15. Mia

Chapter 15

Mia

The golden light of mid-morning floods The Venetian Rooftop Terrace, warming the polished tiles and making the champagne glasses glint like diamonds. The hum of laughter and conversation blends with soft background music, creating an atmosphere of easy celebration.

It’s hard to believe that just hours ago, I was in the quiet cocoon of Carlito’s suite, my mind and body consumed by him. That world of intimacy feels distant now, replaced by the bustling energy of a rooftop filled with elegantly dressed guests and endless toasts.

Bianca finds me near the edge of the terrace, her emerald-green dress catching the sunlight as she practically skips toward me. “There you are, Mrs. Marcelli!” she exclaims, grabbing my hands with an exuberant smile. “You’re glowing. Married life already looks good on you.”

Her excitement is contagious, and despite the whirlwind still spinning in my mind, I can’t help but laugh. “I think I’m still trying to process it all,” I admit, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

“Well, get used to it,” she teases, her grin widening. “I bet my dad’s already planning to whisk you off to some remote villa for the next week.”

My gaze drifts across the terrace to Carlito, who stands near the far edge, deep in conversation with Leo. Even from a distance, his presence commands attention. His broad shoulders, perfectly tailored suit, and the deliberate way he scans the crowd are all impossible to miss.

He senses me watching and glances over, a faint smile tugging at his lips. It’s the kind of smile that carries weight—a subtle reminder of last night, of everything we said and didn’t say.

Bianca follows my gaze and nudges me playfully. “He can’t take his eyes off you, can he?”

I shake my head, but my cheeks warm. “He’s probably just making sure I haven’t run off,” I joke, though there’s a kernel of truth beneath the words.

“Oh, please,” she scoffs. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to him. Trust me, I’ve never seen my dad like this.”

Her words send a flutter through me, a mix of pride and uncertainty.

Before I can respond, she loops her arm through mine. “Come on, Dario wants to say hi. He’s been waiting for a chance to talk to you.”

We weave through the crowd, Bianca chattering animatedly as I offer polite nods and smiles to the guests we pass. When we reach Dario, he greets me with an easy grin, his warmth immediately putting me at ease.

Dario is Bianca’s fiancé, a constant presence in Carlito’s companies and someone who feels like a steadying force in this world I’m still trying to navigate. He works for Carlito—not just as Bianca’s partner, but as a trusted manager.

“You must be the star of the hour,” Dario says, shaking my hand. His tone is light, but there’s genuine kindness in his expression.

“I think that title belongs to Carlito,” I reply with a small laugh, glancing toward where Carlito still stands.

“Carlito’s the star of every hour,” Dario says with a chuckle, his grin widening. He exchanges a quick look with Bianca, the affection between them clear. “But seriously, Mia—it’s good to see you settling in. I know this world can be… intense.”

“That’s one word for it,” I say, though my tone is more playful than serious.

Bianca’s laughter rings out beside me, and for a moment, I let myself relax. The tension from earlier melts away, replaced by the lightness of their company.

But then it happens.

The shift is subtle at first—a prickling at the back of my neck, a sensation that something isn’t quite right. I glance around, my laughter fading as unease creeps in. Across the terrace, near the far edge, I see him.

The stranger who confronted me days ago.

He’s dressed like any other guest, but everything about him feels out of place—the stiffness in his stance, the sharpness of his gaze.

My stomach drops as recognition dawns.

He doesn’t move much, but his eyes are scanning the crowd, sharp and deliberate. My pulse quickens, the familiar unease from our last encounter coiling tightly in my chest.

“Mia?” Bianca’s voice pulls me back, her hand brushing my arm. “You okay?”

I force a smile, though it feels thin. “I’m fine,” I say quickly, trying to steady my voice. “Just thought I saw someone I recognized.”

Her gaze follows mine briefly, but the crowd is too thick for her to notice him. “You sure?” she asks, her brows knitting together in concern.

“Yeah,” I reply, though my stomach twists. “It’s nothing.”

I glance back toward the man, but now he’s moving, weaving through the clusters of guests with unsettling purpose. My chest tightens further as his hand shifts under his jacket. A flash of metal catches the light, and realization slams into me like a tidal wave.

“Get down!” I cry, grabbing Bianca’s arm and pulling her toward me just as a deafening crack splits the air.

The world seems to shatter. Screams erupt around us, and glasses crash to the ground as guests scatter in panic. My ears ring from the sound of the gunshot, my heart racing as chaos explodes across the terrace.

Before I can fully process what’s happening, a figure barrels toward me. It’s Dario, his expression set with grim determination. He grabs Bianca and me, shoving us both down behind a table.

“Stay down!” he barks, his voice sharp but protective.

Another shot rings out, closer this time. I clutch Bianca tightly, my body trembling as I hear the unmistakable sound of more chaos erupting.

“Dario!” Bianca’s voice is panicked, and she reaches for him as he moves to shield us.

It all happens so fast. A third shot fires, and I see Dario jerk backward, his eyes widening in shock before he collapses.

“No!” Bianca screams, her voice raw and broken as she lunges toward him.

My breath catches, my body frozen as I stare at the crimson staining Dario’s shirt. He’s sprawled on the ground, his chest heaving with shallow breaths as Bianca sobs beside him.

Carlito’s voice cuts through the chaos, sharp and commanding. “Get her out of here!”

Leo is suddenly at my side, his grip firm as he pulls me to my feet. “Move!” he orders, dragging me toward the terrace exit. I resist, my eyes darting back to Bianca, who’s cradling Dario’s head in her lap, tears streaming down her face.

“I can’t leave her!” I cry, struggling against Leo’s hold.

“She’s safe with him,” Leo says through gritted teeth, nodding toward Carlito, who’s already moving to shield Bianca. “You’re the target!”

The weight of his words sinks in as I’m ushered away, my heart pounding in my ears. Over Leo’s shoulder, I catch a glimpse of the stranger disappearing into the chaos, his face etched with grim satisfaction.

The elevator doors close with a soft chime, silencing the cacophony of screams and shattered glass from the terrace. My chest heaves as I struggle to catch my breath, my hands shaking uncontrollably.

“Who was that?” I manage to ask, my voice trembling as I look up at Leo. “Why was he after me?”

Leo doesn’t answer right away. His jaw is tight, his eyes sharp as he scans the suite we’ve entered for any potential threats. Only when he’s satisfied that the room is secure does he turn to face me.

“We don’t know,” he says, his tone clipped. “But it’s clear now—this wasn’t random. You were the target.”

The words hit me like a blow, and I sink onto the nearest chair, my knees barely able to hold me up. My mind spins, replaying the moment I recognized the man, the flash of metal, the sound of the gunfire.

“And Dario…” My voice cracks.

Leo’s expression hardens, a flicker of regret passing through his eyes. “He was trying to protect Bianca and you. He did what needed to be done.”

A sob rises in my throat, but I choke it back, pressing a hand to my mouth as the weight of the situation crashes over me. Dario is gone because of me.

Before I can spiral further, the suite door bursts open, and Carlito strides in. His presence fills the room instantly, his dark eyes blazing with fury and something deeper—fear.

“Mia,” he says, crossing to me in a few swift steps. His hands cup my face, his gaze searching mine. “Are you hurt?”

I shake my head, tears slipping down my cheeks. “No, but Dario… Carlito, he—”

“I know,” Carlito says, his voice low and rough. “Bianca’s with him. She’s safe. That’s what matters right now.”

“Safe?” I echo, my voice trembling. “Dario is dead! How is anyone safe?”

Carlito’s jaw tightens, but his hands remain steady on my face. “Listen to me, Mia. I promised to protect you, and I will. What happened out there will never happen again.”

His words are firm, but they don’t erase the guilt clawing at my chest. “That man… he’s the stranger from days ago. I think he’s been watching me, Carlito.”

Carlito’s expression darkens, his eyes narrowing. “You’re sure it was him?”

I nod, my stomach twisting. “Why would he come after me? What does he want?”

“We’ll find out,” Carlito says, his tone deadly calm. He straightens, releasing me, and turns to Leo. “Double the security around her. No one gets close without clearance.”

Leo nods sharply. “Understood.”

Carlito paces to the window, his hands clenched at his sides as he stares out at the skyline. “This changes everything. Whoever sent him just declared war.”

The gravity of his words sends a chill down my spine. War. What does he mean by war?

The pieces I’ve been trying to fit together suddenly feel bigger, darker.

“Carlito,” I say hesitantly, “do you know who might be behind this?”

He turns to me, his expression unreadable. “I have my suspicions. But right now, the only thing that matters is keeping you safe.”

I nod, though the unease in my chest doesn’t lessen.

As Carlito crosses the room and pulls me into a firm embrace, one thought takes root in my mind, impossible to ignore:

Who was that man... and why was he after me?