23

Behind Cristiano was a gang of taller, buffer men wearing suits and with intimidating looks on their faces.
I bit the inside of my cheek, my stomach knotting up as my heart thumped against my chest roughly, panicking inside.
Cristiano's back was to me. I had the document and we were caught. What was going to happen to us?
"Take care of Mr Rossi. . ." Angelo said, his eyes slowly flickering over to me. He licked his lips slowly, his lustful eyes running down my body. "Bring her to me."
I gasped softly, my eyes filled with panic as I looked over at Cristiano, my heart racing quicker than ever.
"Hell no," Cris quickly said, taking a step back. "Listen, this shit has gone on for too long. Let's end it here. Find your best guy and let me fight him."
Angelo chuckled, rolling his eyes as he shook his head. "A fight?"
"Did I stutter?" Cristiano retorted, his voice filled with authority and anger.
Angelo studied his face for a moment before licking his lips again, clearing his throat. "Alright. .what about her?"
"Oh, she's not going anywhere. Leave her out of this," Cristiano shot, my jaw clenching as I looked over at Angelo bitterly.
"Parking lot. Ten minutes."
"I'll be there."
With the deal done, I climbed off my victim, letting him run - attempt to run off. Angelo's goons took off but he stayed back and looked at me intently. "Alejandro's bid," he acknowledged, his eyes running down my body. ". .yes. .that's where I remember you from."
I gave him my best, cold look.
Then he turned and left, relief sweeping over me.
"Rose, come here."
I walked over to Cristiano and to my surprise, he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close, hugging me tightly. I blinked in shock before closing my eyes and wrapping my arms around his neck, embracing him back. He buried his head in my neck, exhaling softly.
"I thought something bad happened to you," he told me, his voice muffled. "Shit, I don't know what I would do if something happens to you."
I pulled away slowly a little, our eyes locked. I gave him a reassuring smile. "I can take care of myself, Cris. Don't forget it. . ."
He exhaled slowly, nodding as he gave me a small smile, his hands on my hips. His eyes were glimmering and I couldn't stop getting lost into them. "Rose, if something happens to me, don't take me to the hospital."
My eyebrows creased a little in confusion. "W-What do you mean? Nothings going to happen to you. You're Cristiano Rossi."
He chuckled softly, his eyes averting elsewhere. "Angelo's men don't play around, they're really violent, Rose."
My eyebrows raised a little in surprise, my hands on his shoulders still. "Then why are you doing this fight? I don't want you doing this fight. Can't you guys just sign a peace treaty or something?"
He chuckled again, his hazel eyes twinkling. "I wish it was that easy, baby."
I sighed softly, meeting his beautiful eyes again. He lifted my chin a little, Cris's mesmerising eyes dropping down to my lips purposely. He leaned in and softly planted a kiss on my lips, pulling away slowly and pulling a strand of my hair behind my ear.
"If any happens, you know how I feel."
"Nothing will happen, Cris. You're a fighter. Don't ever forget that you're Cristiano Rossi."
~~~
Rose
Every movement he made was filled with force and anger. He would punch so powerfully, the bones would crack, hit so roughly that I could feel it in my heart. But it wasn't enough.
He was losing.
His opponent was taller. He had a Herculean body with bulging biceps and a double barrelled chest. I knew from the start that the fight was going to be tough. I was nervous and hoped for the best but I found myself doubting.
Stood beside Gage, Dax and Jordan, I looked up at their faces and they too knew that Cristiano was up against someone tougher. I bit my lip so hard that blood began to seep out. Nervously, my nails deeply dig into the palm of my hands.
It wasn't a boxing fight - no, it was a full on fist fight. A fight to end their feud once and for all.
"He's not gonna win alone," Dax muttered, his eyes on Cristiano.
"Don't doubt him," Gage replies quietly, his voice monotone and dull. I glanced over at them, wincing a little at the horrible bone cracking sound.
"I'm not," Dax responded, finally looking at all of us. "Cris is gonna win and Angelo knows that. He's gonna want to do anything to stop him from winning, so Gage, what do you think he's gonna do?"
Gage thought for a moment before answering with a groan, "he's gonna get his men on him during the fight, like the cheat he is." My eyes moved over to Cris, biting my bottom lip roughly as I realised how bruised his face was.
"We can't do anything," Jordan added, shaking his head. "We're outnumbered."
"When has that ever stopped us?"
It was the end of the first round. Angelo's monster went back, letting go of Cris so he fell onto the ground, coughing blood out roughly.
The guys went over to him, helping Cris up. I bit my lip harder, looking at him painfully as my eyes scanned his bloodied face. I wrapped my arms around myself.
He leaned against the side of a car, coughing again.
"Cris, you know that he's gonna get his goons on you."
"I know," Cristiano replied breathlessly, his voice a little strained as he met Dax's eyes. "So, you're gonna help me out."
Jordan opened the boot of the car, bringing out a long metal bar. My eyes widened as Dax gave Gage a pocket knife
"No, no, no, no, no!" I quickly said, my eyes expanding as I looked at the guys in disbelief. "If you're fighting with weapons, they will too and you're all gonna get hurt!"