The Mafia's forbidden Love

m downstream as the city skyline dissolved into the dark horizon. He could no longer hear the gunfire or the shouts of the men. There was only the rhy

k like that. Not yet. He had to believe that Adrian was still fighting, still making his way toward him through

red to the darkness, his voi

y, just a strip of dark land slipping past in the night. He looked up at the sky, the stars winking

gripping the oars, but he didn't stop. He couldn't. He rowed and rowed, his eyes f

own the embankment toward the water. Luca's heart leaped into his t

uted, his voice

Adrian. Even from this distance, Luca could see the unmistakable silhouette-the way he moved,

into the boat, scrambling to get closer. He grabbed on

thless but alive. He splashed into the w

ht in his throat, strangled by

ater streaming off his clothes. He grabbed Luca by the shoulders,

and the faint, salty tang of the river. He clung to him, his fingers digging into

ck just enough to search Adrian's face, hi

from Luca's forehead. "It doesn't matter now. I han

across Adrian's side. He hadn't noticed it at first in the dim light, but now

lied, forcing a tight

ar quickly morphing into anger.

hey catch us, it won't matter if I'm bleeding. We need to get out of

em the bleeding. He felt so helpless, so small against the enormity of every

said quietly. "I'm

he said, his voice steadier now. "Okay. We'll get to the other side of the river. There

eyes crinkling despite the pain etched into

muttered, grabbing the oars a

ed back, wincing as he settled himself in

ers. The lights of the skyscrapers dimmed behind them, swallowed by the mist rolling off the water

the oars. He was trying to hide it, but Luca could see the pain lurking just beneath the sur

lf than for Adrian. He needed the reassurance,

hing into the shallow water. He reached back, helping Adrian to his

graceful exit

nging Adrian's arm over his s

es. The cabin came into view, a small, weathered structure nestled in a grove of pines. It looked

oor, the old wood creaking under their combined weight. For a moment, they

pressing his forehead to Adr

pulling him into a slow, lingering kiss. "Ye

eared across Adrian's shirt, the dark stain spreading ev

he said, his voice high and th

pain. He reached up, cradling Luca's face in his hands. "

zing them tightly. "I'm not going anywhere," he whisper

ng the cabin in soft, golden hues, they held on to each other

in a way