Page 69 of The Don's Soulmate

"Of course I am," I admit, my voice trembling. "Aren't you?"

He chuckles darkly. "Petrified.”

I look up, surprised. Isn’t he used to such things?

As though reading my mind, he continues. “Had I been alone, there would be nothing to fear. With you, to get you out unharmed, I feel nothing but wretched dread.”

His words should comfort me, but the thought of this strong, incredible man being so utterly dependent on the outcome of my safety heightens my anxiety. What have I gotten myself into? If something happens to me, what would come of him?

Suddenly, I realize, I live for him.

squeeze his hand, feeling the warmth of his touch seep into me, grounding me to the moment, the night, thisconnectionI can’t quite describe. The world might betray me, but Ettore? Never.

As we continue deeper into the forest, I try to focus on the sound of my own breath and the steady rhythm of my heart. It's a futile attempt to calm my nerves, but it's all I have.

Finally, Ettore stops in front of a large tree, its gnarled roots twisting like serpents around its base. On his command, we crouch behind it, looking out from either side. "This is our vantage point," he says, pointing towards a small clearing in the distance. "We'll be able to see everything from here without being spotted."

"Are you sure?" I ask, doubt creeping into my voice. It feels too exposed, too open.

"Trust me, we’re far up" he says, his eyes locking onto mine and I believe him.

"Okay," I whisper, bracing myself for what’s about to unfold.

A sudden rustle of leaves and the distant roar of engines break the silence of the forest, drawing my attention to the clearing. Adrenaline courses through me as I watch the "buyer" Ettore has set up arrive with his team in a convoy of intimidating SUV’s, the wheels of which throwing dust in their wake. They look like they mean business, no time to waste.

"Here they come," Ettore mutters under his breath, his grip tightening on the binoculars he's using to survey the scene.

Ugo and his men drive in from the opposite direction moments later. My heart races, fear and anticipation warring within meas I witness the two sides converging. I take a shaky breath as the men emerge from their vehicles, sizing each other up. Ugo's bulk dominates the space as he strides forward to confer with the buyer's representative. Even from this distance, his crude gestures and scowling face are unmistakable.

"Watch closely, Carlotta," Ettore instructs, handing me the binoculars. "You'll be able to see everything from here."

After terse words are exchanged, Ugo's men drag forward heavy cases and pry them open to reveal stacks of bills. The buyer's team inspects the cash with care, then give a nod of approval. My heart pounds louder at this first success.

"Good," Ettore says, satisfaction evident in his tone. "Now keep an eye on the gold."

I shift my focus to the other side of the exchange, where another trunk is being opened to reveal gleaming bars of gold. So bright, such glimmer, that I swear I can see them glisten from all the way here. I hold my breath, praying that the brass is painted well. To my relief, it passes inspection as well, and I can feel Ettore's body relax slightly beside me.

"Everything's going as planned," he murmurs, his blue eyes, mesmerizing under the moonlight, never leaving the scene. "Now we just need to wait for them to load the art onto the truck."

Ugo's men carefully place the stolen masterpieces onto a waiting vehicle. The sight of those priceless works of art being treatedlike common contraband makes me sick to my stomach, but I know that it’s in safe hands now. Ettore’s men will treat them with more respect.

"Once they're gone," Ettore says, his voice barely audible, "we'll make our move."

As the last piece is carefully load it into the buyer's truck, I feel a swell of excitement at this clandestine glimpse into worlds beyond my own. Suddenly, a twig snaps behind us, and Ettore's body tenses immediately.

“Spies!” a man yells into the night from behind.

Ettore and I exchange glances. Fuck. We've been discovered, and from how Ugo roars into the sky, I can tell he heard the message loud and clear from his guard.

My breath catches as sudden shouts erupt from the tree line. Ugo's roving guards have spotted us!

Ettore reacts in an instant, shoving me down and shielding my body with his. Gunshots crack through the air from the clearing as both sides scramble for cover. Ugo, firing. Ettore’s men, returning. I clench my eyes shut, willing my racing heart to slow.

"Stay down!" Ettore hisses. I peer up to see his hand already gripping a sleek pistol. His sharp gaze scans the surrounding forest as he plans our escape, trying to find the guards we might be in danger from.

"Thought you could pull a fast one on us, huh?" sneers the guard as he emerges from the tree line, gun aimed at Ettore’s heart. Panic rises within me, and I clutch Ettore's arm tighter, fighting to take the bullet, but he holds me back.

"Let her go, Mancini," another one appears, his voice cold and unforgiving. "This doesn't concern her. Return the boss’s wife."

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