Page 21 of Bound By Honor

The lights cut out, plunging us into darkness. I feel Luciano’s body tense against mine, shielding me from whatever comes next.

“Well, well.” Alessandro’s voice echoes through the garage. “Isn’t this cozy?”

“Show yourself, you coward,” Luciano growls.

Alessandro’s laugh bounces off the concrete walls. “Now why would I do that when this game is so much more entertaining?”

“This isn’t a game.” Luciano’s arm tightens around my waist. “These are people’s lives.”

“Everything’s a game,fratello. You taught me that.” A pause, then, “Remember that night at the Rossi compound? When you chose duty over family?”

“You know that’s not what happened. I taught you survival,” Luciano growls. “I taught you family.”

Alessandro’s laugh echoes off concrete. “Family? Like when you took Father’s side about the Colombo deal? Or perhaps you mean family like when you married the woman you knew I loved?”

“You were obsessed, not in love. Maria saw it—everyone saw it.”

“Yet here you are again, brother. Another woman, another betrayal. Tell me, does sweet Aurora know about the night Maria really died? About the choice you made?”

I feel Luciano’s body coil against mine, pure rage radiating off him in waves. His next words come out like ice. “You lost the right to speak her name when you disappeared that night. When you left us to clean up your mess.”

“Don’t I?” Alessandro’s voice moves closer. “Just like you chose duty over Maria? Over Aurora?”

My breath catches. Luciano’s body coils with tension, ready to strike.

“You want me,” Luciano says carefully. “Fine. Let her go, and we’ll settle this.”

“Luciano, no—” I start to protest, but his hand covers my mouth.

“Sweet Aurora.” Alessandro’s voice drips with false concern. “So willing to die for love. Just like Maria.”

“What do you know about Maria’s death?” I demand, pushing Luciano’s hand away.

“Oh,piccola. I know everything.” A shadow moves in the darkness. “Including who really killed her.”

Luciano’s whole body goes rigid. “You son of a?—”

Gunfire erupts again, but this time it’s different—coming from outside the garage. I hear Marco’s voice shouting orders, then the screech of tires on pavement.

“Cavalry’s here.” Alessandro sighs dramatically. “Time to cut this reunion short.”

“You’re not going anywhere,” Luciano snarls, but more shots ring out, and I hear the distinct sound of a motorcycle engine revving.

“Until next time,fratello.” Alessandro’s voice fades. “Give my love to Luca.”

The lights flicker back on, revealing an empty garage save for three unconscious attackers. Luciano’s men stream in, securing the perimeter, but Alessandro is long gone.

I turn to Luciano, seeing the barely contained fury in his eyes. “What did he mean about Maria?”

“Not here.” He grabs my hand, pulling me toward a waiting SUV. “We need to get you somewhere safe.”

“Safe?” I laugh bitterly. “There is no safe. Not anymore.”

He stops, turning to face me. In the harsh fluorescent lights, I see every emotion he usually hides—fear, rage, and something deeper that makes my heart race.

“I won’t let him hurt you,” he says roughly. “Whatever game he’s playing?—“

“This isn’t just about me.” I step closer, refusing to let him retreat behind his walls. “He mentioned Luca. And Maria. Whatever’s really going on, I deserve to know.”

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