Page 32 of Mafia Heir's Broken Vows

"You're sweeter than sin," he murmurs, his voice dark and low, sending another shiver through me. "I could get drunk on you."

I'm too breathless to respond, my body still buzzing from the aftermath. His hand rests on my hip, grounding me, while his eyes burn into mine with an intensity that leaves no room for doubt.

"You're mine, Serafina," he says quietly, but with a weight that feels like a vow. "No one else will ever have you like this."

We collapse against the wall,breathless and trembling, the air between us charged with everything we can't say. Alessandro's hands cradle my face, his thumb brushing against my jaw as if he's afraid I might vanish.

"This still changes nothing," I whisper, the lie cutting through me like a blade. I want it to change everything, but I can't let it.

"It changes everything," he murmurs, his lips ghosting over mine. His voice is raw, and vulnerable in a way I didn't think Alessandro D'Angelo could be.

His arms tighten around me, grounding me, but the intensity in his gaze feels like a promise I'm too scared to believe. "I'll burn this world down before I let anyone hurt you or Leo. I'll kill anyone who even thinks about it. That's not a promise—it's a fact."

I shake my head, even as my chest tightens with the truth in his words. "Don't make promises you can't keep."

"I don't break my promises," he growls, his voice dark, unwavering.

"That's the problem," I whisper. "I don't believe you." My voice cracks, and the words feel like a betrayal to the small part of me that still wants to.

ALESSANDRO

One call. That's all it would take. One call to end this—to send Serafina and Leo far away from here. Far from me. She already wants to leave; being here is making her miserable and scared. I'm being selfish. I am only thinking about what I want, and not what is best for Serafina and Leo. Living in a cage, constantly fearing for her life, I can't ask her to do that.

I dial the number.

"It's Alessandro. I need a plane. Tonight. No questions." I make a request. "The airstrip, hangar three. I will send a driver with my passengers."

There's a pause on the other end before the voice speaks. "Are you sure about this?"

I grit my teeth. "Where are they going?"

"California, at least the manifest will say that. I'd like them to land in Sicily. I have made arrangements there for them." I wait for an answer.

"The flight plan is logged for your passengers to fly to California, sir," he says. "Please ensure they pack light to allow for the extra fuel weight needed for the trip." His tone is professional, but there's a hint of something beneath it. Pity, maybe. Sympathy. I hate it.

"Thank you."

I end the call and stare at the city lights beyond the rain-streaked glass. Each raindrop feels like a nail hammered into my chest. How do you tell the woman you love that you're sending her away—abandoning her again?

I'm setting her free. That's what I tell myself. But deep down, I know I'm the one breaking her all over again.

Serafina stands by the fireplace,arms wrapped tightly around herself. She turns slowly when I enter, her eyes red and swollen—she's been crying. The sight of her like this twists something deep inside me, guilt mingling with regret.

"What is it now?" she asks, her voice tight and hollow. She turns her face away, quickly wiping at her tears. She doesn't want me to see her break.

I take a steadying breath. The words feel heavier than any confession I've ever made. "You and Leo need to leave." I can't believe I'm saying it. It hurts just to look at her, to watch her fall apart in front of me.

Her head snaps toward me, disbelief written all over her face. "What?" She sounds shocked, her voice trembling. "You changed your mind?"

"I've arranged everything. You'll be safe—far from Marco, far from all of this." I pause, trying to soften the blow, but the words sound cold and hollow. "I will make sure you're cared for. You don't have to worry about money." She glares at me, the fire in her eyes returning. "He's still my son, Serafina. I will provide for him." The words sound hollow, even to me.

Her face hardens, and the hurt in her expression is quickly replaced by anger. "And you?" she asks, her voice sharp as a blade.

I hesitate… the truth lodged in my throat. "I'm staying here. I'm not the one who wanted to leave."

The silence between us stretches, suffocating. Then her voice rises, sharp and cutting, slicing through the quiet like a whip.

"So, you're abandoning me again?"

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