Chapter 81. Broken into Million Pieces

Riccardo chipped away at my defenses. He showed me a softer side of himself that I had never seen before, one that reveled in simple pleasures like watching the sunset or sharing a home-cooked meal.

And then one night, as we lay together, he took me in his arms and kissed me deeply. The passion between us was palpable, and I knew undoubtedly that I was meant to be with this man.

We made love that night, and it was like nothing I had ever experienced before. I felt a connection with Riccardo that transcended the physical plane – it was as if our souls were merging in ecstasy.

But even as I lay there in his embrace, I knew that we still had obstacles to face. The brutally violent world of the mafia was never far from us, and danger lurked around every corner.

It wasn’t long before our fears were realized, one of Riccardo’s rivals had begun a full-scale war against him, determined to take over his territory and eliminate any perceived threats to his power.