The Don’s Soulmate

55. Ettore

Chapter 55

Ettore

I rush towards Carlotta, helping her out of bed. Sofia's panicked voice drifts through, muffled by my thoughts.

"...and then he swung at me, and I woke up tied to a chair. I tried to leave when I saw Ugo calling..."

My fists clench involuntarily. Who the fuck is she talking about?

"What was his name again?" Carlotta asks, her soft tone barely audible.

"Viktor," Sofia replies. "I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I never got his last name. He came into my life just when you got engaged to Ugo Caputo."

Ugo Caputo. The timing is too perfect.

My mind races, piecing together fragments of Sofia’s story. We’re in real danger.

"We need to leave. Now."

Carlotta's green eyes widen with concern. "Ettore, where will we go?”

I don't answer, instead striding to the dresser and yanking open drawers. "Pack light. Essentials only."

My hands move swiftly, methodically, as I gather what we need: cash from the hidden safe, our phones, wallets, and car keys. My fingers brush against cold metal, and I pull out my Beretta, checking the magazine before tucking it into my waistband.

"Ettore, you're scaring me," Carlotta says, her voice trembling slightly.

I turn to her, cupping her face in my hands. The fear in her eyes cuts through me like a knife. "I'm sorry, tesoro. But I need you to trust me right now. Can you do that? We’re going to get out of here, I promise. But Viktor is coming for us. There’s no doubt about that."

She nods, and I press a quick kiss on her forehead before releasing her.

"Sofia," I bark, making her jump. "Did this Viktor mention anything about his work? His family?"

She shakes her head, confusion etched across her pretty features. "No, nothing like that. All I knew was that he worked in finance. Why?"

I ignore her question, my mind already racing ahead to our next move. We need to get out of here and find somewhere safe to regroup. But first...

"Both of you, grab your things. We're leaving in two minutes."

As they scramble to comply, I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what's to come. The weight of the gun at my back is a cold comfort. Whatever happens, I'll protect them. I have to. The alternative is unthinkable. Not when my baby is in the picture.

We exit the room and I rush towards the lift, but Sofia's voice cuts through my racing thoughts. "The lift's not working," she says, a hint of panic creeping into her usually confident tone. "I had to take the stairs up."

My jaw clenches. Of course. Nothing can be easy. "Then that's our way out," I growl, gesturing towards the stairwell. "Move. Now."

I take the lead, my hand hovering near my concealed weapon as we enter the dimly lit staircase. The smell of stale cigarettes and cheap cleaning products assaults my nostrils. My eyes scan each landing, every shadow a potential threat.

We go down a level and then a deafening crack splits the air, and instinct takes over. I shove Carlotta and Sofia against the wall, shielding them with my body as plaster rains down from above.

"Fuck," I snarl, adrenaline surging through my veins. The acrid smell of gunpowder mingles with Sofia's perfume as she whimpers in fear. I look up and see a shadow crouching down.

My hand finds the Beretta, the grip familiar and comforting. "Stay low and against the wall," I order, my voice harsh with tension. "We're going down. Now."

As we descend, my thoughts are a violent storm. Whoever this assassin is, they've made a fatal mistake in thinking he can get us as easily as this.

We sprint down two flights, bullets hitting the walls we leave behind, my heart pounding in sync with our footsteps. We could get hit at any moment. Suddenly, an idea strikes me.

"Sofia, Carlotta," I hiss, "help me with these doors."

I gesture to the exits on each landing. Understanding dawns in Sofia's eyes, her quick wit shining through even in this chaos.

"Confuse them," she nods, her blonde hair whipping as she turns to the nearest door.

We work in tandem, locking random doors on different floors. The metallic click of each lock is oddly satisfying, like the sound of a plan coming together.

"This way," I growl, leading them back up a flight. The stairwell becomes our playground, a deadly game of cat and mouse where we're determined to be the cats.

Carlotta's breath comes in short gasps, and Sofia puts an arm around her waist, helping her forward. Her pregnancy is making moving fast difficult.

I pause, cupping her face in my hands. "I won't let anything happen to you," I promise, my voice low and fierce. "Either of you."

Sofia interjects, her tone sharp but trembling slightly, "Less romance, more escaping, please."

We continue our erratic path, up and down, zigzagging through the building. Each turn is calculated, each movement precise.

My mind races, thoughts colliding like bullets ricocheting off walls.

"Stay close," I growl, pulling them both behind me as we round another corner.

Sofia's voice cuts through the tension, sharp and breathless. "Any brilliant plans brewing in that criminal mastermind of yours, Ettore?"

I don't respond immediately, my eyes scanning for threats. The weight of the gun at my hip is a cold comfort.

"Working on it," I mutter, my jaw clenched.

A sudden bang echoes from above, making us all flinch. The assassin is getting closer.

"Move!" I bark, shoving them forward.

We sprint down another flight, our footsteps thundering in the enclosed space. The tension is alive, coiling around us like a python, squeezing tighter with each passing second.

"Ettore," Sofia pants, "we can't keep this up forever."

I know she's right, but admitting it feels like defeat. "We just need to stay ahead long enough to…"

Another gunshot, closer this time. Plaster dust rains down on us.

"Fuck," I snarl, my anger rising like a tidal wave. "This ends now."

I spot a door on the landing below us, my instincts screaming that this is our chance. Without hesitation, I charge towards it, shoulder first. The wood splinters under my weight, and we tumble into an empty motel room.

"No, Ettore!" Sofia gasps, her eyes wide.

I scan the room quickly, my gaze landing on the fireplace. It's old, brick-lined, and large enough for a person to fit through. A surge of hope floods my chest.

"There," I point, already moving. "Our way out."

"Sofia, help me with this grate."

We wrestle with the heavy iron barrier, our movements frantic but purposeful. The sound of footsteps in the hallway spurs us on.

"It's clear," I announce, my voice low and urgent. "Carlotta, you first."

She hesitates, and I feel a flash of frustration. "Now, Carlotta!"

Sofia gives her a gentle push. "Go on, honey. We're right behind you."

As Carlotta disappears up the chimney, I turn to Sofia. "You next."

She raises an eyebrow. "Always the gentleman, aren't you?"

I growl, my patience wearing thin. "Move your ass, I'm not leaving you behind."

As Sofia scrambles up, I keep my gun trained on the door. The footsteps are getting closer, and my blood sings with the promise of violence. Part of me wants to stay and face this threat head-on. But Carlotta's face flashes in my mind, and I know I can't risk it.

With one last glance at the door, I holster my weapon and haul myself into the fireplace. The brick scrapes my skin as I climb, but I barely notice.

I emerge from the chimney onto the rooftop, my lungs burning with exertion. The cool night air hits my face, and I scan our surroundings quickly. Sofia and Carlotta are huddled nearby, their faces pale in the moonlight.

"We need to move," I hiss, grabbing Carlotta's hand. Her fingers tremble in mine, and I feel a surge of protective rage.

Sofia's voice breaks through my thoughts. "There's a fire escape on the east side. I saw it when we came in."

I nod, impressed by her quick thinking. "Good eye. Let's go."

We make our way across the rooftop, staying low. Every step feels like an eternity, my senses heightened to a painful degree. I can hear Carlotta's ragged breathing, feel the tension radiating from Sofia.

Suddenly, a shot rings out, shattering the silence. Carlotta screams, and I instinctively pull her close, shielding her with my body.

"Down!" I roar, pushing them both behind a large air conditioning unit. My hand goes to my gun, adrenaline surging through me.

"Ettore," Carlotta whimpers, her green eyes wide with fear. "What do we do?"

I cup her face, forcing her to focus on me. "We survive, tesoro. That's what we do."

Sofia's voice is surprisingly steady. "The fire escape is just beyond that ledge. If we make a run for it..."

I nod, already pulling Carlotta and Sofia along. "Run. Don't stop, don't look back. Understand?"

They both nod, and we run for our lives, almost gliding down the fire escape.