Page 91 of The Bonventi Secret
I will not die here. Not like this. Not when I haven't told Enzo I…
The door shudders under a heavy impact. Once, twice. On the third hit, it flies open with a crash. My ears ring from the blast, and I blink rapidly to clear my vision.
Through the haze, I see Gabriel burst through the doorway, gun raised. My heart leaps at the sight of my brother, but relief turnsto horror as Vinnie’s gun erupts. Gabriel jerks backward, blood blooming across his shoulder.
"Gabriel!" I scream, my voice raw and desperate. He staggers but stays standing, grimacing through the pain.
I turn to see someone else enter the room.
Enzo storms in like an avenging angel. His usual composed demeanor is gone. He's not the man who quoted poetry to me or kissed me with such tenderness, but the ruthless killer who commands an empire built on blood and violence. His blue eyes are cold, devoid of mercy. He moves with fluid grace, each step calculated and precise. The air crackles with deadly energy around him.
Vinnie swings his gun toward Enzo, but he's too slow. The gunshot from Enzo's pistol is deafening in the close space. Vinnie’s head snaps back, a red mist spraying the wall behind him. His body crumples to the ground lifeless.
Sammy's arm tightens around my throat, crushing my windpipe. He yanks me closer, using me as his shield. He presses the gun barrel harder against my temple.
"Stay back!" Sammy shouts, his voice shaking. "I'll kill her! I swear to God, I'll fucking do it."
Enzo's expression doesn't change. His eyes lock with mine for a split second, and I see a flash of something I've never seen before. Like the angel of death coming to collect his next soul.
Then, without hesitation, Enzo fires.
The bullet whistles past my ear, so close I feel the heat of its passage. Sammy screams, his grip loosening as blood spurts from his shoulder. I stumble forward, my legs weak and shaking.
Before I can even regain my balance, another shot rings out. Something warm and wet sprays across my face, and Sammy's body hits the floor with a thud behind me. I reach up with my bound hands and touch my cheek. My fingers come away red with blood that isn't mine.
There's a brief moment, and I see Enzo's eyes shift to the ones I know.
"Livia," he says as he runs toward me. He grabs me and scans my face, my body, cataloging every injury.
"Cara mia, are you hurt? What have they done to you?"
I open my mouth to respond, but no words come out. Instead, I just start sobbing uncontrollably as my knees buckle, and I start to fall.
Enzo catches me and brings me down gently, falling to his knees as he cradles me, holding me close.
As I sob into Enzo's chest, the relief and shock wash over me in overwhelming waves. His arms around me feel like coming home after being lost in darkness.
"I'm so sorry, cara mia," he whispers against my hair. "I failed you. This is my fault."
I feel his lips press against my forehead, tender despite the violence moments ago.
"I will never let you go again," he vows fiercely. "I was a fool before. The diary, my anger – none of it matters. I should have been there. I should have protected you."
I clutch his shirt, feeling the rapid beat of his heart against my palm. "I'm sorry too," I choke out between sobs. "I never want to be without you again. Please —."
"Never apart," he growls, tilting my face up to his. His thumb gently wipes blood from my cheek, and his eyes darken, seeing my injuries up close. "You are mine, and I am yours. Nothing will ever separate us again."
"I never should have betrayed your trust. I'm sorry I —"
Enzo shakes his head. "No. You have nothing to apologize for. I overreacted. I was scared of letting you in, of being vulnerable. But when I thought I'd lost you," His voice breaks. "I realized I can't live without you, Livia. I won't. I… I love you."
Despite everything, my body hums with joy, and my heart feels like it's going to explode with happiness. I look up at him and see my world.
"When I was here, all I could think about was getting back to you," I confess. "I love you, too, Enzo Bonventi."
The words hang in the air between us for a moment. Then Enzo's lips crash into mine, passionate and desperate. I kiss him back with all I have left, pouring all my fear, relief, and love into it.
We break apart at the sound of footsteps. I look over to see Gabriel sitting up, grimacing as he holds his wounded shoulder. Two of Enzo's men are helping him, while others sweep the room.
