Page 65 of The Don's Soulmate

"Everything was perfectly planned! How could you let this happen?" he continues, his tone seething with rage. My heart races, thudding loudly in my ears, as I strain to make sense of his words.

"Apologies, boss," someone says. "Our guy missed the shot. Ettore got away."

My breath catches in my throat as icy terror grips my chest. Ugo was the one who tried to kill Ettore tonight? My knees tremble, but I force myself to remain still, desperate to hear more.

"And you’re saying Carlotta was with him," Ugo snarls, venom dripping from every syllable. "In the bathroom at the club? What the hell was she doing there?"

I can't breathe. Panic rises like bile, threatening to choke me. Oh God, he knows. He knows about Ettore and me. What will he do now? Fear coils around my heart, squeezing tight, as I imagine the vengeance Ugo will want to exact.

"Boss, what should we do about her?" the henchman asks, his voice shaking as if he can sense the danger in the air.

Ugo remains silent for a moment, then says, "Keep an eye on her until the wedding and keep me updated. If she thinks she can betray me and get away with it, she's got another thing coming. As for him, tell the three brothers I want him dead, sooner rather than later."

His words send a shudder down my spine. I can't stay here, knowing Ettore has assassins on his heels. Three brothers at his heels… whoever they are. Ettore must know.

But for now, I don’t have a way to get the message across to him. All I can do is retreat into the safety of my bedroom and pray that Ugo doesn't discover how close I am to warning Ettore and making my escape.

My heart hammers in my chest as I flee, reminding me that I'm not safe here if caught. The moment I reach my room, I slam the door shut and lock it, leaning against it for a brief moment, trying to catch my breath.

I crawl into bed, pulling the covers over myself. My thoughts race, jumping from one terrifying scenario to another, as I consider the risks of Ettore not knowing about Ugo’s attempts at having him killed.

Just for tonight, I pray for his safety. I need him to survive the night and tomorrow, when we pull off the heist, at least I’ll be able to give Ettore this sliver of information I’ve gained.

What if the plan tomorrow doesn’t work? If it backfires, all of our lives could be in jeopardy, including my family’s and Sofia’s.

Damn it.It has to work.

I close my eyes, attempting to force myself to sleep, but all I can see are images of Ettore, his steely blue eyes burning holes into my soul. I think of how his strong arms felt around me, making me belong. And then there's the mark we share, a symbol of a connection that goes beyond anything I've ever known.

My thoughts are a whirlwind, questioning every decision that led me to this moment – to agree to Ettore's plan of stealing the artwork from Ugo. It's insane; I can't deny it. But what other choice do I have?

"Can I really trust you?" I ask the empty air, desperate for answers that only Ettore can give. "Can I trust that you'll protect me from Ugo, and that we'll find a way out of this mess?"

But there's no answer, just the deafening silence that surrounds me as I lie in bed, trembling with fear and anticipation. And so, Icling to the hope that Ettore is my salvation, that we'll be able to steal the artwork and save my family from Ugo's control.

"Please," I murmur out loud, "let us find a way through this."

In the darkness of my room, I raise my hand to my back and trace the mark that we share, the tiny black heart – a symbol of our bond that transcends time and distance and makes no logical sense. A connection that has bound us together despite being born into rival families, destined to be enemies.

A small voice at the back of my head tells me we will. After all, we were born enemies, fated to be allies. The smallest touch sets me ablaze with life. We share the same mark, and when things seem darkest, he comes for me. When there seems to be no out, I have the tools to save him. From distracting the gunman today, to knowing Ugo wants him dead, to Ettore offering me an out… it all feels like a plan the universe had for us all along.

I let out a shaky breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. As much as I fear the consequences, I can't ignore the fire that burns inside me – the desire for something more than this life I've been forced into. And Ettore is my only out.

"Remember who you're doing this for," I tell myself, clutching the sheets in my trembling hands. "For your family, for yourself, and for Ettore."

My heart races as I acknowledge the truth in those words, a newfound determination coursing through my veins. Despitethe risks, despite the fear that threatens to consume me, I must have faith in his plan.

Chapter 30

Ettore

I toss and turn in the satin sheets, breath ragged as my heart races with fear. The images haunting me are vivid and horrifying: my past lovers lying lifeless, their eyes wide open in terror. I can feel the presence of three shadowy assassins closing in on me, their intentions lethal as I try to save another.

"Run, Amina!" a voice screams in my head, my own. But Amina stays standing still as the dagger crosses her heart. Desperation fills my chest, suffocating me, making it impossible to breathe. The shadows draw closer, and I know they're coming for me – for all that I hold dear. The face passes, and I’m with Saranya now. They pierce out her eyes. There’s so much blood, and I’m holding a body close. I look down, it’s no longer Saranya. Elizabeth’s blonde hair is soaked through, from where the bullet hit.

My heart clenches, threatening to come to a staggering halt, as each death relives itself. Hundreds of deaths, thousands of years of living; Three men chasing us down in each lifetime, brothers who kill mercilessly. Her. Me. We never survive.

Suddenly, I jolt awake, gasping for air. My body is drenched in sweat, my pulse pounding in my ears. The remnants of those twisted dreams claw at the edges of my consciousness, but something else pulls at me now – something far more powerful.

---