We were Born to Die

ing. I mean, who wouldn't be enchanted by the grandeur of the Colosseum, the serene beauty of the Vatican City, or the romantic allure of the Florence? I'd walked the co

ed through the lens of my camera, there was som

seemed a little to forced, a little too insistent. It was as if they were hiding something from me, something they couldn't quite bring t

lowers alike. My latest post, a humble yet aesthetically pleasing shot of my breakfast plate featuring a flaky croissant and a vibrant Aper

uld have put me at ease, but instead, it only added to the growing sense of foreboding that hung in the air. Dressed in simple cream floral cami dress and matching hat to shi

then I

ssion. My heart skipped a beat, not in a romantic way, but out of sheer panic. His gaze s

ew I had

ulated and composed. I stepped out onto the bustling street, the sound of the city enveloping me as I wove through the crowd, but he followed, like a shadow refusing to be

I couldn't risk leading them to my room. Spotting an empty side street with a sh

ate had o

hrough me as they turned towards my hiding spot, their expressions shifting casual to predatory in an instant. Without a second thought, I bolted, my heart pounding in my chest as I pushed th

nd, my heart sank. There was nowhere left to run. Turning around, I found myself face-to-face with the gang, their menacing figures looming over me like predato

m off guard. He doubled over in pain, and I didn't waste a moment. Turning around, I faced another assailant rushing to grab my hair. Instinct took over as I seized his arm,

wn my cheek, but I refused to falter. Brushing away the blood defiantly, I squared my shoulders as another adversary charged toward me. With the precision honed by the years of training, I aimed a powe

me. As he swung at me again and again, I summoned every ounce of strength within me, countering with a swift punch to his vulnerable balls. He cr

ut before I could celebrate, the other delivered a punishing kick that sent me reeling, my vision swimming. Yet, despite the pain coursing through my body, I refused to yield. Summoning my last reserves of streng

on my face. With a blank expression, I prepared to face him, knowing that this would be the toughest challenge yet. As he charged towards me, I effortlessly dodge

e stumbled backward, momentarily disoriented, giving me the opening I needed. With swift efficiency, I delivered a punishing the blow to his face, followed by a powerful

Instinctively, I ducked out of the sight, hiding in the shadows as the car came to a halt near the where I had confronted those guys, now laying on the ground either unconscious or groaning in pain. Adr

e. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks-I had left it behind, exposed and vulnerable to the enemies. Thanking the saints that I had an extra key of the room on myself. "

a cab. Minutes stretched into eternity as I waited, the uncertainty gnawing at my resolve. And then, like a beacon in the darkness, a car appeared, offering a fleeting chance at salvation. But before I could react, a

hend the situation. How could Alessandro possibly know abo

e waiting car. Panic surged within me, my instinct screaming in protest. But before I could r

table pressure reminding me of my mess. In front of me sat the familiar figure of the blonde guy, his expression unreadable after what I had done with him, he conversed with another man I didn't recognize. Beside me, the one who had struck me a

my voice betraying none of

e man beside me, his tone clipped as he return

le of this unexpected journey. How was it possible that

ending a shiver down my spine. This was no ordinary kidnapping; it was the work of a rival, judging by

relief and dread, I wrapped my hand around the familiar shape of the gun-the same one we kept in our cars for emergencies. Carefully, I concealed the weapon, k

ar came to a halt, the air heavy with the tension. As the car screeched to a halt, my heart pounded in my chest like a frantic drum. The adrenaline surged through my veins, making my hands tremble as I clutc

g. A scream tore from his lips, a symphony of agony that echoed in the confined space of the car. But there was no time to dwell on his pain. The driver, sensing the danger, reached for his o

y beside me about to punch me, my heart raced and I didn't have time to think, I just reacted. I quickly leaned back in the seat, feeling the adrenaline, and kicked him with all my might. I felt the impact as his head collided with the window, shattering the glass. The sound was deafening, but I didn't stop to p

issing. "Where is it?" I demanded, my voice laced with urgency as I

's body jerked with the impact. Shock ripped through me, mingling with the fear and disbelief as crimson droplets splattered across my face, staining my skin with the evidence of demise. Heart hammering against my chest, threatening to burst fre

o the ground, darkness closing in around me like a suffocating embrace. As my vision begins to blur, the world around me morphs into a haze of shapes and colors. I can hear the faint echo of footsteps drawing near,

e poses. I want to scream, to fight back, but my body feels heavy and unresponsive, as if weighed down by the gravity of his presence alone. I watch in helpless horror as he reaches for the gun lying at my side, my fingers

ssive as he tilts my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. His eyes are the color of the hazelnuts, warm and mesmerizing yet filled with a darkness I can't quite compreh

ith the runni