Page 30 of Stefano
And in the middle of it all, I sit at the long dining table, Guilia’s hand wrapped around mine.
“You don’t have to do this,” she whispers, her eyes worried.“You’ve been through enough.Just rest.”
But resting isn’t an option anymore.Not after everything.Not after Stefano walked through hell to bring me back.If I’m going to stay, if I’m going to be with him, then I need to show everyone I’m not just some fragile girl they have to protect.I need to stand tall.For him.For me.
“I want to,” I say softly, squeezing her hand.“I need to.”
The men start to gather.Severu leans against the far wall, his expression cool and unreadable.Mancuso strolls in with his usual swagger, though his grin is sharper, edged with something darker.Alceu arrives last, his gaze sweeping over the room before landing on me.His jaw tightens.
Stefano stands beside me, his presence a wall of steel and fire.He doesn’t sit.He looms, his hand resting on the back of my chair, his body angled slightly toward mine as if shielding me from unseen threats.His eyes dare anyone to challenge my place here.
Alceu clears his throat.“We’ve confirmed the cartel is regrouping.They’re angry and reckless.That makes them dangerous.We need to strike first.”
The men murmur in agreement, their voices low and hard.I watch quietly, my fingers tightening around the cup of coffee Guilia pushed in front of me earlier.The conversation swirls with words like shipments, allies, and blood.A world I was never meant to be part of.
Until now.
Alceu’s voice cuts through the room.“We need to address the risk.”His eyes flick to me, sharp as a blade.“Andrea was taken because of her connection to us.Because of Stefano.”
The room falls silent.Heat floods my cheeks, but I lift my chin, forcing myself not to shrink back.Stefano’s hand tenses on the chair, his fury vibrating through the air.
“Careful,” he growls.
“No,” I say before I can stop myself.The word hangs heavy, pulling every gaze in the room to me.My heart pounds, but I don’t falter.“He’s right.”
Stefano stiffens beside me, his head snapping toward mine.“Andrea...”
I turn to face him, my voice steady.“I was taken because I wasn’t careful.Because I thought I could handle things on my own.Because I didn’t tell you or anyone the truth about Luca.”My throat tightens at the name, but I push through.“That won’t happen again.Because I’m not running from this anymore.I’m not hiding.”
The silence that follows is deafening.Severu’s brows rise slightly, surprise flickering across his face.Alceu studies me with new interest.Mancuso smirks, leaning back in his chair like he’s watching the best show in town.
And Stefano ...his eyes burn into me, unreadable, his jaw clenched tight.
Guilia squeezes my hand, pride shining in her eyes.“She’s right.She’s stronger than you think.”
Alceu’s lips thin.“Strength doesn’t change the fact that she’s a target.The cartel won’t stop.And the more she’s seen at Stefano’s side, the more they’ll come for her.”
“And the other women?”Guilia challenges.“Aren’t we weaknesses as well?What makes Andrea less than us?”
But I know the truth.Guilia has always been strong, Lyrik is better with a gun than most men, and Callie...She’s a little scary and a lot crazy.They can all take care of themselves.I’ve always been sheltered.
I cut in before they start arguing.“Then let them come,” I say, my voice clear.“Because I won’t leave him.And I won’t be afraid anymore.I am just as much a part of this family as anyone else.”
Gasps ripple through the room, but I don’t look away.I stare right at Alceu, at the man who’s done nothing but doubt me, and I don’t blink.
“I love him,” I say simply.“And if that makes me a target, then fine.But I’d rather be in danger with him than safe without him.”
The words echo in the silence, sharp and unshakable.My hands tremble, but I don’t lower my gaze.
Stefano moves then, stepping closer, his hand sliding from the chair to my shoulder.His grip is firm and grounding.His eyes, when they meet mine, are blazing.Something raw and unguarded shines there, something he’s never let me see before.
He faces the room, his voice low and lethal.“You heard her.She’s with me.Anyone who has a problem with that can leave.”
No one moves.No one speaks.
Alceu’s jaw works, conflict flashing in his eyes, but he stays silent.Severu nods slowly, his approval subtle but present.Mancuso lets out a low whistle, his grin widening.“Well, shit.Guess it’s official.”
After the meeting breaks, Stefano guides me out, his hand firm at my back.The hallway feels quieter, but my pulse still hammers.I can barely breathe, half from fear, half from the high of finally saying it out loud.Finally claiming him, no matter the cost.
