Federico Sabatini, the man who spends his life blaming everyone else for his and his thieving parents’ failures. He walks around like the world owes him something, and he was determined to take it from Salvatore, but he never got the chance. Salvatore outplayed him, marrying Isabella first and stripping Federico of the power he was promised ifhehad married her.
Only, we underestimated him. He has nothing to lose anymore. With no friends, no allies, he is now more dangerous than ever. No one can predict what he’s capable of. That’s why all hands are on deck. There is no man left without a mission.
After Isabella ended up in a coma, left that way by Sabatini, we sleep with one eye open. Sabatini dumped her in front of the club, beaten and barely breathing. He knew exactly what he was doing. He knew she mattered to Salvatore, and he used her as a weapon.
That’s why Valentina’s safety is non-negotiable. She needs to understand exactly what this world is made of: its violence, its consequences, its truths. And I’m going to make damn sure she sees it clearly. I make sure Valentina has a guard with her at all times, no matter how hard she rejects the idea, saying she can take care of herself. It doesn’t matter how tough she is; I need her to have someone by her side when I’m not. For me, it's reassurance; for her, it's something that puts her into a box she doesn’t want to be in.
When she asked how long, I didn't answer. I could have said until we caught Sabatini, but I didn’t. I told herindefinitely. She just laughed. That was when she slipped past the first idiot Dante sent. Convincing her to accept the current situation was harder than I thought.
“I don’t need a bodyguard,” Valentina argues.
I take a deep breath and pinch the bridge of my nose. I can’t deal with this again. We are still dealing with the consequences of what happened to Isabella, for the same reason Valentina is stripping me of my control. Stubbornness.
“You don’t want a bodyguard, fine, but first, I need to show you something.” I walk toward her, take her hand, and lead her toward the door, ignoring her protests.
“Where are we going?”
I don’t answer. I just lead her into the elevator and down to the garage. I open the passenger door of my car for her, and as soon as she's in her seat, I walk toward my seat and drive away to the one place that might change her mind.
“Why are we here?” Valentina asks as we move down the hallway.
I don’t answer. She needs to see this. No explanation, no sugarcoating. We turn the corner, and I stop the moment I see Salvatore; still in the same spot he’s been holding for days, the only break he’s taken was to change.
“Stay here,” I tell Valentina, my tone leaving no room for argument.
I walk to Salvatore. I’ve never seen him like this, wrecked, hollow, a man ready to burn the world down. “Sal.” He lifts his head, his bloodshot eyes locking on mine. “Any changes?” He shakes his head, shoulders dropping under the weight. I grip his shoulder. “She'll get through this. She's tougher than anyone gives her credit for.”
He doesn’t answer, just nods.
The nurse walks past us and enters Isabella’s room. Salvatore doesn’t say anything as he follows. My eyes follow them through the window to where Isabella is lying in a coma. It’s been a week of not knowing if she's going to make it.
There’s a soft breath behind me. I don’t turn. I don’t need to. Valentina’s scent hits me, and the shift in her energy tells me she finally understands.
“This,” I say, eyes still on Isabella’s unmoving body, “is why you need a bodyguard. So you don’t end up like her.”
“You didn’t tell me it was this bad.” Her voice shakes.
“I don’t need to tell you; you were born in this world. You should have known.” My voice hardens as I watch the nurse checking Isabella’s vitals.
“Yes, I know the danger and what can happen. Still, what can and what has happened are two different things.”
“You're my wife, not a business partner. When I say it’s dangerous and you need a bodyguard, you should listen.”
She scoffs. “Good to know what your perspective of this marriage is, but I’m going to spoil things for you. I’m not that obedient, and in case you forgot, I’ll remind you who I was before we married.”
I feel her gaze piercing my side, and I turn to meet her furious eyes. “I just need you to be safe so I can work on finding that bastard.”
“I’ll be fine. I know how to take care of myself.”
I narrow my eyes at her, pinning her with a look. “If you think that’s enough, you're delusional.”
“Enough for what?” She raises a questioning eyebrow.
“Enough for peace of mind,” I say and turn back to the window.
We watch in silence as the nurse does her job, and I wait for another word of protest, but it doesn’t come.
“Fine. But only for the time being. You will eventually find him.”
