Page 65 of Mafia Don's Twisted Union

The battlefield erupts into chaos, the relentless exchange of gunfire drowning out all other sound. Dominic moves like a shadow, his focus unyielding as he shields Carlito and me from Matteo’s advancing men.

Matteo’s voice cuts through the cacophony. “You think this changes anything, Dominic? Betraying me only ensures your death.”

Dominic’s jaw tightens, but he doesn’t respond. Instead, he takes down one of Matteo’s guards with a precise shot, his expression a mix of fury and grim determination.

Carlito seizes the opportunity, motioning for Leo and the rest of the men to flank Matteo’s remaining forces. The tide begins to shift as Matteo’s men falter, their leader’s desperation growing more evident with each passing second.

Matteo raises his weapon, aiming directly at Carlito. Time slows as I see the intent in his eyes—the hatred, the need to destroy everything Carlito stands for.

“No!” I scream, stepping in front of Carlito without thinking.

But Dominic is faster. He lunges forward, shoving me aside and placing himself directly in Matteo’s line of fire. The gunshot rings out, and Dominic staggers, blood blossoming on his side.

“Dominic!” I cry, rushing to his side as he collapses to the ground.

Carlito grabs Matteo’s wrist, twisting the gun from his grasp with a brutal efficiency that sends it clattering to the ground. He forces Matteo to his knees, pinning him with a grip of steel.

“You’re done, Matteo,” Carlito growls, his voice low and venomous. “It’s over.”

Matteo sneers, blood dripping from a cut on his temple. “You think this ends with me? My empire is bigger than you, Carlito. Kill me, and you’ll only ignite the war you’ve been trying to avoid.”

Carlito’s grip tightens, his knuckles white against Matteo’s collar. For a moment, I think he might pull the trigger.

But then he glances at me—at the fear and exhaustion etched into my face—and something shifts in his eyes.

“No,” Carlito says, his voice steady. “You’re not worth it.”

He gestures to Leo, who steps forward and secures Matteo’s hands behind his back. “Take him alive. We’ll handle this the right way.”

Matteo snarls, his defiance unbroken. “You’ll regret this, Carlito. I swear it.”

Carlito ignores him, his focus shifting to Dominic, who lies slumped against a fallen crate. I’m already at his side, pressing my hands against the wound on his side in a desperate attempt to stem the bleeding.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I whisper, my voice trembling.

Dominic’s lips curl into a faint, pained smile. “Maybe I did,” he says hoarsely. “For once, I wanted to do something right.”

Carlito kneels beside us, his expression a mix of gratitude and sorrow. “You saved her,” he says, his voice tight with emotion. “You saved us.”

Dominic’s eyes flicker to Carlito. “She’s my sister,” he murmurs. “Protect her, Carlito. Don’t let this world take her like it took me.”

Tears blur my vision as I press harder against the wound, but Dominic’s strength is fading.

“Stay with me,” I plead, my voice cracking. “Please, Dominic.”

But Dominic’s gaze softens, his breath shallow. “You’re stronger than you think, Mia,” he whispers. “Don’t forget that.”

With one final, shuddering breath, Dominic’s body goes still.

A sob wrenches free from my chest, and Carlito’s hand grips my shoulder, grounding me as the weight of loss crashes over us.

In the distance, Matteo is hauled away by Carlito’s men, his shouts fading into the background. The battle is over, but the scars it leaves behind will linger long after the dust has settled.

Carlito helps me to my feet, his arms steady around me. “We’ll finish this, Mia,” he promises, his voice firm. “For him. For us.”

I nod, clutching the ledger against my chest like a lifeline. The fight isn’t over, but for the first time, I feel the stirrings of hope.

Together, we’ll face whatever comes next.

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