Chapter Twenty-Nine

~~ Two Months Later ~~

It had taken Savannah two months to find Nikolai's next charity event. He always planned the location at the last minute. They simply had to wait for the day to arrive. Evangeline had been using that time to be with her loved ones as much as possible. Her relationship with Alessandro had grown stronger with every day that passed them by. She had been introduced to Alessandro's entire mafia family with a magnificent barbeque that Sabrina had thrown for her. She had gotten rather close with Sabrina. They were the closest of friends and grew closer every day. Aurora had gotten worse. She couldn't even get out of bed. Evangeline and Alessandro had started staying at Luca's house. Aurora could give birth any day and Evangeline wanted to be there when it happened.

It was the middle of the night when she heard Aurora screaming. She jumped out of bed and raced to her room. She shoved the door open and moved to Aurora's side. "What is it, Rora?" She asked in a panic.

Aurora shook her head slightly. "The baby's coming." She said through gritted teeth.

She glanced up at Luca, who was on Aurora's other side and holding her hand. "I'll run and grab the doctor. I'm not sure he heard her."

Luca nodded with gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you."

Evangeline raced downstairs and into the study where the doctor was staying. She barged in and started barking at him. "Wake up doc." She snapped as she turned the light on. "Aurora says the baby is coming."

Without waiting for him she rushed back upstairs to Aurora. She gently brushed her hair out of her face. "You're going to be okay Rora." She said in a soft voice with tears in her eyes. "I promise that you're both going to be okay." Her voice cracked as the words left her mouth.

The doctor rushed in with his assistant behind him. "Alright. I'm going to need as much space as you can give me." He said as he stood at the foot of the bed. He looked at Luca. "I'm going to need you to help Aurora move down so she's on the edge of the bed. Then sit behind her and support her."

Evangeline helped Luca move Aurora carefully to the edge of the bed where the doctor was standing. Once they were situated Evangeline backed up to stand against the wall. From where she was standing she could see everything. She was tense and worried as she stood with Alessandro against the wall.

"Okay." The doctor said as he leaned down and moved her nightgown out of the way. "We're going to try and do this naturally." He looked up at Aurora. "If it starts to get too painful you need to tell me. Other than that just try and focus on your breathing and pushing when your contractions hit. We're going to try and get this baby out as quickly as possible. The quicker the better." He sighed as he shook his head. He looked at Luca. "If I say that something is wrong I'll need you to move out of the way as quickly but carefully as possible."

Luca gave him a nod. "I understand doc."

The doctor nodded and knelt in front of her. "Okay. I'm going to check to see how far along you are. Then we'll go from there."

He didn't wait for an answer as he checked how dilated she was. He let out a low whistle. "No need for us to wait." He said as he got to his feet. He got everything set up and knelt in front of her again. "Time to push Aurora."

Aurora screamed as she pushed. It didn't take long but there were complications. Aurora was losing too much blood. The doctor's assistant took the baby and did a quick work-up to make sure she was alright. Once he was sure the baby was fine he handed her to Evangeline. Evangeline held the baby as if she were the most precious jewel, but she was watching Aurora with tears and concern in her eyes.

The doctor worked as quickly and efficiently as he could with his assistant. It took them a good hour, but they were finally able to stop the bleeding and patch her up. Aurora was drowsy but she wanted to hold her daughter. Evangeline gently placed the baby in her arms.

Luca held both of them in his arms as tears slid down their faces. "What's her name, Rora?" Evangeline asked as Alessandro wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.

Aurora smiled as she looked up at Luca before turning her gaze to Evangeline. "Her name is Selene Rose Galeazzi."

Evangeline felt the breath leave her lungs. When she had learned what her middle name was Aurora had been the first person she told. "You named her after me?" She asked in a rough whisper.

Aurora nodded. "Yes. You're my sister and the strongest person that I know. You fight for everything that you care for and you inspire me every single day to do the same. I couldn't think of a better name."

Evangeline leaned down and hugged Aurora gently. "I love you, Rora." She sniffled as she stood up straight. "I'm so glad that you're both okay." She sighed as she looked at the ceiling for a minute before looking at Aurora and Luca. "We're going after Nikolai the day after tomorrow. We should only be gone for a couple of days. Three days max. You guys will be safe from him and anyone else that'll be after me, but please take care of each other and be careful."

Aurora's smile disappeared quicker than anyone could blink. "Please be careful Eva. You need to come back to us."

Evangeline leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I promise that I will come back." She shrugged. "You know that I'm the best."

Aurora let out a laugh as she leaned into Luca. "Just be careful Eva."

Evangeline nodded. "I always am Rora."

Nikolai glared at the woman in front of him. "You're sure that she's coming after me at this charity event coming up?" He demanded.

She nodded. "Yes. The entire house has been buzzing with the news that they're going to be coming after you." She shrugged. "Most of the soldiers are preparing and they had her family bring in some of their soldiers as well."

Nikolai swore under his breath as he got up and started pacing. "What about our other spy?" He questioned as he stood in front of the window.

She scoffed. "Staying close to Alessandro's second in command. It's smart. He knows we won't go after him if he stays close to someone higher up."

Nikolai shrugged. "If that's the case then he'll most definitely be at the charity event. If he shows up I want you to take him out."

She nodded. "You got it, boss." She leaned back in her seat. "What are you going to do about her coming after you with an army?" She questioned.

He sighed heavily. "I'm going to call Enzo and have him give us most of his soldiers as well. This way we'll be able to triple our soldier guards."

"What about the assassins?" She asked as she crossed her arms over her chest.

He shrugged. "I'll triple them too." He said simply.

"You know that if they know she's the one you need protecting from they'll refuse to go." She stated as she tossed her legs over the armrest of her chair.

He nodded. "That's why I'm not going to be telling them that she's the one after me. I'll tell them that it's a major threat that we are trying to find."

She let out a laugh. "Brilliant."

She stood up and walked to the door. "I'll see you at the charity event." With that, she left him alone.

He let out a breath as he sat in his chair and called Enzo with his plan.

Alessandro and Evangeline stayed with them until the day they had to leave for the charity event. She was standing in Aurora's room, glaring at the doctor. "If anything happens to her or Selene while I'm gone I will make you disappear. Do you understand me?" She demanded.

He gulped but nodded. "Yes ma'am. I understand."

She smiled at him and patted him on the shoulder. "Good." She turned to Aurora and hugged her. "I'll see you soon Rora. Listen to the doctor and take care of Selene."

Aurora rolled her eyes. "Of course Eva. Go on. Go get ready."

Evangeline pressed a kiss to her forehead and then a featherlight kiss to Selene's head. She followed Alessandro downstairs where Luca was waiting. "You take care of those girls." She said to him.

He chuckled. "Of course I will." He hugged her. "You didn't have to threaten the doctor though." He said as he pulled away from her.

She scoffed and placed a hand over her heart in fake shock. "I would never do something like that."

Luca laughed and kissed her temple before looking at Alessandro. "You watch out for her. Make sure she comes back."

Alessandro gave him a single nod with determination in his eyes. "She'll come back."

They said their final goodbyes and went home to get ready for the night that was ahead of them.

Once they were in their room she found the courage to finally turn to him. "I want you to promise me something, Alessandro." She said quietly as she looked at her feet.

He frowned as he stood in front of her. "What is it, angel?" He asked as he gently lifted her head to look into her eyes.

She licked her dry lips and softly said. "No matter what happens while we're there you'll do what I say. I need to know that no matter what happens you'll be safe." She ran a hand through her hair and bit her lip.

He gave her a small nod. "I promise that I will do everything that you say, but you have to promise me something in return." He said in a soft, yet stern voice.

"Anything." She whispered.

"Promise me that you'll come back to me." He said in a gravelly voice.

She gently held his face in her hands. "I promise you that I will come back to you. No matter what, I will always find my way back to you."

He pressed a firm, yet tender kiss to her lips. "I love you, my angel."

She smiled and kissed him back. "I love you too, my savior."

They made sure their weapons were packed into the car before getting ready for the night ahead of them.

Alexander held Ivy close as they sat on the couch in their room. "I need you to be careful my love," Ivy said softly as she laid her head on his chest.

"Of course I will be careful my sweetheart," He told her reassuringly. "Nothing is going to happen to me."

She sniffled as she looked up at him. "Can you promise me something?" She asked in a whisper.

He nodded. "Of course sweetheart."

"Bring her back with you." She whispered. "I can't lose her again." She had tears in her eyes as looked into his eyes.

He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I promise that I will bring her back." He said softly.

She nodded and hugged him tightly. "I love you, Alex."

He smiled and pressed a light kiss to her lips. "I love you too Ivy."

Alessandro was dressed in one of the finest suits he had. He had his shoulder-length hair tied at the nape of his neck. He was brushing a bit of lint off his jacket when he caught her reflection in the mirror. He turned around to face Evangeline and moved towards her. "You look absolutely amazing, my angel." He said as he took her in.

She blushed as she looked down at her heeled feet. "Thank you." She whispered.

He grinned as he looked her over again. She was in a stunning black gown. It had a major v neckline that went down to her belly button. The skirt of the gown reached her ankles, stopping just above her heels. It had a long slit on both sides of her dress that went from her mid-thigh to the floor. The bodice hugged her body like a second skin and the sleeves were also slit like the skirt. They hung off her shoulders like ribbons. Her heels were black stilettos that had straps wrapping around her ankles and calves. She had the charm bracelet he gifted to her on her left wrist and a silver watch on her right wrist. She had two necklaces on. One was a simple silver choker that was snug against her throat. The other was a longer chain with her usual butterfly pendant from her brother. Her earrings were dangling silver ones that touched her shoulders. Her hair was left down in those gorgeous waves that he loved so much. She had the sides of her hair pinned back with these beautiful silver, floral hairpins with a few stray strands brushing against her face. Her face was mostly clear, except for a bit of eyeliner and lip gloss. The eyeliner made her mysterious amethyst eyes pop out. The lip gloss made her lips look plumper and they glittered a bit whenever the light hit them.

He gently caressed her face. "I love this dress. It is absolutely stunning."

She gave him a bright smile. "Thank you. It is from one of my favorite designers."

He raised an eyebrow. "Do you have a bit of an expensive taste angel?" He asked with a smirk.

She shrugged as she took a step away from him. "Maybe." She said with a wink.

Before he could respond there was a knock on their bedroom door. He grumbled to himself as he went to open it. "What is it?" He asked.

"You guys are going to be late if you don't leave now," Sabrina said quietly. "Does she need help getting ready?" She questioned.

He chuckled. "Absolutely not. She's dressed and stunning." He opened the door wider to let Sabrina into their room.

Sabrina squealed when she saw Evangeline standing in the middle of the room. "You look absolutely amazing." She said joyfully.

Evangeline gave her a small smile. "Thank you." She glanced at the time on her watch. "She's right, though, my love. We have to go." She pressed a kiss to Sabrina's cheek as she passed her. "I'll meet you in the car, love."

Alessandro went to follow her when Sabrina grabbed his arm. He turned to her in confusion. "What is it, Sabrina?" He asked.

She let out a slow exhale. "Keep her safe. I haven't known her very long but she's an amazing woman."

He gave her a nod and a smile. "I will do everything that I can."

Sabrina nodded and let him go.

He went to the limo that was waiting for them out front. He climbed in and smiled at Evangeline. "Let's get this done and over with." He muttered.

It took them five hours to get to the charity event where Nikolai was. They parked a bit of way away so that they could strap their weapons to their bodies. They all climbed out of their cars and grouped up by the trunk of the limo they had been in. "Alright. Everyone needs to listen very closely." Alessandro said loud enough for everyone to hear.

Evangeline gave him a grateful smile before turning her attention to the soldiers that were with them. "Okay, everyone. The main goal is to take out Nikolai Petrov. We want to blend in with everyone else. Do not engage with any of the soldiers unless absolutely necessary. As long as we blend in they shouldn't try anything." She took a deep breath. "I'm hoping that they don't know we're coming, but we need to keep our eyes open. Make sure you stay alert and notify me or Alessandro if you notice anything out of the ordinary. Other than that, keep a low profile and maybe try to look like you're having a good time."

Everyone agreed as she turned away and started strapping weapons to her body. She made it seem like she didn't even have any weapons strapped to her inner arms. She lifted her heeled foot onto the bumper of the car and strapped weapons to her thighs. She glanced up when she felt eyes on her. She laughed at Alessandro's expression. "What's that look for?" She asked as she lifted her other foot to strap weapons to her other thigh.

He walked up behind her and trailed his fingers up her spine. "You are just so sexy right now." He whispered in her ear as he pressed his body into hers.

She laughed breathlessly as she pressed back into him. "As much as I appreciate that we are supposed to be focusing." She whispered back even as she let him trail his hands over her hips.

He let out a low chuckle. "Once we're done with all of this we are going on a vacation where there are no other people around."

She let out a small moan at the idea. "Mm. That sounds amazing."

He nipped at her neck before moving away from her. "Let's get this nightmare over with."

Once they were fully armored and ready to go they piled into their cars. They drove the rest of the way and walked into the ballroom.