Chapter Two
1130 Words
Shadows of the Past
Vivian’s POV
My blood ran cold as the leader's words lingered in the air, a menacing pledge. As the armed guys closed in, their eyes shining with menace, the shadows surrounding us got darker.
Alessandro remained unflinching. He refused to back down, using his body as a barrier between me and the threat that was only a few paces away. Even though his serene manner was unsettling, it gave me a glimmer of hope.
"Vivian, stay behind me," he said in a quiet, authoritative whisper.
I nodded while gripping the back of his jacket with shaking hands. Every beat of my heart reverberated in my ears as it thumped in my chest. Every aspect, including the gleam of the pistols, the leader's sneer, and the cold sweat running down my spine, seemed to come into great focus as the world around me seemed to slow down.
With his eyes fixed on the leader, Alessandro maintained an uncompromising stance. "You don’t want to do this," he stated in a firm voice.
The leader laughed, and I felt a chill go through me. Yes, but I do. Alessandro, you've been a pain in our side for far too long. It's time we took you away."
Behind him, the men moved, preparing their weapons. I was paralyzed by fear and my breath caught. Alessandro remained motionless, though. Rather, he lifted a hand in a subdued motion that conveyed authority.
Alessandro responded, "You can walk away now," in a harder, colder tone. "Leave, and we won’t have to spill any blood tonight."
The leader grinned broadly, clearly amused. "Brave words for a man who’s outnumbered."
As Alessandro put it, "Bravery has nothing to do with it," "It's about making wise decisions. And you're making a dumb one right now."
Alessandro stepped forward before the leader could react. Too fast to follow, it was a swirl of movement. With a quick, well-practiced motion, he sprang forward and disarmed the closest man. Alessandro was a force of nature, a tornado of strength and accuracy, and he continued to shoot even after the gun clattered to the ground.
There was anarchy. While the men frantically attempted to strike back, Alessandro was always one step ahead. Every move he made was deliberate, every blow lethal, and his fighting style was almost beautiful to see.
He yelled, "Vivian, run!" his voice piercing the haze of terror.
With my legs firmly planted, I paused. While he was fighting for my life, I didn't want to go away or leave him. However, I was aware that staying would make me a liability.
I turned and ran down the alley with my feet banging on the concrete, a sob stuck in my throat. The thundering rush of blood in my ears drowned out the sounds of the fight behind me.
I just knew that I needed to leave, but I had no idea where I was heading. Around me, the streets of Rome merged into a maze of shadows and stone. My heart screamed in my chest as I breathed in frantic gasps.
However, I was pulled into a side street by a hand that grabbed me. I struggled, panicking, but I was calmed by a voice I knew.
"Vivian, it’s me!" Antonio's tight look emerged in the dark light. "We need to get you to safety."
"Alessandro," I was astonished, gasping for air. "He’s—"
Antonio reassured me, "He'll be fine," but his eyes showed his concern. "We need to move before they regroup."
Too shaken to protest, I nodded. Antonio held my arm tightly as he guided me through the twisting streets. I kept thinking about Alessandro, and my resolve was being weakened by my concern for his safety.
Antonio hastily secured the door behind us as we reached a little, remote apartment. "You’ll be safe here for now."
My body shook from the adrenaline and I fell onto the couch. "How long will it take for them to find us again?"
Antonio acknowledged, "Not long," as he combed through his hair. However, we'll work something out. Alessandro will not allow them to prevail.
Although his remarks were intended to be consoling, they didn't lessen the fear that overcame me. As the truth of my predicament hit me hard, I hid my face in my hands and started crying.
Alessandro was back in the alley, standing amid the debris, the men's unconscious bodies strewn all about him. The exertion caused his chest to heave, yet his determination was unwavering. His mind was already formulating the next course of action as he wiped a drop of blood from his lip.
He was aware that they would continue. They would return more prepared and stronger. They would also bring hell with them.
With grim resolve, Alessandro took out his phone and dialled a number. "It’s time to call in some favours."
Every groan and creak of the structure sent a new rush of panic through me as I waited nervously in the flat. Antonio sat close by, observing me with pity and worry.
Quietly, he said, "You care about him, don’t you?"
I raised my head to meet his eyes. "More than I should."
With comprehension in his eyes, he nodded. "Alessandro is a decent guy. He will stop at nothing to keep you safe.
"Even if it means getting himself killed?" The weight of my terror caused my voice to break.
Antonio remained silent, but it was sufficient. Alessandro couldn't give up his life for me. Without putting Alessandro in any further danger, I needed to figure out how to put an end to this and stop the men who were pursuing me.
The silence was broken by a knock at the door, and Antonio and I both leapt to our feet. He walked carefully to the door and gestured for me to stay back.
"Who is it?" Antonio yelled.
Alessandro's voice said, "It's me," and I felt a wave of relief wash over me.
Alessandro entered through the door, his face gloomy but unhurt, as Antonio opened it. His eyes grew softer as he gazed at me. "Are you okay?"
I nodded and sank back into the couch, my legs finally giving up. "You’re okay."
He took a few steps across the room and knelt before me. "I'm all right, Vivian. However, we must speak.
"What happened back there?" Antonio asked as he shut the door and locked it once more.
Alessandro stated, "They won’t stop," in a deadly serious tone. "We need to take the fight to them."
Fear and resolve swirled in my chest as I gazed at him. "What do we do?"
Alessandro grasped my hand and gave it a light squeeze. "We i
dentify their leader. And we're done with this."
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