Chapter 83: Mariana's Pov

"I will fight in her place. . ."

The world around me goes completely silent the moment Alejandro blurts those words.

When I planned to use him as my human shield in chaotic times like this, I didn't expect to fall for him so ridiculously hard that I'm unable to imagine him getting hurt for my sake.

Love is a strange and terrifying thing. I never imagined feeling it this deeply, this intensely. Not for Alejandro. Not for a man who was supposed to be my shield, my weapon. And now, the very thought of him stepping into that cage for me… it's unbearable.

The second reason?

It's pride. It's survival. These men already think I'm weak. They see me as nothing but a woman-Radimr's wife and mother of his son. If Alejandro steps into that cage in my stead, I will be proving them right, I will become that which they think I am.

Weak.

Unworthy.

And then, everything I've clawed my way toward will crumble before my eyes. I can't let that happen. I won't let that happen.

So, no. Alejandro will not fight for me. I'll do this myself and I'll come out a winner or die trying.

"No." I blurt, my voice sharp, louder than I intended. It echoes across the room, silencing the murmurs that had begun to rise.

Alejandro's head snaps toward me, his dark eyes narrowing. "Mariana. . ."

"No," I repeat, more firmly this time. My gaze meets his, unwavering despite the storm brewing within me. "You won't fight for me. I'll do it myself."

His jaw tightens, the muscle in his cheek ticking as he processes my words. "You don't understand what you're saying," he growls. His voice is low but it seethes with barely-contained frustration. "This isn't a game, Mariana. They'll kill you in that cage."

"Then I'll die proving I'm not weak," I snap back, my voice shaking slightly.

I hate the tremor, but I can't help it. "I won't let them use you as an excuse to dismiss me. If I'm going to lead this family, I'll earn it myself."

Before he can respond, one of the elders leans forward, his fingers steepled beneath his chin. "It wouldn't matter if he fought for you anyway," he says, his accent thick, his tone mocking. "The ritual requires you to fight, Mariana. Not your lover. Not anyone else."

Lover.

"Alejandro is nothing but my brother-in-law." I grit.

The man rolls his eyes. "And I don't care. What is it going to be?"

The question hangs in the air.

Alejandro's shoulders stiffens, his heart hammering in his throat. I can feel his rage all the way from across the table. I look away from him. I can't afford any more mistakes.

"Fine," I say, forcing my voice to remain steady. "When?"

The elder's smirk widens. He's been waiting for this moment, savoring it like a predator circling a wounded prey. "Tomorrow," he says, leaning back in his chair.

"Tomorrow?" The word tumbles from my lips before I can stop it. My voice cracks slightly, betraying the unease that's clawing at my chest.

"What?" another elder mocks, his tone dripping with condescension. "Did you need another year to prepare? Or perhaps a decade? Shall we wait until your son is old enough to fight for you?"

Laughter ripples through the room, mocking. My cheeks burn, a mix of anger and humiliation swirling inside me. I've never wanted to hit someone so badly in my life.

But I'll wait. It's only a matter of time before these fuckers are bowing at my feet.

My eyes betray me and shift to Alejandro again. He shakes his head at me, silently pleading for me not to agree to this.

I scoff, shaking my head.

I haven't come this far to back out now. I fought those men while I was beaten and battered, and I'm certain I can do it again.

"I accept the challenge," I say, forcing the words out even as my stomach churns. My voice is firm, louder than I thought it could be. "Tomorrow, I'll fight. And I'll win."

"Then it's settled." One of the elders says and they begin filing out of the room one after another.

And soon, the room falls empty, leaving just me and Alejandro.

He's staring at me with both disappointment and pity. And it aggravates me.

"Stop looking at me like that," I murmur.

He's on his feet in an instant, two measured steps leading him to me until we're standing at a close proximity. His eyes suddenly turn pleading, desperate in a way I've never seen before. "Please," he murmurs. "You don't have to do this. Let me handle it. I'll find another way."

My heart aches at the sight of him like this. But I can't give in. Not this time.

"I have to do this," I whisper, my voice breaking. "If I don't, they'll never respect me. They'll never let me lead."

His hand reaches for mine, gripping it tightly. "And if they kill you?" he asks, his voice raw. "What then? What happens to your son? To all of this?"

I don't have an answer for him. Not one that will make this any easier. So I pull my hand away, turning my back to him.

"You're making a mistake," he says, his voice low and fierce. "They're setting you up to fail. You know that, don't you?"

"Maybe they are," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "But I can't back down now. If I do, I lose everything."

His jaw tightens, his eyes blazing with frustration and fear. For me. For what's to come. He shakes his head, muttering something under his breath that I can't quite catch.

"I'll be fine," I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel. "I have to be."

"Mariana. . ."

I turn to face him with a swift movement, tears springing free from my eyes. "What would you have me do, huh? Do you think I came back just to give up everything because of fear? Have you stopped to think about what my fate will be if I don't do this? I have to do this, Alejandro and I need you. . . your support now more than ever."

I shake my head, trying to keep the tears from falling. But they don't stop. Alejandro's tears fall too, mirroring the intensity of mine.

"I love you, Mariana," he whimpers.

"I know," I reply, "and I love you too. More than you could ever imagine."

Our chests collide in a hug, one that disarms us, strips us of everything we are. I cry into his chest and he cries into my shoulder.

"You have to make it out of that cage, baby," he hiccups. "I grew up without a mother. . . please don't make our son go through the same. . . please. . . Angel has to grow up in a complete family. . ."

I sniffle. "I know. . ."

"Keep your arms up, protect yourself. And if you start to feel like you're failing, then please all you need to do is signal me and I'll be in there with you."

I bring my head up and our eyes meet. My hands shoot up, cradling his face, thumbs wiping his tears. Alejandro does the same for me.

"My father is here, my mother too. I'm not just any girl, Alejandro. I am the first daughter of Don Matteo Messina Denaro. Those elders should know better than to cause me any irreparable harm."

I place my lips on his, stealing a quick kiss. I kiss him again and again and again until it becomes heated, desperate. Like a collision of emotions-anger, fear, love. All of those emotions pour out in the way our mouths move against each other.

His arms wrap around me, pulling me closer, holding me like he's afraid to let go. I lose myself in him, in the warmth of his touch, the safety of his embrace. For a moment.

Then the door creaks open and we pull apart. My mother is the first one to walk in. Then my brother follows, holding my son with so much care. Then my father.

"Mi dispiace, mama." I plead as my mother's footsteps lead her to me.

She moves closer and closer, then takes me by surprise when her arms wrap around me in a hug. "I'm so proud of you, Mariana," she murmurs into my hair. "Not just because you're my soldier who made sure to see her mission through to the end, but because you're my daughter and you've taken your pain and made something great out of it."

I sniffle, more tears spewing from my eyes. My father steps forward and pulls me from my mother's arms, holding me close. "Wipe your tears, firecracker. You're a Denaro, and we don't cry."

I chuckle, using the back of my palm to wipe my face.

Then my brother steps forward. My Mariano. He kisses my son on the forehead, his lips curving into a smirk. "That fucker was mine to take out." He says.

I scoff. "I apologize."

"Apology accepted, Mariana. Promise me you'll give them hell tomorrow."

I nod. "I promise."