Page 23 of Married to the Mafia Monster

He grabs the man by the collar, lifting him off his feet, and slams him into the floor with a bone-jarring thud. The attacker groans, dazed and unable to defend himself.

Alex crouches over him, delivering a series of rapid, controlled punches that leave the man gasping for breath. “Don’t you ever touch her again,” Alex growls, his voice low and dangerous. With one final punch, the assailant’s head lolls to the side, unconscious and utterly defeated.

Alex straightens, his chest heaving with exertion, but his eyes immediately seek mine. In two long strides, he's at my side, pulling me into his arms. His embrace is fierce and protective, his body a solid barrier between me and the world.

"Are you okay?" he asks, his voice a low, urgent whisper. He gently brushes a strand of hair from my face, his touch surprisingly tender given the violence that just unfolded.

I nod, my voice failing me as I cling to him. The fear that gripped me moments ago begins to ebb, replaced by a profound sense of relief and safety.

Alex’s presence is a balm to my frayed nerves, and I bury my face in his chest, inhaling the familiar scent of him.

He holds me tightly, one hand cradling the back of my head, the other wrapped securely around my waist. "You're safe now," he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear. "I’ve got you."

Tears prick at my eyes, a mix of residual fear and overwhelming gratitude. I pull back slightly to look at him, my voice shaky. "I thought... I thought he was going to?—"

"Shush," Alex soothes, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. "He’s not going to hurt you. Not while I’m here."

I lean into him, feeling the strength of his arms around me. The terror of the attack still lingers, but it’s overshadowed by the comfort and safety I find in Alex’s embrace.

“This can’t go on,” he says, his voice rough with emotion. “You can’t stay here. It’s too dangerous. These assholes are like cockroaches. I stomp on one and another pops up two minutes later.”

I look up at him, my eyes wide with fear and confusion. “What do they want?” I ask, my voice trembling.

Alex’s jaw tightens. “Something they can’t have.” He glances over at the doorway. “Pack your things. We need to get moving.”

“Move? Where?”

“We have to get married.”

I blink, shocked. “What?”

“It’s the only way to keep you safe,” he continues, his tone leaving no room for doubt. “You’ll have the protection of a mafia family name.”

“Mafia? Did you say mafia?”

“Get packing. Two minutes until we’re gone.” He crosses to the window and looks out.

“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what’s going on.”

“My boss needs to find your father,” he replies. “Vince Russo is looking too. It’s vital I get to your dad before Russo’s people do. Now pack it or lose it.”

“Who’s Vince Russo?” I ask, cramming my few things into my case.

“Another mob boss. He’s the one sending all these people after you. He thinks you know where your dad is, thinks he can get you to tell him.”

“But I’ve no idea where my dad is.”

“You’ve got to help me find him before they do. Otherwise we’re all dead. Stay close to me.” He grabs my hand and pulls me into the corridor, turning left, shoving open the door to the stairs.

More men are running up them. “Shit,” Alex snaps, pulling a gun from inside his jacket. “I’ll be back for you,” he adds, and then he’s racing down, moving swiftly and silently toward them.

I press myself against the wall, my heart hammering in my chest as the sounds of the fight reach me. The soft thud of silenced gunshots fills the air, each one sending a jolt of fear through me.

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to block out the noise, but it’s impossible. My mind races with thoughts of Alex, hoping he’s okay, praying he’ll come back to me.

Suddenly, the noise stops. The silence is deafening, almost worse than the sounds of the fight. I hold my breath, straining to hear any sign of movement. And then, there he is. Alex reappears. Relief floods through me.

“We need to move,” he says, grabbing my hand and pulling me down the stairs after him. His touch is firm, reassuring. “Now.”

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