Page 75 of Alessia
Harper’s face is tense with fear, her breaths shallow.
“Ah, Alessia. Always the hero.” He smirks.
“You want me? Fine. Just let her go.”
“Oh, it’s not that simple. Do you know how much trouble you’ve caused me? How many plans you’ve ruined? No. Tonight, you’ll watch what happens when someone you love pays for your mistakes.”
“Alessia, don’t,” Harper croaks.
I cut her off, “Harper, it’s going to be okay. I promise.”
Manchini’s grip on her throat tightens, making her gasp for air.
“Such sweet lies. You’re good at those, aren’t you? But promises don’t mean much when you’re powerless.”
“I’m NOT powerless!” My voice low and promising as I take a step closer.
“Oh? Then why aren’t you stopping me? Go ahead. Take your shot. But if you miss…” He presses his gun harder against Harper’s temple.
“You don’t want to do this, Manchini. This isn’t about her. It’s about us. You and me. She’s innocent.”
“Innocent? No one’s innocent when they’re caught in your orbit. Everyone pays, Alessia. That’s the lesson here.”
I look him directly in the eyes, “You think this is about teaching me a lesson? It’s not. This is about you, isn’t it? You can’t stand that I beat you. You’re scared. That’s why you’re hiding behind her.”
His smirk falters for a bit, but returns, colder as he says, “You think you’re clever. But you don’t get it, do you? I hold all the cards. One wrong move, and she’s gone.”
I take another step forward, my voice steady, “No, Manchini. You’re holding onto something you can’t control. You hurt her, and I’ll make sure you regret it for the rest of your miserable life.”
“Alessia… Don’t… Let me go.” Harper whispers.
I soften my eyes at her, “I can’t, Harper,” I whisper, my voice trembling as I tighten my grip on my gun. “Not when you mean everything to me.”
“Threats? Really? That’s the best you’ve got? You’re not in control here.” Manchini interrupts
I focus myself back on him.
“I don’t need control. I just need you to make one mistake.”
Elio aims his gun at Manchini, beside me. Lorenzo and the guys flank us. I slightly shift my aim to a lamp behind him and fire off my gun. His grip on Harper falters, only a little, before I hear another gun go off. I frantically look around at the people I love, to see if anyone is bleeding. My men seem okay, I look over to Harper and see she’s covered in blood and pain is written all over her face. Manchini’s grip loosens around her neck before his arm goes limp and he falls to his knees behind her, the bloodstain on his chest now visible. Harper clutches her shoulder and steps forward on unsteady legs.
I run over to her and catch her just before she hits the ground.
Elio kneels beside us. “I’m so sorry, boss; it was the only way.” He apologizes.
Tears streak my face as I look up at him. “I know…”
I look down at Harper, applying pressure to her shoulder wound.
“It’s not that bad. I’ve had worse,” she forces a small smile through the pain.
“You’re bleeding a lot, Tesoro. ‘Not that bad’ doesn’t exactly cover it.”
“I’ll live… I think…”
I run ahand through my hair. “You’re bleeding because I brought you into my world.”
“Says the woman who crossed the world to get me out. Hypocritical much?”
