he tension was unbearable.
It had been days since Matteo's cryptic warning, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something—someone—was waiting to strike. It felt like we were trapped in a game we couldn't control, with every move we made only bringing us closer to the edge.
I spent most of my days in my room, eyes darting to every shadow, every corner of the Moretti estate. Derek was more withdrawn than ever, consumed with his plans. I knew he was preparing for something catastrophic, something that would end Montaro's reign once and for all.
But the more I watched him, the more I wondered if we were both playing into his hands.
---
That evening, I ventured into the main hall, trying to clear my mind. The estate was eerily quiet, the kind of silence that made every footstep echo like a warning.
I wasn't alone for long.
Derek appeared in the doorway, his eyes scanning the room before landing on me. His jaw was clenched, his face dark with something I couldn't name.
"Where were you?" he asked, his voice low and tense.
"Just thinking," I replied, trying to keep my tone casual, though I could feel the weight of his gaze on me.
"Thinking about what?" His footsteps were heavy as he approached, and I could feel the anger simmering beneath his words.
"I'm not your prisoner, Derek," I said, meeting his eyes with a challenge. "I'm here because I want to be."
The words hung in the air, thick with unspoken truth.
He stopped in front of me, his hands trembling slightly as he gripped the back of a nearby chair. "You think I don't know that? You think I don't see how much you're willing to risk?"
"Maybe I'm not the only one who's risking everything here," I shot back.
His gaze hardened. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect you. To keep you safe."
"By keeping me locked up?" I whispered, taking a step forward. "By controlling me?"
"I'm not controlling you, Elena," he growled, his tone dangerous now. "I'm keeping you alive."
---
The air between us crackled, charged with the intensity of everything we'd been through. And then, just as quickly, the storm inside Derek seemed to dissipate, leaving only a shadow of something darker behind his eyes.
"I'm sorry," he said, his voice rough. "You're right. This... this isn't how I should've handled things."
I looked at him, my heart aching for the man who was clearly fighting so hard to keep me safe. "Derek, I'm not a fragile piece of glass. I'm not some trophy you can protect from the world. I'm with you. I'm in this with you."
He stepped closer, his hand brushing against my arm. "You don't understand what's at stake here. This isn't just about us anymore, Elena. It's about the people we love, the people who depend on us."
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep up this dance. The truth was, I was terrified. Terrified of losing him. Terrified of losing everything we'd built together.
"I understand more than you think," I whispered. "I've seen the way you look at me. The way you fight for me."
He closed his eyes, his face contorting with the weight of his thoughts. "I'll do anything, Elena. Anything to keep you safe. Even if it means destroying everything we have."
My breath caught in my throat. "What are you saying?"
Derek opened his eyes, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. "I'm saying I'm willing to burn every bridge, tear apart every alliance, just to make sure Montaro never lays a finger on you. I don't care what it costs."
---
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Derek had always been dangerous, always willing to walk the line between right and wrong. But now, I could see it in his eyes—the depths of his obsession. He was no longer just a man seeking revenge; he was a man willing to sacrifice everything for the woman he loved.
The only problem was… I wasn't sure if I was ready for the price he was willing to pay.
---
That night, the weight of our conversation lingered. The next few hours were filled with the hum of tension, both inside the estate and in the streets outside. Derek spent the night with his contacts, making arrangements, securing weapons, preparing for whatever was coming next. I, on the other hand, had trouble sleeping. My mind was too busy, too chaotic, racing with the thought of what might happen when the storm finally broke.
---
The morning came too quickly.
Derek was already gone when I woke up, his absence leaving a cold void behind. I dressed quickly, trying to gather my thoughts, when there was a knock at the door.
I opened it to find Matteo standing there, his face unreadable.
"You're here early," I said, trying to mask my surprise.
"I need to speak with you," Matteo replied, stepping inside without waiting for permission. He looked around, his eyes scanning the room as if he were searching for something.
I crossed my arms, wary of his sudden presence. "What's going on, Matteo? Why are you here?"
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he walked over to the window, staring out at the sprawling grounds. "You're not safe here."
I raised an eyebrow. "That's rich coming from you. Last time I checked, you were just as much a part of this mess as Derek."
Matteo turned to face me, his expression unreadable. "I'm trying to help you, Elena. I'm trying to warn you."
I laughed bitterly. "Warn me about what? Montaro? Or are you here to tell me that Derek is going to do something that will put us all in danger?"
"Both," he replied, his voice low and serious. "You're too close to the fire, Elena. And when it burns, it will take everything down with it. Derek won't stop until he's destroyed Montaro—and anyone who stands in his way."
"And what do you want from me, Matteo? A confession?" I asked, my voice sharp. "Because I'm not going to beg you for your help. If you want to save me, you can start by staying out of my way."
Matteo's eyes flickered with something that almost resembled pity. "You think you can save him? You think you can stop this madness?"
I didn't respond. Instead, I turned away, my mind racing.
Suddenly, the weight of his words hit me. If Derek wasn't careful, if he didn't stop, it could all come crashing down. For both of us.
---
That evening, the moment I'd feared finally arrived.
Derek returned to the estate, his expression hard, his fists clenched at his sides. I could see it in his eyes—the conflict, the rage, the pain of a man at war with himself.
"Derek," I whispered, stepping forward. "Please, don't do this. Don't go down this path."
He stopped in his tracks, his gaze falling to the floor. "I don't know how else to protect you."
"You're not protecting me, Derek," I said, my voice cracking. "You're losing yourself."