Olivia’s POVThe silence of the room pressed down on me, thick and suffocating, broken only by the occasional drip of water from somewhere I couldn’t see. My wrists ached from the ropes binding me to the chair, the skin raw and bruised. Hours—or maybe days, had passed since I’d been dragged here, but time had blurred into a haze of fear and exhaustion.I leaned my head back against the chair, closing my eyes. My body screamed for rest, but my mind wouldn’t stop racing. Every moment was a battle to stay calm, to think clearly. I had to figure out who was behind this, why they’d taken me.Alicia’s name whispered through my thoughts like a curse.She was the only one who had something to gain from my disappearance. She’d hated me from the moment she realized Leonardo cared about me, that his loyalty to her wasn’t as unshakable as she believed.And now, she’d found a way to eliminate me entirely.My hand twitched instinctively toward my stomach, but the restraints held firm. My child.
Leonardo's POVI couldn't sleep.Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Olivia-her face pale with fear, her voice breaking as she called for me. And every time, I'd wake in a cold sweat, furious that I wasn't there to protect her.The glass of whiskey in my hand did little to numb the anger that coursed through me. The city lights outside my penthouse window blurred, a kaleidoscope of colors that only added to the chaos in my mind. Olivia was out there somewhere, scared and alone, and I was here, trapped in a maze of dead ends and unanswered questions.Frank hadn't called with any updates, and every minute that passed without news felt like a lifetime. I slammed the glass onto the counter, the sound echoing through the empty room.This wasn't me. I wasn't the kind of man who sat around waiting for things to happen. I was the kind of man who made them happen.And yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was already too late.The next morning, I was back in my office, my fingers flying a
Olivia's POVThe walls felt closer today. The air was heavier, as though the room itself had decided to suffocate me. I couldn't tell how much time had passed since I was taken, days, maybe weeks. The endless cycle of darkness and dim light left me in a state of constant disorientation.I traced the bruises on my wrists with my fingers, the raw skin a painful reminder of how helpless I'd been when they dragged me here. But it wasn't just my body that ached. My mind felt bruised too, battered by the endless questions I couldn't answer.Why was I here? Was Leonardo looking for me? Would he even find me?The thought of him was both a comfort and a torment. I wanted to believe he was out there, searching for me, but doubt lingered like a shadow. What if he'd given up? What if he'd decided I wasn't worth the fight?No. I couldn't let myself think that way.I shifted in the chair they'd left me in, testing the looseness of the ropes around my wrists. They were tight, but not as secure as
Olivia's POVThe hallway was eerily silent, the kind of quiet that pressed down on my chest and made every breath feel like a struggle.My bare feet barely made a sound against the cold, rough floor as I crept forward, my heart pounding so hard it was a miracle no one heard it.The dim light flickered overhead, casting long, ominous shadows along the walls. Every step felt like a gamble. I didn't know where I was going, didn't have a plan beyond get out. But staying in that room, bound and helpless, wasn't an option anymore.The ropes I'd managed to free myself from still hung loosely around my wrists. My hands trembled as I held them close to my chest, the raw skin burning with every movement. I pressed forward, staying close to the wall, my ears straining for any sound of movement.I reached a corner and hesitated, peeking around it. The corridor ahead was empty, but a door at the far end stood slightly ajar. Light spilled out from the gap, and the faint hum of voices reached my
lLeonardo's POVThe sound of my phone vibrating on the desk pulled me from a restless sleep. I jerked upright, the leather chair creaking beneath me. My office was dark, lit only by the glow of my computer screen and the faint city lights beyond the window.Grabbing the phone, I didn't bother checking the caller ID before answering. "What is it?""It's me," Frank said, his voice low and clipped.I sat up straighter, the tension in his tone immediately putting me on edge. "Do you have something?""Yes," he said after a pause. "But you're not going to like it."A cold wave of dread washed over me. "Spit it out, Frank.""I found a link," he said. "Between Alicia and Olivia's captors. There's a transfer-half a million dollars wired to an offshore account that belongs to someone connected to this operation."My chest tightened, the anger that had been simmering for days threatening to boil over. "You're telling me Alicia paid for this?""Yes," Frank confirmed. "The timing matches perfectl
Olivia's POVThe cold air bit into my skin as I stirred awake. My side throbbed with an intensity that stole my breath, the pain radiating out like a wave with every shallow inhale. I blinked against the dim light, the rough texture of the chair beneath me a cruel reminder of where I was.The memory of my failed escape hit me like a punch to the gut. The shouts, the gunshot, the searing pain-it all replayed in my mind like a cruel, endless loop.I shifted, the ropes around my wrists biting into my skin. Blood soaked the bandage at my side, a dark crimson stain spreading slowly across the fabric of my shirt. The makeshift dressing did little to stem the bleeding, and every movement sent a sharp jolt through my body.But I was alive.I clung to that thought, even as despair threatened to swallow me whole. I was still breathing, still here. And as long as I was alive, I had a chance.The door creaked open, and I stiffened, my pulse spiking.It was him again. The tall one with the cold,
Leonardo's POVThe address Frank had sent me haunted my mind as I sped through the city streets. The coordinates marked another abandoned location on the outskirts of town, but the word abandoned no longer fooled me. Every safe house we uncovered brought me closer to the truth, even if it felt like I was chasing ghosts.I gripped the steering wheel tightly, my jaw clenched so hard it ached. The memory of Olivia's face in Milan was a constant in my thoughts-her weary expression, her quiet strength. She had been holding on to something, and now she was out there, alone, bleeding because of me.No. Not because of me.Because of Alicia.The anger I felt toward her burned like a fire I couldn't extinguish. She had orchestrated this entire nightmare, and the lengths she'd gone to were staggering. If anything happened to Olivia-if I lost her or the child I hadn't even had the chance to meet-I wouldn't forgive myself.Or Alicia.I parked a few blocks away from the safe house, just as I had
Olivia's POVLeonardo's arms felt like both salvation and agony as he pulled me from the chair. Every movement sent fresh waves of pain through my side, and my vision blurred with tears I refused to let fall."Easy," he murmured, his voice steady despite the tension in his grip.I leaned into him, my legs threatening to give out as he guided me toward the door. My body was weak, trembling with exhaustion and blood loss, but his presence was enough to keep me upright."How... how did you find me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.His jaw tightened, his eyes scanning the hallway as he adjusted his grip on me. "I never stopped looking."Something about the way he said it made my chest tighten.I wanted to ask more, to understand how he'd managed to track me down, but there wasn't time. The sound of muffled voices and hurried footsteps reached my ears, sending a jolt of fear through me."They know we're here," I said, panic lacing my words.Leonardo's expression hardened. "Let
Chapter 159: Growing TogetherOlivia's POV"Mommy! Can I go play outside?" Lily's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.I turned to find her standing by the back door, already in her sneakers, her backpack slung over her shoulder as though she was ready for an adventure."Did you finish your chores first?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.Lily made a face but nodded. "Yes, Mommy. I made my bed, and I put away my books."I smiled. "Alright, go ahead. But make sure to stay close, okay?"She grinned and ran outside, her blonde hair streaming behind her. Ethan, who had been playing with his toy cars on the floor, looked up at me."Mommy, can I go outside too?"I knelt down to his level, brushing a stray curl from his face. "After breakfast, sweetie."He pouted but nodded, his little lips pulling into a tight line as he held up his toy truck.I went back to the kitchen, turning off the stove and preparing to set the table. Just as I placed the last plate down, I felt a pair of strong arms wrap
Chapter 158: A Life of LoveOlivia’s POVThe afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting soft golden hues over the yard. I stood by the kitchen sink, watching through the window as Leonardo played outside with our daughter. Their laughter echoed in the crisp air, blending with the rustling of leaves.She sat perched on his shoulders, her tiny hands gripping his hair as he ran in circles, pretending to be a horse.“Faster, Daddy!” she squealed.Leonardo groaned dramatically. “Princess, Daddy is getting old.”She giggled, tapping his head. “No, you’re not! You’re strong like a superhero!”I smiled, my heart swelling.This was our life now. Simple, filled with love.No more running. No more looking over our shoulders. Just us.I wiped my hands on a towel and made my way outside. The air was crisp, the scent of pine and fresh grass wrapping around me.Leonardo spotted me first. A slow grin spread across his lips. “Look who finally decided to join us.”Our daughter gasped. “Mommy,
Chapter 157: A Love That LastsOlivia’s POVThe sound of soft laughter echoed through the cabin as I stepped into the kitchen, rubbing sleep from my eyes. The morning sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a golden glow over the wooden floors. The air smelled of fresh coffee and something sweet—pancakes, maybe.I followed the scent, my heart warming at the sight before me.Leonardo stood at the stove, shirtless, wearing only loose pajama pants. His dark hair was still tousled from sleep, and the muscles in his back flexed as he flipped a pancake with effortless ease. But what made me smile the most was the little girl sitting on the counter beside him, her tiny hands clapping together as she watched her father cook."Again, Daddy!" she giggled.Leonardo grinned and spun the spatula between his fingers before tossing the pancake into the air. It flipped twice before landing perfectly back in the pan."Like that, princess?" he asked.She nodded enthusiastically, her brown cur
Chapter 156: EpilogueOlivia’s POVThe mountain air was crisp as I stood on the wooden balcony, gazing at the endless stretch of pine trees below. The sun had just dipped behind the peaks, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. The wind whispered through the branches, carrying with it the clean scent of rain and earth.It was quiet here. Peaceful.Safe.For the first time in months, I could breathe without fear coiling around my throat. The Russo family was gone. Matteo Russo was dead. The house, the network, the legacy—destroyed. Harris had confirmed it with photos and reports. There was no one left to hunt us. No shadows lurking behind cameras. No footsteps echoing in the night.Leonardo stepped onto the balcony beside me, two mugs of coffee in hand. He handed me one, then wrapped his free arm around my waist, pulling me into his warmth."Thinking again?" he asked softly.I leaned against him, feeling his steady heartbeat through his sweater. "Always."He kissed the top
Final Chapter(155)Leonardo’s POVThe sharp sound of footsteps echoed through the stairwell as Olivia and I sprinted toward the exit. Smoke burned my throat, and every muscle in my body screamed for rest, but we couldn’t stop. Not now. Not with Matteo Russo closing in.We reached the ground floor and burst through the emergency exit into the alley. The cold night air hit me like a slap. I scanned the shadows for movement, gun raised. Olivia stood beside me, her eyes wide and wild.The phone in my pocket buzzed again.Another message.“You can’t run forever.”I gritted my teeth and shoved the phone back into my jacket. "He’s playing with us," I muttered.Olivia’s voice shook. "He’s just a kid, Leonardo.""No," I said, scanning the rooftops. "He stopped being a kid the moment Victor put a gun in his hand."She hugged herself, shivering. I placed a hand on her arm, grounding her. "We end this tonight.""How?" she asked.I didn’t have an answer.The phone buzzed again.I hesitated, then
Chapter 154Olivia’s POVThe smell of smoke lingered in the air as I stood beside Leonardo, staring at the burning ruins of the Russo compound. The flames crackled, devouring the walls, the floors—everything Matteo Russo had built to continue his father’s legacy.But the weight in my chest wouldn’t lift. The fire might’ve destroyed the compound, but the memories remained. The sight of Matteo’s small body hitting the floor haunted me. His lifeless eyes. The blood spreading across his shirt.He’d been just a boy. A boy raised to hate, to kill, to continue the twisted family tradition. And Leonardo had been forced to pull the trigger."Olivia," Leonardo said softly, his voice pulling me from my thoughts.I blinked, realizing I’d been clutching my arms so tightly that my nails had dug into my skin. I loosened my grip. "Yeah?""We need to go. The police will be here soon."I gave a shaky nod.Leonardo took my hand, guiding me toward the car parked beyond the tree line. The headlights wer
Chapter 153:Leonardo’s POVThe photograph of the baby lay on the table, the words "Blood runs deep" scrawled across the back in thick red ink. Olivia sat beside me, her eyes locked on the image as though it might come to life. My own thoughts churned like a storm, each one darker than the last.Victor Russo had a son. An heir. A child born into a legacy of violence and manipulation."We didn’t know," Olivia whispered, voice trembling. "We thought we ended the family."I ran a hand down my face, exhaustion pressing against my skull. "Victor always had contingency plans. We underestimated him.""But how?" she asked. "We dug into every aspect of his life. There was nothing about a kid.""Because he wanted it that way." I stood and paced the length of the living room. "Victor was always obsessed with bloodlines. Family. Legacy. Of course, he’d hide a child until he was ready to use him."Olivia rubbed her arms. "He looked so...calm. That boy at the door. Like he wasn’t scared at all.""
Chapter 152: LEONARDO!Leonardo's pov.The timer stopped at 00:59.Olivia dropped the knife and collapsed against me, sobbing. I held her tightly.Harris groaned. "Did...we win?"I glanced at Victor’s body. His eyes stared blankly at the ceiling."Yeah," I said. "We won."Harris’s team arrived within minutes. They removed the bomb and secured the mansion. Harris, bruised but breathing, sat on the porch while medics checked his vitals.Olivia and I stood nearby, watching the sunrise paint the sky in soft oranges and pinks."It’s really over," she whispered.I wrapped my arm around her. "This time, it is."She leaned into me. "No more running?""No more running," I promised.The Russo family was gone.And we were finally free.Olivia’s POVThe morning sunlight crept across the horizon, casting a soft orange glow over the Gael estate. The warmth should have brought comfort, a sense of peace after the nightmare we’d survived. But as I stood on the porch beside Leonardo, the weight of what
Chapter 151:Leonardo’s POVThe headlights sliced through the dark as I sped away from the cemetery, my knuckles white against the steering wheel. Olivia sat beside me, silent, her body rigid with fear. The message on my phone echoed in my mind:“The devil doesn’t die.”Victor Russo was alive. Or someone who looked and sounded exactly like him.I didn’t believe in ghosts. But I knew the Russos were capable of almost anything. Victor had faked his death once already. Why not twice?"Leonardo," Olivia said softly.I glanced at her, her face pale in the dim light. "Yeah?""How...how is this possible?" Her voice cracked. "We saw his body. We saw the coroner’s report."I didn’t have an answer. I’d held Victor’s cold wrist to check for a pulse that day. I’d seen the bullet hole in his forehead. But tonight...I’d seen him standing beneath the trees, breathing, smiling."We’re missing something," I said finally. "Something big."She hugged herself. "What if it really was him?"I gritted my t