Page 20 of And Back

The silence closes in on me, reminding me too much of my time with the Bratva. The coldness, the isolation, the constant feeling of being watched.

Back then, I was a prisoner, my life controlled by ruthless men who saw me as nothing more than a toy. This captivity feels eerily similar, the same sense of helplessness creeping over me.

I can't shake the feeling that I'm still trapped, just in a different kind of cage.

Suddenly, I hear a faint creak. My eyes snap open, and my breath stops in my throat as I see a shadowy figure standing in the corner of the room. My pulse races, and I open my mouth to scream, but no sound comes out. The figure steps forward into the sliver of moonlight filtering through the curtains.

"Zoe," he whispers.

"Virgilio!" Relief floods through me, and I launch myself off the bed and into his arms. His warmth envelops me, grounding me in this moment. "How did you get here?"

He tightens his grip around me for a brief moment before pulling back just enough to look into my eyes. "There's a hidden passage from when we were kids," he says softly. "I had to see you."

I can't help it; tears spring to my eyes as I lean up and kiss him. It's a desperate kiss, full of all the fear and longing I've been holding back. His lips are firm against mine, responding with equal intensity. He tastes like safety and love and everything I've been missing.

Virgilio breaks the kiss and pulls away from me, his green eyes flashing with anger. "What the hell were you thinking, Zoe?" His voice is a harsh whisper, laced with worry and frustration. "You could have gotten yourself killed."

I step back, crossing my arms over my chest. My heart still pounds, but now it's from the confrontation rather than fear. "I was trying to help," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "I couldn't just sit back and do nothing."

He clenches and unclenches his fists, the muscles in his jaw working as he struggles to control his temper. The tension between us is palpable, like a live wire sparking in the air. "Acting recklessly isn't helping," he snaps. "You're jeopardizing everything we've worked for."

"Reckless?" I retort, my own anger flaring. "I couldn't stand by and watch you and Dante tear each other apart. If there's a chance to end this without more bloodshed, I had to take it."

Virgilio's eyes darken, his hands balling into fists at his sides. "You don't understand," he growls. "Every move we make has consequences. You can't just throw yourself into the middle of it without thinking about what might happen."

"I know what's at stake!" I shout back, feeling tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. "I'm living it too. You think it's easy for me? Watching you two fight, knowing that every moment could be our last?"

I can't stand the way he looks at me, the anger and worry in his eyes. It's tearing me apart. "I was trying to find a way to end this feud. I acted out of love and concern, not recklessness," I say, my voice trembling.

The anger in his eyes fades, replaced by a desperate vulnerability that tugs at my heartstrings. "Zoe," he says softly, stepping closer to me. "I can't lose you. You mean everything to me. I... I love you."

His words hit me like a tidal wave, overwhelming me with emotion. Tears well up in my eyes, and I struggle to keep my composure. "I love you too, Virgilio," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "I always have."

Virgilio steps even closer, his expression earnest and pleading. The raw emotion on his face makes my heart ache. I reach out, my fingers trembling as they trace the scars on his face.

His eyes flutter closed at my touch, and he leans into my hand, as if drawing strength from our connection. "Zoe," he murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I know you're scared," I say gently, continuing to caress his scarred skin. "But we can get through this together. We have to believe that."

I feel his breath warm against my skin as he leans closer, his eyes still closed, soaking in the comfort of my touch.

"I love you, Virgilio," I whisper again, as if saying it out loud could make it more real, more permanent.

His eyes flutter open, and in them, I see a depth of emotion that mirrors my own. Without another word, he pulls me into a tight embrace. His arms wrap around me with a desperate urgency, holding me so close I can feel the frantic beat of his heart against my chest. It's as if he's afraid to let go, afraid that if he does, I might slip away.

We cling to each other like survivors clinging to wreckage in a stormy sea. His body trembles slightly, and I realize how much he’s been holding back. All the fear, the guilt, the love—it’s all pouring out now, and it mingles with my own turbulent emotions.

"Zoe," he murmurs into my hair. "I need you."

His words ignite something deep within me—a fire that's been smoldering for too long. I tilt my head back to look at him, our faces inches apart. His green eyes search mine with an intensity that makes my pulse quicken.

"I need you too," I breathe out.

And then we're kissing—no, more than kissing. Our lips crash together with a fervor that speaks of all the times we've held back. His hands slide up to cup my face gently even as our kiss deepens with an almost frantic need. My hands find their way to his shoulders, gripping tightly as if anchoring myself to him.

The taste of him is intoxicating; it fills me with a heady sense of belonging. His lips move against mine with a perfect mix of tenderness and urgency. Every brush of his mouth sends shivers down my spine.

He pulls me even closer—if that's possible—and I melt into him completely. The world outside this room fades away until there's nothing left but us and this overwhelming love and desire we share.

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