Semua Bab Blood Vows with the Mafia Boss: Bab 21 - Bab 30

Caruso's footsteps cracked sharply over the dry leaves, each one slow and deliberate, like a predator savoring its prey. My breath hitched, and I pressed myself tighter against the cold earth, every muscle screaming to disappear. But the shadows offered no refuge, there was nowhere to hide.Damien let out a low groan, pain flickering behind his closed eyes, but he said nothing. His strength was bleeding away, slipping through his fingers like sand. I could feel it, fast. Too fast.Caruso crouched down beside us, his cruel smile never faltering, as if he was already tasting victory. "You thought you could hide, huh?" His voice was low, dripping with mockery, like he enjoyed every second of this.My fists clenched, trembling with a fierce blend of fury and fear. "Why are you here? What do you want?" The words came out sharp, despite the knot tightening in my stomach.His eyes glinted coldly in the moonlight, serpentine and calculating. "You should have stayed out of this, Sera. Dante's

I didn't wait long after Sera disappeared into the bathroom.The moment the door clicked shut behind her, I turned and left. There were things I needed to handle, questions that couldn't wait. One in particular.Damien.The corridors of the estate grew darker the deeper I went. A biometric scan slid open the final steel door, revealing the security chamber. Temperature-controlled, soundproofed. A room made for secrets.He was there, sitting—no, slumped—against the metal-backed chair. His wrists were bound to the armrests, clean white bandages wrapped over fresh blood. Medical staff had patched him up just enough to keep him conscious.His head hung low, his hair damp with sweat. A slow, uneven breath. He looked... like hell. Good.I stood still, just watching him. There was a time when we would've killed for each other. Now?Now I didn't even know what side he was on.A silent minute passed. Then two.Then, finally, he stirred. His fingers twitched. And his head rose.A slow smirk tu

His words didn't slam into me—they slid, slow and surgical, like a knife beneath the skin.My stomach tightened. I forced a breath out through my nose. Don't panic. Just think. Think fast."Protecting?" I repeated, keeping my voice even. "I just told you everything I remember.""No," he said calmly, almost bored. "You told me a version that kept your hands clean."I stood up, slow and stiff. The air between us felt thinner now, charged. "Why would I lie to you?"He tilted his head slightly. "Because you've finally realized not everyone on your side is safe."The words rattled something inside me.He's testing you. Looking for cracks.I stepped forward, close enough to see the sharp flicker behind his calm. "You think I'm hiding something because I don't trust you? You've barely trusted me since the day we met."Dante didn't flinch. He just studied me like a puzzle with missing pieces."Maybe. But you've never looked at me like you're afraid of what I'll do if I find the truth. Until n

The phone buzzed again in my hand.I glanced down, expecting maybe another update... but froze the moment I saw the word flash across the top of the screen."escape."My chest tightened. What?There was no sender. No app logo. Just that single word, sitting there like it was waiting for me to move.My finger hovered over it, but I didn't touch it. Not yet. Was that... meant for me? Is this a warning? A clue? A trap? The thought alone made my stomach twist. My eyes darted around the room like I'd suddenly forgotten where I was. I slowly sat on the edge of the bed, holding the phone with both hands like it might shatter. Someone sent that on purpose. But who? Is someone trying to help me? Or scare me?I tapped the notification, but the screen just blinked and returned to the home screen. No app opened. No trace of what I saw.Nothing? Seriously?I opened the notification history. Cleared. Checked my messages. Nothing new. Checked my email. Empty inbox.No way. I didn't imagine it.

We stood there, both of us watching that car like it held all the answers.Then the doors opened.A couple stepped out, early thirties, dressed up, holding hands, smiling like they were about to celebrate something. They didn't even glance our way. The driver leaned over, said something to them, probably Enjoy your meal, then pulled the car away from the curb like nothing ever happened.Just a normal couple going to dinner. Just a normal car.My shoulders sank. Embarrassment burned hot in my cheeks.Guess my instincts don't work sometimes.I didn't realize how tightly I'd been holding my breath until Dante spoke, his voice low and warm by my ear. "I get it. City's full of creeps. But I promise—" he leaned closer, a hint of that cocky smile playing on his lips, "I'm scarier."I gave him a flat look, folding my arms. "Comforting."He stepped in front of me fully now, walking backward as we moved down the sidewalk, his eyes never leaving mine. "You know what helps with paranoia?""What?"