Page 30 of Marco

What have I become? I built my reputation on being ruthless, ready to sacrifice anyone for the good of the family. Now a sweet and beautiful café owner has brought one of the most powerful men in the city to his knees.

But men like me don't get happy endings. My father made sure I learned that lesson early. This life requires sacrifice and pain, the needs of the many outweighing those of the few. Or in this case, of one innocent woman.

I stare at the phone, knowing what I need to do. As much as it will haunt me, I have to cut ties with Alessia completely. If I can get her back unharmed, my love can only destroy her. Once she's safe, I will let her go, no matter how deeply it wounds us both.

Alessia, my sweet love, I hope one day you will understand and forgive me. I thought I could shelter you from the storms within me, but they have broken free of my control. You awoke something in me I can never have. Now all I can do is set you free. If it's not too late.

I sit alone in my dimly lit study, curtains drawn against the morning light. The ice in my tumbler has long since melted, the amber liquid largely untouched. My appearance is even more disheveled than before, the dark circles under my eyes betraying my sleepless night.

A soft knock at the door rouses me from my brooding. "Come in," I call out, my voice rough with exhaustion.

Luca enters cautiously. I've sequestered myself for hours by now, ever since getting the chilling news of Alessia's abduction. I can tell by the sympathetic look on his face that Luca's heart aches for me, knowing how deeply this has affected me.

"You look like hell," he says gently as he takes the seat across from me.

My mouth twitches in a humorless smile. "I thought you were supposed to tell the boss he looks great no matter what."

"Maybe for the others. But it's just me here." Luca studies my haggard face. "Talk to me, Marco. Let me help shoulder this burden."

I lean forward, dropping my head into my hands. "It's my fault, Luca," I say, voice thick with self-loathing. "I swore to protect her, but instead I brought this danger into her life."

I look up, anguish in my dark eyes. "She trusted me completely. All I've done is betray that trust over and over."

Luca hesitates, then asks the question no one else dares. "Do you...do you love her?"

I flinch at the word, like it's a bullet to my heart. For a long moment, I just stare at the floor.

"I didn't mean to," I finally whisper. "But she found a way in, despite all my walls. No one has gotten close to me in a long time, Luca. I don't know how to protect someone I..." My voice trails off.

Luca nods in understanding. He knows me, perhaps better than anyone. And he's never seen me like this—raw, vulnerable, stripped of my usual stoic control.

"We'll get her back, Marco," Luca says firmly. "Whatever it takes. I swear to you."

I pass a weary hand over my face. When I look up, my expression is resolute. The ice has returned to my eyes. I can't let any of them see behind the mask. Even Luca. I've already said too much.

"Yes we will. And then I have to let her go, for good this time." My voice turns cold. "My world is no place for someone like her."

I stand abruptly, signaling an end to the conversation. Luca watches me stride from the study, spine rigid, once again locked behind an impenetrable wall. But despite my attempts to conceal it, Luca knows the truth—my armor has been forever cracked open. There is no going back from this.

Three days later

I turn at the sound of another soft knock. Luca enters, his expression grim. My men have scoured the city for days with no luck. It has been hell, pure torture sitting here waiting and wondering, dark thoughts swirling in my mind at what the heavy weight of silence means. Of what's happening to my darling Alessia as our attempts to find her prove futile. But finally, we might have a lead.

"The Rosales' are making a shipment out of the old lumber yard tonight," Luca says. "Rumor is, they're moving something important."

My eyes lock with his. It's not much, but it's our first real break. I feel the chess pieces moving into place in my mind. If I play this right, the king will fall. And I will have my queen back.

"Get the men ready," I tell Luca. "We're going to pay them a visit."

He nods and turns to go. At the door, he pauses, glancing back. "We're getting her home, Marco. Whatever it takes."

I meet his eyes and see the promise there. These men have been with me for years. They know what Alessia means to me now, as much as I've tried to hide it. Failure is not an option for any of us.

The game is on. No more waiting, just action. I feel the change in myself and I know my enemies will soon feel it too. There's a storm coming for them. And her name is Alessia.

I nod, the weight of what's to come pressing down on me. So much could still go wrong. If I've miscalculated...

I close my eyes, picturing Alessia's face. Her smile, lighting up a room. Her laughter, rare and musical. The way she looks at me, unafraid.

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