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Chapter 33
Last Updated:
2025-02-08 19:13:57
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Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 34
I try to go about my day, pretending that things are normal. But there’s always this nagging thought in the back of my mind, this constant stress that I can’t shake. I’m always on edge, waiting for the other shoe to drop.One evening, Marco comes home later than usual. The house is quiet, the kind of quiet that makes me feel more alone than ever. I’ve been moving, trying to keep my mind busy, but it’s useless. Every creak of the floor, every faraway sound makes me jump.Without thinking, I reach for his hand. My fingers brush his, and I half-expect him to pull away, to hide behind the cold mask he’s been wearing for days. But to my surprise, he didn’t. He lets me hold his hand, his fingers curling around mine. It’s such a small act, but it feels like a lifesaver in the middle of a storm.We don’t talk. There’s nothing to say. But standing there, holding his hand, I feel a flicker of hope…like maybe things aren’t as broken as they seem. Maybe, despite everything, there’s still something
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Marco slams the door shut behind us, locking us inside. He turns to Luca, his face hard. “We hold here until it’s clear.”Luca nods, his jaw tight. “They’re not getting in.”But as I stand there, pressed against the cold wall, I can’t shake the feeling that nothing is certain anymore. My safety, my future, it's all up in the air now. And the only thing I know for sure is that Gianni isn’t finished. Not by a long shot.As the quiet falls over the bunker, I understand how close I came to real danger—how close I still am. The attack on Marco’s house has changed everything. I’m not safe here. Not anymore.Marco promised to protect me, but with Gianni’s men coming for us, I don’t know if even he can keep that promise.The sound of breaking glass still echoes in my ears when the front door slams open with a loud crash. Before I can even understand what’s happening, chaos bursts around us. Masked men pour into the house, their dark forms moving like shadows through the dim light.My heart sl
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I fell into one of the chairs, my whole body shaking with excitement and fear. Marco stands by the door, his eyes scanning the room as if he’s still on high alert. His chest rises and falls with each heavy breath, but he’s still in charge. Always in control.Before I can catch my breath, Luca bursts into the room. His face is red with anger, his eyes sharp as they land on Marco. “That was Gianni,” he says, his voice tight with rage. “He’s escalating. He’s not playing around anymore.”I feel my stomach drop at the mention of Gianni’s name. It’s like a cold hand holding my heart, forcing the air out of my lungs. Gianni. He’s behind this. He’s the reason we’re running, the reason we’re hiding in this dark, stuffy room.Marco doesn’t say anything at first. He just stands there, his jaw clenched, his eyes dark with barely controlled rage. I can feel the stress coming off him, like a storm about to break. Luca’s words hang in the air, heavy and smothering.“This isn’t going to stop,” Luca a
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Marco gives my arm a light squeeze while his eyes briefly soften. "This is the only way to keep you safe, even though I know it's not easy."Even though the words don't reassure me, I nod once again. I know in my heart that simply leaving might not be sufficient. Gianni has a long reach, and I always feel like he's one step ahead of us.Bidding FarewellI insist on paying my father one final visit before we depart. The idea of abandoning him while he's still in the hospital, unconscious and frail, breaks my heart. Marco, however, is aware. When I inform him that I have to leave, he remains silent. He simply nods and leads me there, his presence steady and unwavering by my side.As soon as we enter the hospital, the sterile odor hits me, and the old tightness in my chest makes it tighten. Papa hasn't woken up in weeks following the incident that left him in this bed. I take his hand in mine as I sit next to him, the only sound in the room being the hum of the machines."Papa," I mumble
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I look at the men in front of me, and my heart thuds in my chest. There's no way out. No escape. We're stuck, and I can feel the terror grabbing hold of me and dragging me down.Marco turns to face me, his gaze meeting mine. "Remain in the vehicle. Stay put.Even while he speaks firmly, there's something in his eyes that tightens my throat. He is unsure if we will survive this or not. We don't.I seek my head, holding the seat in front of me with shaking fists. With cautious, methodical steps, Marco and Luca exit the vehicle. Although the men in front of me remain motionless, I can sense the oppressive strain in the air.The night is broken by the loud, deafening burst of gunfire. My heart is pounding, and I reflexively duck down as terror grips every part of my body. I can't see anything, but I can hear the sounds of the fight….screams, the loud thud of bodies hitting the ground. I can only hope and pray that Marco and Luca survive.The minutes drag on, each one seeming to go on fore
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I try to shrink myself as much as possible by pressing myself against the automobile while my hands shake wildly. All I can think about is how near we are to death when I hear the loud, terrible sound of gunfire everywhere. Every gunfire serves as a reminder that we are not safe, and every second seems to drag on forever.Luca has already entered the battle, is moving quickly, and dispatches one of the assailants with vicious efficiency. However, they are rapidly approaching and there are much too many of them. My heart is thumping in my ears, and I'm doing everything I can to maintain my composure and avoid losing myself entirely in the confusion.As he fires off another round, Marco moves quickly and sharply next to me. I can see the fatigue in his eyes, but his focus is steadfast. Error is not an option while he is battling for both his and our lives.The minutes seem like hours as the conflict drags on. I feel greater fear and anxiety with each passing second. Finally, though, the
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It is dark when we arrive at the safe home. It's a modest, unremarkable cabin tucked away in the woods, miles from the city and the mayhem we just left behind. My chest starts to relax a little as soon as we enter, but it only lasts a little while. Due to his severe injury, Marco is hardly able to function. As usual, he maintains his composure despite his pale face and the perspiration dripping from his brow.I lead him to a shabby couch and gently say, "Sit down." As I talk, my voice quivers, but I make an effort to ignore the fear. I must be focused and strong for him."I'll be alright," he murmurs in a rough voice. He shifts his weight and leans back, squirming a little, but he doesn't moan. Even when it's obvious that he's in pain, Marco never gives in to weakness. There is something admirable and frustrating about his strength.With trembling hands, I take the first aid box that Luca found and explain, "You're not fine." I slowly unbutton his shirt while kneeling in front of him
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A traitor? I look at Marco; his face has grown serious. I can see the wheels moving in his mind as he tries to put everything together, and his eyes narrow. I can feel the weight of Luca's remarks bearing down on us all as the tension in the room rises."A traitor?" I can sense the rage bubbling beneath Marco's dangerously composed voice. "Who?"Luca grimaces and shakes his head. "We're not sure yet. However, Gianni has been receiving information from whoever it is. He has been able to keep one step ahead of us because of this.I feel like I've been knocked in the stomach by the realization. Is someone around us collaborating with Gianni? My skin tingles at the idea. I can't stop thinking about who it might be. Luca? No, that isn't feasible. He has supported Marco through every challenge. Then who?The discomfort makes Marco wince a little when he stands, but he doesn't let it deter him. His voice is harsh and demanding as he states, "We must discover who it is." "They'll wish they h
Last Updated : 2025-02-14
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Sofia glances between us, her expression serious. “I’ll handle the logistics. We’ll move rapidly, and we’ll be in frequent contact. But be ready for anything.” I nod, my gut knotted with fear. Tonight, everything might change. We’re going to step into the dark, into the lion’s den. And there’s no telling what…or who…awaits us. As we prepare to go, the weight of the decision weighs down on me like never before. The hazards are larger than they’ve ever been, but we have no other alternative. We have to act. And we have to survive. As Marco, Luca, and Francesca prepare to meet the new opponent in the warehouse, the stakes are greater than ever. With the danger drawing closer and no way of knowing what awaits them, one incorrect action may cost them everything. Will they survive the showdown, or will the new adversary strike first? The night seems darker than normal as we make our way to the building. The address Sofia’s contact gave us looms in the distance, a scary shadow in the da
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I swallow hard, trying to ignore the increasing sensation of terror that seeps into my gut. “How do we even start looking for them?” I inquire, my voice barely above a whisper. “We don’t have any leads.” “We’ll get one,” Marco adds, his tone leaving no space for dispute. “Sofia’s contact is working on it. We simply need to be patient.” But patience is the last thing I have right now. Every second that goes by seems like another second closer to disaster. Closer to the adversary we still can’t see. As the minutes turn into hours, my anxiousness only intensifies. Marco and Luca are deep in discourse, contemplating various strategies and methods to gain the upper hand. But all I can think about is how everything appears to spiral out of control. I sat beside the window, staring blankly at the night sky, my heart heavy with terror. The more I watch Marco and Luca prepare for what seems like another battle, the more my imagination races with worst-case possibilities. “What if this nev
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Sofia arrives at the hospital two days later with a determined expression on her face despite her pallor. She enters the room and declares, "I've reached out to someone." "A former underworld contact." He may know the identity of this new adversary.I look at Marco, and I can see the discomfort in his eyes. "Are you certain we can rely on him?" Marco asks in a doubtful tone. "Sofia, we are in dangerous territory.""I understand," Sofia responds steadily. But there is nothing we can do. It's no longer just about us. We're all in trouble if this person is as dangerous as I've heard. We require every available assistance.Feeling conflicted, I bite my lip. Sofia is correct; if her contact can provide us with the answers we need, it may be our only option. However, I'm terrified of the idea of delving even further into the criminal underworld. We've already lost a great deal. How much more are we willing to risk?At last, Marco declares in a determined tone, "We'll meet him." However, we
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Her remarks were like a kick to the stomach. One more adversary. One more danger. It sounds worse than Gianni, this one."Are you sure, Sofia?" My voice is hardly steady as I inquire.With an agitated tone, she responds, "I'm sure." "You must use caution, Francesca. You're not secure. None of us is.As I hang up, my head is racing from the weight of Sofia's warning, and my heart is pounding. With my hands shaking and my face pallid, I turn to face Luca.I mumble, my voice cracking, "Luca." "There's another person. It was not only Gianni.As the truth sinks in, Luca's face hardens and his eyes widen. "Who?" he asks in a low, menacing voice."I'm not sure," I answer, my throat constricted. Sofia, however, believes that he is much more dangerous than Gianni.Tension permeates the air as the room becomes quiet. The fear is beginning to step in and envelop me like a thick mist.A fresh adversary appeared out of the shadows just as I believed that the situation was fully resolved. I'm not s
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"Is he visible to me?" After hours of sobbing and begging, my voice hoarse and sounds like a whisper.The physician gives a nod. "You can, but only temporarily. He needs to sleep.I move toward Marco's room without waiting for him to finish, my feet moving as if they were on autopilot. I must see him. He must still be with me, I must know that.I'm astounded to see Marco lying there so still as soon as I enter the room. He is connected to equipment, and the only sound in the room is the heart monitor's steady beep. He has bandages all over his body and a pale, almost ghostly face. He is, however, breathing. That is all that is important.To avoid disturbing the IV that is connected to his arm, I carefully take his hand in mine as I approach him. I clutch to the warmth of his flesh as if it were the only thing keeping me rooted.I tremble as I grasp his hand and whisper, "You're going to be okay." "You must be."I eventually give myself a moment of relief as I sit next to him. He is st
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I'm at a loss for what to do. I have no control over anything that occurs. I am unable to wage this struggle on his behalf. I can pray, though.I tremble as I say, "Please," tears streaming down my face. "Don't take him away from me, please. I can't let him go just yet. Not after everything.My body trembles with quiet sobbing as the tears become more intense and I bury my face in my hands. The Moon Goddess may or may not be listening, but I have to think she is. There must still be hope, in my opinion.I mutter, "He’s everything to me," while I cry. "Just give me more time, please. Let him live, please.The length of time I spend kneeling on the chilly floor with my hands clenched together in fervent prayer is unknown to me. The tears soon cease, though, and all that's left in my chest is an empty emptiness.I gently get to my feet, wipe my eyes, and go back to the chair. Luca turns to face me, worry shining in his eyes.He responds, rather quietly, "He’ll pull through," but I can he
Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 69
My voice cracks as I whisper, "I'm not losing you." Marco, can you hear me? I won't lose you.His head lolls to the side and his eyelids flutter close without a response."Marco!" I yell and give him a light shake in an attempt to encourage him to open his eyes and stay with me. He doesn't, however, move. I feel as though my heart is being torn apart as his chest rises and falls with feeble breaths."Assist!" My voice is rough with desperation as I shout. "Help, someone, please!"But now that the fight is finished and the enemy has been vanquished, the warehouse is eerily silent. I'm not heard. Nobody shows up.Even if the conflict is finished, the battle for Marco's life has only just begun, I know as I kneel next to him, his blood still soaking through my fingertips. Marco's life is in jeopardy, but Gianni is dead.Furthermore, I'm not sure if I'm strong enough to save him.As we get to the hospital, the world is a blur. I'm sitting in the back seat, holding Marco's head in my lap w
Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 68
Every time my heart beats, it serves as a reminder that time is passing. I can't let him go. Not in this manner. Not right now."Hold on," I plead once more, applying more pressure to the cut in an attempt to stop the blood flow. My fingers are numb from the chilly horror that grips me, and my hands shake with the effort. "Just a bit more time, Marco. Please.His eyes awaken and briefly fix themselves on mine. Maybe I'm seeing things, but there seems to be a faint smile. He is making an effort to remain strong and with me. I'm not sure how much longer he can fight, though, because his face is etched with misery.Abruptly, the sound is broken by a piercing scream. I notice Gianni as I look up, and my heart jumps into my throat. His back is against the distant wall as he stands there, his eyes wide with terror. Panic has taken the place of the arrogant look he had when he first entered this warehouse.He is flanked by Luca and a couple of the men from the enemy family. Either Gianni's w
Betrayal and Devotion Chapter 67
I see Marco amid the mayhem, firing at Gianni's men with his gun raised, as I peek around the edge of the crates. Beside him, Luca is engaged in combat with a fierceness I have never witnessed. With bodies moving in a haze of carnage and devastation, the warehouse resembles a battlefield.I see Gianni standing close to the rear of the room, his face still arrogant, as though he's taking pleasure in this, and my breath catches in my throat. My heart stops when he lifts his rifle and points it at Marco."No!" I scream, but the commotion drowns out the sound.The bullet just misses Marco by inches as he moves in time, but Gianni's expression indicates that this isn't the end of it. By no means.I hear a cry of pain just when I think it can't be much worse. I turn my head around, trying to find the source of the sound as my blood runs cold.At that moment, I spotted him…Marco….on the ground."No," I say in a whisper that is almost heard over the fighting noises. "No, no, no."Blood is stre
