The moment Alessandro disappears out the door, the world tilts. The noise. The screams. The overturned tables. The glittering shards of glass across the floor. All of it blends together until there’s nothing left but the echo of gunfire in my ears and the ghost of his kiss on my lips.
Beside me, Gia pushes up from the floor, smoothing her hair back with shaky hands even though she still has her gun raised.
“Motherfuckers ruined my date,” she mutters.
Nico growls, “Good! Sit still.”
Gia glares but obeys. Rocco and Alessandro are gone. Chasing danger. Chasing bullets. Chasing death. And I’m here. Surrounded by fear and broken glass. My chest tightens, and for a split second, panic claws up my throat.
What if he doesn’t come back?
What if I never see him again?
What if my last words to him were… nothing at all?
A tremor shudders down my spine.
Nico stands, scanning the restaurant, gun out. “Alright. We’re leaving,” he announces. “Now.”
I shake my head instantly. “No.”
His gaze snaps to me. “What do you mean ‘no’?”
“I’m not leaving.”
“Elena,” Nico warns, “this place isn’t secure. Rocco isn’t here. The Boss isn’t here. We don’t know who’s outside or what’s waiting—”
“I am not leaving my husband.” My voice comes out stronger than I expect. Firm. Certain.
Nico blinks in surprise.
Gia grins. “Oh, I like her.”
Nico shoots her a look. “This is not the time.”
I push myself to my feet—even though my knees tremble. “I’m staying here until Alessandro comes back.”
Nico holsters his gun long enough to rub the bridge of his nose. “I promised Alessandro I’d keep you safe.”
“You can,” I say. “But I’m not running away while he’s out there risking his life. I won’t.”
“El—”
I lift my chin. “I stay.”
For the first time since I married Alessandro, I feel something sharp and burning in my chest. Not fear.
Strength.
Nico studies me for a long moment, weighing my resolve. Then he exhales heavily, muttering something in Italian I can’t make out. He taps something on his phone and I hear Rocco answer.
“Rocco, status?”
Static. Shouting. Distant echoing footsteps.
Then Rocco’s voice: “Still pursuing. Two targets. Alessandro is behind me.”
Nico’s jaw tightens. “Understood,” he replies. “I’ve got the girls.”
