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“Won’t your men need you? I can hide anywhere here. You can go,” I say. The closer I am to the room with the diamond, the faster I can get it and run. DMJPS1100. I keep repeating the code in my head.
“No, my darling. It’s not safe here. I’m going to make sure you’re hidden before I see what’s happening.”
As we hurry through the darkened corridors of his mansion, I let the tears flow freely. I know that stealing the diamond is what I must do, but with every step we take together, it becomes more difficult to betray the man who has shown me such honesty and commitment.
"Romola," Fiero says urgently, noticing the fear in my eyes, the tears dripping down my face, interrupting my thoughts as we reach a hidden exit. "I need you to trust me."
“I trust you, Fiero,” I whisper. But how can I tell him it is I he must not trust?
Chapter 39
Fiero
Sirens blare through the compound, and I run, tugging Romola by the hand. I curse myself for thinking she’d be safe here. Maybe she’d be safe nowhere if I’m involved.
I’d never forgive myself if she’s hurt tonight.
The fear in her wide-set doe eyes mirrors my own as we weave our way through panicked staff and race toward safety.
A few of my men try to stop me. “Not right now,” I scream at them.
“You should be with your men,” Romola yells at me through heaving breaths. “One of them could show me to safety.”
“No,” I roar back. “I can’t trust them. I don’t trust anyone but myself to make sure you stay okay,” I say fiercely, meaning every word. "Stay close," I shout over the noise, my words barely audible even to my ears.
Though I've spent my life navigating this dangerous world, Romola is an innocent caught in the crossfire. I must protect her at all costs.
Our footsteps pound against the cold marble floor, echoing through the hallways as we dodge debris and fallen members of my crew. Whoever it is, is shooting through the windows.
Each moment feels like we're wading through a nightmare, and my heart twists with guilt for bringing Romola into this.
We finally reach the safe room – a hidden sanctuary behind an unassuming bookcase. I usher Romola inside, the heavy door muffling the commotion outside.
"Romola, listen to me," I say, my voice low but firm. "You need to stay hidden and not make a sound. Your safety is everything."
Her chest heaves with each breath, her wide eyes searching mine for reassurance. I can see the fear consuming her, and yet, beneath it lies a flicker of determination. No matter how many times she's been thrown into the unknown, she finds the strength to keep going. It both amazes and terrifies me.
"Promise me, Fiero," she whispers, her hands trembling as she clings to my leather jacket. "Promise me you'll live."
"Nothing could keep me away from you," I vow, the conviction in my words as solid as the walls that surround us. I lean over and give her a lingering kiss.
The shrill ringing of my phone pierces the intense moment, startling me away from Romola. I fumble to answer it, the cold sweat coating my palms, making it difficult to grip the device. "Speak," I bark into the receiver, my voice strained.
"Boss, it's Rafaele's men," my trusted gate guard tells me, his tone laced with panic. "They're the ones attacking the compound."
“Rafaele?” I say. Romola's quivering seems to indicate that the name means something to her, but I figure she’s just afraid.
The news hits me like a sucker punch to the gut, leaving me momentarily breathless. Why would he bring this war to my doorstep? This madness has to end.
First, he breaks into my party and causes a war.
Then, he has his men threaten Romola.
I’m done with him.
"Get all the staff to safety and secure the perimeter," I growl, my mind racing, considering our best options. "Let tactics know. Meet me at the entrance of our home. I'm coming to handle this."
"Understood, boss," he acknowledges before the line goes dead.
