Page 34 of Mafia Heir's Broken Vows

SERAFINA

The rain is like a curtain against the car windows, it's icy and cold. The sound of it fills the cramped space, blending with the rhythmic thrum of the windshield wipers. I pull Leo closer to me and wrap my arm around him. He sleeps soundly, the movement of the car like a lullaby. His sweet innocence is a sharp contrast to the reality of what is happening. There's a deep sense of dread building inside me.

Our driver, a man Alessandro trusts, grips the steering wheel calmly navigating the wet roads. He hasn't spoken since we left the estate, his face a stone mask as the headlights cut through the downpour.

Something is wrong. I can feel it in my bones. An unease builds with every passing mile. I glance back through the fogged rear window and catch a flicker of headlights trailing us—too close. Too steady. This is not a busy road or highway, there shouldn't be traffic at this hour of the night.

"How much longer?" My voice barely carries over the sound of the rain.

No answer.

I lean forward, my heartbeat pounding in my ears. I tap his shoulder and ask again. "I asked you a question."

Still nothing. He doesn't even acknowledge me.

Panic starts spreading in my chest. "Stop the car," I demand, my voice rising.

Nothing.

I reach for the door handle, but the car surges forward, accelerating.

"Stop the damn car!"I scream, gripping Leo tightly with one arm, and searching for my phone with the other.

Then I see them—headlights flaring behind us, another vehicle appearing from the shadows. A black SUV veers into view, speeding up to flank us.

The driver smirks.

My blood runs cold.

The SUV swerves sharply,cutting us off. Our car comes to a controlled stop, tires screeching in the wet. Before I can react, the road explodes into chaos.

Doors fly open, and men pour out, dark, masked silhouettes against the rain. Their faces are covered, weapons pointed at us.

The driver doesn't fight. He kills the engine and steps out casually—like this was the plan all along. He leaves the keys in the ignition, raises his hands, and walks away without even looking back. The betrayal is clear now—Alessandro trusted the wrong man, and it's cost us dearly.

"No," I breathe, clutching Leo tighter, shielding him with my body. My heart pounds as panic takes over.

The rear door is flung open, letting the icy rain pour in on us. Cold, gloved fingers clamp around my arm.

"Marco wants to see you," a rough voice growls.

"Please, don't!" I thrash, my screams lost in the roar of the rain. I claw and kick, but they are too strong, too many. "I'm leaving, exactly like he told me to. I am going away!"

Leo wakes, his terrified cries cutting through the noise, and my heart shatters into pieces.

"Don't hurt him!" I sob, struggling wildly.

But they don't care. This isn't about me. This is about Alessandro.

They drag us into the SUV, slamming the door shut behind us. The world outside blurs into a wash of rain and darkness as the car speeds off into the night.

The ride is endless. They're going too fast in the bad weather; the swerving feels dangerous, like a bad dream that won't end. Leo is curled against me, trembling, his sobs now soft hiccups as exhaustion takes him. Even in his almost sleep, his little lip quivers.

The car finally slows down and then stops. The doors unlock with a mechanical click.

A silhouette stands in the open doorway, framed by light.

Marco Romano.

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