Chapter 45
Chapter 46
I gulped.
“I understand,” I bit my lower lips, looking down, “What do we do now?” I asked, voice barely a whisper.
I nodded numbly, goosebumps were already all over my skin as I stood there. “I–I understand,” I managed to say, my voice cracking with emotion.
Nico, who had been standing silently in the corner, finally spoke up. “Boss, we’re ready to move on your command,” he said evenly. “We’ll strike at Petrov’s men at his warehouse. Our orders are to beat them up, not to kill. We would destroy his upcoming goods. Victoria also have an upcoming brand meeting, we are crashing it. Since they are greedy, we are going to cost them.”
Dominic’s eyes flashed dangerously at the mention of Victoria. “That bitch deserves a little beating,” he said coldly. “ We’ll send in our best. I want her home destroyed, her assets seized, and a message sent.”
I clenched my fists, conflicted. Part of me wanted to scream out in protest, but another part the part that had been molded by years of survivalknew that there was no going back now. The violence, the loss, the betrayal it was all too ingrained in our reality.
I shifted uncomfortably. “And what about… about me?” I asked softly, as if the words might shatter what little stability I had left. “Am I just supposed to watch while you take revenge?”
Dominic’s eyes softened for a fraction of a second. “You’re important, Aria,” he said, almost gently. “I’m sorry you’re caught in all of this.”
I shook my head bitterly. “I didn’t ask for any of it,” I replied. “I just wanted a friend. I wanted… I don’t know. Normalcy.”
Dominic took a step closer. “Normalcy is a luxury none of us can afford in this life,” he said, voice low. “But I promise you, we’ll make sure your losses don’t come without a price for those responsible.”
I looked at him, searching for any sign of hope or remorse. “Do you ever wish it could be different?” I asked, my voice barely audible.
He paused, his eyes darkening as memories I wasn’t privy to flickered in his gaze. “Every damn day,” he admitted quietly.” But then I remember that weakness isn’t an option.”
Before I could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed in the corridor outside. Matteo’s voice came through the door.” Boss, the team is ready. They’re heading to the warehouse as we speak.”
Dominic’s jaw tightened. “Good,” he said curtly. “We need to show them we’re not to be trifled with.”
I felt a lump form in my throat as Dominic turned back to me. “Stay here,” he commanded. “Plwase know this that I do really want you to be safe Aria.”
I stared at him, eyes wide with fear. “But… what if I want to come with you?”
His expression was stern, eyes darkened.
“Then you’d be putting yourself in danger. Not just from Petrov’s men, but from everything that’s about to happen.”
I bit my lip, knowing he was right even as a part of me rebelled. “I–understand, I murmured, voice trembling. Dominic placed a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm yet almost comforting. “I promise you this,” he said. “We’ll get through it. I will make them pay for what they did. Tomorrow Luca would come here. Go with him. He would take you home.”
I nodded, eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I’m scared, Dominic,” I confessed, my voice breaking. “I never imagined… this kind of life.”
He squeezed my shoulder, his tone softening ever so slightly. “None of us did,” he admitted. “But we survive. And we fight. I‘ m sorry for what happened today. For losing Amara, for all of it.”
I closed my eyes briefly, trying to steady my racing heart. “I’m sorry too,” I whispered, feeling the enormity of the loss. “I never meant for any of this to happen.”
Dominic sighed, shaking his head. “I know,” he Successfully unlocked! g to survive.”
The sound of distant sirens and the murmur of voices
from behind the door. “Boss, our team is moving out.”
the all seep into the room. Nico’s low voice came through
Dominic’s expression hardened. “Good,” he said, then turned back to me. “You need to stay in your room. Please do this for me. Don’t try to follow.”
1/2
Chapter 46
I nodded, tears welling in my eyes. “Okay,” I managed, voice choked with sorrow and fear.
He paused for a moment, looking at me with something that might have been regret. “I really do wish things were different, Aria,” he whispered.
I reached out, my fingers brushing his arm. “So do I,” I said softly.
Dominic’s eyes met mine, filled with a storm of emotions I couldn’t fully decipher. “Be safe,” he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.
I watched as he stepped out, leaving me alone in the heavy silence of the room.
As the door closed behind him, I sank onto the edge of the bed, the note still trembling in my hands. I listened to the distant sounds of chaos outside, the echoes of violence that promised more bloodshed to come.
In that moment, everything felt so uncertain.
I was caught in a web of betrayal, vengeance, and sorrow.
The weight of Amara’s death pressed down on me like a leaden shroud.
And I knew that nothing would ever be the same again.
A cold shiver ran through me as I recalled the words in the note, the desperate plea of a woman who had lost all hope.
She had begged for an escape, for freedom from a life she no longer could bear.
And now, as I sat alone in the dim light of the room, I couldn’t help but wonder:
Was it all worth it?
Had we become so entangled in this cycle of violence and revenge that there was no turning back?
I closed my eyes, fighting back tears as I whispered to myself, “Please… let there be a way out.”
A sudden noise outside made me sit up. I pressed my ear against the wall, straining to hear any details–a hushed conversation, footsteps in the corridor, anything that might signal what was happening.
Nico’s voice came softly through a crack in the door. “Boss, we’re in position. Dario’s team is being rounded up. Petrov’s men are starting to move out.”
I stood, wiping my eyes roughly. “I hear you, Nico,” I replied, trying to sound steady even though my heart was pounding. There was a long pause before Dominic’s voice echoed back over the intercom. “Remember, Aria, stay put. Don’t try to leave this room. I’ll handle it all.”
I nodded silently, even though I knew he couldn’t see me.
Left alone with my thoughts, I sat on the bed, the note clutched to my chest. Every beat of my heart was a reminder of the choices we’d made–choices that had led us to this moment of raw, unfiltered grief and anger.
Outside, the chaos of the night raged on, the sound of sirens and distant shouts a constant reminder that the world we lived in was built on blood and revenge.
I closed my eyes and whispered softly, “Amara, I’m so sorry.”
In that moment, as darkness threatened to overtake the fragile light in the room, I realized that nothing would ever bring her
back.
But I also knew that I had to fight. Fight for Amara, for myself, for a future where trust wasn’t the most dangerous luxury in the world.
Even if that meant walking a path paved with endless pain and sacrifice.
And as I listened to the quiet hum of the city beyond the walls of my room, I made a silent promise:
I would survive.
I would fight back.
And one day, I would make sure that those responsible especially Petrov paid dearly for what they’d done.
But for now, all I could do was wait.
Wait for Dominic’s next move, wait for the storm to pass, and hope that in the end, there was still a chance for redemption amid the ruins of our shattered lives.
I whispered to the empty room, “Stay safe, Aria. We’ll get through this. We would survive….hopefully.”
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