His face was too calm.
And his eyes—those unreadable, piercing eyes—locked onto the scene like he was observing something far removed from himself.
Renzo hesitated.
His gaze flicked between me and Vincenzo, conflict written plainly across his features.
For a second, he didn’t move.
Something raw flashed in his eyes—regret, maybe guilt, maybe something deeper he couldn’t afford to feel.
His lips parted like he was about to argue.
About to refuse.
But then he stopped.
He swallowed it down.
Nodded once—sharp, controlled, military.
And turned away.
I watched him go.
Watched the only person who had even hesitated leave me behind.
Each step he took away from me felt like something inside me was breaking.
Until he was gone.
And I was alone.
With the man who wanted to destroy me.
Chapter 15
ELENA
Vincenzo didn’t rush.
He climbed the ridge with slow, deliberate steps, boots crunching over the sharp stones as if the terrain owed him nothing.
The wind tugged at his coat, but he didn’t react.
Didn’t falter.
His focus was entirely on me.
On this.
On whatever he was about to decide.
He stopped in front of me.
Close enough that I could feel the faint heat of his presence, smell the subtle mix of rain and cedar clinging to his coat.
I lifted my head slightly, though the movement sent another sharp spike of pain through my knees.
