Page 65 of Bound to the Enforcer

I close my eyes, rubbing a hand over my face. "I can't think about anything but her right now. Nothing else matters."

Matteo is quiet for a long moment, and I can tell he's choosing his words carefully. "We're in this together, you know. This doesn't stop just because she's unconscious. We have to keep moving, keep the families in check."

I don't say anything. I can't focus on the families right now. Not with Sophia like this.

Matteo watches me for a moment, his eyes unreadable. Then he stands, pushing his chair back. "We'll get through this."

I nod without looking at him. I don't want to hear it. I just want her to wake up.

Matteo lingers for a moment, his eyes flicking to Sophia. He gives me a small, tight-lipped smile, but it doesn't reach his eyes. He knows this isn't over yet.

"I'll be back. I have to go and set up some patrols. Do you need anything?"

I shake my head.

He exits, leaving me alone with Sophia. The room feels even quieter now.

I stand, my legs stiff from sitting for so long. I move to the side of her bed, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face. Her skin is cold, her breathing shallow but steady. The fear rises again, the sickening thought that she might not wake up, that I might lose her.

I lean forward, my lips brushing her forehead, and whisper, "Please come back to me, Sophia. I can't do this without you. I need you. Please."

I wait for a response that doesn't come. I can feel the weight of my words hanging in the air. But still, she doesn't wake.

I don't know how long I sit there, watching her, waiting for the moment she opens her eyes, but it feels like hours. Time is cruel when you're waiting for someone to come back to you.

And then, suddenly, I feel it.

Her fingers twitch.

I freeze. My breath catches in my throat as I lean closer, holding my breath. Her eyes move open—slowly at first, like she's fighting to stay awake. And then, I see it.

Sophia's eyes focus on me, and she blinks, as if unsure whether what she's seeing is real.

"Alessio?" Her voice is weak, barely above a whisper, but it's enough to bring me to my knees beside her.

Tears spring to my eyes, and I can't help myself as I reach for her hand. "Sophia, you're awake. You're really awake."

She gives me a faint, pained smile, and I feel my heart leap in my chest.

"I thought I lost you," I whisper heavy with emotion. "I couldn't?—"

She squeezes my hand weakly. "I'm here, Alessio. I'm not going anywhere."

And at that moment, I believe her. The weight in my chest lifts, and I feel the relief that I haven't felt in days.

She's back.

Chapter Twenty

Alessio

Sophia's fingers twitch again, and I can't help but focus on the slight movement, the soft sound of her breath, the slow rise and fall of her chest. She's here. She's alive. But there's still a long road ahead.

I sit beside her, not daring to move, my fingers gently brushing over the back of her hand, the soft pulse beneath my touch a reminder of how fragile everything is. Every second with her awake feels like a gift, even if it's just for a moment.

The door creaks open, and Matteo steps in, his face as unreadable as ever, but there's a quiet concern in his eyes when they meet mine.

"How's she doing?" Matteo asks.

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