Chapter 6: The Rival's Offer
443 Words
Matteo and I were on the run for weeks.
Safe houses, new cars, always moving.
He was gentle with me — protective, passionate.
Every night, he made me forget the chaos.
His mouth on my skin, hands worshipping the growing bump.
Slow, tender s*x that made me feel cherished.
But the war was catching up.
One night, in a hotel in Chicago, a knock came.
Matteo answered, gun in hand.
A man in a suit — messenger from Lorenzo Rossi, the rival boss.
"The boss wants to talk to Liana. Alone."
Matteo refused.
But I stepped forward.
"I'll go."
He grabbed my arm.
"It's a trap."
"Maybe. But if Lorenzo wants to talk, he has something to offer."
Matteo looked torn.
"Fine. But I'm close."
The meeting was in a private club.
Lorenzo waited — older than Alessandro, silver hair, sharp eyes.
He stood when I entered.
"Liana Rossi. Or should I say De Luca?"
"Rossi is fine."
He smiled.
"Sit."
I did.
He poured wine — I refused.
"Pregnant?"
"Yes."
"With Matteo's child?"
I hesitated.
He laughed.
"I know everything."
He slid a file across the table.
Photos.
Me and Matteo.
Me and Alessandro.
And one more — me with a man I didn't recognize.
From before the marriage.
My blood ran cold.
"Who is he?"
"Your real father," Lorenzo said. "Not the man who raised you."
I stared.
"The Rossi family owes the De Lucas for generations. Your mother was payment. But she ran. Had you with a human."
"Why tell me this?"
"Because you're not De Luca property."
He leaned forward.
"Join me. Bring the child. I'll protect you from both brothers."
"And in return?"
"Marry my son. Unite the families."
I laughed.
"Another forced marriage?"
"A better one."
His eyes held promise.
Power.
Safety.
I stood.
"I'll think about it."
Back at the hotel, Matteo waited.
"What did he want?"
"To save me from you."
He pulled me close.
"You don't need saving."
His kiss was desperate.
Hands on my belly.
We made love — urgent, possessive.
He bit my neck, marking me again.
I gave in completely.
But in the morning, another message from Lorenzo.
A photo of Alessandro — wounded in a fight.
"He won't last long without you."
My heart twisted.
Matteo saw.
"You still care for him."
"I hate him."
"But you care."
I didn't answer.
The war between brothers was tearing me apart.
And the rival was waiting to pick up the pieces.
With a secret that could destroy everything.
My real father.
And the power in my blood.
The betrayal was deeper than I thought.
And I was the key to it all.
- Writer
