Chapter 7 - The Hidden Truth
Chloe backed away from him entirely, her hands shaking violently as she pointed at the dropped folder.
"My parents were brutally murdered by the mafia, and you knew about it this whole time?" she demanded.
Victor stepped carefully into the room, keeping his hands visible and completely non-threatening.
"I only discovered the truth three days ago when I investigated Dante's sudden interest in your brother," he explained.
"You should have told me the truth immediately," she cried, tears spilling over her cheeks.
"I wanted to protect you from the pain until I could completely eliminate Dante myself," he confessed softly.
He closed the distance between them, ignoring her weak attempt to push his broad chest away.
"I have spent my entire life surrounded by violence, and I just wanted to keep you safe from it," he murmured.
Chloe looked up into his dark, desperate eyes and saw the raw, unfiltered truth shining there.
He wasn't acting like a ruthless mafia boss; he was acting like a man entirely terrified of losing her.
The heavy wall of anger inside her completely crumbled under the massive weight of his genuine affection.
She reached up and grabbed the lapels of his expensive shirt, pulling him aggressively down toward her.
Victor groaned softly and crashed his lips fiercely against hers, completely bridging the distance between them.
The kiss was desperate, entirely consuming, and heavily filled with weeks of unspoken, agonizing tension.
He wrapped his strong arms securely around her waist, lifting her slightly off the hardwood floor.
Chloe finally felt entirely safe for the first time since her parents had died five years ago.
She pulled back slowly, resting her forehead gently against his chin as they both caught their breath.
Before either of them could speak a single word, a deafening explosion rocked the entire foundation of the estate.
The massive blast violently shattered the thick bulletproof windows of the main office into a million pieces.
Alarms immediately began blaring loudly throughout the mansion, glowing red emergency lights flashing everywhere.
Victor pulled his weapon instantly, dragging Chloe down securely behind the heavy oak desk for cover.
"The Morettis are attacking the front gates in full force," Victor yelled over the chaotic noise.
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He checked his heavy gun, his face turning back into the cold, ruthless monster she had first met.
"Stay here and absolutely do not move until I come back for you," he commanded her strictly.
