Page 93 of Ruthless Desire

I push Natalie behind me, raising my gun. "Last words, asshole. Make 'em count."

Nazarov laughs, the sound grating on my nerves. "Oh, Dante. Always so dramatic. You really think you can win this?"

"I don't think," I snarl, finger tightening on the trigger. "I know."

But before I can pull the trigger, all hell breaks loose. An explosion rocks the villa, sending debris raining down around us. I grab Natalie, shielding her with my body as we're thrown to the ground.

When the dust settles, Nazarov's gone. Slippery bastard slithered away in the chaos.

"Dante," Natalie gasps, her voice muffled against my chest. "Are you okay?"

I grunt, ignoring the sharp pain in my side. "Never better, dolcezza. You?"

She pulls back, eyes roving over me. "You're hurt."

"It's nothing," I dismiss, even as I feel warm blood seeping through my shirt. "We've got bigger problems."

As if on cue, Alonzo's voice crackles over the radio. "Boss, we're overrun. They're pushing us back to the east wing."

"Fuck," I mutter, hauling myself to my feet and pulling Natalie up with me. "Looks like it's time for Plan B."

She arches an eyebrow. "There's a Plan B?"

I grin, all teeth and dark promises. "Oh, solnyshko. There's always a Plan B."

I lead her through the chaos, dodging bullets and bodies as we make our way to a hidden passage. It's our last resort, a way out I never thought I'd have to use.

"Where are we going?" Natalie asks as I pull her into the dark tunnel.

"Somewhere safe," I reply, my voice echoing off the stone walls. "Somewhere they'll never find us…you’ll like it, Enzo is already there."

She falls silent, but I can feel the questions radiating off her. I don't have answers, not yet. All I know is that I need to get her out of here, need to keep her safe.

Because without her, none of this matters. The empire, the power, the blood I've spilled – it's all worthless if she's not by my side.

We emerge from the tunnel into blinding sunlight. A helicopter waits, blades already spinning.

"Your chariot awaits, princess," I shout over the noise, guiding her towards the chopper.

She hesitates, looking back at the villa – at the life we're leaving behind. "Dante, I–"

I cup her face in my hands, forcing her to look at me. "Hey. Look at me. It's gonna be okay. You trust me, right?"

She stares at me for a long moment, those storm-gray eyes searching mine. Then, slowly, she nods.

"That's my girl," I murmur, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Now let's get the fuck out of here."

We climb into the chopper, the door slamming shut behind us. As we lift off, I watch my empire shrink beneath us, smoke rising from the ruins of what I've built.

But I've got Natalie. And as long as I have her, I can rebuild. I can conquer the whole fucking world if I have to.

Because she's mine. And I'm never letting her go.

The chopper banks, turning towards the open sea. Towards our future, whatever the hell that might be.

I pull Natalie close, feeling her heartbeat against my chest. My hand rests on her flat stomach, and for a moment, I let myself imagine it swollen with our child. A legacy born from fire and darkness.

"Ready for a new adventure, solnyshko?"

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