Chapter 8

The sleek black car speeds through the city streets, its headlights cutting through the darkness like a predator hunting its prey. Inside, Luca's jaw is clenched, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. Every muscle in his body is tense, every thought consumed with the looming threat of the Moretti family.

Gianna sits beside him, her body rigid, her mind racing with a million thoughts. They've been on the run for hours, ever since Luca received the call. She can't stop thinking about the danger they're in, the lives they've built on a foundation of secrets and lies. The weight of the situation presses down on her chest like a vice, making it hard to breathe.

"We can't keep running, Luca," Gianna finally says, breaking the silence. Her voice is soft but firm, the words heavy with the truth she's been avoiding.

Luca's eyes flicker toward her, a storm of emotions churning behind his gaze. "I'm not running, Gianna," he says, his tone low and controlled. "I'm protecting you. And I'll do whatever it takes to make sure you're safe."

She turns to face him, her heart pounding. "But at what cost? You're putting everything at risk—your family, your business, your life. What happens when the Morettis catch up to us?"

Luca's grip on the steering wheel tightens, his knuckles white. "I won't let that happen. But I'm not going to let you get hurt. I won't lose you."

Gianna feels a pang in her chest at the raw sincerity in his voice. She wants to believe him, wants to believe that they can survive this. But the reality of their situation is too stark to ignore. They're living on the edge of a knife, and one wrong move could send everything spiraling out of control.

They arrive at a secure location—an old, abandoned mansion on the outskirts of the city. Luca ushers Gianna inside, his eyes scanning the area as they step out of the car. The mansion is dark and foreboding, its stone walls crumbling with age, but it provides the protection they need.

Luca leads Gianna to a room in the back of the house, where a group of his men are already gathered, discussing the latest developments. As Luca enters, the room falls silent, all eyes turning to him.

"Boss," one of the men, Marco, greets him with a respectful nod. "We've got word. The Morettis are closing in. They know we're here."

Luca's face hardens. "What's their move?"

Marco glances at the map laid out on the table. "They've got men on the way, and they're not going to stop until they have us. It's only a matter of time before they find us."

Gianna feels her stomach drop. The reality of the situation is sinking in, and she knows they're running out of time.

Luca turns to her, his expression serious. "Gianna, I need you to stay here. It's not safe for you out there."

She wants to argue, to fight back, but she knows he's right. She's a liability right now—too much of a target, too much of a weakness.

"I'll stay," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "But Luca, please… be careful."

Luca's eyes soften for a moment, but the hardness quickly returns. "I'll be back soon. Just stay hidden. No matter what happens, don't leave this room."

As Luca steps out into the cold night, Gianna is left alone in the mansion, the silence pressing in on her like a suffocating weight. She can hear the distant rumble of engines in the night—Moretti's men, no doubt. It's only a matter of time before they close in on them, and she can't shake the feeling that everything is falling apart.

She paces the room, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. How did they get here? How did the man she fell in love with—this charming, ruthless billionaire—end up being a target for one of the most dangerous families in the city? The answers are complicated, and she doesn't have them all.

But one thing is clear: her heart is torn between the man she loves and the reality of the life he's chosen. Every second that passes feels like a countdown, and the question remains—will they make it out of this alive?

Hours pass, and the tension in the mansion only grows. Gianna's thoughts race, but she can't shake the fear gnawing at her. Where is Luca? What's taking so long?

Suddenly, the front door slams open, and Luca's men rush in, their expressions grim. Gianna jumps to her feet, her heart racing.

"Luca?" she calls, her voice shaking with fear.

"Get down!" Marco orders, pushing her behind a heavy pillar as gunshots ring out in the distance.

Luca appears in the doorway, bloodied but alive. His suit is torn, his face grim, but he's standing. And that's all that matters.

"Are you okay?" Gianna rushes to his side, her hands trembling as she touches his face, checking for any signs of injury.

"I'm fine," Luca says, his voice rough. He pulls her into his arms, his body tense, but the relief in his eyes is undeniable. "But we need to leave. Now."

Gianna nods, her heart pounding as they move quickly through the mansion. The sounds of gunfire are getting closer, and she knows they don't have much time.

As they make their way to the back exit, they're ambushed by a group of Moretti's men. Luca pulls Gianna behind him, shielding her with his body. The air is thick with tension, the smell of gunpowder hanging heavy in the air.

The two sides exchange fire, the sounds of chaos filling the night. Gianna's heart races, her breath caught in her throat as she watches Luca fight with precision and skill. He's in his element—danger is his territory, and he's not going to lose it.

But even with all his power, the Moretti family is too strong. They push forward, closing in on them. And just when it seems like they're about to be overrun, Luca makes a split-second decision.

"Gianna, go!" he orders, shoving her toward the back door. "Run, now!"

She hesitates for a moment, but there's no time to argue. She runs, her heart in her throat, her mind screaming at her to stay safe.

As she disappears into the night, she hears the gunshots behind her, each one a reminder of the world she's caught in—one of danger, betrayal, and a love that might be her undoing.

Gianna runs through the darkness, fear propelling her forward. She doesn't look back, but she can hear the sounds of the battle raging behind her. Will Luca survive? Will they both make it out alive?

As she reaches the street, she can't shake the feeling that everything is about to change. And she may never be the same again.