Page 121 of Savage Devotion

It's now or never.

"ENOUGH!" My voice rings out with an authority I didn't know I possessed, cutting through gunfire and chaos like a blade through flesh. "Marco! Signal all Ravelli forces to stand down and protect both brothers!"

Marco's eyes widen, but he doesn't hesitate, relaying my command through his comms. I can see Dante's security team exchanging confused looks, but Marco's confirmation is all they need.

With my gun still raised, I move to a position in the center of the cathedral, completely exposed, where both sides can see me.

The bullets stop firing. The shouting ceases.

I stand tall between the wounded Ravelli brothers and the approaching attackers, scared for my life, but more than that… I'm prepared to sacrifice it all, for love.

"I am Francesca Ravelli," I declare, voice carrying to every corner of the bloodied space. "I wear the blood of this family in this vial. Their blood runs in my veins. I am bound to this family by oath and by choice."

My hand touches the vial at my throat, the symbol of my union with Dante that has come to mean so much more.

"Any man who fires another shot answers to me."

Incredibly, the gunfire ceases completely.

In the ringing silence, I continue, my voice carrying absolute conviction.

"Nico Ravelli has fled like the coward he is. It's clear he would sacrifice you all while keeping his own hands clean." I scan the faces of his hired men, seeing uncertainty dawn. "The throne he promised you will be built on your corpses… all while he watches from safety."

I step forward, fire in my eyes, steel in my spine.

I look to Dante, who's eyes show fear and pain, pride and love, all in one steely gaze that tells me he's okay with this.

I press on, because even if he wasn't, enough is enough.

"I stand for a united Ravelli empire. For strength through alliance rather than division." My eyes find Luca's, then Dante's, seeing identical shock in both their faces. "These brothers will no longer tear each other apart while enemies circle like vultures. From this day forward, the Ravelli throne stands united… or not at all."

Dante pushes himself up, blood soaking his shirt as he gets to his feet with a hobble and steps towards me.

"My queen speaks with my voice," he announces, his hand finding mine despite his pain. "Her command is mine."

Luca, arm around his laboring wife, nods once in acknowledgment.

"The Ravelli brothers stand together against this treachery," he declares. "Against Nico. Against all who would take advantage of our division."

I feel it—the seismic shift of power beneath my feet.

This is what I was born for. Not to be my father's bargaining chip or even just Dante's prisoner. But to become the bridge, the unifier, the steel spine of an empire reborn.

In loving Dante, I've found not just my heart's desire but my destiny.

In choosing to save both brothers, I haven't betrayed my love… I've elevated him. Given him the path to something greater than the revenge that has consumed him for so long.

"Get a doctor for both of them," I command Marco, who's watching me with newfound respect. "And find us somewhere safe to deliver this baby."

I smile at Bianca's pained but grateful expression as tears slide down her face.

"The next generation of Ravellis will not be born amidst bloodshed, but in security and protection."

As Marco mobilizes our forces, as Dante's men merge with Luca's under my command, as we begin our retreat to safety with both wounded brothers and a laboring Bianca, I know that nothing will ever be the same.

The captive princess has become more than a queen.

I am Francesca Ravelli, the woman who started as merchandise, and now, has united a fallen empire.

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