It’s like he lights up my soul, so I hand myself over to him fully.
If all this is going to end, I owe it to all of us to fully embrace the beauty of our love, right?
That’s what I tell myself as I fall asleep in his arms, praying that tomorrow, we’ll have another day to live and love.
The sharp crack of gunfire jolts me upright.
Panic consumes me as more shots follow, closer this time.
Shouts and screams pierce the morning air.
"Enzo."
Luca's already on his feet, pulling on his pants, reaching for the gun he keeps under the mattress. "Stay here.”
But I'm already moving, yanking on my robe as I sprint down the hallway.
Another volley of gunshots, followed by the sound of breaking glass in the living room.
My heart hammers so hard I can barely breathe.
I burst into Enzo's room, nearly collapsing with relief when I see him sitting up in bed, eyes wide with confusion and fear, clutching his teddy bear.
"Mama?"
"Hush, baby," I whisper, rushing to him. "We need to be very quiet."
More gunfire. Is the cottage surrounded? Where are Alessandro’s men?
I scoop Enzo up, blanket and all, pressing him against me as I bring us to the floor for protection. His little heart beats wildly against mine.
"What's happening?" he whispers.
Before I can respond, glass explodes inward as bullets shatter the window.
I throw myself over Enzo, shielding his small body with mine. Shards rain down on my back. My son's terrified whimper breaks me.
"Stay down, baby." I press him into the floor. I want to move us to the closet but the path could expose us to more shots.
His eyes are huge, swimming with tears.
The bedroom door crashes open and I regret not having something to protect us like a gun.
Maksim's words echo in my head.Enzo will pay.
I kiss Enzo's forehead for what I fear will be the last time.
"Katerina!" Luca's voice rings out, desperate and raw. "Enzo!"
I realize that it’s not Maksim or his men who’ve burst in. Luca stands there, gun at his side. He rushes toward us, pulling Enzo up, gathering him close with one arm, reaching for me with the other.
The three of us collapse together in relief.
"I thought I lost you.” His voice is heavy with emotion. "Both of you."
“Luca!” Alessandro’s voice echoes through the cottage.
“Back here,” Luca calls but doesn’t move to meet them.
