways at her fiancée. She felt lighter, more grounded than she had since waking up, though the flickering gaps in her memory still gnawed at the edges of her contentment.

"Lily," Alessia murmured, breaking the quiet.

Lily turned her head slightly, her expression soft but inquisitive. "Hmm?"

Alessia hesitated, her lips parting before she settled on the courage to speak. "Can I kiss you again?"

Lily's lips curved into a gentle smile, her heart skipping a beat. "Of course," she whispered.

Alessia didn't waste a moment. She leaned in, her hand reaching out to cradle Lily's cheek as their lips met. This kiss was no less breathtaking than the first, yet it carried a different weight—a reassurance, a silent promise of hope. The world around them seemed to blur as Alessia poured every ounce of her fledgling certainty into the kiss, savoring the softness of Lily's lips and the warmth that spread through her chest.

When they broke apart, both slightly breathless, Alessia let out a soft chuckle. "I could get used to that, too."

Lily laughed, her cheeks tinted with a rosy glow. "You better," she teased, her tone light but affectionate.

The car pulled up to the long driveway of the Sorrento mansion, and as they approached, the mood in the vehicle shifted. The warm, dreamy haze of the evening gave way to a sharp, jarring tension.

Lily was the first to notice it—the unmistakable flicker of firelight reflecting off the sleek black windows of the mansion. Her eyes widened, her hand gripping the edge of the seat. Alessia, ever perceptive, followed her gaze, her body tensing as she took in the sight ahead.

Several black SUVs were parked haphazardly along the driveway, their ominous presence an immediate red flag. Alessia's G-Wagon, a car that had become an extension of her identity, was no longer intact—it was blown apart, reduced to a smoking shell of twisted metal and shattered glass.

"Stop the car," Alessia barked, her voice sharp and commanding.

The driver obeyed immediately, pulling over to the side of the road. Alessia was already unbuckling her seatbelt, her instincts taking over. She turned to Lily, her expression deadly serious.

"Stay here," Alessia ordered firmly.

"No," Lily protested, her voice trembling but resolute.

"Lily, please," Alessia said, her tone softening, though the urgency remained. "I need to know you're safe."

Lily hesitated, her heart pounding, but she nodded reluctantly. "Be careful," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Alessia stepped out of the car, her posture rigid and alert. The cool night air hit her, carrying with it the acrid scent of burning fuel. Her eyes scanned the area, every sense on high alert as she assessed the situation.

One of the mansion guards stumbled into view, blood staining the front of his uniform. He clutched his side, his breathing labored as he approached Alessia.

"Capo," he managed, his voice hoarse. "They came out of nowhere. Spanish Mafia. We tried—"

Alessia caught him as he collapsed, lowering him gently to the ground. She looked up at the mansion, her jaw tightening as the distant sound of shouting reached her ears. Her mind raced, piecing together the situation.

Reaching into her jacket, Alessia pulled out her gun, the weight of it grounding her as she prepared to confront the threat. Behind her, she heard Lily step out of the car, despite her earlier promise to stay put.