Page 67 of Bound to the Enforcer

"We can't afford to wait much longer, Alessio. The Russians are on the verge of a war. And the families aren't united. They're all playing their own game now."

I turn toward him, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "I know. I've heard the reports. The families are divided, and the Russians are in chaos. We'll handle it. But not until she's stronger." My vocal chords tighten with each word, my focus completely on Sophia.

"Alessio…" Matteo begins, his tone more cautious now. "I understand you're focused on her recovery, but we can't let this drag on any longer. The power vacuum is getting worse. The longer we wait, the more dangerous it becomes."

"I won't put her in danger again," I say with conviction. "She's already been through too much. We'll deal with it once she's able. I won't risk losing her." My hand instinctively tightens around the edge of the chair as I stand, turning away for a moment, trying to suppress the guilt that rises in my chest.

Matteo watches me silently before speaking again, lower, more measured. "I get it. But the Russians... They won't wait forever. You need to make a choice. We either act, or we risk losing everything. Again."

I feel the weight of his words. Matteo isn't wrong, but I can't shake the fear that if we push too hard now, it might break Sophia. She's already been through hell, and I won't let her suffer more.

I look back at her, her face still pale but peaceful. She's so strong—stronger than I ever gave her credit for. But there's no way around it. The world doesn't stop for anyone, no matter how much I wish it would.

She stirs in the bed, her eyes fluttering open. She looks at me, and the vulnerability in her gaze strikes me harder than I expected.

"Alessio," she whispers, hoarse but filled with a quiet strength. "You look like you haven't slept in days."

I sit beside her, brushing a strand of hair from her face, my fingers lightly grazing her skin. "I've been here. With you."

She gives me a small, tired smile, but the concern in her eyes doesn't fade. "You're worried about the families, aren't you?" she says softly, almost too quietly.

I'm surprised by the clarity she speaks with. "Yes," I admit. "I'm worried about everything, but I'm not leaving you."

She takes my hand, her grip weak but determined. "I'm not going anywhere, Alessio. We're in this together. You've carried this burden for long enough. Let me help."

Her words hit me harder than I expected, and for a moment, I just sit there, staring at her. The fight, the chaos, it all feels so distant with her here, alive, her hand in mine. But the reality of our situation won't let me forget it.

"You'll help," I say quietly, squeezing her hand, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. "But you have to rest first. I can't lose you again, Sophia."

She looks at me for a long moment, as if weighing my words, and then nods slowly, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. "We'll take care of this together, I promise."

Her words are the lifeline I need, the reassurance that no matter what happens, we will face it side by side. But the future is still uncertain. The Russians are waiting for their moment to strike, and the families are splintering faster than we can keep track of.

Matteo stands and walks to the door, his gaze lingering on us for a moment. "Rest while you can," he says quietly, his tone laced with a hint of weariness. "Things are about to get a lot harder. And we need you both ready."

I nod, though I can't shake the feeling that we're running out of time.

Matteo leaves, and I sit back beside Sophia, my hand still in hers. The room feels too small, but at least for now, I can hold her.

I lean forward, pressing a kiss to her forehead, whispering, "We'll make it through. I won't let anything happen to you."

She smiles faintly, her eyes fluttering closed as she drifts back to sleep. I stay with her, my heart still racing, but for now, I have her beside me. And that's all that matters.

Epilogue

Alessio

Six months. It feels like a lifetime since we were caught in the middle of chaos, wondering if we would survive it all. The betrayals, the pain, the danger. It feels like a dream now—like someone else's life. We're no longer fighting for survival. The war is over, and for the first time, we have peace.

The families are somewhat steady again, and Domenico's death has created a shift that we never expected. The Russians are fractured, the power struggles among the families fading into quiet resolutions. And we've emerged stronger. Together.

But none of that matters as much as what's standing right in front of me.

Sophia.

She stands by the window, looking out at the sprawling city below, her silhouette bathed in the soft glow of the evening light. The way she looks, so serene and calm after everything, fills me with a sense of peace I never thought I would have.

We left the mansion three months ago. The large castle is nothing more than a reminder of things that once were. Weknew we needed a fresh start, so we packed up our bags and found a home on the upper east side of the city.

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