Chapter 13

Chiara

Alessio’s sudden action freezes me to my spot, my eyes wide and my hands clenched into nervous fists. I let out a breath, trying to control my emotions and keep them from spiraling, but then a sob escapes my lips. Followed by another.

Before I knew it, I’m already crying in his arms.

The pain from knowing that Dad abandoned me for good, the fear of getting violated by a man from a job I didn’t want . . . they all come crashing down, tightening into a lump in my throat. I find myself holding onto him for dear life, and he holds me tenderly, like he understands how breakable I can be.

After what seemed like forever, he lets me go. I look up at him, but I realize that his gaze is fixated on the man who almost assaulted me.

I swallow hard. “Alessio. . . .”

Before I can say anything more, Gio and Fia appear at the other end of the alley.

“Chiara!” she breathes out, and she runs towards me, hugging me and cupping my face. “Oh, god, you’re bleeding.” Tears start to brim her eyes. “I’m