Semua Bab THE MAFIA'S PRICE: Bab 91 - Bab 100

The warehouse district burned behind us like a funeral pyre for the old order.I sat in the back of the armored SUV, Dante’s blood still warm and sticky on my hands, my sweater soaked through with it. His head rested against my shoulder, eyes half-lidded but open, breath coming in shallow, painful rasps. The bullet had caught him high in the chest, just below the collarbone. Not immediately fatal, but bad enough. Every bump in the road made him grunt, jaw clenched so tight the muscle stood out like corded steel.I kept pressure on the wound with both hands, whispering the same words over and over like a prayer.“Stay with me. Please, Dante. Stay with me.”His fingers weakly curled around my wrist. “I’m not… going anywhere,” he rasped. “Not when you’re carrying my child.”The words should have brought relief. Instead they lodged in my throat like glass. Our baby. The tiny life we had only just begun to celebrate. And now this war, ignited by Kostin and Belinsky’s betrayal, was already t

The next morning dawned crisp and bright, sunlight pouring through the penthouse windows like liquid gold. I woke up curled against Dante’s side, his arm draped protectively over my waist. His breathing was steady, the worst of the pain lines on his face softened by rest. He still moved carefully, but the fire in his eyes had returned.Liam arrived shortly after breakfast, carrying fresh intelligence and a grim expression. We moved to the study room, the long table once again covered in maps, walkie talkie, tablets, and glowing screens. The air smelled of strong coffee and the faint metallic tang of tension. Dante sat on the other end of the table, letting me be in charge, but his presence filled the room like a storm waiting to break. I stood at the head of the table, hands braced on the cool wood, feeling the weight of leadership settle on my shoulders like a crown I had earned in blood and fire. Liam spread out the latest reports. “Kostin and Belinsky are regrouping in the north.

The living room had grown heavier with every passing minute, the kind of oppressive silence that pressed down on your chest and made breathing feel like a chore. Maxim Moretti sat on the edge of the leather sofa, no longer the warm, teasing father. His shoulders were slumped, his usually steady hands trembling in his lap. The cheerful sparkle in his eyes had vanished, replaced by something raw and broken that made my own heart ache in sympathy.After what felt like an eternity of waiting, I stood up from the couch, my legs a little unsteady from the long silence. “I’m going to check on Dante in his study,” I told Maxim softly.He looked up at me, eyes hollow. “Maybe there’s no good news. That’s why he’s yet to update us.”I placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “I’m positive. Please be positive too.”He gave a weak nod, but the fear in his eyes didn’t fade. I walked down the hallway to Dante’s study, the soft click of my shoes on the marble floor the only sound breaking the quiet. Wh

Elias turned to me, his hazel eyes softening. “Alessia, can I speak to you privately for a moment?”Dante’s grip on my waist tightened. Maxim read the room instantly. “Dante, let’s talk for a second.”Dante reluctantly released me, giving Elias a death stare that could have frozen the entire hotel. Elias only smiled back smugly, challenging.When we were alone near the grand staircase, Elias’s expression shifted to something more vulnerable.“Why him?” he asked quietly. “Why a mafia don? After everything you went through with your father… you still chose someone in that line of work?”I felt a surge of anger mixed with old pain. “How is that your business? You have no right to question who I’m with after you walked out on me without any explanation six years ago. Do you know how hard I tried to find you? You left, knowing you were the only person and friend I had…” Elias reached for me, but I stepped back. “Don’t.” He raised his hands in surrender. “I’m sorry. I know I hurt you. But pl

The multiple screens glowed with sharp blue light, casting shadows across all our faces. Maxim paced behind us, his footsteps heavy with worry, while Joe leaned forward, eyes narrowed in concentration. The air felt thick, charged with hope and dread in equal measure. My hand rested protectively over my belly, where our baby continued its gentle, secret flutters, a tiny heartbeat of life reminding me why every decision mattered so much right now.On the main screen, Ivan and the woman stood at the Phoenix Hotel reception desk. They looked relaxed, almost happy. Ivan smiled at her as he pulled out his card and handed it over. My breath caught when the receptionist slid a key card across the counter. They were checking in. Together.Dante leaned closer, his chest solid against my back. “Joe, zoom in on the key card. See if the room number is visible.”Joe’s fingers danced across the keys. The image enlarged, pixels sharpening until we could make out the faint engraving. Room 28BE.Maxim