Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ezio
Carlo's call came while I was going through shipping manifests from the West Coast.
"Talk," I answered.
"Olivia was attacked." Carlo's voice was tight. "Half an hour ago, on her way to pick up Leo."
My pen froze mid-air, ink bleeding into the paper.
"Where is she?"
"Sebastian took her home. She and the kid are fine, but Ezio—" Carlo paused. "It was Rossi's men. Marked. They went straight for her."
I was already on my feet, moving toward the door. "I'm on my way."
"Ezio, one more thing," Carlo's tone grew more cautious. "Sebastian... he posted guards at her door."
My steps halted. "What do you mean?"
"Says it's for protection, but Ezio, those are his men," Carlo said. "If you go, there might be trouble."
I hung up and grabbed my coat.
Trouble? I didn't give a damn about trouble. She was in danger, and Sebastian was already making his move, posting guards at her door like she was already his property.
The car tore through the night, my fingers gripping the wheel. Images flashed through my mind—Olivia caught in crossfire, Leo's terrified cries, and Sebastian's fucking face.
Twenty minutes later, I reached her block. A block away, I spotted the black SUV parked outside her building.
I pulled up beside it and strode toward her door.
Two men in black suits immediately emerged from the vehicle, blocking my path. I recognized one—Vito, one of Sebastian's top enforcers.
"Sorry, Mr. Visconti," Vito said, polite but firm. "Sebastian's orders. No one disturbs Miss Adrian tonight."
"Move," my voice was calm, but anyone who knew me understood that calm was more dangerous than rage.
"Can't do that," Vito said. "We're just following orders—"
"You know who I am," I cut him off, stepping forward. Both men instinctively retreated. "You also know that if I want in, no one can stop me. So now you have two choices: move aside, or get thrown aside."
Sweat beaded on Vito's forehead. He exchanged a glance with his partner, then reached for his phone.
I'd wasted enough time. I needed to see Olivia, now. I waved my hand, and my armed men rushed forward, snatching the phone from Vito and crushing it underfoot.
"Tell your boss to back off."
Vito was shoved aside, not even daring to look at me.
I rushed to the door and pressed the bell, my heart pounding. It was my fault she wasn't protected. Five years ago, I'd chosen family, chosen revenge over her. Now history was repeating—she'd become a target because of her connection to me.
The bell rang three times. Just as I was about to break down the door, she answered. Through the crack, I saw her haggard face, red-rimmed eyes, disheveled hair. When she realized it was me, complex emotions flashed across her face—surprise, wariness, and something almost like yearning.
"Ezio," her voice was hoarse. "Why are you—"
Before she could finish, I pulled her into my arms, holding her tight, feeling her warmth, her heartbeat. Only then did my racing heart begin to slow.
"Let me go!"
"Thank God you're okay, Olivia."
"Can we go inside? Not here."
Reluctantly, I released her, her scent still lingering on my hands. I walked into the living room as she closed the door and stood with her back against it, arms wrapped around herself.
The living room was quiet. I could feel her tension and exhaustion. She looked ready to collapse.
"Is Leo okay?" I asked.
"He's asleep," she said, voice trembling. "Terrified, but at least he's sleeping now."
I stepped forward, but she raised her hand, signaling me to stop.
"Don't," she said. "Don't come closer, Ezio. I don't... I don't know how to face you right now."
"Why?"
"You really don't know why?" Her voice suddenly rose, tears streaming down. "This is all because of you!"
"I know. I'm sorry," I said, voice rough. "I know this is my fault."
"Your fault?" She laughed bitterly. "Do you know how close we came today? I thought we were going to die!"
"Olivia."
She sank to the floor, hands covering her face, shoulders shaking violently.
I walked over and crouched before her. "I'm sorry," I said. "I'm sorry I put you both in danger. But Olivia, now's not the time for blame. You and Leo need protection, need a truly safe place."
"Sebastian said he can protect us," she looked up, eyes red and swollen. "He said if I agree to a fake marriage, we'd have his family's protection."
"No. In New York, only I can protect you. Sebastian used to be in the business, but he's not a Don. He doesn't have the power to stand against the Rossi family."
"Can you guarantee our safety?"
"I can," I said. "If you're willing to trust me. This started because of me. I should be responsible."
She looked at me, eyes full of conflict. "Trust you," she repeated. "Five years ago, I trusted you, and then you chose family."
"This time is different," I said. "This time I know what matters most."
"What?"
"You," I said, meeting her eyes. "You and Leo. You're more important than anything."
She was silent for a long time, tears still flowing, but her gaze began to waver.
"I don't know what to do," she finally said, voice breaking. "I just want to protect Leo. I just want him safe."
"Then let me help," I said. "Move to the Visconti estate. It has the best security system, my men on guard twenty-four seven. I have a private doctor who can care for you anytime. There, the Rossi family can't touch you."
She looked up at me. "You can really protect us?"
"I swear," I said. "On my life."
Another silence. Then she took a deep breath and slowly stood.
"Okay," she said softly. "I need to think about it—let me think—"
"There's no time," I said. "Trust me."
I clapped my hands. My well-trained men immediately began packing. Olivia stared in disbelief.
"I haven't agreed yet! Fine, at least let me pack some personal things."
"I'll help you," I said.
An hour later, everything was packed. I watched her get into the car, holding a sleeping Leo. The little boy was still in his dreams, his face slightly swollen from crying, wrapped tightly in a blanket.
Olivia's eyes were red and swollen, her expression exhausted. She gently adjusted Leo's position, letting him rest more comfortably.
I glanced back at her doorway. Sebastian's men were still there. Vito was leaning against the car, smoking, watching us leave.
I started the engine and drove into the night.
The entire drive was silent. Olivia kept her head down, looking at Leo in her arms, occasionally stroking his hair. I watched them through the rearview mirror, a fierce protectiveness surging in my chest.
This time, I wouldn't let anyone hurt them.
We arrived at the Visconti estate near midnight. Elsa was waiting at the entrance with several servants.
"Everything's ready, sir," she said. "Second floor of the main building, the guest room across from your bedroom."
"Good," I said, then turned to Olivia. "I'll take you up."
She followed me with Leo in her arms, through the great hall, up the stairs. The corridor was quiet, only our footsteps echoing.
I pushed open the guest room door. It had been cleaned immaculately. The large bed had fresh sheets, curtains half-drawn, moonlight streaming through the gap. Next to it was a small bed, clearly prepared for Leo.
"Leo can sleep in the small bed," I pointed to the connected children's bed. "If you need anything, call me anytime. I'm right across the hall."
She walked into the room, gently placed Leo on the small bed, and tucked him in. Then she stood and turned to look at me.
"Thank you," she said softly.
"Don't thank me," I said. "This is what I should do. Get some rest. Tomorrow will be better."
She nodded but said nothing. I could see she was still wary, still uncertain if this decision was right.
"Good night, Olivia," I said.
"Good night," she whispered back.
I left the room and closed the door. Standing in the corridor, I took a deep breath.
She was finally here. Under my protection, where I could keep her safe.
I returned to my room but didn't sleep right away. I stood by the window, looking out at the night, thinking about the next steps.
The Rossi family would strike again—that was certain. But next time, I'd be ready.
At three in the morning, urgent knocking woke me.
I immediately rolled out of bed, grabbed the gun from my nightstand, and strode to the door.
"Ezio!" It was Olivia's voice, clearly panicked.
I opened the door immediately. She stood in the hallway, hair disheveled, eyes full of fear, still in her nightgown.
"What's wrong?" I asked, alertly scanning the corridor for threats.
"It's Leo," her voice trembled. "He has a fever. A high fever. I don't know what to do, I—"
Her voice broke, tears streaming down.
I immediately set the gun on the table by the door and gripped her shoulders. "Take me to him."
We hurried to her room. The bedside lamp was on. Leo lay in the small bed, face flushed, forehead covered in sweat. He was humming deliriously in his fever, small hands weakly clutching the blanket.
I walked over and placed my hand on his forehead—burning hot.
"How long?" I asked.
"I don't know," Olivia said through tears. "I woke up half an hour ago and found him like this. I wiped him down, gave him water, but... Ezio, he's burning up. I'm so scared."
Her voice was completely shattered, her whole body trembling.
I turned to look at her. She looked so helpless. My heart clenched as if squeezed, and I could feel her pain as my own.
"Listen to me," I gripped her hand. "He's going to be fine. I'm calling Klause right now. He's the best doctor in Brooklyn."
"It's the middle of the night," she said. "Will he come?"
"He will," I said, already dialing. "Trust me."
The phone rang three times before it was answered.
"Mr. Visconti?" Klause's voice was sleepy but immediately alert.
"I need you at the manor right now," I said. "A five-year-old with a high fever."
"On my way," he said. "Fifteen minutes."
I hung up and turned to Olivia. "He'll be here soon. Now we need to bring Leo's temperature down physically."