♥ Chapter 67 ♥

Alessio Vecchio.

The jet lands in Myanmar with a firm thud, and the scene that unfolds before us is marked by a mixture of urgency and chaos. As soon as we get off the aircraft, cars are waiting for us, lined up and ready for action. Dante approaches me with a serious expression.

"I've asked Mr. Levi for cars, since he's become the boss here," says Dante, his voice full of concern and respect.

I don't say anything. Any help is valid at the moment. What matters is getting Isabella back to me as quickly as possible. The team gets into their cars, and Saulo has his laptop open, typing frantically.

"To get to the location, it will take a few minutes. Then we'll have to walk. '" Saulo says, his voice deep and professional.

I just nodded, feeling the anxiety growing inside me. The thought that Isabella might be hurt drives me crazy. Every second seems like an eternity.

When we finally arrive at the site, we get out of the cars with the speed and precision of a trained team. The environment is barren and desolate, a stark contrast to what I feel inside.

'' Stay alert. Keep your guard up. Don't get distracted,'' I order firmly.

Everyone responds in unison, their voices echoing the determination I feel in my heart. Levi's men join us, a welcome help in our time of need. We climb the hill that leads to where Isabella is being held, and the silence is broken by the distant sound of gunfire. My heart races at a frantic pace. Each step towards the top of the hill is taken with the urgency of a man who has everything to lose.

As we reach the top, I order:

"Spread out. Look for the entrance.

My mind is in a state of frenzy. The sound of gunfire gets closer, and I concentrate on every noise and every movement. Suddenly, a familiar scream breaks through the surrounding chaos. My heart freezes as I hear Isabella's voice calling me.

'' Alessio!

Her voice is a desperate, unmistakable cry. I turn quickly and see her coming out of a brick warehouse. My heart stops for a moment when I see my bastard brother, Salvatore, with his gun pointed at Isabella. He fires.

The shot echoes like a mortal blow, and I see Isabella's body fall to the ground with a cry of pain.

'' Isabella!

My scream is raw, immense despair. Without thinking, I run towards her, the world around me becoming a blur of movement and panic. Each step seems a million times heavier as I advance towards the place where she fell.

'' Now your weak spot is gone, Alessio!

Her words are a sharp blade, and the fury inside me explodes into an uncontrollable frenzy. Every second seems like an eternity while my mind is totally fixed on Isabella. My men are on alert, but my concentration is completely on her.

I fall beside her, trying to assess the wound, my desperation taking over every thought. The feeling of helplessness is overwhelming. The world around me is a blur of movement and screams, but my only concern is for her life.

When I finally reach Isabella, my heart stops. Time seems to slow down, and the scene before me is an endless nightmare. She is lying on the ground, blood staining her clothes and the surrounding earth. The shot has gone through her waist, and the vibrant red is a direct hit to my chest.

I pull her into my arms with desperate strength, my despair turning into tears that fall uncontrollably. The pain in my chest is sharp, almost physical, as I watch her struggle to breathe. My voice fails me, interspersed with sobs, as I call her name over and over again.

'' Isabella! Isabella, please!

I feel the weight of tragedy bearing down on me. My desperation reaches new heights as I place my hand on her pale face, my fingers trembling as I stroke her bloodied cheeks.

'' Please, my love, please open your eyes for me. Please, Isabella!

The sensation of warm blood dripping between my fingers reminds me of our son, the baby we haven't met yet. Panic seizes me as I realize that I could lose not only the woman I love, but also the child who, although unexpected, has now become an essential part of my life. The desire to raise this child with Isabella is one I never imagined I would have, but now, it's all I want.

Eric approaches, his expression grave and concerned. He puts his hand on my shoulder, trying to get me to let go of Isabella.

'' Alessio, get away from her. I need to take care of that wound. We need to take her to the hospital. Let her go, if you keep stopping me, you could lose her.

I look at him, my eyes filled with a mixture of anger and despair. The thought of leaving her, even for a moment, is unbearable, but I know he's right. My love for her makes me feel a pain that is almost physical, but my mind, desperate and fragmented, understands the need for action.

With devastating reluctance, I gently place her on the floor, the pain visible in every movement. Eric immediately springs into action, examining the wound with professional precision. His every gesture is a mixture of urgency and calm, a hope that there is still time to save her.

I can barely hear anything but the sound of pulsating blood, the panting rhythm of my breathing, and Isabella's desperate struggle for life.

The surrounding men don't make a sound; they watch in silence, sharing the anguish and tension of the moment. My focus is entirely on Eric, who is at Isabella's side, working frantically to stabilize her. He removes the bullet with agonizing precision, the blood continuing to flow as he applies pressure to the wound to stem the flow.

Eric opens his briefcase with agile hands, revealing the medical supplies that become an unexpected relief in the midst of despair. With swift and meticulous efficiency, he makes a temporary bandage, and his actions swift and determined. Then he turns to me, his gaze grave and resolute.

''Pick her up carefully. We're going to the hospital from here. She needs blood, come on. The urgency in his voice gives me no room to hesitate.

I take Isabella in my arms with desperate gentleness, trying to make sure she's comfortable even in her critical condition. The sensation of her warm, fragile body in my arms is not only indescribable torture, but also an impulse to act. I hurry out of the place, my heart pounding with every step I take.

The descent down the hill is slow and painful. Every movement is made with the utmost care, but my hands tremble with fear and anxiety. Isabella's weight in my arms is a constant reminder of what I'm about to lose. With every step, my heart squeezes, and I fight the overwhelming feeling of helplessness.

When we reach the car, I take care to lay her down on the back seat with extreme care, the anguish almost paralyzing me. I sit next to her, feeling the despair and fear grow with every second. The drive to the hospital seems endless, a constant torture, with the frantic pace of the car mixed with my own agony.

I keep caressing Isabella's face, feeling my tears slip down without stopping.

'' Forgive me for being late, my love. Forgive me, forgive me for being late…

Each word carries the weight of guilt and anguish. The sight of her, pale and unconscious, is almost unbearable, and despair becomes a constant that consumes me.