Page 17 of Until It Ends

"Your old maid is still alive."

My heart stops for a moment and I turn to face him. "What do you mean?"

"The maid who pushed you onto that helicopter; the one that took you away to Dante and his father. She was found on the rooftops after everything was said and done. She begged for her life. She's still alive. She's been asking to see you...ever since she found out you were alive too," he continues in a cold voice, "but if you leave with this man, she will be killed."

I shake my head. "No...you're just saying that."

"Marco was a liar, Valeria. I am not. I also have your best interests in mind. I'm your real father."

"I...." I glance at Dante.

Dante's jaw tenses and he takes another step back towards the door as more of Polo's men appear in the doorway. He tries to pull me with him amidst the gunshots coming toward us but I let my hand slip from his. "Valeria, please..."

I am heartbroken. "I can't, Dante."

Desperate to ensure my safety, Dante pleads with me. "Trust me, Valeria. Come with me."

As the room spins with uncertainty and danger, my mind races. I know that no matter my decision, the consequences will be profound. I must weigh the risks, navigate the treacherous path ahead, and determine my true allegiance.

With a heavy heart, I make my choice. "You have to leave, Dante."

He stares at me for what feels like an eternity until a bullet barely grazes his ear, and then he finally turns away and dashes out of sight.

Fourteen

Valeria

"Dante is a very dangerous man..."

I watch as Polo looks out of the window where all the smoke has cleared and Dante and his crew has gotten away. I suddenly feel naked, pulling the robe tightly around me wondering if I've made the right choice.

Before I could ask about the maid, Rocco stirs on the ground, slowly regaining consciousness as Enzo bursts through the conference room door. His face is red with rage and he has an unlit cigar clenched between his teeth.

"What the fuck just happened, father!" he bellows.

"That Argentieri boy is testing us," Polo growls out.

"How did he know we were here?"

Polo links out and rubs his forehead. "That I don't know, but I sent a scout with a message for him not to cross any of our territories...and that's exactly what he did."

Enzo through up his arms. "So, you basically told him we have Valeria and where she was...?"

"Not specifically," Polo replies.

Rocco who looks like the exactly replica of his brother only younger slams his hand on the table. "I'm gonna kill that bastard. This is far from over," Rocco seethes. His anger is palpable, and I know that things have taken a turn for the worse. These two families are on the brink of an all-out war, and I fear I am caught in the middle.

"Did he get away?" Polo asks.

"He did. They had about six getaway vehicles. Two of their men our dead," Enzo explains.

"And how many of ours?"

"Three, father," he says breathlessly. "I don't know. Maybe there's more."

“She caused this!” Rocco's face contorts in anger as he wheels around to face me. His breathing is ragged, nostrils flaring while Enzo steps forward and firmly places a hand on his chest. "She may have made some questionable choices, but she is still your older sister and my little sister. She's our blood."

The air is thick with tension between the two brothers. Rocco narrows his eyes and spits out words like daggers through the air. “The next time I see that slime Dante he will be lucky if he leaves alive”.

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