Chapter 102 -
Minutes passed… and then some more.
She heard Matteo shift outside the door. The house had gone completely quiet.
A sharp knock came an hour later. Nia crossed the room and opened the door.
Rosa stood there, her face pale, her apron streaked with something dark. Nia's stomach dropped.
"What happened?"
Rosa's voice came out steadily, but her hands shook. "There was shooting at the docks. Multiple casualties. They're bringing them back now."
"Them?" Nia's heart seized. "Leo?"
“He's alive but wounded. Christian is with him." Rosa reached for Nia's arm. "Come. You should be there."
Nia followed her through the mansion. They stopped outside a closed door Nia had never seen before. She soon realized it was a private medical room. Christian stood outside, his shirt stained with blood,
"How bad is it?" Rosa asked.
Christian's eyes moved to Nia.
"Two bullets. One in the shoulder, one grazed his ribs. The doctor is working now."
Nia's throat closed. "Can I see him?"
Christian studied her for a long moment. Then he stepped aside.
The room was small and white, crowded with medical equipment. Leo lay on a narrow bed, his eyes closed, his chest bare and bandaged. The white wrapping was already stained red in places. His face was gray beneath his usual colour.
A doctor worked beside him, threading stitches through a wound on his shoulder. He glanced up when Nia entered, then returned to his work without saying a word.
Nia moved to the bedside, watching Leo without touching him.
Minutes later, the doctor finished, cleaned up, and left without a word. The door clicked shut.
Leo's eyes opened. He found her immediately, like he'd known she would be there. His voice came out roughly.
"You came."
Nia's throat burned. "You asked me to stay. You didn't ask me to come."
A weak smile crossed Leo's face. "I didn't think I had to."
"You almost died."
"Almost doesn't count."
She wanted to hit him, scream at him for being reckless, for leaving, for making her wait in that room not knowing if he would come back. Instead, she just stood there, her hands trembling at her sides.
Leo saw it. His hand moved slowly and carefully, reaching for her.
"Come here."
She didn't move. "I can't do this again."
"Do what?"
"Waiting. Watching you walk out and wonder if you're coming back."
His hand stayed extended. "Then don't wait next time. Come with me."
"You know I can't."
"I know." His voice dropped lower. "But I can wish."
Nia looked at his hand, the fingers that had touched her face that night, the night he pushed her away, at the blood still crusted under his nails.
She took his hand. His fingers closed around hers weakly.
"Tell me what happened," she said.
Leo's jaw tightened. "Santiago set a trap. He knew we'd follow. He had men waiting at the docks."
"How many?"
"Enough." He paused, his eyes drifting to the ceiling. "We lost three. I killed four, but Santiago got away."
Nia processed this. Three of Leo’s men were dead, Leo killed four, and Santiago was still out there.
"He's declared war," she said.
"He's been at war. Now it's just open."
The door opened behind them. Christian stepped in, his expression unchanged.
"Don Emilio is here. He wants to see you."
Leo didn't move. His eyes stayed on Nia. "Give us a minute."
Christian hesitated, then nodded and withdrew.
Leo's grip on Nia's hand tightened slightly. "When I walk out of this room, things change. Santiago is a hunted man now. That means everyone connected to him becomes a target. Everyone including you."
"Everyone including you."
Nia felt the weight of those words settle between them. She was no longer just leverage. She was a target.
"What do I do?" she asked.
"Stay close. Trust no one outside this house. And if Santiago shows his face…" He paused.
"If he shows his face, what?"
Leo met her eyes. "Run. Don't wait for me. Just run."
Nia stared at him. The man who had kidnapped her, threatened her, and held her prisoner, the same man was telling her now to run if danger came.
"That's your advice, huh? Run?"
"That's my order."
She laughed coldly. "I'm not very good at following orders."
"I know."
The door opened again. Don Emilio walked in, leaning on his cane. Behind him, Christian and Micheal filled the doorway. The Don's eyes moved from Leo to Nia, taking in their joined hands. His expression didn't change.
"Leave us," he said to Nia.
She looked at Leo. He nodded slightly.
She released his hand and walked to the door. The door closed behind her. She stood in the hallway, alone except for Matteo, who had materialized at her side.
"What happens now?" she asked.
Matteo's face was grim. "Now we wait to see who dies first."
Hours later, Nia left the hallway, now choosing to sit in a small sitting room near the medical wing, given leave to stay close. Rosa brought tea that went cold untouched. Micheal appeared once, sat with her in silence for twenty minutes, then left without a word. Christian passed by twice, each time looking more tired than the last.
As night fell, the house settled into a tense quiet. Around midnight, the door opened.
Leo walked in.
He was pale, moving carefully, one arm in a sling beneath his jacket. But he was upright.
Nia stood. "You should be resting."
"I should be many things." He moved closely to her, stopping close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from his body. "The Don is calling a full family meeting tomorrow. Santiago will be declared enemy of the Cimmera."
"That's good, isn't it?"
"It's necessary." He paused. "It also means the hunt becomes official. Every resource we have goes to finding him."
"And when you find him?"
Leo's eyes went cold. The Enforcer looking out from behind the man's face. "Then it ends."
Nia nodded. She understood. This was his world. Blood for blood. Death for death.
"I should let you rest," she said.
"You should."
Neither of them moved. Leo's good hand came up, slow enough that she could stop it if she wanted. But she didn't. His fingers brushed her jaw faintly.
"I keep pushing you away," he said quietly. "And you keep coming back."
"Maybe I'm just plain stupid."
"Maybe you're the bravest person I know."
The words hit her like a physical blow. She stared up at him, searching his face for the lie, the manipulation, the wall he always built.
It wasn't there.
"Leo..."
"I'm not asking for anything," he said. "Not tonight. Not yet. I just need you to know…. when this is over, if we're both still standing, I'm not letting you go again."
His hand dropped, and he stepped back.
"Get some sleep. Tomorrow will be long."
He turned and walked out, leaving Nia standing alone in the small room, her heart pounding as his words echoed in her ears.