Page 34 of Mafia Don's Twisted Union

“Dario!” Bianca’s voice is panicked, and she reaches for him as he moves to shield us.

It all happens so fast. A third shot fires, and I see Dario jerk backward, his eyes widening in shock before he collapses.

“No!” Bianca screams, her voice raw and broken as she lunges toward him.

My breath catches, my body frozen as I stare at the crimson staining Dario’s shirt. He’s sprawled on the ground, his chest heaving with shallow breaths as Bianca sobs beside him.

Carlito’s voice cuts through the chaos, sharp and commanding. “Get her out of here!”

Leo is suddenly at my side, his grip firm as he pulls me to my feet. “Move!” he orders, dragging me toward the terrace exit. I resist, my eyes darting back to Bianca, who’s cradling Dario’s head in her lap, tears streaming down her face.

“I can’t leave her!” I cry, struggling against Leo’s hold.

“She’s safe with him,” Leo says through gritted teeth, nodding toward Carlito, who’s already moving to shield Bianca. “You’re the target!”

The weight of his words sinks in as I’m ushered away, my heart pounding in my ears. Over Leo’s shoulder, I catch a glimpse of the stranger disappearing into the chaos, his face etched with grim satisfaction.

The elevator doors close with a soft chime, silencing the cacophony of screams and shattered glass from the terrace. My chest heaves as I struggle to catch my breath, my hands shaking uncontrollably.

“Who was that?” I manage to ask, my voice trembling as I look up at Leo. “Why was he after me?”

Leo doesn’t answer right away. His jaw is tight, his eyes sharp as he scans the suite we’ve entered for any potential threats. Only when he’s satisfied that the room is secure does he turn to face me.

“We don’t know,” he says, his tone clipped. “But it’s clear now—this wasn’t random. You were the target.”

The words hit me like a blow, and I sink onto the nearest chair, my knees barely able to hold me up. My mind spins, replaying the moment I recognized the man, the flash of metal, the sound of the gunfire.

“And Dario…” My voice cracks.

Leo’s expression hardens, a flicker of regret passing through his eyes. “He was trying to protect Bianca and you. He did what needed to be done.”

A sob rises in my throat, but I choke it back, pressing a hand to my mouth as the weight of the situation crashes over me. Dario is gone because of me.

Before I can spiral further, the suite door bursts open, and Carlito strides in. His presence fills the room instantly, his dark eyes blazing with fury and something deeper—fear.

“Mia,” he says, crossing to me in a few swift steps. His hands cup my face, his gaze searching mine. “Are you hurt?”

I shake my head, tears slipping down my cheeks. “No, but Dario… Carlito, he—”

“I know,” Carlito says, his voice low and rough. “Bianca’s with him. She’s safe. That’s what matters right now.”

“Safe?” I echo, my voice trembling. “Dario is dead! How is anyone safe?”

Carlito’s jaw tightens, but his hands remain steady on my face. “Listen to me, Mia. I promised to protect you, and I will. What happened out there will never happen again.”

His words are firm, but they don’t erase the guilt clawing at my chest. “That man… he’s the stranger from days ago. I think he’s been watching me, Carlito.”

Carlito’s expression darkens, his eyes narrowing. “You’re sure it was him?”

I nod, my stomach twisting. “Why would he come after me? What does he want?”

“We’ll find out,” Carlito says, his tone deadly calm. He straightens, releasing me, and turns to Leo. “Double the security around her. No one gets close without clearance.”

Leo nods sharply. “Understood.”

Carlito paces to the window, his hands clenched at his sides as he stares out at the skyline. “This changes everything. Whoever sent him just declared war.”

The gravity of his words sends a chill down my spine. War. What does he mean by war?

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