Page 44 of Mafia Heir's Broken Vows

"You did what you had to do," I reply softly, glancing up at him. "You saved us. That's all that matters."

His grip on my shoulder tightens slightly. "Not fast enough."

I stop abruptly, forcing him to turn and face me. His dark eyes burn with frustration and guilt, a storm raging within him.

"Stop it," I snap, my voice firmer than I thought possible. "You came for us. You fought for us. Don't you dare believe for one second that wasn't enough."

For a moment, he says nothing, his breathing harsh in the too-quiet house. Then something flickers in his eyes—vulnerability. A crack in the armor he always wears.

His breathing slows. He doesn't argue. Instead, his gaze drops to Leo, whose small hand reaches toward him with surprising certainty. Alessandro lowers himself slowly, wincing with every movement, and pulls Leo into his arms.

"You're so brave, little man," he murmurs, his voice soft, breaking slightly. "I'm going to make sure no one ever scares you again."

Leo clings to him, his tiny arms wrapping tightly around Alessandro's neck. And for the first time since he learned the truth, Alessandro lets the walls fall. He holds our son fully, without reservation—just a father protecting what's most precious to him.

Leavingthe ruined compound feels like we're walking through a graveyard. Smoke and dust linger in the air, mingling with the iron tang of blood. Leo clings to the pocket of my jeans, his small hand gripping tightly, his steps matching mine as I support Alessandro. His wide eyes start to dart around, and I catch the way they linger too long on the motionless bodies scattered across the floor. My heart clenches, and I crouch slightly, turning my face to his.

"Leo," I say gently, but firmly, "look at me, sweetheart. Only at me, okay? Keep holding on to Mommy and don't look around."

His wide, tearful eyes lock onto mine, and he nods, his little chin trembling. "Okay, Mommy," he whispers, gripping my jeans tighter as he stares determinedly at the back of my leg. I give him a quick smile before standing back up, my focus returning to Alessandro.

Alessandro leans heavily on me, his steps growing slower with each passing moment. His breathing is labored, and his weight presses against me more than ever. He's losing too much blood, and I can feel his body trembling with the effort to keep moving—but he doesn't say a word.

Suddenly, Enzo appears at the end of the corridor, his silhouette backlit by the dim glow of the emergency lights. Relief flashes across his face when he spots us. He moves quickly, closing the distance in long strides, his boots echoing against the cold floor.

"Boss!" he says, his voice a harsh whisper. "We need to move—Marco's men are regrouping."

Alessandro grits his teeth, his jaw tight with determination. "Get Serafina and Leo out first."

I shake my head sharply, my voice firm. "No. We leave together." I glance down at Leo, his hand clutching my jeans, his little face focused solely on my leg like I asked him to. Then I look back at Alessandro. "We're not splitting up."

Enzo hesitates, his eyes darting between Alessandro and me, torn between his loyalty to his boss and my refusal to back down. Alessandro's dark eyes meet mine, the weight of his exhaustion clear, but he nods grimly, conceding to my demand. "Lead the way," he orders Enzo.

We move cautiously through the compound, every shadow a potential threat, every corner a possible ambush. My heartpounds in my chest, each beat a deafening reminder of how close we are to danger. Alessandro's grip on my shoulder tightens with every step, his strength fading, but he presses on. Leo's small footsteps patter behind me, his focus staying where I asked him to keep it.

When we finally step out into the rain, the cold water lashes against my skin, mixing with the wind and sending chills straight to my bones. The world outside feels too quiet, the storm masking the danger that could still be lurking. I glance at Alessandro—soaked, pale, but unbroken. He meets my gaze with a determination that burns through his pain.

"Almost there," Enzo murmurs, gesturing toward the waiting truck hidden in the shadows of the tree line. The rain makes it hard to see clearly, but I can feel the tension in the air—none of us are safe yet.

I shift my weight, tightening my grip on Alessandro as his steps falter. "Come on, we're almost there," I urge him, my voice soft but firm. Behind me, Leo tugs at my jeans, his small voice breaking the silence.

"Mommy, is he going to be okay?"

I glance down at him, forcing a smile I don't feel. "He's going to be fine, baby. We all are. Just stay close, okay?"

Leo nods, his little hand gripping my jeans even tighter as we move toward the waiting vehicle. Enzo keeps a sharp eye on our surroundings, his body tense like a coiled spring, ready to react at the slightest hint of danger.

As we reach the truck, Alessandro straightens slightly, pulling some of his weight off me, his hand gripping my arm firmly. Despite the rain soaking his clothes and the blood still seeping through his shirt, his voice is steady. "Let's go."

The backof the truck is cramped and cold, the metallic floor vibrating beneath us with every bump in the road. Alessandro slumps against the metal wall, his head falling back as his breath comes in ragged gasps. His shirt is soaked with blood, the deep crimson spreading like an ominous shadow. I tear a strip from the hem of my shirt, my hands trembling as I press it hard against the wound in his side.

He hisses in pain, his hand covering mine. "Serafina, stop. You don't have to do this."

"Hold still," I snap, my voice sharper than intended. Fear is making me frantic, and my hands are unsteady. "Let me take care of you."

His grip on my hand tightens, his dark eyes meeting mine. "I'm here," he says, his voice low and steady despite the pain. "I'm not going anywhere. You have to believe me."

Tears spill over before I can stop them. I lean in, pressing my forehead gently to his. "You scared me," I whisper, my voice cracking under the weight of my emotions. "I thought I was going to lose you."

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