Page 17 of Mafia Heir's Broken Vows

He doesn't turn. "Now you want to talk?"

"He's confused, Alessandro. He doesn't understand why we're here. He is just a little boy."

"Then explain it to him." He snaps at me like it is just that simple.

I step forward, anger sparking. "He's five. He doesn't need to know about men like Marco or your family's bloody legacy. I will not steal his innocence from him."

He finally turns; eyes cold. "He's my son. I have a right to protect him."

"Who said he's your son?" I snap. "And protect him? Or claim him like you claim everything else?" I'm not just going to let him push his way in. He can't take Leo from me; I won't ever let him do that.

His jaw tightens, shoulders stiff. "I didn't ask for this war, Serafina. But it's here, and I won't let you or him become a casualty."

"No, you just started it and left." I glare at him, my heart pounding. "It's too fucking late Alessandro. There are casualties everywhere. You don't get to talk about casualties. You left me to pick up the pieces before. I won't let you do it again." He will just disappear again, run away, and hide from the carnage.

He steps closer, the tension between us is tangible. "Then stop fighting me." I will never stop fighting for my son, to save him from becoming like his father. I will fight him to the fucking death if I have to. Leo will not end up like my brother did.

"No," I say.

Night falls,and I sit on the edge of Leo's bed, watching him as he sleeps. His stuffed lion is tucked under his arm, his face peaceful blissfully unaware of the danger that is so close to us. The darkness inside me is harder to ignore in the quiet of the night.

The door creaks softly. Alessandro lingers in the doorway, shadows cloaking him. Half in, half out—like before, never trulythere. He could never commit to me, to being all in. It was always halfway because there was always someone trying to pull us apart.

"Is he asleep?" he asks quietly.

I nod. "For now."

He doesn't move, but something about his posture changes, he relaxes.

"I won't let anything happen to him here," Alessandro says, his voice soft.

I search his face, trying to find the man I once trusted—and the man I'm afraid still lurks beneath the surface. I loved him, I was going to marry him. I betrayed my brother's trust, and my family had settled on an arrangement with him. Then everything changed in a moment.

"You better fucking not," I whisper.

For once, Alessandro doesn't have a smug response. He lingers for a heartbeat longer, then quietly turns and leaves us alone. I can't sleep, as much as I try, I toss and turn and hear every little sound that this enormous house makes.

If I close my eyes I have nightmares, all brought back by seeing Alessandro again. The heartache, the devastating loss. The disappointment. Broken promises, and the rejection. It comes back like a tsunami, drowning me.

ALESSANDRO

The iron gates groan as they open, revealing my estate shrouded in mist and gray skies. The driveway stretches ahead, lined with towering hedges that cast long shadows against the gravel. Every inch of this place is designed for one purpose: control. And today, it feels more like a fortress than ever before.

From my vantage point, I see Serafina holding Leo's hand. She's tense, her shoulders rigid, her eyes scanning the estate as if looking for the nearest exit. She doesn't want to be here. But she's here anyway—because I left her no choice.

Leo clutches a stuffed lion in one hand, his steps hesitant as he takes in the towering mansion. His small voice carries in the stillness. "Mommy, is this our vacation?"

Her reply is gentle, but I hear the tension behind it. "Just for a little while. Somewhere fun. You'll like it."

I catch the lie in her tone. She doesn't believe a word of it. Neither does the boy. He looks back at her, his confusion clear. The sight twists something in my chest—something unfamiliar, unsettling. I force myself to look away, my focus shifting to the guards stationed along the perimeter.

Enzo steps up beside me, his sharp gaze scanning the estate with practiced precision. "Perimeter's secure," he says quietly. "But Marco's not the kind to sit and wait. He'll make a move. It's just a matter of when."

I nod, my jaw tightening. "Double the patrols. No one gets near this place."

Enzo hesitates. "Bringing them here, boss... it puts a bigger target on all of you."

I glance back at Serafina and Leo as they approach the front steps. She's gripping his hand too tightly, her knuckles white. He's asking her questions—innocent, curious—but she's too tense to respond properly. She's afraid. And she should be.

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