Page 88 of The Don's Soulmate

Her suggestions catch me off guard, but I can't help but admire her resourcefulness. Selling the gold would be enough to last us another month or two. Fishing would at least buy us some time to plan our next move.

"Alright," I agree, my voice a mix of reluctance and admiration. "Let's give it a try."

We gather some basic fishing gear from the cabin and make our way down to the lake, the sun casting warm rays upon our backs. The water is crystal clear, reflecting the sky like a flawless mirror. When we settle on to the shore, I marvel at how perfect this moment is.

"Have you been fishing often?" she asks, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Yes. Often with my brother when we were kids," I reply, memories of simpler times flooding back. "But it's been years."

"Then let me show you how it's done," she says playfully, casting her line with a fluid motion. Her confidence is infectious, making me forget my troubles for just a moment.

As we sit side by side, our lines dancing in the water, I find myself entranced by her laughter and the way her eyes crease when she smiles. She hooks a fish, squealing with delight as she reels it in.

"Look, Ettore! I caught one!" she exclaims, holding up her prize triumphantly.

"Beginner's luck," I tease, secretly impressed by her skill.

"Maybe so, but it looks like I'm going to be feeding both of us tonight," she retorts, flashing me a mischievous grin.

"Darling, don't be too sure about that," I say, feeling the tug on my line as a fish takes the bait. With a surge of determination, I reel it in, the fish putting up a valiant fight. When it finally emerges from the water, Carlotta applauds and cheers for me, her excitement genuine and contagious.

"See? I told you I still got it," I boast, unable to hide a grin.

"Alright, Ettore, you win this round," she concedes, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

By the time the sun begins to dip below the horizon, we pack up our gear and make our way back to the cabin, our catch in tow. Today was the most perfect day I’ve had in years. The shared experience of fishing together has lightened our spirits, that’s for sure.

But, like with all things beautiful, they must come to an end. While Carlotta is busy looking around, I keep my eyes straight ahead, and what I see jolts me on my steps.

"Carlotta," I say, my voice low and I grip her hand to hold her in place, "do you see that?"

She follows my gaze, her eyes narrowing as they settle on a group of men near the edge of the property. They're trying to blend in with the trees, but their dark suits and deliberate movements betray them. I peer closer, and see some movement inside the cottage through the windows we left open.

"Who are they?" she whispers, fear creeping into her voice.

"Shit," I mutter under my breath. "They're my father's men. They must have tracked my call when I contacted him. I’m guessing they’re here to bring me back."

We crouch down behind some bushes, assessing the situation. My heart races, and I can tell Carlotta is just as scared as I am. Her hand finds mine, and the warmth of her touch brings me a small measure of comfort amidst the chaos.

"Looks like we're outnumbered, Ettore," she says, her voice trembling slightly.

"Stay close to me," I instruct, my mind racing as I plan our escape. "We need to get to the car without being seen."

We move carefully through the woods, and I feel immense guilt for dragging Carlotta into this mess. She's caught in the crossfire all because of me, when I forced her to run away.

But we never really had a choice, did we?

"Remember what I told you about soulmates, Ettore?" she says, her voice barely audible. "I chose this path because I wanted to be with you. Don't blame yourself."

She can read my thoughts, and it's touching to see her loyalty even now. However, now isn't the time for tender moments—we need to make it out of here alive.

"Alright, on my signal, we make a break for the car," I say, eyeing the men who are still searching for us. "Ready?"

Carlotta nods, determination flooding her features. We take a deep breath, preparing ourselves for the sprint that could mean the difference between life and death.

"Go!"

The moment my feet hit the ground, it felt as if all the energy in the universe surged through me. I sprint towards the car, which is dangerously close to where the men are, Carlotta's hand firmly grasped in mine. The wind rushes past us, its howling echoing our own desperate breaths. Our hearts beat wildly, like ancient war drums announcing the approach of a relentless enemy.

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