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As Bobby and Nat raise their guns, I steel myself, bracing for the inevitable. I don’t flinch, not even as the shots ring out, echoing through the cavernous basement.
Vincente and Emma fall to the ground, their lives snuffed out in an instant. A part of me feels a twinge of satisfaction, a sense of justice being served. But it’s quickly overshadowed by the overwhelming sense of loss and anguish that has become my constant companion.
I watch dispassionately as their bodies lie motionless, the finality of their demise settling heavily upon me. This is the end of a twisted chapter, but it offers little in the way of closure or relief.
Damian’s hand finds mine, a silent gesture of support. I squeeze it in return, drawing strength from his presence. In this moment, I know that I’m not alone, that he will always be by my side as I navigate the uncertain path that lies ahead.
I will carry on, even if the road ahead seems shrouded in darkness. I have to for my baby.
With a deep breath, I turn to Damian, my resolve hardening. “Let’s go,” I say, my voice steady despite the turmoil raging within me. “There’s nothing left for me here.”
Damian nods, gently squeezing my hand. “Alright, let’s go.”
As Damian moves to guide me toward the exit, I hesitate, my gaze drifting back toward Bobby. My father—the Don of Invicta—stands there, his eyes pleading with me to stay.
But I’m not ready. Not yet. The weight of everything that has happened—the near-sale, Scarlett’s death, the execution of Emma and Vincente—it’s all too much. I feel raw, exposed, on the verge of shattering.
“I’m not ready,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “I need time, Bobby. I need time to process all of this.”
The hurt that flashes across his face is palpable, but I can’t bring myself to feel sympathy. Not now, not when I’m barely holding myself together.
Damian squeezes my hand gently, but Bobby nods.
“Take all the time you need, Alexis. I’ll be here when you’re ready.”
I nod, grateful that he won’t push me. I see the desperation in his expression, the yearning to reconnect with me.
But the wounds are too fresh, the betrayal too deep. I need space, time to heal, before I can even begin to consider forgiving him, let alone build a relationship.
“I’ll come back,” I promise, though the words feel weighty, uncertain. “But not today. I just… I can’t.”
Bobby nods again. He knows, as well as I do, that pushing me now would only drive me further away.
With a final, lingering look, I turn and allow Damian to lead me out of the basement. Each step feels like a weight lifted, a chance to breathe, to process the maelstrom of emotions swirling within me.
As we reach the main level of the hotel, I feel a glimmer of hope, a fragile promise that I can move forward, one step at a time. With Damian by my side, I know I’m not alone in this journey. And that knowledge, more than anything, gives me the strength to keep going.
Damian guides me upstairs to a lavish hotel room, the weight of the day’s events palpable between us. As the door closes behind us, the tension in the air is heavy, a silent acknowledgement of the profound experience we’ve both endured.
He reaches for me, his touch gentle and soothing. In his embrace, I feel a sense of comfort and safety that I haven’t known in far too long. The fear, the anguish, the overwhelming sense of loss—it all seems to melt away.
We stand there, holding each other, drawing strength from the simple act of being together. No words are needed, for in this moment, our connection transcends spoken language.
Damian pulls back slightly, his dark eyes shining with a mix of tenderness and vulnerability. “Alexis,” he murmurs, his voice thick with emotion, “When you were missing, I… I went crazy.”
I listen, my heart aching at the pain etched into his features. “I couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat, couldn’t function without you at my side. I’ve never been so scared in my life as when I saw you on that stage, about to be sold.”
His hand trembles as he cups my face, his thumb caressing my cheek with reverence. I lean into his touch. “I thought I was going to lose you, Alexis. I couldn’t bear the thought of living in a world without you in it.”
The raw honesty in his words catches me off guard, and I feel tears prick at the corners of my eyes.
“Damian,” I breathe, my own hands reaching up to cover his. “I’m here, I’m safe. You found me.”
He nods, his forehead coming to rest against mine. “I’ll always find you, Alexis. No matter what, I’ll never stop searching, never stop fighting to bring you home.”
The depth of his conviction, the fierce protectiveness in his voice, ignites a fire within me. In this moment, I know with absolute certainty that Damian will be the constant, the unwavering anchor in the stormy sea of my life.
Closing the distance between us, I press my lips to his in a tender, searing kiss. It’s a silent promise, a declaration of the bond that tethers us together.
