Page 18 of Mafia Heir's Broken Vows

"This is the safest place they can be," I say, my voice cold. "Marco's not getting anywhere near them."

Enzo doesn't argue, but his silence says enough. He doesn't think this is just about protection. He thinks this is personal. And maybe he's right.

"Make sure the guest wing is ready for them," I add, my tone brooking no argument. "And keep your men sharp. If Marco wants a war, we'll give him one."

As Enzo strides off, I stay where I am, watching Serafina and Leo disappear into the mansion. She may hate being here, but at least here, I can keep her safe.

And Marco? He'll have to go through me first.

Enzo lingers in the study,his stance cautious but firm. "Patrols are in place, and we've doubled the watch. But Marco's unpredictable. You know that better than anyone."

I nod, leaning back in the leather chair, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. "Marco's not patient. He'll make a move sooner rather than later."

My jaw sets. "They were already targets. This way, I control the situation."

He studies me for a moment, his gaze sharp. "And what about Serafina? She doesn't seem thrilled to be here."

"She doesn't have to be thrilled," I snap, the words coming out harsher than intended. "She just has to be safe."

Enzo's silent for a beat, then nods. "Understood. I'll keep the men ready."

As he leaves, the silence in the room feels heavier. I glance out the window, the faint glow from the guest wing catching my eye. Serafina's shadow passes behind the curtains, and I can picture her pacing, restless and furious.

My mind drifts, unbidden, to the last time I saw her brother—my best friend. The warehouse had been engulfed in flames, the air thick with smoke and screams. He'd been furious with me, his last words a condemnation of the life I'd chosen and the woman I couldn't stay away from. I can still see the anger in his eyes, the betrayal, as the explosion tore through the building.

I close my eyes, trying to block out the memory, but it doesn't help. The guilt is a weight I'll carry forever. And now, with Leo here, with Serafina back in my life, that weight feels heavier than ever.

The photo of Leo sits on my desk, his dark eyes staring back at me. He doesn't know who I am. Doesn't know what I've done. And maybe that's for the best. But Marco's threat changes everything. I can't let the boy grow up thinking the world is safe and fair—it's not. And if Marco gets his hands on him...

I grip the edge of the desk, my fingers curling so tightly that the wood creaks beneath the pressure. Serafina will fight me every step of the way. She doesn't trust me. Hell, I don't blameher. But whether she likes it or not, I'm not leaving her or Leo vulnerable. Not again.

The study door creaks open, and Enzo steps back in, his expression grim. "We're all set, boss. If Marco tries anything, we'll be ready."

"Good," I say, my voice hard. "We have to be."

SERAFINA

The rain taps rhythmically against the giant windows of the house, a steady thrum that fills the tense silence between us. I stand in the doorway of his study, arms crossed, glaring at him as he leans casually against the massive oak desk. His calm demeanor infuriates me.

"You can't keep controlling everything," I snap, my voice shrill in the quiet room.

Alessandro's gaze is cold, steady. "I'm not controlling anything. I'm protecting you." He keeps saying that as if it's true. I don't think that's what he is doing at all—he's trapped me here and I hate it.

"No, you're suffocating me. This isn't protection. This is a cage." I just wanted to take my son out for a few hours, to play with his friends. I wasn't asking for a million dollars and a private plane, just a playdate at the bounce park. Something normal!

He pushes off the desk, closing the distance between us in two steps. "If I didn't intervene, you'd already be dead. You think I enjoy this?" Having a little tornado in his perfect home hasn't been good for his OCD. Leo is like a bulldozer plowing throughthe place leaving chaos, sticky fingerprints, and playdough behind him.

"You hate me, and fight me, when all I'm trying to do is keep you alive?" He's serious now, "I don't hate you Serafina, even after the lies, and keeping him from me. I still don't hate you."

I hate him.

"Don't twist this into something noble," I spit back. "You left me. Started a war, killed my brother, devastated my family, and left me an orphan! You abandoned me without a word. Now you suddenly want to be the hero? You don't need to hate me—I hate you enough for both of us."

I was all alone, and he was just gone.

His jaw tightens, and for a moment, something flickers in his eyes—regret, maybe? But it's gone as quickly as it appeared. He switches back to the emotionless statue of a man.

"I did what I had to," he says lowly. "And I'd do it again if it meant keeping you safe."

---