She held Alessio close, nodding silently. As she walked away down the hall with the sleeping baby, she couldn’t help but think about it. She was falling in love with a man who could destroy her, but he was also the only one who had ever made her feel alive again.
The next morning, Mariana woke before the sun. As soon as she opened her eyes, she felt the small weight of Aleo curled up against her, breathing softly and peacefully. That sound had become part of her peace, a peace she wasn’t sure would last.
As she carefully fed him, she heard soft footsteps approaching the nursery. She tensed, but when the door opened, it wasn’t Salvatore Vital, nor some armed man; it was Alessandro. He was wearing a black T-shirt and comfortable pants, nothing like his Don’s attire.
He didn’t know it, but like this, disheveled, human, authentic, he was even more dangerous to Mariana’s heart. “Good morning,” he said softly, as if afraid of waking the baby.
“Good morning,” she replied, lowering her gaze to hide her blush. Alessandro walked toward them, watching Alessio eat with an expression that laid bare all the fears he never voiced aloud.
“I want to talk to you,” he finally said. “About everything, about who I am, about what’s coming. I want you to hear the truth, not rumors.” Mariana nodded. “I’m ready.” Alessandro took a deep breath, as if he were about to open a chapter that had been locked away for years.
My father was a brutal man. His only loyalty was to power. My mother died when I was eight. We never knew if it was from illness or from him. Mariana felt a chill.
I’m sorry. He shook his head. I don’t want pity. I just want you to understand why I am the way I am. Why did I build an empire so I wouldn’t repeat the life I had? He moved closer.
But when Bianca got pregnant, I thought I could leave it all behind. Go out, just be a normal man. Her voice barely broke before she died. And I was left alone with Alesio, with enemies breathing down my neck.
Afraid of losing him too. Mariana looked down at the baby. You’re not alone, Alessandro. He gazed at her as if those words were a balm he’d been waiting for for years. No, I wasn’t alone since the plane, not since you came along.
Mariana felt something inside her stir, as if she were finally ceasing to resist something that had been born from the very first moment. “What you did, continue, Alessandro, what you do every day not only feeds my son.
“It gives me hope, it reminds me that I can be something more to him, and maybe to you too.” Mariana felt her heart tremble. “I don’t know if I’m ready for that,” Alessandro whispered.
He took another step, so close his breath brushed against hers. “You don’t have to decide today, but I want you to know that I am willing to fight for you. For both of us.” Mariana opened her mouth to reply, but a loud crash outside interrupted them.
Voices, hurried footsteps, orders. Renzo appeared in the doorway, tense. “Boss, we have a problem.” Alessandro’s expression changed completely. It hardened like steel. “What happened?” “We intercepted a message. The Vital group plans to move tonight, and they’re not coming to negotiate.”
Mariana instinctively squeezed Alessio. “What do they want?” Renzo looked at her with brutal honesty. “They want to kidnap you and the child.” Mariana’s world froze. Alessandro stepped forward, his presence filling the room like a protective shadow.
“Let them try,” he said with dangerous calm. “They won’t lay a finger on them.” Renzo lowered his voice. Salvatore Vital doesn’t act without a plan. If he says he’s coming, he’ll come prepared.
“Me too,” Alessandro replied. Mariana saw him transform in that instant. He was no longer the vulnerable man who had told her about his past. He was the gift, the leader, the storm. “Get the house ready.”
“Reinforce the entrances. No one gets in or out,” Alessandro ordered in a low but firm voice. Renzo nodded and ran off. Mariana, her heart racing, looked at him. “This is happening because of me.” Alessandro shook his head and approached her, gently taking her arms.
This is happening because Vital wants everything I love, but he won’t have it. I won’t allow it. Mariana felt her legs tremble. I don’t want anyone to die because of me.
“It’s not your fault,” he said. “It’s my decision to protect you, my decision to fight, and it’s also my place.” She looked into his eyes. He held her gaze without blinking. And in that moment, without thinking too much, Mariana said something they both needed to hear.
Alesandro, I’m scared. He drew her closer slowly, giving her room to back away if she wanted. But Mariana didn’t back away. His forehead touched hers, their breaths mingling. “Then stay close to me,” Alesandro whispered.
I won’t let anything happen to you. I swear it on my life. Mariana felt her chest open. It wasn’t fear that made her tremble. It was something else.
“Can I trust you?” Alecio asked. He looked at her as if that question were more important than any treaty between families. “With your life,” he replied, “with Alecio’s, with everything I am.” Mariana closed her eyes, and when she opened them, Alecio was closer, so close that one more movement would have led them to a kiss they both wanted and had.
But a soft alarm sounded in the hallway. Renzo came back agitated. “We have to move them now. The property is no longer safe.” Alessandro took Mariana’s hand without hesitation. “You’re coming with me.”
I’ll never let go of you. She squeezed his hand. Don’t let go either. The two of them left the Nurser, and with Alio asleep in her arms, they walked toward a destination none of the three could foresee.
But one thing was certain. The danger was no longer knocking at the door; it was already inside. And the war was about to begin. Tell us in the comments, do you think Alessandro will manage to protect Mariana and Alessio now that the hospital is coming for them?
Or is everything about to explode? The secret exit of Villa Manceli was hidden behind a wooden panel in the library, a narrow passage that descended into an underground tunnel.
Alessandro advanced first, one hand holding a flashlight and the other firmly gripping Mariana’s. She carried Alessio close to her chest, the baby oblivious to the approaching chaos.
“Where are we going?” Mariana asked, her voice trembling with nerves. “To a shelter outside the city,” Alessandro replied without pausing. “It’s not perfect, but it’s safe. At least for tonight.”
And tomorrow, we’ll keep moving until I can go to the hospital without putting you at risk. Mariana swallowed. What if something happens to you? He paused for a second, turning back to her with an expression filled with undisguised sincerity.
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