All Chapters of Betrayal and Devotion: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

The situation weighs heavily on me as I stand there in startled silence while Luca and Marco continue their conversation. Marco's distancing, Gianni's remarks, and now this—Luca's alert to a fresh danger.Something greater than I could have ever envisioned has ensnared me, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to endure it.My relationship with Marco is becoming more strained, and now that Gianni is threatening us, I'm not sure whether we can handle what's next.Luca steps into the room, his face drawn tight with worry. There’s something different about him tonight, something that sets my nerves on edge. Marco, who’s been sitting quietly across from me, stiffens the moment Luca enters. The stress in the air swells like a storm brewing on the horizon.“Marco,” Luca starts, his voice low, barely above a whisper, but it holds enough weight to make my heart pound. “We have a problem.”I look at Marco, waiting for his response. His eyes darken, a dangerous darkness falling over his face. He doe

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

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

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

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