Chapter 66

Aurora.

I woke up to an email notification, and checking it, I saw that it was from Riccardo Gotti.

'I know where you are. Rossi won’t be able to protect you this time. You’re going to be mine, and I’m coming for what’s mine.

Love,

RG.'

I instantly started panicking. How does he know where we are? Were we followed that night? Did someone betray us? When is he coming?

I woke Rossi up frantically and showed him the text, and he sighed. “Calm down, princess; he’s not going to have you. I’m here.”

“He said he’s coming, Rossi,” I said, scared.

“I was expecting him to. The battle line has been drawn now Aurora, there’s no going back and no guarantee for what is to come but I’ll protect you with my life. He won’t come near you.” Rossi assured me pulling me into a hug and I just rested in his embrace trying to calm myself down.

Rossi has taught me how to defend myself, so I can, to an extent. He has also taught me how to loosen a knot if tied up, so I’m prepared for this. I always knew they would come for me anyway.

“It’s time to put the plan in motion, Aurora; we'll be leaving here.”

I quickly packed a bag of essentials and freshened up, and he did the same too.

Rossi’s protective instincts roared to life as the car sped through the city streets. I was shaken but trying to remain composed, my fingers tightly interlaced with his. There is no going back now, and there is no certainty of what is to come.

“Where are we going?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Somewhere safe,” Rossi replied, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. “I have a secure location in mind—a safe house only a few of my most trusted men knew about.“

My hand in his was a small anchor amidst the storm of his thoughts. He squeezed it gently, offering what little comfort he could. “I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I never wanted you to be caught in this.”

I looked at him, my eyes searching for his. “I knew what I was getting into, Rossi. I chose this life with you, and besides, I was already marked before I met you.”

The car pulled up to the nondescript entrance of the penthouse building, and Rossi wasted no time in getting us inside. The elevator ride felt interminable, with every second a potential threat.

As the doors slid open, he ushered me inside, immediately checking the perimeter. The penthouse was luxurious yet fortified, designed for moments like this. He locked the doors and activated the security system, a state-of-the-art network that would alert him to the slightest breach.

“Stay here,” he instructed, guiding me to a plush sofa. “I need to make sure everything is secure.”

I nodded, though my eyes followed him as he moved through the penthouse, checking windows, testing locks, and ensuring every possible entry point was sealed. Only when he was satisfied did he return to me, and his tension only slightly eased.

I reached for him as he sat beside me, his touch a balm to my frayed nerves. “Rossi, what’s going to happen now?”

“The Gotti brothers decided to make a move,” he said, his jaw clenched. “And now it’s war.”

A flicker of fear crossed my face, quickly replaced by resolve. “What does this mean for us?”

“It means I have to protect you more than ever,” Rossi replied, his voice firm. “And it means I’m going to end this feud once and for all.”

He stood, pacing the room, as his mind worked through the implications.

“The Gottis had made a grave mistake by targeting Whispers and endangering you, Aurora. It’s time to show them the price of their recklessness.

“We’ll have to be careful,” he said. “You’ll need to stay here until it’s safe.”

I rose, crossing the room to stand before him. “And what about you?”

“I’ll be handling things. You don’t need to worry about that.”

My gaze hardened, a fire lighting in my eyes. “I’m not going to just sit here and do nothing, Rossi. I want to help.”

He shook his head, his protective instincts flaring. “No. It’s too dangerous.”

“Dangerous or not, I’m in this with you,” I insisted. “We’re a team, remember?”

"Your determination is both a source of pride and a point of fear for him. I admire your spirit, but I can’t bear the thought of losing you."

"I know,” I said softly.

He cupped my face in his hands. “But I can’t lose you. You mean too much to me.”

My expression softened, and I leaned into his touch. “And you mean everything to me, Rossi. We’ll face this together, whatever it takes.”

He pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly. He vowed that he would protect me at any cost. The battle with the Gotti clan was just beginning, but he would see it through. For me.

The penthouse felt like a gilded cage. The lavish decor and sweeping views of the city did little to calm the anxiety twisting in my gut. Rossi had been gone for hours; he said he had something to attend to, and I knew he was going for the Gotti’s, and with each passing minute, my worry grew. I paced the length of the living room, my thoughts a jumble of fear and determination.

Rossi wanted to protect me, to keep me safe from the dangers lurking in the shadows. But I wasn’t content to sit idly by while he faced those dangers alone. We were a team, and I needed to find a way to help him, even if it meant stepping into the line of fire.

A sudden knock at the door jolted me from my thoughts. My heart leaped into my throat. Rossi had said no one should be able to reach us here. I moved cautiously, my footsteps silent on the plush carpet. As I approached the door, I saw the security monitor flicker to life. A man in a maintenance uniform stood outside, his face obscured by a baseball cap.

“Who is it?” I called out, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Building maintenance, ma’am,” came the muffled reply. “We received a report of a gas leak in the penthouse. We need to check it immediately.”

A chill ran down my spine. Rossi hadn’t mentioned any maintenance, and my instincts screamed that something was wrong. I hesitated, my hand hovering over the lock.

“We didn’t report any gas leaks,” I said, my voice firmer now.

There was a pause, then the man’s tone shifted. “Ma’am, please open the door. It’s for your safety.”

Every alarm in my mind was blaring. I stepped back, reaching for the phone to call Rossi, but before I could dial, the door exploded inward. The force of the blast threw me to the ground, my ears ringing from the sudden noise. Through the haze, I saw two men rush into the room, their faces masked.

I scrambled to my feet, my heart pounding in my chest. One of the men grabbed me, his grip bruising. I fought back, kicking and clawing, but he was too strong. He clamped a hand over my mouth, muffling my screams.

“Easy now,” he growled in my ear. “We don’t want to hurt you.”

Panic surged through me, but I forced myself to think. Rossi had trained me for situations like this, always insisting that I be prepared. I went limp, surprising my captor. His grip loosened just enough for me to twist free and make a break for the door.

I didn’t get far. The second man caught me, slamming me against the wall. Pain exploded in my shoulder, but I barely felt it through the adrenaline. They bound my wrists with zip ties; their movements were efficient and practiced. I was dragged towards the exit, my mind racing for a way out.

As we exited the penthouse, I caught a glimpse of the security monitor. Rossi’s men were down, their bodies motionless on the floor. Despair threatened to overwhelm me, but I couldn’t afford to give in. Not now.

They pushed me into a waiting van, the interior dark and cold. The doors slammed shut, sealing me inside. The engine roared to life, and we sped away from the building. I struggled against my restraints, but it was no use.

“Settle down,” one of the men said, his voice rough. “We’re not going to kill you.”

His words offered no comfort. I knew why they had taken me. I was leverage, a pawn in the war between Rossi and the Gotti clan. My mind flashed to Rossi, and I imagined his reaction when he discovered I was gone. He would come for me. I had to hold on to that hope. That was the last thing I thought about before I blacked out.