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Over the phone, I heard Enzo curse under his breath. "It's better you don't know right now," he finally responded. "Just trust me that I'm handling this. Stay with your friend until it's safe for you to come home."
I wanted to scream in frustration. "What do you mean until it's safe? Was someone trying to hurt me? What aren't you telling me, Enzo?"
"I can't get into it," he said tensely. In the background, I thought I heard angry shouts. "Look sis, I need to go. Remember what I said, okay? Stay there."
The phone line went dead. I stood frozen, the dread coiling tighter in my stomach. Something ominous was unfolding, something my family refused to explain, and I hated this helpless feeling.
I had to talk to Leonardo. Even if he didn't have answers either, just hearing his voice would calm me. I dialed the burner phone he had given me for emergencies. But it only rang and rang before going to voicemail.
I tried three more times with the same result, increasingly frantic. Why wasn't Leonardo answering? My overactive imagination conjured fresh disasters - Leonardo being ambushed by my family's men, gravely wounded, unable to reach the phone...
"I can't reach Leonardo," I choked out. "This is bad, Ash. Something terrible is happening, I know it."
Ashley hugged me tightly. "Hey, try to breathe. You don't know anything for sure yet. Overthinking will only make you feel worse."
I tried my best to listen to her calming words. But all I could think about was Leonardo in danger, caught up in some unseen mafia disturbance, while I was trapped here helpless to protect him.
A chilling thought struck me suddenly. What if my father had discovered Leonardo's identity and was unleashing wrathful violence even now? It would explain Enzo's panicked flight with me - to get me away before Father's fury exploded.
I recalled Enzo's ominous words at home earlier when things first escalated - "Starting tonight, things are going to change." Is this what he had meant?
My blood turned to ice in my veins. However this clash between families had started, I knew with sick certainty that it would only end in blood and tragedy.
And my darling Leonardo was caught right in the center of the gathering storm.
Terror seized me in its viselike grip. I had to find Leonardo, had to know he was alright! Waiting here meekly while chaos erupted felt unthinkable.
Ashley grabbed my shoulders firmly, forcing me to meet her worried gaze. "Natalia, look at me. Take some deep breaths, okay? You're working yourself into a panic spiral."
I shook my head jerkily, pulling away. "You don't understand, I can't just stay here doing nothing!" I felt wild, primal panic at being separated from Leonardo while unseen threats surrounded us.
Ashley blocked my path to the door. "Whoa whoa whoa, I can't let you just go rushing into danger in this state," she argued. "That's how people get hurt!"
We stared at each other, both breathing hard from emotion and adrenaline. Ashley's steadying presence was the only thing keeping my rising hysteria at bay.
Finally I collapsed onto the bed, head in hands. "You're right," I admitted shakily. "I'm no good to anyone like this."
Ashley relaxed slightly at my acquiescence. "We'll figure this out together, okay? But you need to stay calm."
I took a few deep, meditative breaths. Ashley was right - letting fear control me wouldn't help anything. When I felt centered enough to speak steadily, I met her earnest gaze again.
"I can't keep sitting here in the dark though. Something twisted is happening, and the man I..." I faltered, swallowing hard. "A man who means everything to me is in danger. I have to do something."
Ashley nodded slowly, considering this. "Okay. We come up with a plan first. Gather intel, figure out what we're dealing with here." Her expression hardened with determination. "And then we make sure this guy you clearly love stays safe."
Despite the panic still coursing through me, Ashley's words resonated. I couldn't afford to be reckless or controlled by volatile emotions. Not with Leonardo's life potentially on the line.
We would get answers first, make sure Leonardo was unharmed, and go from there. One step at a time.
I let out a long breath, feeling my frenzied thoughts start to settle. "You're a good friend, Ash. Thank you for stopping me from charging out half-cocked," I said ruefully.
She squeezed my hand. "Hey, that's what I'm here for. We're in this together."
Just knowing I didn't have to face this crisis alone lifted some of the crushing weight from my chest. Tonight had shattered so much - my concept of home and family, my world entire.
But Ashley's stalwart loyalty was one light that still glowed true, guiding me forward out of darkness. With her help, I would make it through this maelstrom and find my way back to Leonardo.
Grasping that flicker of hope close, I began making plans with Ashley to uncover the truth about just what fresh hell had been unleashed tonight. No matter what we discovered or what obstacles lay ahead, I would do anything to protect my darling Leonardo. Even walk through fire itself to shield him.
