Chapter 8 - War in the City
By 3:00 AM, the estate was secured.
Marco Lucchesi’s entire invasion force had been wiped out, and Victor Russo was locked in heavy iron restraints in the subterranean interrogation room beneath the estate.
Alessandro stood in his private dressing room, putting on a fresh black shirt over his bandaged shoulder where a stray bullet had grazed him during the firefight.
A soft knock sounded at the door.
Elena stepped inside, carrying a bowl of warm water and clean bandages.
"You're hurt," she said quietly.
"It's just a scratch," Alessandro replied, turning to face her.
Elena walked over, setting the bowl on the table. Without asking permission, she unbuttoned his shirt, exposing the bloody bandage on his shoulder. Her hands were gentle, expert, as she began cleaning the wound.
Alessandro looked down at her face—her dark lashes, her soft lips, the fierce strength that glowed beneath her quiet grace.
"Victor told Lucchesi about the security codes," Elena murmured as she applied fresh salve. "He confessed everything downstairs to Marcus."
"I know," Alessandro said quietly.
"What are you going to do?"
"I am going to end Marco Lucchesi tonight," Alessandro answered plainly. "I am going to finish the war that started eleven months ago when Isabella died."
Elena’s hands paused on his chest. She looked up, her dark eyes swimming with worry. "Alessandro... it's dangerous—"
"I have something to live for now, Elena," Alessandro interrupted softly. He reached up, gently taking her hands in his, pressing them flat against his chest right over his beating heart. "Eleven months ago, I was a dead man walking. I fought because I had nothing left to lose."
He leaned in close, his dark eyes locking onto hers with breathtaking intensity.
"Tonight, I fight because I have everything to lose. I have Sophia. I have Mia. And I have you."
Elena’s breath hitched in her throat. "Alessandro..."
Alessandro leaned down and kissed her.
It was a deep, passionate, reverent kiss that erased three years of Elena's pain and eleven months of Alessandro's grief. She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back with everything inside her, giving him her strength, her heart, and her soul.
May you like
When he pulled back, his eyes were bright with iron resolve.
"Wait for me," Alessandro whispered against her lips. "I'll be home before dawn."
