Page 28 of Stefano
“Get out,” I growl, tightening my hold on Andrea.
He raises his hands in mock surrender.“Relax, bother.I’m happy for you.Just ...maybe be ready for the shitstorm that’s coming.”
My eyes narrow.“What shitstorm?”
“Word travels fast,” Mancuso says, his tone turning serious.“The cartel’s licking its wounds, but they’re not done.And as for the family ...you know how it goes.Guilia will be thrilled.Alceu...”He shrugs.“Not so much.”
I grit my teeth.“I don’t give a fuck what Alceu thinks.”
“Yeah,” Mancuso says, smirking faintly.“That’s what scares him.”
When he leaves, Andrea stirs, blinking sleepily up at me.Her lips curve into a soft smile that hits me harder than any bullet ever has.
“Morning,” she whispers.
“Morning.”My voice is rough, my throat tight.“Did you sleep well?”
“Better than I thought I would,” she admits, snuggling closer.“With you here, I feel safe.”
Her words are a blade and a balm all at once.Safe.That’s what she sees in me, despite the blood on my hands.Despite the nightmares etched into my soul.
I kiss her temple, murmuring, “You are safe with me.Always.”
But safety is a lie in this life.
****
By mid-morning, thecompound is buzzing.Soldiers move with purpose, voices sharp, tension thick in the air.News travels fast, too fast.The cartel isn’t retreating.They’re regrouping.
Andrea sits at the kitchen table, Guilia fussing over her with coffee and pastries she’s barely touching.Her smile is polite, but I see the strain in her eyes, the tremor in her hands when she lifts the cup.
I stand near the doorway, watching, every protective instinct clawing at me.Alceu strides in, his expression thunder.His gaze flicks from Andrea to me, then hardens.
“We need to talk,” he snaps.
“Later,” I bite out.
“Now.”His voice brooks no argument.
Andrea glances at me, worry flickering across her face.I brush my hand over her shoulder, leaning down to murmur, “Eat something.I’ll be back.”
She nods, her eyes wide and trusting.Always trusting.
I follow Alceu to the study, shutting the door behind us.
“You’ve lost your fucking mind,” Severu hisses the second we’re alone.
I arch a brow, crossing my arms.“Careful.Just because you run this family does not mean I will stand down.”
“You think you can keep her here, in the middle of this war?You think you can fuck her and suddenly she’s ready for this life?She’s not one of us, Stefano.She’s not built for the blood, the violence, the enemies that never stop coming.”
“She’s mine,” I snarl, stepping closer.“That’s all that matters.”
“Exactly,” Alceu spits.“She’s yours.Which makes her the perfect target.You saw what Matías did with just a few texts.Next time, it’ll be worse.Next time, she won’t survive.”
The words slam into me, white-hot fury surging through my veins.I grab him by the collar, slamming him back against the desk.“If you ever say that again...”
He shoves me off, his own rage sparking.“Wake the fuck up!You can’t protect her from everything.And when the day comes that you fail, because it will come, what then?Do you think she’ll still look at you like you’re her savior?Or will she see you for what you are?A killer.A monster.”
