Page 151 of King of Obsession

While she calmed, I surveyed the barn, taking in the destruction and death.

So much blood spilled, so many lives lost. And for what? Hubris? Pride? Power? Control? It seemed so meaningless in the face of such carnage.

My woman shifted, and I glanced down at her, one eyebrow arched. ‘You still with me, carissima?’

‘Always,’ she murmured.

I wanted to freeze this moment, imperfect and chaotic as itwas. Because despite the pain, the danger, and the uncertainty that lay ahead - there was nowhere else I’d ever be than by her side.

One day, she’d understand the depth of my feelings, the truth that had driven me all these years. One I’d carved into my soul, buried and only resurrected in recent days: It had always been her. It would always be her.

My north star. My reason. My home.

It was what I’d braced for. Even without full awareness of the fact, I’d always held out for her.

‘Tu sei il mio destino,’ I whispered, my lips turning up.

I reached out, my bloodied fingers brushing against her cheek in a promise, a vow.

‘Sempre,’ she murmured, her love for me and our unyielding connection softened her face.

‘Famiglia!’

Lorenzo’s growl had my attention.

‘Che cosa?’ I muttered.

Lorenzo raised a finger to his mouth, signaling he wanted silence.

In an instant, we all obeyed.

Mauri and I exchanged glances as we caught on to what Lorenzo had picked up.

We swung our eyes back to our leader.

He pressed his lips together, lifted a forefinger, and cocked it, striding forward.

We followed and stepped out in the early morning to the growing decibels of an unfamiliar yet steadily advancing whir.

Chapter 32

ALESSIO

The whup-whup-whup of helicopter blades sliced through the air, growing louder by the second.

I snapped my head up, muscles tensing.

The tension was palpable as Lorenzo stepped beside me, eyes narrowed at the gray sky that still had to reveal its prize.

His body was coiled, ready to strike at a moment’s warning, his hand resting on his weapon, a mirror of my stance.

‘People, fall back.’ Lorenzo nodded, his eyes glinting with a predatory light.

We melted back into the shadows of the barn, blending into the gloominess, using the veil of the dark clouds above to take cover and assess the threat.

Cleo’s hand found mine in the darkness, her fingers lacing tight. I squeezed once, a reassurance and a promise.

She met my gaze, her chin lifting. At that moment, I lovedher more than ever.

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