Page 59 of Bound to the Enforcer

"You're not fine, Sophia," he says softer now, but the anger is still there, just beneath the surface. "You need to let me take care of you."

I look up at him, the intensity in his eyes too much to bear. "I don't need you to take care of me."

"Yes, you do." His words are firm, but there's something else in them—something deeper. The fury of the mission, the desperation to keep me safe—it's all tangled up in the way he holds me, his hands trembling ever so slightly.

"You're not going anywhere," he adds, sitting beside me on the bed, his hand brushing through my hair gently. "I'm not losing you."

I don't have the strength to argue. The pain is too much, and the weight of everything is starting to crush me. I close my eyes, letting the darkness take me, knowing he's right. We've made it this far—but it's not over yet.

Alessio reaches for the first aid kit on the nightstand, his movements methodical, and I watch him, feeling a strange mix of gratitude and guilt. He's so focused on me, so consumed with protecting me, and I can't help but wish I could be the one to take care of him for once.

"We'll get them back," I whisper, but within I am resolute. "The kids. I'll make sure of it."

He doesn't answer right away. He just nods, his fingers brushing against the bandage as he begins to clean my wound, his eyes flicking back to mine.

"I know you will," he says quietly, voice thick with emotion.

I close my eyes again, the exhaustion pulling at me. There's so much left to do, so many dangers ahead. But for now, we're alive. We're together. And that has to be enough.

Chapter Seventeen

Sophia

The morning light spills through the blinds, casting long, soft shadows across the room. It's a strange quiet today—no gunfire, no explosions, just the distant hum of the city waking up. It feels surreal after everything we've been through.

I sit at the small table, my hands wrapped around a steaming mug of coffee, trying to push down the exhaustion that's creeping up on me. I'm still sore from the wound, but I'm not letting it stop me.

Alessio's in the other room, speaking in hushed tones to Matteo. I can't hear their words, but I know what they're discussing. We have one last step to take: dealing with Domenico and bringing an end to his operation once and for all.

The five families.

I close my eyes, letting the weight of it settle in. The plan is simple: Meet with the families, expose Domenico's betrayal, and take control back. But nothing is ever simple. I know the risks. I know there's a chance that things could go sideways.

The sound of footsteps pulls me from my thoughts, and I look up to see Alessio entering the room. His attention snaps to mine immediately, and for a moment, everything else fades. The intensity in his expression, the weight of everything we've been through—it's all there, unspoken.

"Kids are settled," he speaks steadily. "Matteo's taking them to a safe house outside the city. He will stay with them while we handle things with the families."

I nod, relief washing over me, though I don't let myself relax. "Good."

He pulls out the chair beside me and sits down, the distance between us almost unbearable. He doesn't say anything for a few moments, his eyes flicking over me.

"It all comes down to today," I whisper.

Alessio reaches across the table, taking my hand in his, his fingers warm against mine. "We end this."

I squeeze his hand, the weight of the decision heavy between us. The families are our fighting chance. Our world has rules and things that we stand for. I need to just prove that Domenico will not uphold our values and they will be on my side, regardless of my sex.

"I'm ready," I say, though internally, I feel unease.

Alessio leans in slightly, his expression softening as he looks at me. "We'll make it through. Together."

I take a deep breath, trying to steady the swirling thoughts in my head. There's a knot in my chest, and no matter how much I try to ignore it, I can't.

I lean forward, closing the distance between us, and his hand moves to cup my face, his touch warm and reassuring. His eyes linger on me, and for a moment, I feel like the world around us disappears.

"I don't know what I'd do without you," I whisper, my breath catching in my throat.

"You won't have to," he replies steady and low. "I'm not going anywhere."

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