Page 156 of King Of Order

He swung at me once more, and I managed to duck in time, the force of his fist grazing past my cheek.

My heart pounded, but instinct took over.

I kicked out hard, my foot connecting with his knee. He stumbled back, snarling in pain, his face twisting in fury.

Mauri was still tangling with the Mariano capos like a force of nature, moving faster than I’d ever seen him.

His fists were precise, his movements fluid, holding off Fabian’s goons with a flurry of hits that sent one of them crashing into a display.

Rio and Alessio rushed from the shadows.

My lover’s face was hard, his eyes locked on Damian.

The Mariano scion fell to the ground and scrabbled for his gun.

He swung it up, aiming at Rio, who tilted his head and shot his Wilson.

Damian’s chest bloomed into a crimson canvas, and he lurched, then sunk back onto the floor.

Alessio darted like a whirlwind, taking down one of the larger bodyguards with a well-placed punch to the gut, followed by a quick uppercut that sent the man sprawling.

‘Chiara!’ Rio’s voice cut through the noise as he moved toward me. He was by my side in a few swift strides, his arm encircling my waist.

His eyes flicked to Fabian, who crawled to his son’s body, moaning under his breath.

Rio sucked his teeth and turned to me. ‘You OK,amore?’

I nodded, breathless but unhurt. ‘I’m fine,’ I managed, trying to steady my racing heart.

Fabian, clutching Damian’s head, keening in agony, glaring at his fallen men, fury boiling in his gaze. ‘You think this is over?’ he spat, wiping blood from his lip and crimson-coated mouth. ‘You just shot my son. You have no idea what you’ve started.’

Rio stepped forward, his eyes narrowed in brutal menace. ‘I think we do, Fabian. But it’s over for you.’

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.

The adrenaline still coursed through my veins, my hands trembling as I witnessed them get hauled out.

Fabian glared at me one last time as Mauri pulled him to his feet, but I met his gaze with all the strength I could muster.

Rio turned to me, his grip resting on my shoulders, grounding me. ‘It’s over,’ he murmured, his thumb brushing against my cheek.

I nodded, leaning into his touch, the tension draining from my body. ‘I can’t believe he tried to take it,’ I whispered, shaking my head. ‘He thought he waltz in and steal it.’

Rio gave a small, wry smile. ‘Men like Fabian always think they can take whatever they want. But he underestimated us.’

I smiled back despite everything. ‘Maybe. But I’m glad I didn’t have to face him alone.’

Rio’s eyes softened, his hand moving to cup the back of my neck. ‘You’ll never have to face anything solo again, Chiara. Not as long as I’m in your world and by your side.’

I let his words sink in, the truth of them enshrouding me like a protective shield, wrapping them around me.

My soul resting in their surety.

Chapter 33

CHIARA

TheLa fine di Diocanvas survived.

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