FORBIDDEN LOYALTY

iating from her shoulder. She pressed her hand against the wound, feeling the warm, slick blood seep through her fingers. "Are you okay?" Marco glanced back at her from the d

r head. "Here it is," Marco said, pulling out a small medical kit. "Let's fix you up." He approached Elena, concern etched across his face. "You need to take care of that wound." She nodded, grateful for his support but feeling the weight of the situation. Marco helped her sit down on a nearby chair, and as he began to clean the wound, she felt a rush of gratitude mixed with guilt. All of this was her fault; she had put them in danger. "Why did you come to the gala, Elena?" Marco asked softly, his hands steady but searching her eyes. "You could have stayed away, stayed safe." "I couldn't let you get hurt," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I thought... I thought I could protect you." "Protection doesn't mean you have to throw yourself into danger," Marco said, a mix of frustration and affection in his tone. "You need to be careful. We're in a world where loyalty isn't guaranteed." "I know," she replied, her heart heavy. "But I can't just stand by while you get hurt. I won't lose you." Luca watched them, his jaw clenched. The tension in the room thickened, and Elena could almost feel the unspoken words between them, the conflict that simmered just beneath the surface. But before she could delve deeper into her feelings, Marco's phone rang, cutting through the tension like a knife. "Who is it?" Luca asked, his voice suddenly serious. "It's an unknown number," Marco replied, glancing at the screen. "Should I answer?" "Yes, but be cautious," Luca warned, stepping closer. "It could be a trap." Marco hesitated for a moment before answering. "Hello?" He paused, his expression shifting as he listened intently. "What do you mean?" Elena leaned in closer, her heart pounding in her chest. The look on Marco's face transformed from confusion to alarm. "No... that can't be right. Tell me you're joking." The tension in the air became suffocating. Elena exchanged a worried glance with Luca as Marco's face paled. "Where did you get that information?" Suddenly, Marco's expression turned to one of sheer panic. "We need to get out of here. Now!" "Why? What did they say?" Elena demanded, her stomach dropping as dread washed over her. "They know where we are," Marco replied, his voice frantic. "They've been tracking us. Dario's men are on their way here." "Get what you need and let's move!" Luca ordered, his voice firm. He turned to Elena, urgency in his eyes. "We can't stay here." Elena's pulse raced as she jumped to her feet, adrenaline fueling her actions. There was no time to think, only to act. Marco grabbed the first aid kit and a few supplies while Luca scanned the cabin f