Page 117 of Veil of Secrets

“Yeah. What’s wrong?”

“You and Drago need to get off that rooftop.” Giorgia’s voice is strained, tense. “Marco’s crew is still looking for blood. Word’s out—they’re gathering again.”

My fingers tighten around the phone. I glance at Nico, whose eyes sharpen immediately at my reaction. “How many?”

“Enough to worry about,” she replies quickly. “They’re not done yet. Just watch your back.”

“Thanks, Giorgia.” I hang up quickly, pocketing the phone. I turn to Nico, heart speeding up. “Marco’s men are still out there. They’re regrouping.”

His expression hardens, but he doesn’t look surprised. “Figured as much.”

“What do we do?” I ask quietly, feeling that familiar burn of adrenaline rising again. “We can’t fight forever.”

“No, but we don’t have to run either,” he says firmly. “We face it. We finish it.”

I sigh, shaking my head slightly. “Does it ever end?”

His eyes soften, stepping closer again, hand finding mine. “It will. But only if we end it. Completely.”

I glance down at our joined hands, feeling the warmth and strength radiating from him. “And after that?”

“After that,” he says quietly, gently squeezing my fingers, “we decide how to live.”

I look up, meeting his gaze steadily. “Together?”

His lips twitch faintly again. “If that’s what you want.”

My chest loosens fully now, relief finally overtaking fear. “It is.”

“Good,” he says softly, pulling me gently closer. “Then let them come. We’ll finish this, once and for all.”

I press closer against him, feeling the warmth and solidity of his body anchoring me. “No more running.”

“No more,” he agrees softly, his voice brushing against my ear. “We’ve earned better.”

“We’ve earned peace,” I whisper.

He tilts my chin up slightly, his gaze serious but warm. “Then let’s fight one last time. For that.”

I nod slowly, determination solidifying inside me. “Alright. But first, let’s just have this moment.”

He exhales softly, wrapping his arms fully around me, his heartbeat steady against my cheek. “Take all the time you need.”

We stand quietly, the wind softening around us, carrying away old fears. The rooftop feels safe, even if just for now. I breathe deeply, taking in the scent of ocean and morning air, feeling peace wash over me. Nico holds me carefully, not tightly, leaving space for my freedom even in this moment.

“Ours,” I whisper into his chest, feeling the truth of it fully now—not just as a vow, but as my choice.

His voice echoes quietly, resonating deeply in my chest. “Always ours.”

I let my eyes drift closed briefly, feeling lighter than I ever thought possible. This isn’t a perfect ending. It's not even close. But it feels like a beginning I can finally claim as mine.

Here, now, on this rooftop in the pale dawn light, I choose to stay. Not because I have to, but because I want to. Because for once, I can see clearly.

Freedom isn’t about running—it’s about choosing where you belong.

And here, with Nico, I’ve finally found my place.

Chapter 26 – Nico

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