"Every time I close my eyes. It's like a dark paradise."

— Lana Del Rey

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⚠️ Don't hate me y'all.

Also I'm publishing the whole book at once.

Epilogue will be up in the next couple days.

CHRISTIAN

The second I hear the alarm my first priority is Victoria. My reaction is almost automatic, I jump off the bed and pull Victoria up with me. I could feel the fear radiating off of her voice when she asked me what was going on and the answer I gave her was probably the most difficult sentence I've ever uttered.

"Victoria, you listen to me. You, mom, and Amara are going to be in the safe room. You are not to step out, you hear me? No matter what happens, you will not try to do otherwise," I instruct, holding her tight.

"You know what you are saying is totally ridiculous and out of question. You're not going out there without me," she glares at me.

Is she out of her mind?

"That is not possible, baby."

"You are already on thin ice, Christian. If something happens to you out there I will never forgive you. Do you hear me? Never," her eyes gloss with tears.

"Please for me. You can hate me forever but please for me stay inside."

She looks like she's in an inside battle but she nods hesitantly, agreeing. I run in the closet with Victoria hot on my heels, I open the wooden chest in the closet. I take the guns and strap them on me and give one to her as well.

"We need to be extra careful about Amara," Victoria whispers when we hear bullets go off in a distance. "She's pregnant."

I look at her stunned. I would have never guessed.

"How far along is she?"

"About ten weeks. She found out when I was in the hospital," she says moving closer to me.

"I'll make sure of it, don't worry," I reassure her.

When I'm all set I grab her by the hand and run out of the room but come to a complete stop when I see dad, mom, Francis and Amara standing outside.

"What's going on dad?" I ask him.

"It was Luciano," he replies with a hard face.

"Luciano?" Victoria repeats. "But he's your tech guy."

"He's more than just a tech guy. He is responsible for all our security, safe rooms and safe houses," Lorenzo replies.

"You mean...?"

"Yes but we have to hide you girls somewhere he won't be able to find you guys," Lorenzo states.

"But where?"

"Any room. Any where. We need to go out there soon so you better hurry up. We can't let them get to the house!"

"Dad, I'm going out there," I say. "Secure them. Then find me."

"Son—"

"Dad, please." I have to do this.

I look at Victoria with a sad smile. I don't know if I'll ever see her again. I have the same feeling every time I go out. But this one is completely different. It's a planner attack and we are not prepared for that.

"My beautiful, brave girl," I kiss her lips. "Thank you for being the light in my life. I will forever love you."

"Christian..." She cries.

"I need to hear you say it, baby. I need to know that you love and forgive me."

"I love you. I love you. I love you so much," she sobs out.

"Thank you," I kiss her one last time. I hug my mom and give her a kiss on the head, "I love you, mom."

I give dad a nod and run out of the hall, outside.

I see my men ducked behind objects, shooting.

"What's the damage?" I join one of them behind the pillar.

"There's too many of them, sir. We've called all our allies. They're sending backup."

"Who is it?"

"Matteo and Ricci. Matteo has been controlling Luigi's men and has been making an army we knew nothing about."

"Fuck," I peek out and shoot the three men in my target. They drop dead in their place.

"They are coming from everywhere sir. We're surrounded."

"Then we have no option but to enable the bombs planted around the areas."

"But sir, it's going to destroy the property," he looks at me wide eyes.

"There is no choice. Tell everybody else," I order him.

He takes out his radio and informs the others.

I take my phone and dial Francis' number.

"Are you okay?" Francis answers.

"Yes but we have to enable the bombs. They are too much and every where," I tell him. "It's not up for debate. Tell dad."

"Sure. And be careful brother."

I chuckle, "Aren't I always."

Francis says something but I'm too busy looking at the person in front of me.

Matteo.

I hang up and give the guard next to me a nod before running off to the direction of the lake. That fucker is going to pay.

But before I reach there I hear the three loud beeps. Bombs are about to explode any second now.

I immediately take cover and many loud booms fill the surrounding. I keep my head down until they pass in a short time it all passes.

I see Matteo looking conflicted while he cowers behind a tree. Things are not going according to his plan.

I take this as an opportunity to strike. I run to where he stands. He immediately spots me and jumps up to his feet.

"Well, well, well. Look what the fucking cat dragged in," he tusks. "Where is your fuckable fiancee with that detectable body? I had fun with her the last time, but I can't wait for more."

"She's far away form you. You fucker. You can only dream about her," with that I punch his face. I hear his bone crushing under my hand.

"You fucker," he spits blood and charges at me.

He aims for my temple and I dodge but his other fist connects with my side, painfully.

I reach for my gun that I should've done in the first place but he sees it coming and kicks my hand making me drop it.

I again with a groan charge at him. I throw punch after Punch but somewhere in between he twists his leg and kicks me off of him.

"You are going to pay for that," he groans out as he stands up. I get ready to attack but he pulls out a gun and aims at me.

I know what's coming next and I can't stop it.

I stare at the barrel of the gun. One shot and it might be completely over for me. I might now never see Victoria or avenge her mother.

I might never see my mom and my brothers. Rico and Francis. I might never be able to marry the girls of my dreams.

It just takes one shot. I close my eyes just as his moves to the trigger and he pulls it waiting for the impact.

And it comes. Hard and fast that makes me stumble backwards. Suddenly there is water everywhere and I can't breathe. The pains shoots through every part of my body but I can't move. All I see is my beautiful angel right next to me, looking beautiful as ever.

I smile at her beauty before closing my eyes and slipping into a deep abyss, with water filling in my lungs.

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