Blood and Promises

Chapter 3 - The Encounter

Rome was a vibrant city, full of life, but for Nico Moretti, it was just another backdrop. He walked the ancient streets with determined steps, his eyes scanning every detail. Finding Elena Moretti in a city that size was like searching for a needle in a haystack, but Nico had something most people didn’t: patience. He knew how people thought, how they moved, and, most importantly, he knew that Elena, no matter how clever she was, wouldn’t be able to disappear completely.

After hours of following leads, Nico finally arrived at a small square far from the tourist attractions. There she was. Elena was sitting alone at an outdoor café, her back to him, her fiery red hair gleaming under the sunlight. She looked calm, flipping through a book as if she didn’t have a care in the world. But Nico knew better. That calm was a façade; she was running, and running from something big.

Taking a deep breath, Nico approached her with steady steps. He wasted no time on pleasantries. He stopped beside her, his shadow casting over the table.

“Elena Moretti?” His voice was firm, almost cutting.

She looked up, surprised for a moment, but quickly composed her expression. Her green eyes met his with a mix of suspicion and defiance.

“Who’s asking?” she replied, closing the book and tilting her head slightly.

“I’m Nico,” he said, crossing his arms. “And I’m here to save your life, though, frankly, you’re not making it easy.”

Elena scoffed and stood up, grabbing her bag with an irritated gesture.

“Save my life?” She laughed, but it was a humorless laugh. “Who said I need saving? Or better yet, who sent you? My father? Of course, it was him. Let me guess: another one of his lackeys?”

Nico narrowed his eyes. He wasn’t used to being challenged like this. With most people, his stare and reputation were enough to end any argument, but Elena was different. She didn’t seem intimidated—in fact, she seemed intent on provoking him.

“Listen, girl, this isn’t a game,” he said, taking a step closer, his presence commanding. “You’re being hunted. The De Luca family wants your head, and the only reason you’re still breathing is because I’m here. Now, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. Your choice.”

Elena crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow with disdain.

“The easy way would be for you to leave me alone. I didn’t ask anyone to save me.”

“And the hard way is you continuing to act like a spoiled brat,” Nico said, his patience snapping. “And guess what? That’s exactly the way we’re going.”

Before she could reply, Nico grabbed her arm firmly but without hurting her and started leading her toward the car parked across the street.

“What are you doing? Let me go!” she protested, trying to pull away, but Nico was too strong.

“I’m making sure you don’t end up dead. Now, get in the car.” He opened the door forcefully and practically placed her inside the vehicle.

Elena shot him a furious look but stayed quiet, realizing that fighting was pointless. Nico got in the driver’s seat, shut the door, and started the car, driving through the streets of Rome in silence.

After nearly an hour on the road, he pulled up in front of a small roadside hotel. It was a discreet place, far enough away to avoid curious eyes. Nico stepped out of the car and opened her door.

“Out,” he ordered.

“Why? Are you going to dump me in a ditch?” she snapped sarcastically.

“Not yet,” he replied dryly, grabbing her bag from the trunk and walking toward the reception desk.

Elena followed him, still muttering protests, but Nico ignored her. He checked in quickly and led her to the room. Once inside, he locked the door and tossed her bag onto the bed.

“Now, listen carefully, because I’m not going to repeat myself,” Nico said, turning to face her, arms crossed and tone serious. “The De Luca family has declared war on the Morettis. You humiliated them at the altar, and now they want your head. Your father sent me to protect you, but that means you’re going to follow my orders. No questions, no arguments. If you want to stay alive, you’ll do as I say.”

Elena glared at him, her eyes blazing with anger.

“So that’s it? I’m just a problem for you to solve? A job for you?”

Nico sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Yes, you are. And the sooner you accept that, the better.” He stepped toward the window, looking out. “I’m not your friend, Elena. I’m here to keep you alive, that’s all.”

The room fell into a tense silence. Elena sat on the bed, crossing her arms and watching him as if trying to figure him out. Finally, she murmured:

“Then why does it seem like you hate this as much as I do?”

Nico didn’t answer. He just kept staring out the window, as if hoping the silence would be enough to end the conversation.

Hunted in the Shadows

The sound of the faint rain outside did little to ease the tension in the dimly lit hotel room. The weak glow of the bedside lamp cast dancing shadows on the walls, and Nico sat by the window, unmoving, his senses on high alert. He knew better than to trust the quiet; the peace never lasted. Something was coming—he could feel it.

Elena lay on the bed, pretending to ignore him as she fiddled with a small bag in her lap. Her posture screamed indifference, but Nico noticed the slight tremor in her hands. Ever since he had forced her into the car earlier, she hadn’t stopped stealing quick glances at him, as though trying to piece him together.

“Why don’t you just sleep?” she finally asked, her voice tinged with sarcasm. “Or are you waiting for someone to climb in through the window?”

“It’s always a possibility,” Nico replied flatly, not looking at her.

Elena rolled her eyes, but before she could shoot back another snarky comment, Nico suddenly stood. He froze in place, his entire body tensing as if listening to something she couldn’t hear.

“Stay quiet,” he ordered in a low, commanding voice, gesturing sharply for silence.

Elena’s sarcastic demeanor vanished as she obeyed, sensing the seriousness in his tone. Nico moved toward the door, positioning himself to the side, his head tilted slightly as he listened. Then he heard it: faint footsteps in the hallway, light but deliberate.

“Damn it,” Nico muttered under his breath.

He pulled his g*n from its holster with a practiced quietness and turned his eyes to Elena.

“Don’t move. If I tell you to run, you run. Do you understand?”

She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, the door burst open. Two armed men stormed in, but Nico was ready. With lightning precision, he shot the first man square in the chest, dropping him instantly. The second attacker hesitated for a split second, just long enough for Nico to lunge at him. In a swift, brutal motion, Nico disarmed him and ended the fight with a deadly, efficient strike.

Elena sat frozen, her eyes wide with shock. She barely seemed to breathe as Nico holstered his weapon and turned to face her.

“Let’s go. Now,” he barked.

She didn’t move, her brain still reeling from what she had just witnessed.

“They... you...” she stammered, her voice barely audible.

“Elena!” Nico snapped, grabbing her by the shoulders. “Look at me. You’re safe, but we need to leave. Right now.”

She nodded shakily, still too stunned to argue, and allowed him to pull her out of the room.

Outside, Nico drove through the empty streets with unwavering focus, his eyes constantly scanning the mirrors for any sign of pursuit. Elena sat curled up in the passenger seat, hugging her knees, her face pale and her body trembling slightly.

After hours of driving, they arrived in Naples. Nico pulled up in front of a modest, inconspicuous house tucked away in a quiet neighborhood.

“Where are we?” Elena asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Somewhere safe,” Nico replied curtly as he got out of the car.

He led her inside the house, which was small but comfortable, with plain furnishings that offered no clue to its owner. Nico gestured for her to sit on the couch.

“Stay here. I need to make a call.”

Elena didn’t respond, simply obeying as she sank into the couch, still processing everything. Nico pulled out his phone and dialed Vittorio’s number.

“It’s Nico,” he said when the line connected.

“Is she safe?” Vittorio’s deep voice came through the line.

“Yes,” Nico replied. “But we were attacked. Two De Luca men. They knew where we were. I took care of it, but we’re in hiding now. I’ve brought her to a place no one knows—not even you.”

There was a pause on Vittorio’s end before he spoke again.

“Understood. Do whatever it takes to keep her alive.”

“I’m ending this call now,” Nico said firmly. “This line might be compromised. Don’t try to reach me—I’ll contact you when I can.”

“I trust you, Nico. Take care of her.”

Nico ended the call and slipped the phone into his pocket. He turned to look at Elena, who sat on the couch with a distant, haunted expression.

“We’re staying here for a while,” he told her. “It’s safe, but you need to listen to me and do exactly as I say.”

Elena raised her eyes to meet his, her fear mingling with defiance.

“You killed those men...” she started, her voice trembling.

“They were going to kill you,” Nico interrupted bluntly. “It was them or you.”

She swallowed hard, her gaze dropping to the floor. Nico sighed, sitting down in a chair across from her.

“I know this is hard to process, but you need to trust me. I’m not your enemy here.”

Elena remained silent for a long moment before muttering under her breath, “I don’t trust anyone.”

Nico studied her, understanding that, while he could protect her from the De Luca family, she would fight him every step of the way. It was going to be a long road ahead.