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The tears I was holding back burst forth, and I collapse into the seat. "I don't understand, Papa. I just don't understand…"
He sighs, and I can feel his exhaustion. "I know, my love. But trust me when I say that I did this for you. For your safety. Your life means more to me than anything else in the world."
I'm angry beyond belief with him for keeping secrets, but I also understand his motives; everything he did was for my protection. As fear and anger continue to war within me, one thing becomes clear: we need to escape this danger together.
With a deep breath, I nod, my heart still heavy with the weight of deceit and betrayal. "Then let's just hope and pray that we make it to that airport, Papa," I whisper hoarsely.
“Oh, sweetheart,” he says, reaching out to place his hand on my cheek. I lean into it and whisper, “I guess it’s all okay as long as we’re by each other’s side.”
“Damn right, kiddo,” he mutters. “Now, we have to make it to the airport and pray we don’t get in trouble. They could have eyes everywhere,” he says, his own darting into the rear-view mirror, trying to conceal his paranoia.
The night air rushes through the open window, biting at my skin as I grip the door handle tightly. Our car speeds down the narrow streets of Rome, tires screeching in protest against each sharp turn we make. My heart races in time with the roaring engine, a constant reminder of the danger we're in.
"Romola, keep an eye out behind us," my father orders, his voice tense and strained. "We need to know if anyone's following."
I glance nervously into the side mirror, searching for any sign of pursuit. The dark shapes of other cars flit through the reflection like ghosts, making it difficult to discern friend from foe. But then, a pair of headlights appears in the distance, drawing closer with every passing second.
"Someone's coming," I warn, my breath hitching in my throat. "They're gaining on us!"
My father swears under his breath and presses harder on the gas pedal, pushing our car to its limit. The engine roars like an angry beast, drowning out all other sounds.
"Who are they?" I ask, fear and curiosity warring within me. "Do you think it's Fiero's men or Rafaele's?"
"Does it matter?" he snaps, his frustration evident. "Either way, they'll kill us both."
As if to punctuate his words, a gunshot rings out, and a bullet zings past my ear, shattering the car's rear window. Glass shards spray across the backseat, glittering like deadly confetti in the dim light.
"Get down!" my father shouts, grabbing my arm and yanking me toward the floor of the car. Another shot echoes through the night, this one lodging itself in the headrest where my head had been moments earlier.
Panic rises within me like a tidal wave, threatening to overwhelm my senses. I fight to keep it at bay, focusing on my father's breathing and the pounding of my own heart.
"Romola," he says, his voice thick with emotion. "No matter what happens, remember that I love you, and I'm sorry for putting you in this mess."
I want to tell him that I forgive him, that I understand why he did what he did. But before I can speak, another gunshot slices through the air.
Chapter 20
Rafaele
Smoke swirls around us as the acrid scent of gunpowder fills the air. Around us, chaos rages, but at this moment, everything narrows down to Fiero, Alvize, and me. Our guns are aimed at each other, forming a deadly triangle at the center of the mayhem.
"Tell your dog to put his gun down, Rafaele," Fiero snarls, his emerald green eyes filled with hatred. The thin scar above his eyebrow glistens like a snake ready to strike. "You came here uninvited," he sneers, adjusting the grip on his gun.
"Neither will you," I retort, struggling to keep my voice steady. My gaze remains fixed on him, unwavering. "This lunacy has gone on long enough."
"Only, you started it by entering uninvited," he sneers, adjusting his grip on the gun.
Alvize shifts slightly beside me, and I give him a nearly imperceptible nod. It’s risky, but our only chance to disarm Fiero. I force myself to stay focused, pushing thoughts of Romola and her father with my diamond from my mind.
"I apologize," I say, feigning surrender. My heart races as I lower my gun just a fraction, trying to maintain eye contact with Fiero. "Let's end this, once and for all."
"Rafaele, don't--" Alvize starts, but I silence him with a sharp look. His act is good.
Fiero smirked, clearly believing he had the upper hand. But his attention shifts ever so slightly.
"Good," he says, voice dripping with false sincerity. "Now we can--"
As if time snaps back into place, I act.
