Page 113 of Dangerous Vows

I smirk, trying to play it off. “Maybe I’m just enjoying the view.”

Her lips tug up slightly, but her eyes search mine. She knows me too well.

“Pietro,” she says softly, stepping toward me. “What aren’t you telling me?”

I shake my head. “It’s nothing you need to worry about.”

“Bullshit.”

“I said, it’s nothing.” I push off the doorframe, closing the distance and brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “You focus on growing that little fighter in there,” I say, rubbing my hand over her belly.

She places her hand on mine, it’s the smallest motion, but it wrecks me.

I lean down and kiss her forehead. She closes her eyes like she can feel the storm in me, even if she doesn’t know what it is.

“I’m just trying to hold on to this,” I whisper. “Toyou.”

“Stop looking at me like you’re saying goodbye,” she murmurs.

I don’t answer. I pull her in, arms wrapping around her like maybe, just maybe, if I hold tight enough?—

I’ll survive what’s coming.

Or at least make sure she does.

Inside the Borrelli headquarters,we hover over the table set up inside the warehouse.

The map of the port is spread out on the table again, this time it’s layered with satellite images, marked shipping routes, and scribbled notations from Julia. The quiet hum of the overhead lights only adds tothe intensity in the room. Matteo leans in. His eyes are locked on the details like he’s already seeing the end of the war in the ink.

“This is where we make our move,” he says, pointing to the southern dockyard. “They’ve got a shipment scheduled to arrive tomorrow night—guns. Heavy ones. Unregistered, untraceable. We leak just enough intel that makes Miloš think we’re vulnerable.”

Renalto raises a brow. “We’re letting them think they can take it?”

“More than that,” Matteo replies. “We let them think they can takehim.”

All eyes shift to me.

I already know.

“I’ll be the bait,” I say, voice steady. “Let Miloš believe I’m overseeing the exchange. Make it look personal. He won’t be able to resist.”

“You sure about this?” Niccoló asks. “Because once we put your face out there, it’s not just a hit—it’s a fucking invitation.”

“It’s no secret he wants you dead, so does Stefano,” Renalto says.

I nod. “That’s what we want. I hope they both come out of hiding. We’re forcing their hand.”

Matteo looks between us all. “We control the location. We control the timing. We plant a decoy shipment. The real guns are rerouted. But we give them just enough reason to bite.”

“And what if they don’t?” Renalto asks.

“We end them,” I answer. “For good. One way or another.”

Silence settles momentarily, and the weight of what we’re planning hangs thick in the air.

“We don’t get a second chance at this,” Matteo says. “It’s not just about the docks or the weapons. This is about ending Stefano. With him gone, we’ll end the long-standing feud. And if we remove Miloš, there is a chance we can achieve peace, effectively ending both wars. Because if we don’t…”

“Then everything we’ve built gets ripped apart,” I finish for him. “Piece by piece.”

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