The Don’s Soulmate

29. Carlotta

Chapter 29

Carlotta

I watch as Ettore and Sofia drive off into the night, my heart heavy with a mix of fear for the plunge we’re about to take and longing to be in his periphery again. Near Ettore, I feel safe. A gust of wind sends a shiver down my spine, urging me to retreat from the cold embrace of the darkness.

I walk through the front gates, the guards giving me curious looks, which I ignore. It wasn’t safe for Ettore to pull in today. We need to lay low, for our plan to work.

As I step into the warmth of the house, relief washes over me at entering undetected, only for a moment before being replaced by a growing sense of unease. Ugo's men line the hall, hands resting on holstered guns. Their cold eyes follow me as I try to hurry past, clutching my shawl tighter.

"Where have you been?" A gruff voice startles me, causing my pulse to quicken as he blocks my path. It's one of Ugo's men, his dark gaze fixed on me with a predatory intensity.

"Out," I reply curtly, my voice barely above a whisper. I try to slip past him, but he moves to block my path.

"Ugo doesn't like it when you're out late," he sneers, his breath reeking of stale alcohol.

"He was the one who suggested it,” I say, feigning confidence while internally cursing my inability to stand up to these men. "I was out with my friend Sofia.”

"Is that so?" Another voice chimes in, this one belonging to a second thug. The two men exchange smirks, clearly amused by my defiance.

"Enough." I muster as much authority as I can into my tone. "Let me pass."

"Of course, signorina," the first man says, stepping aside with an exaggerated bow. I hold my head high as I walk past them, trying to ignore the way their laughter follows me through the hall.

The house feels suffocating, every corner filled with Ugo's menacing presence. He must have stayed back for drinks with my father, I think to myself, the thought doing little to ease the tension coiling in my chest.

I can't help but think of Ettore, and how different he is from Ugo. He's kind and protective, always appearing when I need him most. And his men would never threaten me. He’d kill them if they didn’t protect me. Of that, I am certain.

I quickly climb the stairs to go straight to bed, in a rush to get away from his men’s watchful gaze. My fingers instinctively move to tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear, a nervous habit I've been unable to shake.

The air is heavy, suffocating, as I creep through the dimly lit corridor.

"Damn it!" A voice booms from behind a closed door, making me jump. Ugo's anger echoes through the hallway, and instinctively, I press myself against the wall, trying to blend into the shadows.

"Everything was perfectly planned! How could you let this happen?" he continues, his tone seething with rage. My heart races, thudding loudly in my ears, as I strain to make sense of his words.

"Apologies, boss," someone says. "Our guy missed the shot. Ettore got away."

My breath catches in my throat as icy terror grips my chest. Ugo was the one who tried to kill Ettore tonight? My knees tremble, but I force myself to remain still, desperate to hear more.

"And you’re saying Carlotta was with him," Ugo snarls, venom dripping from every syllable. "In the bathroom at the club? What the hell was she doing there?"

I can't breathe. Panic rises like bile, threatening to choke me. Oh God, he knows. He knows about Ettore and me. What will he do now? Fear coils around my heart, squeezing tight, as I imagine the vengeance Ugo will want to exact.

"Boss, what should we do about her?" the henchman asks, his voice shaking as if he can sense the danger in the air.

Ugo remains silent for a moment, then says, "Keep an eye on her until the wedding and keep me updated. If she thinks she can betray me and get away with it, she's got another thing coming. As for him, tell the three brothers I want him dead, sooner rather than later."

His words send a shudder down my spine. I can't stay here, knowing Ettore has assassins on his heels. Three brothers at his heels… whoever they are. Ettore must know.

But for now, I don’t have a way to get the message across to him. All I can do is retreat into the safety of my bedroom and pray that Ugo doesn't discover how close I am to warning Ettore and making my escape.

My heart hammers in my chest as I flee, reminding me that I'm not safe here if caught. The moment I reach my room, I slam the door shut and lock it, leaning against it for a brief moment, trying to catch my breath.

I crawl into bed, pulling the covers over myself. My thoughts race, jumping from one terrifying scenario to another, as I consider the risks of Ettore not knowing about Ugo’s attempts at having him killed.

Just for tonight, I pray for his safety. I need him to survive the night and tomorrow, when we pull off the heist, at least I’ll be able to give Ettore this sliver of information I’ve gained.

What if the plan tomorrow doesn’t work? If it backfires, all of our lives could be in jeopardy, including my family’s and Sofia’s.

Damn it. It has to work.

I close my eyes, attempting to force myself to sleep, but all I can see are images of Ettore, his steely blue eyes burning holes into my soul. I think of how his strong arms felt around me, making me belong. And then there's the mark we share, a symbol of a connection that goes beyond anything I've ever known.

My thoughts are a whirlwind, questioning every decision that led me to this moment – to agree to Ettore's plan of stealing the artwork from Ugo. It's insane; I can't deny it. But what other choice do I have?

"Can I really trust you?" I ask the empty air, desperate for answers that only Ettore can give. "Can I trust that you'll protect me from Ugo, and that we'll find a way out of this mess?"

But there's no answer, just the deafening silence that surrounds me as I lie in bed, trembling with fear and anticipation. And so, I cling to the hope that Ettore is my salvation, that we'll be able to steal the artwork and save my family from Ugo's control.

"Please," I murmur out loud, "let us find a way through this."

In the darkness of my room, I raise my hand to my back and trace the mark that we share, the tiny black heart – a symbol of our bond that transcends time and distance and makes no logical sense. A connection that has bound us together despite being born into rival families, destined to be enemies.

A small voice at the back of my head tells me we will. After all, we were born enemies, fated to be allies. The smallest touch sets me ablaze with life. We share the same mark, and when things seem darkest, he comes for me. When there seems to be no out, I have the tools to save him. From distracting the gunman today, to knowing Ugo wants him dead, to Ettore offering me an out… it all feels like a plan the universe had for us all along.

I let out a shaky breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. As much as I fear the consequences, I can't ignore the fire that burns inside me – the desire for something more than this life I've been forced into. And Ettore is my only out.

"Remember who you're doing this for," I tell myself, clutching the sheets in my trembling hands. "For your family, for yourself, and for Ettore."

My heart races as I acknowledge the truth in those words, a newfound determination coursing through my veins. Despite the risks, despite the fear that threatens to consume me, I must have faith in his plan.