Chapter 30
Marco
Elena and I weren't followed to the backup vehicle. We wait there safely for a while before heading to Vito's penthouse.
The fear in Elena's eyes will never leave my mind. It wasn't her first time using a gun—she was our sniper when we rescued Sofia—but she's never been in the thick of it like that. Bullets raining down. Trapped with the only way out being through.
She was incredible. And she saved my ass. Twice.
When we arrive at Vito's, I walk Elena to a guest room. She's exhausted, running on pure adrenaline. I sit on the edge of the bed while she changes in the bathroom, and when she comes out, she climbs under the covers without a word.
"Try to sleep," I tell her. "You're safe here."
She nods, her eyes already closing. I should leave. Should go report to Vito immediately.
But I can't make myself walk out the door.
I settle into the chair in the corner, telling myself I'll just stay until she falls asleep. Make sure she's okay.
Ten minutes later, there's a soft knock. Vito opens the door and gestures for me to follow him.
I glance back at Elena. She's out cold.
In Vito's office, I give him the full rundown. The power cutting out. The sniper. The breach. How Elena took down one of the attackers without hesitation.
"How did they get the drop on you?" Vito's voice carries an edge. Accusatory.
I was already chastising myself. I don't need him doing it too. "I was asleep on the couch. We were watching movies and I dozed off."
His eyebrow raises slightly but he doesn't comment. Just waits for me to continue.
I tell him about Luca and Enzo securing the perimeter. About the bullet casings and tire tracks. About Rafa pulling security footage.
"The attackers were professionals," I say. "Tactical gear. Coordinated. This wasn't some low-level crew sent to scare her. They came to kill."
Vito's jaw tightens. "The forty-eight hours are almost up."
"Tomorrow we make contact with Elio through the cafe. Set up a meeting. Bring him in."
"You and I will handle the meeting with Elio," Vito says. "Elena stays here."
I straighten in my chair. "What? No. She needs to be there—"
"She needs to be safe. After tonight, it's clear the Costellos know where she is and how to get to her. I'm not putting her in another situation where she can be targeted."
"But she's the only one who knows how to make contact through the cafe—"
"Then you'll get the details from her before we go. But Elena stays here, under guard. Dante and Luca will be on her detail. No one goes in or out of this building without my explicit permission."
"Vito, I can't just leave her here. I need to stay with her—"
"You need to be at this meeting with Elio.
You're my consigliere. I need you there to negotiate, to assess the situation, to handle whatever happens when we confront him.
" His voice is firm. Final. "Elena will be protected.
But I need you focused on ending this threat, not worried about her every second. "
"I can do both—"
"Can you?" He leans forward. "Because tonight suggests otherwise. You were asleep. Comfortable. Distracted. And it almost got both of you killed."
The words hit like a punch. Because he's right.
"Elena will be safe here," Vito continues. "This building has better security than anywhere else in the city. Dante and Luca are two of our best. She'll be fine for a few hours while we deal with her father."
I want to argue more. Want to insist I stay with her. But the look on Vito's face tells me this isn't a negotiation.
"Fine," I say through gritted teeth. "But I want updates every thirty minutes while we're gone."
"Done." He nods, then leans back in his chair. Studies me. "How is she?"
"Shaken. But holding it together."
"And you?"
The question catches me off guard. "I'm fine."
"Are you?" His eyes are sharp. Knowing. "Because from what I saw when you brought her in, this looks like more than just protection detail."
I don't answer immediately. Can't lie to him, but admitting the truth feels dangerous.
"Marco." His voice softens slightly. "I've known you for fifteen years. I know when you're compromised."
"I'm not—"
"You stayed in her room. You're sitting here worrying about her instead of focusing on strategy. And the way you looked at her when you walked her down the hall..." He pauses. "That's not how you look at an assignment."
I run a hand through my hair. "It's complicated."
"It always is." He's quiet for a moment. "She's family, Marco. Rina's cousin. Bianca's daughter. That makes this even more complicated."
"I know."
"Do you have feelings for her?"
The direct question hangs in the air. I could deflect. Could downplay it.
But this is Vito. He'll see through any bullshit I try to feed him.
"Yes."
He sighs and leans forward, elbows on his desk. "Does she feel the same?"
"Yes."
"And you've acted on this?"
I meet his eyes. "Yes."
For a long moment, he doesn't speak. Just looks at me like he's trying to decide if I've lost my mind.
"I told you to keep it professional," he finally says.
"I know. I tried. But Elena—" I stop. Try to find the right words. "She's not like anyone I've ever met. She's brave and stubborn and infuriating. And she's been carrying this burden alone, trying to protect everyone. Trying to protect you and Rina even when she was terrified."
"That doesn't change the fact that you're supposed to be protecting her, not sleeping with her."
The bluntness makes me flinch, but he's not wrong.
"You're right," I admit. "I crossed a line. But I'm not walking away from her. Not now."
Vito studies me for another long moment. Then he sighs again. "We'll discuss this later. After we deal with the Costellos and Elio. Right now, I need you focused on keeping her alive and ending this threat. Can you do that?"
"Yes."
"Then do it." He stands, effectively dismissing me. "And Marco? If you hurt her—if this situation with the Costellos gets worse because you're distracted—we'll have a very different conversation."
"Understood."
I head back to Elena's room, frustration coiling in my gut. I don't want to leave her. Don't want to hand her protection over to anyone else, even Dante and Luca.
But Vito's right about one thing—I am compromised. And that makes me dangerous. Not just to myself, but to her.
When I slip back into the room, Elena is restless. Twitching. Shifting in the bed.
I settle back into the chair and watch her. The conversation with Vito plays on repeat in my mind.
I fucked up. I'm supposed to protect her and my selfishness almost got us killed.
This is what happens when I want something for myself—my world erupts and shifts my focus back to my job.
First and foremost, I'm Marco Conti, consigliere to Don Vito, protector of the entire Rosso organization.
I'm not Marco Conti, the man who falls asleep watching movies.
That Marco is vulnerable. And our enemies feed off small cracks in the foundation.
The attack at Elena's apartment was the Costellos sneaking through my cracks. Cracks I created because I was being selfish.
I sigh and lean forward, head in my hands.
Get it together, man.
Elena starts to get more restless. Mumbling. "No, no, no."
Suddenly her legs move like she's running. She screams.
I'm on the bed in seconds. "Elena." I place my hand on her forehead. She's dripping with sweat. "Elena, wake up."
She's still thrashing. "No, please no!" Another scream. "Not Marco, please!"
I freeze. She's having a nightmare about me.
I shake her gently. "Elena—"
She sits upright, eyes flying open. Breathing heavily. Looking around the room wildly.
Her eyes land on me and tears form immediately.
"You're here?" Like she can't believe it. "Marco..."
I reach for her and she launches herself into my lap, sobbing. "Shhh, you're okay. I'm here."
She's holding me so tight. Like if she lets go I'll disappear.
"You're here... you're here... here." It's almost a chant. Her body shakes with sobs.
"I'm here, baby. Right here." I rub her back, trying to soothe her.
Her sobs subside slowly. Her grip loosens slightly.
"Look at me, Elena."
I pull her back and tilt her chin up. Her eyes are closed.
"Let me see those beautiful eyes, little fox."
She opens them. I smile. "There's my girl."
She reaches up and touches my face. Traces my features with her fingertips. Running them over my cheeks and lips like she's memorizing me.
I kiss her fingertips when they brush my lips.
"Talk to me. What happened?"
She hesitates. "You... you were..."
"I was what? Tell me."
"You were taken. By Ronan. He put a gun to your head. You were hurt badly in the apartment and you couldn't fight back. He dragged you around while his men held me back. I pleaded for your life and then he just..." Her voice breaks.
The sobbing starts again. She gets up from my lap and starts pacing. Hand on her chest. Trying to control her breathing. The other hand running through her hair.
I stand and step in front of her. Stop her pacing.
"Baby, look at me. Listen to my voice. I'm here. I'm fine." I run my hands up and down her arms. "Listen to my voice."
She looks up. Those caramel eyes finding mine.
She watches me and begins to breathe in time with me.
"It was only a nightmare, okay? Ronan wasn't at the apartment. I'm not hurt."
"He shot you right in front of me," she whispers.
"No, he didn't. My heart is still beating." I place her hand on my chest over my heart. "My lungs are still breathing." I move her hand to my mouth and blow on her fingers. Turn her hand over to kiss her palm gently. "My skin is still warm."
Her hands cup my face. She stares at me.
Her eyes glisten as they jump back and forth between mine. "I can't lose you when I've only just found you."
The sincerity in her voice makes me swallow hard.
I pull her in for a kiss. Press my lips tightly to hers. Want her to feel the emotion behind it.
She kisses me back and wraps her arms around my neck. The kiss isn't feral or passionate. It's emotional. Raw.
She breaks the kiss and places small pecks on my lips. The corner of my mouth. My cheek. Then she wraps me in another tight hug.
We stand like that for minutes until I feel her relax.
I walk her over to the bed and get her tucked in. Lie down next to her. She cuddles into me.
In minutes, she's asleep.
I hold her and try not to think about leaving her tomorrow. Try not to think about how much I hate the idea of Dante and Luca protecting her instead of me.