Page 12 of The Don's Soulmate

I crouch down before Marco and the woman. She is still huddled on the floor, trembling in his arms. At my approach, she flinches back with a whimper. I stare at Marco pointedly, and he quickly pulls back his hands from around her shoulders.

She’s young, early twenties. For some reason, I wouldn’t say I like the idea of her being touched by a man of Marco’s age. The man’s probably three times her age or something.

"It's alright," I say gently, touching her shoulder. "You're safe now."

Her entire forehead and cheek are smeared with blood not belonging to her. This sight should be ugly, but to see something this innocent and gentle marred by violence makes her even more beautiful in my eyes.

Because she needs you to protect her.

I extend a hand. After a moment, she takes it, allowing me to pull her up. Her skin is soft and warm in my grip. I find myself reluctant to let go.

"Are you hurt?" I ask. She shakes her head, beautiful green eyes downcast.

"Just shaken," she whispers. Her voice is melodic, stirring something deep within me. The sound of sirens in the distance announces the arrival of the Carabinieri. We have only moments before the cavalry arrives. If they find me, the heir to a mafia empire in the middle of a robbery, albeit failed, it won’t look good. I must get away clean and ensure my presence can’t be traced back to today. My family's reputation, our enterprises, and everything else depend on remaining above suspicion.

But can I leave this woman behind? The thought fills me with unexpected panic. She has gotten under my skin and awakened protective instincts I've never known before. I cannot abandon her now.

"Don't be afraid; I won't let anyone hurt you,” I tell her.

Decision made: I turn to the manager. “You know who I am?”

“Of…of course, sir,” Marco says and rises to his feet.

"Listen then," I bark. "Take everyone to the safe room. Now. Wait there till the police arrive. Never mention I was here."

With one last look at the girl, he scrambles to obey. I turn back to her. She seems so small and vulnerable.

I take her hand again, more gently this time. Her wide eyes meet mine, confused but trusting. We have no time to waste.

"Stay close to me," I say. "We're getting out of here."

Chapter 5

Carlotta

This must be a nightmare, I think to myself, digging my nails into the palm of my hand. It hurts; that’s good. The pain helps to shift my focus away from the smell of blood and the painful scrapes on my knees.

The past fifteen minutes were an assault on each of my senses and were so very petrifying that the calm after the storm now feels like a colossal joke.

The men I was so terrified of, lie dead around me, and the even more terrifying man who sent them to their graves is looking down at me with such sweetness, telling me I’m safe.

Is he the real devil I should fear? From the things I witnessed, I should be afraid of him.

And yet, I swear his ice-cold blue eyes become warmer the longer I stare into them. As he pulls me up off the floor.

"Are you hurt" His voice rumbles low, tinged with a surprising tenderness.

I open my mouth but no words come out. My mind is spinning, struggling to reconcile this sudden shift. One second a cold-blooded killer, the next a concerned protector.

He steps closer, his imposing frame blocking out everything else. My vision narrows until all I see are those magnetic eyes. Up close, they are endless pools of blue.

I feel myself being drawn deeper, an invisible tether pulling me towards him. Something primal and powerful comes alive within me. In this moment, nothing else matters but his touch, his gaze...him. I can’t let him worry.

For his sake, I let him know that I’m “just shaken.”

For a while, I watch him contemplate my words, lost in thought. Then, whatever debate he must have been having is now over.

"Don't be afraid, I won't let anyone hurt you," he murmurs, his breath hot against my ear.

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