Chapter 3

Serena's POV

I kept making my way down the mountain road. There were no guardrails, so I had to watch my footing. One wrong step could send me over the edge of the cliff.

But the road was slick with snow, and the steep slope made it even harder to walk. I was already numb from the cold, and my heels weren't helping. I lost my footing and went tumbling down the slope.

A sharp pain shot through my leg. I struggled to my feet and saw blood seeping from a gash on my calf where a branch had caught me.

But I couldn't stop. I was already showing signs of hypothermia, and I knew I wouldn't survive much longer out here.

Snow kept blowing into my eyes, making it almost impossible to see the road ahead. Still, I forced myself to keep going.

Just when I'd given up hope of making it off the mountain alive, I came across a cave. It wasn't much, but it would do.

I found a lighter in my bag, gathered some branches, and managed to get a fire going. Once the flames caught and I started to warm up, I finally had a chance to check my leg.

Thankfully, the cut wasn't too deep. I bandaged it as best I could, then curled up beside the fire and fell into a fitful sleep.

I had a long dream about the past.

I'd once been Alessio' most trusted enforcer. Back then, he hadn't yet become the Don. I'd put my life on the line countless times to help him establish his authority, nearly getting killed more than once.

Every time I came back injured, Alessio was beside himself with worry.

He would clean and bandage my wounds himself, pressing his forehead against mine as he whispered over and over, "You're my woman. Let me take care of you. You don't have to risk your life for me."

I would smile, kiss him, and intertwine my fingers with his. "Because I want to stand beside you, not hide behind you."

Back then, even the smallest injury would have him worrying himself sick. He would have gladly taken my pain if he could.

He used to tell me I was the most precious person in his life, and that someone he loved so much should never have to get blood on her hands. Well, so much for those promises.

By the time I woke up the next morning, the snowstorm had stopped.

I limped the rest of the way down the mountain, taking one painful step after another. When I reached the main road, I hailed a cab and went straight back to the estate.

I was heading upstairs to pack when I heard a man and a woman talking in the master bedroom. I knew those voices all too well.

They belonged to my husband, Alessio, and his assistant, Bianca.

I'd decorated that bedroom myself, and Alessio had always been fiercely protective of our privacy. He wouldn't even let his closest friends, men who'd risked their lives for him, step inside.

But apparently, Bianca was an exception.

The bedroom door wasn't quite shut. I walked over and looked through the gap.

Bianca was lying in my bed, looking pale and weak. "Don Valenti, it's already the next day, and Donna Valenti still isn't back. I'm worried something might have happened to her. Maybe you should go get her. I'll be fine on my own."

Alessio gently wiped her face with a damp towel.

Bianca coughed softly. "But she's been gone all night. What if something really did happen to her…"

"She'll be fine," Alessio said with a dismissive laugh. "She used to be the family's top assassin. She's been through much worse than this."

He turned his attention back to Bianca. "You took a bullet for me back then, Bianca. I'll never forget that. I owe you for the rest of my life, and whenever you need me, I'll be right here."

I couldn't help but laugh. So much for being the only woman he'd ever make that promise to.

All those heartfelt words I'd once treasured were apparently just as easy for him to say to someone else.

But it didn't matter anymore. I was past caring. After today, I wanted nothing more to do with Alessio Valenti.

I reached for the door and pushed it open without hesitation.