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Chapter Twenty-Eight

Romeo

Matteo’s voice is grim as he relays the news.

The video is burned into my mind—Antonio, beaten and broken, Salvatore’s smug face taunting me, daring me to act. My fists clench tightly, my nails biting into my palms as fury courses through me.

I turn away from Matteo, pacing the length of the study. The room feels too small, the walls pressing in as the implications of Salvatore’s latest move sink in. He’s escalated this war, drawn Viviana even deeper into it, and I can feel the fragile control I’ve fought to maintain slipping through my fingers.

“She saw the video,” Matteo adds, his tone cautious.

I freeze, my head snapping toward him. “What?”

“Viviana,” he says simply. “She came to me. She’s shaken, Romeo.”

My jaw tightens, and I force myself to take a steadying breath. “Where is she now?”

“Her room,” Matteo replies. “Romeo—”

“I’ll handle it,” I say sharply, cutting him off. I don’t wait for his response as I storm out of the study, my mind racing. The fury roiling inside me is matched only by a darker, quieter fear—a fear I refuse to name.

When I enter her room, Viviana is pacing, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. She startles at my arrival, her eyes narrowing as she turns to face me.

“You’ve seen it,” she says, her voice trembling with both anger and desperation.

“I’ve seen it,” I confirm, my tone cold. “I’m handling it.”

“Handling it. she snaps, stepping closer. “What does that mean, Romeo? Are you going to charge in guns blazing, risk more lives to satisfy your pride?”

I step toward her, my frustration bubbling over. “This isn’t about pride,” I growl. “This is about survival. Salvatore doesn’t stop. He doesn’t negotiate.”

“Then why hasn’t he killed my father yet?” she counters, her eyes blazing. “If this was just about sending a message, Antonio would already be dead.”

I narrow my eyes, her words hitting too close to the truth. “Because he’s bait,” I say bluntly. “He wants me to come to him. Alone.”

“Then don’t,” she says quickly, her voice rising. “There has to be another way. We can out-think him, outmaneuver him—”

“There is no other way,” I interrupt, my voice hard and final. “This ends when Salvatore is dead.”

“And what about my father?” she demands, stepping closer, her chest heaving with barely contained emotion. “You’re just going to let him die?”

I close the distance between us in two quick steps, my hands gripping her arms as I glare down at her. “Why do you care, Viviana? After everything he’s done to you—after all his lies and betrayals—why do you care?”

“He’s still my father,” she says, her voice breaking. “No matter what he’s done, I can’t just let him die.”

Her words hang in the air, raw and unfiltered, and I feel something shift inside me. Anger, frustration, and something darker—something primal—boil to the surface, and before I can stop myself, I pull her closer, my grip firm but not harsh.

“You care too much,” I growl, my voice low and dangerous. “About everyone. About him. About me.”

“Maybe I do,” she fires back, her eyes locked on mine. “You’re no better, Romeo. You act like you’re untouchable, but you’re just scared.”

Her accusation is like a match to gasoline, igniting the storm of emotions I’ve been fighting to control. “Damn right, I’m scared,” I admit, my voice rising. “Scared of losing you. Scared of losing everything.”

Her breath catches, and for a moment, the fire between us blazes too brightly to ignore.

Without thinking, I crush my lips to hers, the kiss rough and desperate, a collision of anger and need. She doesn’t resist. Instead, she kisses me back with equal intensity, her hands tangling in my hair as she pulls me closer.

We stumble back and tumble onto the bed, my hands roaming over her as I press my body against hers. The heat between us is undeniable, consuming, and every touch, every kiss feels like a battle neither of us wants to lose.

“You drive me crazy,” I murmur against her lips, my voice rough and low. “Do you know that?”

“Not half as crazy as you make me.”

I growl softly, my lips trailing down her neck as my hands slide beneath her shirt, savoring the warmth of her skin. She arches into my touch, her breath hitching as I nip at the sensitive spot just below her ear.

“Romeo,” she whispers, my name a plea on her lips, and it sends a jolt of heat through me. “I need to know that you care about more than just control. I need more from you.”

I lift her easily, her legs wrapping around my waist as I carry her to the bed. The anger between us shifts, softening into something raw and unfiltered, and when I lay her down, her eyes meet mine, dark and blazing with emotion.

Our lips come together again, the heat between us burning away every word, every thought. Her legs tighten around my waist, her arms wrapped around my neck as if she can pull me closer, as if there isn’t already fire licking at the edges of the space between us.

I press her to the bed, my hands braced on either side of her head, and my lips trail down her jaw, her neck, tasting the salt of her skin.

She arches beneath me, a soft gasp escaping her lips, and it sends a jolt of satisfaction through me. I nip at the delicate skin of her throat, my tongue soothing the spot immediately after, and she trembles, her fingers digging into my shoulders.

“You’re mine,” I murmur against her skin, my voice rough and low. “Every inch of you, Viviana. Forever.”

Her breath hitches, and she pulls my face back to hers, her lips crashing into mine with a desperation that makes my head spin.

The kiss is fierce, raw, her teeth grazing my bottom lip before her tongue slips past, tangling with mine. She matches my intensity, her nails raking down my back, and I let out a low growl, the sound vibrating between us.

I trail my hand down her side, savoring the way she responds to every touch, the way her body curves perfectly into mine. I slip my fingers beneath her shirt, brushing against her bare skin, and her gasp spurs me on.

I break the kiss just long enough to pull the fabric higher, exposing the soft, warm expanse of her stomach.

Her hands fly to mine, stopping me. “Not now,” she says softly, her voice trembling but steady. “I can’t…not now.”

I freeze, my eyes locking onto hers, searching her face for any sign of hesitation or fear. Instead, I find something else—something quieter, more vulnerable. I exhale slowly, my hand still resting on her skin.

“Okay,” I say finally, my voice softer than I expected. “Okay.”

I pull her shirt back down, smoothing the fabric before brushing a strand of hair from her face. Her expression softens, her lips curving into a faint smile, and it hits me harder than it should.

“Come here,” she whispers, shifting to make room for me.

I lie down beside her, my arm sliding around her waist as she nestles against me. Her back presses against my chest, her hair tickling my chin, and for a moment, the world feels strangely still. My hand rests on her hip, the curve of her body fitting perfectly against mine, and I can feel her heart beating, steady and strong.

Her breathing slows, evening out as she relaxes into me, and I close my eyes, listening to the rhythm of it. Each rise and fall of her chest is a reminder that she’s here, safe and alive, and it soothes something restless inside me.

“You’re warm,” she murmurs, her voice sleepy.

“So are you,” I reply, my lips brushing against her shoulder.

She lets out a soft, contented sigh, and I tighten my arm around her, pulling her closer. The need that had burned so brightly a moment ago fades into something softer, a quiet contentment I haven’t felt in years. Yet, even as I hold her, my mind refuses to become quiet.

This won’t last. It never does.

Salvatore is still out there, still pulling the strings, and every second I spend here, every moment of peace I allow myself, feels like another risk. Another gamble I can’t afford to take.

Viviana shifts slightly in my arms, her fingers brushing against mine where they rest on her hip. “Romeo,” she whispers, her voice barely audible.

“What is it?” I ask, my lips close to her ear.

“Thank you,” she says softly. “For staying.”

Her words hit me like a blow, and I tighten my grip on her, unable to find the right response. I don’t deserve her gratitude. Not after everything I’ve done, everything I’ve taken from her. But I hold onto her anyway, burying my face in her hair and letting the scent of her calm the storm inside me.

“You don’t have to thank me,” I say finally, my voice rough.

She doesn’t reply, her breathing evening out as sleep takes her. I stay awake, my mind racing, my body tense despite the softness of her pressed against me. I know this moment is fragile, fleeting, but I let myself savor it anyway.

No matter what happens tomorrow, no matter what Salvatore throws at us, I’ll protect her. I’ll protect her and the life growing inside her, even if it costs me everything.

The room is quiet except for the soft sound of her breathing, the storm outside having settled into a gentle patter of rain. I tighten my arm around Viviana, pulling her closer against my chest.

The warmth of her body grounds me, anchoring me in a way I’m not used to. My lips brush the back of her neck, a light kiss that lingers, and she stirs slightly in my arms.

“I’ll look after the baby,” I murmur, my voice low, breaking the silence. “You, too. Always.”

She doesn’t respond right away, her breathing hitching slightly before she shifts, turning her head enough to glance at me over her shoulder. Her expression is soft, but there’s worry etched into her features, a shadow that refuses to lift.

“You say that now,” she whispers, her voice trembling. “What if you’re not here? What if this…life catches up with you before you even get to meet your child?”

The pain in her voice cuts deep, and I tighten my grip on her, pressing another kiss to the curve of her shoulder. “That won’t happen,” I promise. “I’ve survived worse than Salvatore, Viviana. I’ll survive this too.”

She shakes her head, a tear slipping down her cheek. “And what if you get bored with me?” she asks, her voice breaking. “What if you realize this isn’t what you wanted, and I’m just…just another mistake?”

I move to prop myself up on my elbow, leaning over her so I can meet her gaze directly. “That will never happen,” I say firmly, my voice leaving no room for doubt. “You’re not a mistake, Viviana. You’re the only thing keeping me from losing my mind. You and this baby—you’re my reason to fight.”

She swallows hard, her eyes searching mine for something I can’t name. “You can’t promise forever,” she whispers.

“I can,” I reply, my lips brushing against her forehead. “I’ll be here, Viviana, believe me.”

She exhales shakily, closing her eyes as I pull her closer again. The doubt in her expression fades slightly, replaced by a tentative, fragile trust.

It’s enough for now, and I hold her tightly, vowing to make her believe it.