Page 35 of Bound By Honor

“I swear it.” I press my forehead to hers, feeling her shallow breaths against my lips. “But you have to live. You have to stay with me.”

Sirens wail in the distance as her eyes close. Marco barks orders, organizing our retreat, but I can’t move. Can’t breathe. Can’t do anything but hold her and pray to a God I stopped believing in years ago.

“Hang on,Principessa,” I whisper. “Just hang on.”

Enzo appears with medical supplies, his usual charm replaced by grim determination. “Keep pressure here,” he instructs, helping me stabilize the wound. “Dom’s got the route cleared to Chicago Med.”

In the shadows, Alessandro’s laughter still echoes, a promise of violence yet to come. But for now, my world has contracted to the precious weight in my arms and the desperate prayer that I haven’t lost everything. Again.

“Luciano.” Dominic’s voice cuts through my fog. “We need to move. Now.”

I lift her carefully, cradling her against my chest. Her blood soaks through my shirt, warm and accusing. Every step toward the exit feels like walking through quicksand.

“Stay with me,” I whisper against her hair. “Stay with me, and I’ll give you everything. Any truth you want. Any future you choose. Just stay.”

Behind us, the warehouse stands silent except for the drip of blood on concrete. Somewhere in the darkness, Alessandro watches, his victory written in Aurora’s blood.

But this isn’t over. Not while I breathe.

I carry her toward the waiting vehicle, my promise burning like fire in my veins. Alessandro wanted to repeat history? Fine. This time, I’ll make sure the story ends differently.

This time, I’ll make sure it ends with his death.

14

LUCIANO POV

“Clear the floor! Now!” Dominic’s roar echoes through the hospital corridor as orderlies scatter. Aurora’s gurney races past, her skin ghost-white against crimson-stained sheets. The wheels squeak against polished floors, each revolution marking seconds we might not have.

“BP’s dropping!” A doctor shouts over the chaos. “We need an OR stat!”

I run alongside, my hand locked on Aurora’s, until a nurse blocks my path. “Sir, you can’t?—“

“The hell I can’t.” But Enzo pulls me back as they wheel her through double doors.

“Let them work,” he says, his voice rough. “Marco’s got men covering every exit. Two in the OR. She’s protected.”

The waiting room fills with hurried action. Dominic barks orders into his phone, demanding the hospital’s top surgical team. Marco positions guards at strategic points while Enzo paces, leaving bloodstained footprints on the white tile.

Minutes stretch on like years. The fluorescent lights buzz overhead, their sterile glow making everything feel surreal.My shoulder throbs where Dom’s bullet hit, but it’s nothing compared to the ache in my chest.

Finally, Dr. Romano emerges, his scrubs splattered with Aurora’s blood. “We’ve stabilized her for now. The bullet missed major arteries, but—“ He hesitates.

“But what?” Dominic demands.

“The trauma revealed an underlying condition. Her right kidney is failing, likely due to the blood loss and shock. She needs a transplant. Soon.”

“How soon?” My voice sounds foreign.

“Hours. Maybe less.” He consults his clipboard. “We need to test family members immediately for compatibility.”

“Do it.” Dominic rolls up his sleeve. “Test all of us.”

The next hour passes in a blur of needle pricks and tense silence. They move Aurora to a private suite, machines tracking every precious heartbeat. I stand at her window, watching her chest rise and fall, each breath a small victory.

“Results are back.” Dr. Romano’s expression makes my stomach drop. “I’m sorry, but none of you are complete matches.”

“What do you mean, none of us?” Marco demands. “We’re her brothers.”

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