ADRIANO'S POV: When Mimi and Alessandro told me to come with them to their new house, I didn't expect Dilara to be knocking on my door halfway through the night.

I catch Dilara as she falls onto me. Her hair is stuck to her face and she's extremely cold.

I pick her up and go put her onto the couch.

'Adriano who was it?' Mimi asks, walking into the living room.

She stops in her tracks and drops the glass in her hands.

'Mimi are you alright!' Alessandro asks.

He walks in and freezes.

'Is that who I think it is?' He asks.

I nod slowly.

'She's bleeding out and unconscious.' I explain.

They walk closer.

'Get the first aid kit,' Alessandro says.

Mimi nods and goes to find it.

'They're not going to like this,' he shakes his head. 'We could be labelled as traitors.'

'They're not here right now.' I snap. 'Imagine it were you and Mimi in our positions?'

Alessandro bites back what he wants to say and just stays quiet.

I need to save her. I can't let her die.

*********** After a while, Dilara wakes up and grab my arms before I touch her face.

I place my hand on her arm and lower it slowly.

'Relax,' I say softly, 'I'm not going to hurt you.'

She wearily lets go and lets me clean up her face..

I grab the wet cloth and start removing the blood from her hands. I turn over her hand and her palm is scratched up and bleeding.

She winces as I softly start cleaning it. I look down at the inside of her left arm and see a bandage wrapped around it.

She turns her head away from me and I see that her snake tattoo is no longer on her neck.

I narrow my eyes.

'Dilara look at me,' I say, trying to control my anger. 'Who did this to you?'

She tries to sit up and winces in pain.

'Careful, I haven't taken out your bullets yet.' I explain, helping her sit up.

'Don't touch me.' She winces. She looks at me with so much hatred in her eyes.

'You came to Mimi's doorstep bleeding, let the man help you.' Alessandro says from the doorway.

'Can I see her?' Dilara asks.

'No.' He replies before leaving.

'You've got to calm down before I can help you alright?' I say

'Fine,' she wheezes.

I help her lower her trousers to expose her abdomen. There's blood gushing out everywhere.

I pick up the tweezers and start to take out the bullet.

She clenchs her teeth and leans her head back. She grabs onto my arm and her grip tightens.

'I know pazza, I know,' I mutter.

I puts the bullet on a plate and start cleaning the wound with alcohol.

My eye catches on the top of the red dragon tattoo she has, peeking over her trousers.

'Time for stitches.' I tells her as I start stitching her up and She grabs my arm and digs her nails into me.

She whimpers quietly.

I hate seeing her in pain like this. It hurts me.

'One down another one to go.' I add wrapping her wound up.

'The other one is on my back.' She says, struggling to swallow.

'Slowly,' I say while helping her turn around.

I carefully help her take off her drenched grey shirt and it sticks to her skin.

Once her back is exposed I notice a tattoo down her spine in black ink that says;

Playing with death makes me feel alive

My fingers graze the bottom of her tattoo and she moves under my touch.

There are many scars in different areas of her back, some bigger and deeper than others.

It has me wondering what they've done to her in the past two years.

I start taking out the second bullet, ignoring her whimpers and this one comes out easier than the last one. She's stitched up in no time.

Whoever did this to her is going to die a slow and painful death. I will enjoy every second of it.

She turns towards me, her face terrifyingly close to mine.

'Thank you,' she breathes.

The way she looks at me now is not like before, this time her eyes are filled with curiosity and she tilts her head to the side.

'I'll get you some new clothes,' I say, clearing my throat.

I walk towards Mimi's new room and see her sniffling while Rory sleeps next to her.

'Is there anything I can give Dilara to wear?' I ask.

She takes out some clothes and hands them to me.

'Can I see her?' She asks.

'Let her rest for tonight,' I reply.

'Of course, she can take the guest room.' Mimi replies.

I give her a small smile and take the clothes back to Dilara.

While Dilara changes my back is to her until she's ready.

'Dilara, one last time, who did this to you?' I ask.

They deserve to die.

They deserve to burn in hell.

I hand her some Tylenol and water.

'Can I please answer questions tomorrow?' She asks. 'My mind is still foggy.'

'Of course, come with me.' I lead her to the guest room.

'If you need anything just tell me, I'll be here.' I say.

'Thank you Adriano.' She says.

'It's my pleasure pazza.' I reply.

This is the least I can do for what I've put you through.

I leave Dilara's room and go to Alessandro.

'Has she told you what happened?' He asks.

'No, but whoever it is will wish they were never born.' I snarl.

'What if she's lead some people to come attack us?'

'Alessandro, give her the benefit of the doubt this once.' I sigh. 'And if I'm wrong you can shoot me yourself.

'Fine,' he chuckles. 'You better be praying that you're right about her.'

'I am, trust me.' I reply.

Alessandro says goodnight and I walk into the backyard and light a cigarette.

Everyone's going to go mad if they see her here.

I must never get caught, the penalty for traitors is punishable by death.

I need to know where my head is at and no feelings can interfere with this.

I'll make sure they don't.

*AUTHORS NOTE* HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my friend Jessica, I hope you have an amazing day and I can't wait to bully you on Monday 🤭❤️❤️❤️ I hope you're all enjoying the book! Have a nice day!