Did they know Valentino was outside? Did they realize he was filming everything?
I wanted to warn them. Wanted to tell them. But I couldn't break radio silence. Couldn't risk anyone hearing communication from the safe room.
So I just watched. And worried.
Four hours since the raid started.
I'd been alone in this small room for four hours. Watching people I cared about face federal agents. Unable to help. Unable to contribute. Just sitting here in the dark.
The fear was overwhelming.
Fear that they'd find something. Fear that someone would get arrested. Fear that this would destroy everything we'd built.Fear that Elio wouldn't come back for me. Fear that something would go wrong and I'd be trapped in here.
Fear that I'd lose him before I ever told him how I felt.
That last thought hit like a physical blow.
I was in love with him.
I'd known it for days. Maybe weeks. But sitting here alone, watching him face danger, terrified I might lose him—the knowledge crystallized into absolute certainty.
I was completely, irrevocably in love with Elio Marino.
And I'd never told him.
He'd almost said it this morning. "I love—" before cutting himself off. Changing the words to something safer.
We'd been dancing around it. Both feeling it. Neither saying it.
What if I never got the chance? What if something happened during this raid and I lost him before I could tell him?
The thought made my chest tighten. Made it hard to breathe.
I watched him on the monitors. Saw him directing security. Conferring with Sandro. Maintaining perfect control even as chaos swirled around him.
Come back to me, I thought. Please come back to me.
I need to tell you I love you. I need to say it out loud. I need you to know.
Five hours.
The raid was still ongoing. Agents still searching. Still seizing evidence. Still questioning people.
No sign of it ending. No sign of them leaving.
No sign of Elio coming for me.
I sat in the small room. Alone in the dark. Watching the monitors. Waiting.
Afraid.
In love.
And completely helpless to do anything.
The monitors showed Elio conferring with the lawyer again. His expression was grim but controlled. He looked tired. Stressed. But still standing. Still fighting.
I love you, I thought. Watching him on the screen. I love you and I'm terrified I'll never get to tell you.
