Chapter 25

LORENZO

W e slid into Saint's sports SUV in minutes, snaking through gridlock.

‘I appreciate this,' I rasped.

He gave me a silent nod. ‘No need for thanks, just pay the invoice.'

I caught a lilt in his voice as, for a second, a spark of playfulness leaked from his otherwise chiselled, closed-off face.

‘Reach behind you,' he murmured.

Curious, I glanced at him but did as he asked, finding a medium-sized bag on the seat.

‘Gun, bulletproof vest, wear them,' Saint demanded.

Raising a brow, I slid the knapsack close and did as commanded, surmising it'd be no use arguing with his alpha energy, which almost trumped my own.

This was no time for a pissing contest.

I shed my jacket and tee, strapped into the high-end ballistic-level covert armour and redressed.

Next, I made a thorough prelim check on the Glock 19 weapon I found in the same duffel, screwing on its silencer.

‘Done,' I huffed as I settled back, eyes on Saint's dexterity as he dived into the traffic and weaved the car through the thick congestion.

Saint's crew called him in moments, and he spoke into his earpiece in a low hush.

‘The vehicle has stopped at a small motel near the airport and parked in its underground garage,' he informed me. ‘My team has just arrived to case the place out.'

‘Tell them not to approach,' I warned. ‘He might hurt Mia if he thinks he's cornered.'

‘Understood,' Saint growled.

We spent the following fifteen minutes navigating the city's bottlenecked roads, beeping horns, and frustrated drivers before we eased onto the highway and headed for the airport.

I hardly noticed, consumed with worry for Mia.

My feud with Abrazzio's had got her caught up in my shit, and the guilt ate at me like an acid ulcer.

I glanced out the window, my gaze falling upon the endless sprawl of progress, monolithic structures shrinking into insignificance against the vast, sapphire expanse of the sky.

Despite everything, my fingers flexed around my weapon as my innate drive to defend my woman kicked into high gear.

Saint's words broke my trance.

‘Not long now,' he growled, calm and controlled like he'd often conducted this kind of op.

‘Bene,' I murmured as we accelerated towards the motel.

Just then, a call came through on my phone, a number I didn't recognise.

On instinct, I picked up. ‘Hello.'

Silence fell at first, and my heart jumped.

‘Who is this?' I prompted.

‘Lorenzo? Baby?'

A reaction so visceral hit me that I jolted. ‘Mia? Fuck, where are you, bella?'

‘I'm not sure,' she whispered.

A furious whisper came from somewhere on her end as relief flooded me. A new voice came over the line, which I'd put on speaker, so Saint listened in.

‘She's safe, sir. We're in an office block next to the motel where she says she ran free from her kidnapper.'

‘She escaped?'

Mia returned online. ‘Honey, I woke in the trunk of Mauri's SUV, but it wasn't closed tight, so when the car stopped, I kicked the rear door and ran to a nearby building for help.'

‘Are you OK?' I snarled, heart pounding.

‘I will be, I think. I'm bleeding a little, but I asked the people here to wait for you before we called an ambulance.'

‘Smart woman,' Saint commented. ‘Address, please?'

There was another flurry of whispers, and Mia's saviours spoke up. ‘We're at Number 3 Church Avenue, in Mascot.'

Saint jerked his chin, ‘Got it,' jamming down on the lead. ‘We're five minutes away.'

The SUV leapt forward.

‘Mia, bella,' I murmured. ‘We're close. Any sign of Tony or Linda?'

Her breath hitched. ‘No. I can't believe they did this to me, fuckers,' she cursed.

Saint and I exchanged an amused glance.

‘Amore, I'm on my way.'

‘Hurry,' she whispered.

‘Hang tight,' I growled before she returned the phone to her rescuer, who hung up.

Saint made a call through his in-car system, instructing his crew on the other end to meet us at the motel.

‘I just told my team we've found Mia, gave them the address, and got reinforcements to help search for the couple,' he reiterated.

Seconds later, we screeched into the parking lot of an unremarkable office building. ‘We're here.'

I leapt from the vehicle before it even stopped, the Glock in hand.

In the mirrored panels of the building's facade, I spotted Saint exiting in my wake, checking his weapon before tracking after me in a jog.

Without hesitation, I launched into a full sprint, aiming towards a small square that acted as a feeder into a series of buildings looming above it.

The bland, drab exterior and dim interior cast a foreboding aura over the entire setting.

I observed little of it, head swivelling as I ran, trying to figure out which structure corresponded to the number Mia's helper provided.

Rounding a corner of one building, I sensed movement.

I double-palmed my weapon as a shadow appeared from between two pillars.

When they stepped into the light, I cursed and came to a complete stop, my gun aimed at him.

Tony.

He waved at me with one hand, the other gripping a semi-automatic trained on my heart.

Saint was still somewhere behind me, and I tagged the slide of his sneakers as he crept to cover, readying to come to my aid.

Still, this was my battle to fight.

‘Hey kid, we meet again,' I drawled.

‘Just the man I'm after,' he shot back. ‘Lorenzo Calibrese. Don of the Omertà Alliance.'

I raised a brow and kissed my lips with two fingers, giving him the Omertà sign. ‘In the flesh. Last time, you didn't seem apprised of my full identity, or perhaps you chose to conceal the fact that you recognised me.'

He shrugged, eyes glinting with a long-held malevolence. ‘I played dumb to save my skin. I wasn't ready to strike.'

‘Fascinating. So, I know you're Ricco and Carlo's nephew but where do you fit on the organisational chart? An Abrazzio capo?'

‘Si. I work outside Italy, tasked with any necessary wet work.'

I jerked my chin. ‘You've had many chances to take me out. Why now?'

‘Carlo hadn't sent the kill order yet. I was to keep an eye on you to make sure you didn't rat us out. But we had to act when you sold us down the river to our Cadaveri partners, which led to the shutdown of most of the Abrazzio's operations in Naples. You had Ricco killed. You destroyed us! So I had to destroy you.'

‘Ricco's blood is not on me.'

‘You got the ball rolling.'

‘Only because your uncles had no faith in us. Why Mia?'

‘It was an efficient way to keep an eye on you. She had no clue that Linda and I were using her as bait and a lure. I even let her run from my car today so you'd come for her, and I'd finish you off.'

Despite his bravado, his face was sweaty, and he appeared flustered and a tad overwhelmed. His gun wobbled, and his weapon stance was off. Perhaps he'd been put out to market a little too early, for he was all confidence and zero competence.

I shrugged. ‘You Abrazzios missed the whole point of Omertà. I wasn't going to talk, but the second you hurt us first, I had to act. Now step the fuck out of my way so I can fetch my woman.'

Tony's eyes flashed. ‘Never. This one's from Carlo. Occhio per occhio . An eye for an eye.'

He raised his weapon, as did I.

We fired at the same time.

The crack of the gunshot echoed in the hollowed parking lot, and the world around us appeared to slow down.

I saw his weapon fly into the air as the force of my bullet slammed into his shoulder.

His bullet hit my upper chest.

My body recoiled, a shockwave rushing through me.

I staggered back, clutching my torso as pain bloomed through me. My vision blurred, and I panted, struggling to breathe.

I caught a flash of movement out of the corner of my eye.

Saint, barrelling towards us in full swing.

He tackled Tony, sending them both sprawling to the ground with a clatter, the grunts of their struggle echoing in the small atrium.

Then, the roar of a second shot, followed by Saint's harsh gasps.

I lurched to my feet and turned. To tag the Sovereign man on one knee, staring down at the lifeless body spreadeagled on the ground.

‘Fuck.'

He gazed up at me, brow furrowing as he raked my torso. ‘You're not wounded.'

‘Impossible.'

I sheathed my weapon in my waistband and ran my hands over my chest.

My fingers stopped at the pocket of my leather jacket, frayed and flapping in the wind. I reached in and, with a huff, took out my cigar lighter. Below it, scorched at a second spot, was my precious envelope.

I brought the thick paper to my lips and kissed it, even though the vest underneath had done most of the hard work to keep me alive. ‘Cazzo, lightning does strike twice.'

‘Sounds like a story I'd like to hear,' Saint drawled

‘Over a beer, mate, one day,' I growled. ‘Right now, I need to find my woman.'

‘Go. I'll take care of this and be close behind you.'

Thighs shaky, I sprinted up the stairs, taking them two at a time to the lobby. I slowed at the sight of a group of people huddled at one end of the space.

I headed toward them, and they parted, revealing Mia, half sat, part lying on the divan in the reception area.

I tagged the bandage encircling her head and charged towards the couch.

‘Bella,' I groaned as I knelt before her.

My arms embraced her in seconds, ignoring the office workers who had helped Mia hover, their faces worried.

The sheer relief that surged through me was indescribable.

She, too, was experiencing the same, evidenced by how much her body trembled.

I held her close, her heart against me, thudding in sync with mine. ‘I'm here, bella. You're safe now.'

She sighed and closed her eyes, leaning into me.

‘She'll need a hospital.'

I glanced up at the speaker. A woman with short, greying hair and the air of a busy body stepped forward.

‘Thank God you're here,' she went on. ‘She kept insisting on calling you rather than the cops, so I gave her my phone to use.'

‘Thank you for your help,' I told the woman who appeared to want to know more about Mia's refusal to call the cops. ‘We appreciate your help; you did the right thing calling me,' I deflected.

Turning to my love, I stroked her hair. ‘Bella, I'll need to carry you to the car.'

Mia sighed in surrender as I lifted her into my arms, and we tracked back to where we'd parked.

Past Saint, who was now surrounded by a group of men, all clustered around the downed figure covered by someone's jacket.

I glanced at The Sovereign man as I swept by. He jerked his chin at me, his eyes tracking over Mia. ‘I'll just be a sec,' his expression dark yet holding a measure of concern.

My woman was feather-light in my grasp, shivering from shock and pain. I tucked her in the backseat, strapped her, and climbed next to her.

‘My team is on clean up,' Saint rasped as he approached us.

Without another word, he got into the driver's side and shifted the SUV into gear.

In moments, we were speeding out of the parking lot.

The ride to the private hospital was a blur.

Mia was silent, lips tight and pressed together on obvious pain. I lent her my strength, stroking her back as she rested on me.

Saint pulled the SUV into a discreet lot, and I lifted Mia with care from the car, her body cradled in my arms.

As I carried her towards emergency, the Sovereign man took the lead, pushing doors open and barking orders at the nurses who dashed forward to help us.

In minutes, she was laid on a gurney, a flurry of activity around her as doctors assessed her condition.

I never left her side as she was whisked away, my heart aching for her.

We advanced into the heart of the emergency unit, where a nurse raised a hand at a set of swinging entry doors. ‘Family only from here,' she called.

Saint gave me a chin lift. ‘I'll fly now, Lorenzo,' he murmured. ‘Note this is a private facility, and they'll keep things hush-hush on my word. I'll head back to the office and my woman. Call me if you require anything.'

I nodded, my eyes never leaving Mia's face. ‘Thank you for everything.'

This man, a stranger until a few hours ago, had dropped his life to help me, which made him an instant friend and ally, even though I anticipated his invoice would be hefty.

However, his help in finding Mia was priceless. I'd sign off on whatever amount he stated.

Without hesitation, I stepped forward and clapped my arms around him.

He stiffened.

‘It's the Neapolitan way,' I rasped.

He relaxed, and his mouth lifted as I withdrew with a smirk.

‘Grazie,' I added. ‘It's common for Italian male friends to kiss each other on the cheek, but I'll save that for next time.'

It was enough to tease a grin from him.

‘You're a trip Calibrese. Let's have a beer sometime.'

With that, I grasped I'd made a friend for life.

Saint offered me a salute and loped off as I turned to check on my woman.

She was in solid hands. The hospital care was exemplary, and soon, she was stabilised and undergoing further tests for any potential internal injuries.

She'd dislocated her forearm from shielding herself from her attackers and was also treated for a concussion, a couple of lacerations and bad bruising.

Pacing outside the room where she was being cared for, my mind raced, thinking about what might have happened if we hadn't been so lucky.

The doctors moved her from a cubicle in Emergency to a quiet room a few hours later.

Alessio and Mauri, before long, joined me as I sat by her side, soul aching as she drifted in and out of consciousness. My eyes flicked to the bandage on her head and her plaster-cast arm. The fact she'd escaped her attackers made her a badass, survivor, fighter, and woman after my heart.

At that moment, I wanted to absorb her pain, to give my life, world and soul to her.

Mia era la mia ragione di vita. She was my reason for living.

The days that followed were a blur of activity.

Hours turned into an overnight stay, but finally, Mia was cleared to leave the hospital.

I brought her to my home to recuperate from her dislocation and head wound, which were healing up well.

Regaining her balance, however, was taking some time.

That said, she grew stronger each hour. Her resilience was admirable, and I respected how much she refused any pity or fussing over her.

While I stayed by her side, Saint was hard at work, coordinating the search for Linda.

One morning, Mauri let the Sovereign into the house.

‘Sorry to disturb your breakfast,' the towering man remarked as he strode into our dining area.

Since the assault and kidnapping, Saint had kept a close eye on us. He'd assigned a crew to us, one more competent than the Mancinis, and they always stayed nearby but never intrusive, a fact I appreciated.

It was a warm, sunny day, and Mia and I had been enjoying the sun with coffee and croissants. The sliding doors were flung open, letting in the sunlight and warmth.

‘Join us,' I invited. ‘How do you take it?'

‘Dark, tall, with a touch of cream, smooth like me,' Saint quipped.

Once, I'd set the mug of rich, inky brew spiked with enriched milk before him, he shared.

‘Tony was declared dead at the scene. No charges are being laid on either of us, given the circumstances. Linda Abrazzio Gaetano was arrested late last night at a local Railway Station when she was found without a valid ticket and in possession of stolen items. She was taken to Central Police HQ, where officers were then able to link her to several assaults in the Inner West and Airport areas, including Mia's alleged kidnapping. She is charged with wounding a person to cause grievous bodily harm and detain in company with intent to gain advantage.'

‘So that's it?' I asked. ‘It's over.'

Saint shook his head. ‘Not quite. The private plane the pair held out for was grounded on my say-so. It'd been hired by a certain Neapolitan firm fronting for one Carlo Abrazzio. The pilot sang like a canary and earned himself a ride back to a Neapolitan prison. Linda will remain onshore, and she'll be brought to trial, but you might still catch some blow back.'

‘I'll take care of any offshore heat,' I growled.

Valerio was monitoring the Abrazzio meltdown of epic proportions in Naples.

They'd been gutted, their business locations raided, income streams cut off, and many lieutenants had disappeared.

Without cash, warm bodies, or influence, they were floored, on their knees, and hard-pressed to try another attack on us.

Mia glanced up from the croissant she was tearing apart on her plate with her free hand, her eyes still haunted. ‘If I need to, I'll face her in court and testify.'

I reached over and squeezed her arm. ‘No, bella, you're not going to relive any of that horror ever again. Not if I've anything to do with it.'

Saint nodded. ‘We'll make certain she pleads out, so no legal drama or reliving the horror of your ordeal. I have contacts for some of the best lawyers in Sydney who will guarantee that. Regardless, I'll keep tabs on the progress of Linda's prosecution and make sure you're informed.'

Saint lingered for a few minutes, shooting the shit with us, before he begged off for work.

Leaving my woman and I alone.

Mia gazed at me, her eyes full of gratitude and relief. ‘Thank you, honey, for hunting me down and everything you've done. I owe you my life.'

I stroked her back. ‘You don't owe me anything, cara. It was my privilege to love on you.'

It had also been my version of hell. Seeing her so vulnerable and broken had undone me, almost destroyed me.

But it made me realise how much I cared for her and how I was willing to go to the ends of the earth, to death itself, to keep her safe and in my life.

Her resilience had been my salvation, too. Witnessing her recover, day by day, her spirit shining brighter, had given me a fresh lease on life.

In the following weeks, we found ourselves navigating a new normal. Mia's health improved. We began to plan our lives together, finding solace in each other's arms and the support of our family and friends.

I still dreaded the cold fear that had gripped me during those dark moments, but it was now tempered by the strength of a woman by my side.

L'amore domina senza regole , I thought one night, eyes on her as she fell asleep beside me. Love, in our case, had indeed ruled without rules.

We'd fallen in love amid a war and survived its ordeal, making me one of the luckiest men alive.

I kissed Mia's sweet lips, ran a hand over her auburn hair, and, in silence, thanked Bianca for gifting me the most beautiful woman to walk this earth.