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Chapter Thirty-Four

Romeo

The tension at the estate is palpable as I gather my men in the main hall.

The air buzzes with anticipation, every sharp glance and murmured word a reminder that this isn’t just another skirmish.

This is war.

I stand at the head of the room, scanning the faces of the men I trust with my life. Matteo is at my side, his expression grim but resolute. He’s been through countless battles with me, seen the worst of what this world can throw at us, and he hasn’t faltered once.

If anyone knows the stakes tonight, it’s him.

“This ends now,” I say, my voice cutting through the low murmurs like a blade.

A few heads nod, the tension thickening as I step forward, my gaze sweeping over the room. “We’ve let them regroup for too long. Tonight, we hit them where it hurts. No half-measures, no mercy. We take back what’s ours.”

There’s a ripple of agreement, but Matteo speaks up, his tone cautious. “You know this won’t be clean, Romeo. They’re expecting us.”

“I’m counting on it,” I reply, my voice cold. “They want a fight? We’ll give them one.”

As the meeting wraps up, I pull Matteo aside, lowering my voice so only he can hear. “I need you to keep an eye on Viviana.”

Matteo raises an eyebrow. “You think she’ll try something?”

“I know she will,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair. “She’s stubborn, and she doesn’t know when to stay out of danger.”

He smirks faintly, shaking his head. “She’s a lot like you, you know.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” I say dryly, clapping him on the shoulder. “Make sure she stays here. No exceptions.”

Matteo nods, but his expression carries a flicker of doubt, one I don’t have time to address. My focus is on the mission, on the battle ahead. I can’t afford distractions—not tonight.

***

Night falls quickly, shrouding the estate in shadows as we prepare for the attack.

The convoy of escape cars waits in the drive, engines idling, headlights casting long beams across the gravel. I step out of the house, my coat heavy on my shoulders, and glance up at the sky. It’s clear, the stars bright above, a stark contrast to the storm brewing below.

As I approach my car, Matteo jogs up beside me, his face tight with urgency. “We’ve got company,” he says, his voice low.

I tense immediately, scanning the perimeter. “Who?”

“Not Salvatore’s men,” he says, shaking his head. “Viviana.”

“What?” I snap, my voice sharp. “I told you to keep her inside.”

“She didn’t exactly ask for permission,” he replies, jerking his thumb behind him.

My jaw clenches as I walk toward the front of the house, my steps heavy with frustration. The door opens before I reach it, and Viviana steps out, her chin held high, her eyes defiant.

“What the hell are you doing?” I demand, my voice low but furious.

She crosses her arms, her gaze steady. “I’m not staying behind while you go off to fight your war.”

“This isn’t a debate, Viviana,” I growl, stepping closer. “It’s not safe.”

“It’s never safe,” she shoots back, her voice rising. “You think I don’t know that by now? I’m not some fragile flower you can lock away, Romeo. I’m stronger than you think.”

For a moment, I’m caught between anger and admiration. “This isn’t about strength,” I say, my tone softening slightly. “It’s about keeping you alive.”

“And what about you?” she counters, her voice trembling. “You’re walking into danger, too. Do you think I can just sit back and wait, wondering if you’ll come back to me, to our child?”

The mention of the baby twists something deep in my chest. I glance away, my fists clenching at my sides. “Viviana,” I begin, but she cuts me off.

“No,” she says firmly, stepping closer. “You told me you wanted to do this together. That you wanted me by your side. Well, this is what that looks like.”

I stare at her, the fire in her eyes unmistakable. She’s not backing down, and as much as it infuriates me, it also stirs something else—something deeper. She’s not just defying me—she’s proving that she belongs here, that she’s willing to fight for us as much as I am.

“Fine,” I say finally, my voice low and measured. “But you stay close to Matteo. If anything happens—”

“I can take care of myself,” she interrupts, her tone sharp.

“You’ll stay close to Matteo,” I repeat, my gaze locking onto hers. “That’s not negotiable.”

She narrows her eyes but doesn’t argue, and I take that as the closest thing to a victory I’m going to get. I turn to Matteo, who’s been watching the exchange with thinly veiled amusement.

“Keep her safe,” I say, my voice cold.

He nods, his smirk fading as he realizes I’m deadly serious. “You have my word.”

The convoy rolls out, the tension thick in the air as we head toward the meeting point. The interior of the car is silent other than the hum of the engine, each of us lost in our thoughts.

I glance back at Viviana, who’s sitting in the SUV behind me. Her profile is illuminated by the faint glow of the dashboard lights.

I don’t know how she managed to insert herself into this, but part of me isn’t surprised. She’s stubborn, fearless, and entirely too much like me. It’s infuriating—and intoxicating.

When we arrive at the meeting point, the air feels heavy, the scent of oil and salt mixing with the crisp night breeze. The docks stretch out before us, their shadows long and ominous under the pale moonlight. My men fan out, their movements precise and practiced, as we prepare for what’s to come.

I turn to Viviana, who’s standing beside Matteo, her arms crossed. Her defiance is still there, but so is something else—fear. She hides it well, but I can see it in the way her fingers tremble slightly at her sides.

I step closer, lowering my voice. “It’s not too late to go back.”

She shakes her head, her gaze steady. “I’m staying.”

Before I can argue further, Matteo steps up beside me, his expression tense. “They’re here.”

I glance toward the far end of the abandoned machine yard we were directed to, where the shadows shift and figures emerge. My heart pounds, the weight of the moment settling over me like a heavy cloak.

“Stay behind me,” I tell Viviana, my voice firm.

She doesn’t respond, but I see the flicker of fear in her eyes. Then, as the first voices call out across the darkness, I push everything else aside.

The battle is about to begin.

The machine yard erupts in chaos the moment the first shot is fired. It’s like a dam breaking, unleashing a flood of violence that sweeps through the night.

The sharp cracks of gunfire echo against the metal containers and steel beams, and the air is thick with the acrid stench of gunpowder and salt. My men move like shadows, their weapons precise and deadly, and I keep my focus sharp, calculating every step, every move.

Salvatore’s remaining men fight like cornered animals, desperate and feral. They’ve dug in, using the crates and abandoned machinery as cover, but it’s not enough. I anticipated this, mapped the terrain, and knew exactly how to outflank them.

My men push forward with brutal efficiency, their training and loyalty evident in every shot fired, every enemy that falls.

I press against a metal container, reloading my weapon as Matteo shouts orders a few yards away. Viviana’s safety weighs heavy on my mind, but I force myself to focus. She’s with Matteo, as I ordered. She has to be. I can’t afford the distraction of worrying about her, not now.

A man lunges around the corner, his weapon raised, and instinct takes over. I pull the trigger, the shot hitting him square in the chest. He drops with a sickening thud, but there’s no time to think about it. Another man appears, and I fire again, the recoil sharp against my shoulder.

The ground is littered with bodies now, the once-pristine ground stained with blood. My men are advancing, their movements coordinated, but Salvatore’s forces are relentless. They fight with the desperation of men who know they have nothing left to lose, and that makes them dangerous.

The firefight rages on, the air filled with the deafening roar of guns and shouted orders. I push forward, my focus unyielding, until a flash of movement catches my eye. One of Salvatore’s men has broken through our line, circling back toward me with a blade glinting in his hand.

I raise my gun, but he’s too close. Before I can fire, he slams into me, the force sending us both crashing to the ground. My weapon skids out of reach, and the knife flashes toward my throat.

Then, out of nowhere, a blur of movement—a figure slamming into the man and knocking him off me. The sound of a gunshot echoes, and I roll to my side, my heart pounding.

Viviana stands over the man’s body, her hands shaking as she lowers the gun. Her face is pale, her breathing ragged, but her eyes are fierce.

“What the hell are you doing?” I shout, scrambling to my feet.

“Saving your life,” she snaps, her voice trembling but defiant.

Before I can respond, another burst of gunfire forces us to dive for cover. I grab her arm, pulling her close, my heart racing with a mix of fury and something I can’t name.

“Stay behind me,” I growl, my voice low and dangerous.

“I’m not leaving,” she hisses, her grip tightening on the gun. “I can handle this.”

Her determination is maddening, but there’s no time to argue. I press forward, keeping her close as we weave through the chaos, the sound of gunfire ringing in my ears.

The tide turns as my men gain the upper hand, their relentless assault overwhelming Salvatore’s forces. One by one, his men fall, their resistance crumbling under the weight of our attack.

Blood stains the ground, the air thick with the metallic tang of violence, but I don’t let myself falter.

Not until it’s over.

A final explosion rocks all of us as Matteo and his team breach the last stronghold, the blast sending shockwaves through the night. The remaining men scatter, their resolve shattered, and my men pick them off with ruthless precision.

When the last gunshot fades, an eerie silence falls over everything. The only sounds is the susurrus of the wind in the nearby olive grove and the labored breathing of the survivors. My men regroup, their faces grim but victorious.

It’s over.

I turn to Viviana, who’s standing a few feet away, her shoulders rising and falling with each heavy breath. Her face is smudged with dirt and sweat, her hair disheveled, but she’s alive. She’s safe. And she just saved my life.

Before I can stop myself, I cross the distance between us in a few quick strides. My hands grip her arms, my touch firm but not harsh, and I pull her close, my gaze locking onto hers.

“Are you insane?” I demand, my voice low and furious. “What were you thinking?”

Her eyes flash with defiance, but there’s a flicker of something else—relief, maybe. “I was thinking you needed me,” she says, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands. “And I was right.”

My chest tightens, and for a moment, I can’t find the words. She’s right, damn her. I’ve spent so much time trying to keep her out of this world, but tonight, she proved she’s stronger than I ever gave her credit for.

“I can’t lose you,” I say, my voice raw, the words spilling out before I can stop them. “Viviana, I’ve been a fool. A fool to push you away, to think I could protect you by keeping you in the dark.”

Her eyes soften, her lips parting slightly as she stares up at me. “Romeo…”

I don’t let her finish. My lips crash against hers, rough and demanding, all the fear and adrenaline pouring into the kiss. She responds immediately, her hands tangling in my hair, her body pressing against mine.

The world around us fades, the chaos and bloodshed forgotten as I pour everything into her—my desire, my desperation, my love.

Her lips are soft but insistent, matching my intensity, and I deepen the kiss, my hands sliding to her waist. Her body fits against mine perfectly, and I curse myself for ever thinking I could let her go.

When we finally break apart, our breaths ragged, I rest my forehead against hers, my hands still gripping her tightly. “You’re mine,” I whisper, my voice hoarse. “Do you understand me? Mine.”

She nods, her eyes shining with a mix of tears and determination. “And you’re mine,” she replies, her voice equally fierce.

I know there’s no going back. Viviana isn’t just a part of my life—she is my life.

I’ll destroy anyone who tries to take her away from me.