Page 68 of The Don's Eternal Vows

I take a deep breath, forcing the rage down. She's right, of course. But the thought of Greco slipping through my fingers again... it's almost more than I can bear.

“Gianni, our men could die!” she screams, louder now.

“Fuck,” I roar, connecting to the central comms. “Retreat,” I command each team. “Retreat now. Abandon the plan.”

Once we’re finished, Genoveva moves closer, her presence a balm to my frayed nerves. Her hand finds my arm, her touch gentle and grounding.

"We did everything we could, Gianni," she murmurs, her voice like silk against my raw emotions. "Our men are trained for this. Trust them."

I exhale slowly, the tension in my shoulders easing a fraction. "I know. It's just-"

"You hate not being in control," she finishes, a wry smile playing on her lips.

"You know me too well, cara mia."

Her fingers trace soothing circles on my arm. "Someone has to."

The screens continue to flicker, but it offers nothing of use.

"Come," she says softly, tugging gently at my arm. "There's nothing more we can do here tonight."

I hesitate, glancing back at the failure unfolding on the screens. "But-"

"No buts," she insists, her voice firmer now. "You need rest. Clear eyes for tomorrow's fight."

I nod, allowing her to guide me away from the command center. As we move through the darkened house, I'm acutely aware of her hand in mine, the unspoken comfort in her touch. We've known each other since childhood, yet moments like these still catch me off guard – the easy intimacy, the way she reads me like an open book.

"Thank you," I murmur as we reach the stairs. "For keeping me grounded."

Genoveva's smile is soft in the dim light. "Always, mio cuore. Always."

In our bedroom, Genoveva's arms encircle me, her warmth seeping into my bones. The weight of the day presses down, but here, in this sanctuary, I find a moment of peace—her heartbeatthrums against my chest, a steady rhythm anchoring me to the present.

"You're still tense," she murmurs, her fingers working at the knots in my shoulders.

I exhale, letting some of the tension bleed out. "Can't help it. So much could've gone wrong today."

"But it didn't," Genoveva reminds me, her voice soft yet firm. "We're here. We're safe."

I nod, burying my face in her hair and inhaling the familiar scent of jasmine. "You're right. As always."

She chuckles, the sound vibrating through me. "Remember that next time you want to rush headlong into danger."

"No promises," I murmur, a smile tugging at my lips despite everything.

We lapse into silence, the quiet broken only by our synchronized breathing. My eyelids grow heavy, the adrenaline of the day finally ebbing away.

Just as sleep begins to claim me, a sharp crack shatters the stillness. My eyes fly open, body tensing. Another crack follows, unmistakable this time – gunshots.

Chapter 29

Genoveva

Sirens wail in the distance, their haunting melody intertwining with the whispers of shadowy figures that dance at the edges of my vision. The world around me shifts and blurs, a kaleidoscope of fractured memories and half-formed fears. I'm running, my bare feet pounding against cold, wet pavement, but I can't escape the crescendo of a strange, loud sound that threatens to engulf me.

The sirens grow louder, morphing into a cacophony of screeching tires and shattering glass. I stumble, my heart racing as I try to make sense of the chaos. Suddenly, strong hands grip my shoulders, shaking me violently.

"Genoveva! Wake up!" Gianni's gravelly voice cuts through the fog of my dream, yanking me back to reality.

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