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"Go ahead, amore mio," he says, looking worried.
I nod and take a step back from him, answering my phone. He knows I'm not trying to hide anything from him. But if I have to make it through this conversation, I need full focus and staring at Dario in all his handsome glory is the biggest distraction ever.
"Elena?" I ask, tension creeping into my voice.
"Jasmine, are you safe?" Elena inquires, her tone laced with worry.
"I am," I assure her, feeling torn between the mission and the man standing just a few feet away. "Is everything okay?"
"Is everything okay? I've been trying to contact you all day, and we haven't heard one word. Everyone at the agency is beginning to doubt you, Jasmine," she says sternly.
Holy shit. I'm fucked.
"I - I'm so sorry, Elena. Dario and I –"
"Dario and you?" she hisses. "Jasmine, in your quest to be Dario's sidekick in all the trouble he gets himself into, we are wondering if you're even bothering to focus on your mission."
"Elena, please listen to me. Dario is also trying to bring his father down. Helping him helps the agency. Don't you get it?"
"What?" she asks, almost a whisper. "Why would he do that?"
"Because as I told you before. He's nothing like his father."
There's an awkward silence between us. I realize, by mistake, my voice drips like honey when I talk of Dario. I close my eyes, and pray Elena hasn't caught me, but then, my hopes are shattered.
"You've fallen for him," she states, matter-of-factly.
I have two choices. To deny or speak the truth. But at this point, I know that denial might draft a deeper wedge between Elena and I. She's been trained to see when I lie, and I can't risk my lying skills on the one statement I know to be irrefutably true. "Yes," I whisper.
"Is it worth the risk, Jasmine?" she asks, her voice heavy with doubt. "This could be the beginning of the end of your career. Are you willing to throw it all away?"
"I haven't thought that far yet, Elena. All I know is that we're making progress and that I'm about to make this case a success."
"Alright," she sighs. "I'm going to have to take this to higher authorities though. The fact that you're emotionally involved with your person of interest."
"Please, just trust me," I plead, desperation creeping in. "I need a little more time. We can bring down the Marchetti empire, I know we can. I just need to see this through. Once this is done, you can take this to whoever you want."
"Alright," Elena sighs, clearly reluctant. "I'll keep it to myself for now. But if things get worse, I'm pulling you out. No arguments."
"Understood," I reply, my voice barely above a whisper. As I hang up, my gaze finds Dario's, and I'm struck by the gravity of the choice I've made. I want to stand by him, to support him in his quest for justice – but the risks are immense, and I can't help but wonder if I'm making a terrible mistake.
"Everything okay?" Dario asks, concern etched on his face.
"Y-yes. Just... Elena's worried about our safety," I admit, running a hand through my hair.
"Jasmine, I promise you, I will do everything in my power to keep you and our child safe," he says, his voice filled with conviction. "I love you both more than anything."
"I know you will," I say, reaching out to touch his arm. "And I trust you with my life, Dario."
"Ti amo, Jasmine," he murmurs, pulling me close for another quick kiss. The fire between us burns bright, fueled by our shared determination and love.
As Dario opens the door back into the war room, I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what lies ahead. I've chosen this path, and now I must see it through – for Dario, for our child, and for the future we're fighting to build together.
Chapter 42
Gathering Storm
Dario
