The Mafia’s Substitute Bride

Sofia heard the sound of the door breaking with a loud bang, and a gunshot echoed throughout the room. The sudden noise jolted her out of her dazed state, and her eyes snapped open. She struggled to focus, her heart pounding in her chest, as she realized the man who had been ripping her dress was now lifeless, sprawled across her. It was the bullet that had ended his life, bringing an abrupt halt to the nightmare she had been trapped in.

Amidst the chaos, Sofia’s ears were filled with the deafening sound of multiple gunshots reverberating throughout the room. One by one, she witnessed the assailants around her collapsing onto the floor, their bodies hitting the ground with heavy thuds. The acrid smell of smoke filled the air, obscuring her vision and making it difficult to discern what was happening.

Through the haze, Sofia’s blurry eyes caught a glimpse of a familiar figure standing amidst the chaos.

Leonardo. His presence alone seemed to command the room, his eyes bloodshot and filled with a burning intensity. The anger emanating from his body was palpable, his face etched with a deadly expression that struck fear into anyone who dared to meet his gaze. Behind him, several of his loyal men stood, their faces masked with determination, clutching their guns tightly in their hands.

As Leonardo’s gaze fell upon Sofia, a pained expression crossed his face, momentarily replacing the anger and intensity. With an urgency born out of love and concern, he sprinted towards her, the chaos around him seemingly fading into the background. Dropping to his knees beside her, he cradled her in his arms, holding her as if she were the most precious thing in the world.

“I am so sorry, Sofia. I could not make it on time,” Leonardo whispered in her ear, his voice thick with sorrow and regret. His words carried the weight of the pain in his heart, a testament to the lengths he would go to protect her.

He pulled away and looked at her face, his eyes filled with concern and tenderness. He gently removed the tape from her mouth, peeling it off slowly to avoid causing any discomfort.

He swept her hair away from her face, his touch gentle and comforting, and asked in a soft voice, “Are you okay, baby girl?”

His words hung in the air, but she couldn’t muster a response. She was still in shock, unable to believe what she was witnessing. It was a harsh reality she had never anticipated, not knowing she had been living among such dangerous people.

Just then, Mark entered the room, his grip tight on the hair of the menacing man he had captured. With a forceful throw, he brought the man down in front of Leonardo, their leader. The man, bearing the scars of a violent past, trembled on the floor, fear etched deeply in his eyes.

Leonardo, his face hardening with determination, pulled away from Sofia and rose to his feet. He approached the man with a predatory grace, his steps deliberate and controlled. Each stride carried an air of authority as if he were a lion closing in on its prey.

Without hesitation, Leonardo’s leg shot out, connecting with the man’s shin in a swift and powerful kick. The man cried out in pain, his body curling in an instinctive attempt to alleviate the intense agony.

“Tell me who your boss is and why he kidnapped Sofia?” Leonardo roared in anger. But the scary man didn’t reply.

Leonardo, seething with frustration, grabbed the man’s hair and yanked him up forcefully. With a fierce swing of his fist, he landed a brutal blow on the man’s abdomen. The impact was so powerful that the scary man coughed violently, spitting out blood. Sofia couldn’t bear to witness the violence, so she averted her gaze, focusing her attention elsewhere.

In that split second, Sofia’s eyes caught sight of a figure on the floor, slowly rising. It was the man who had been lying there motionless, seemingly lifeless. To her horror, he reached out and grabbed hold of a nearby gun. His eyes gleamed with sinister intent as he aimed the weapon toward Leonardo. Unbeknownst to everyone in the room, their attention was entirely focused on the confrontation between Leonardo and the scary man.

Filled with a sudden sense of urgency, Sofia’s voice pierced through the tense atmosphere, “Mr. Morelli!”

Reacting swiftly, Leonardo turned towards Sofia’s voice, his expression a mix of surprise and concern. Just as he did, a deafening gunshot shattered the air, causing Sofia to shut her eyes in fear instinctively. Her heart pounded heavily in her chest, drowning out the chaotic sounds around her. Moments later, she heard another gunshot, adding to her terror.

With trepidation, Sofia cautiously opened her eyes, peeking through her eyelashes. To her immense relief, she saw Leonardo still standing tall and unharmed. However, her eyes then shifted downward, revealing the horrifying sight of the scary man sprawled motionless on the floor, a pool of blood rapidly forming around him.

Sofia’s eyes widened in shock as they snapped toward the man who had just fired the gunshot. The deafening sound echoed through the room, causing her heart to race in her chest. The man fell to the floor, lifeless, and standing behind him was Mark, his hand still clutching the gun tightly.

The scene around Sofia was one of chaos and death. The room was littered with bodies, victims of this violent encounter. It was as if Leonardo and his men were accustomed to such brutality, standing there unaffected like it was just another day for them.

Leonardo approached Sofia, his footsteps were heavy on the bloodstained floor. He lowered himself to her level, his eyes filled with concern. With a gentle touch, he untied Sofia’s legs, allowing her to stand on her own shaky feet. Then, he freed her hands from their restraints, his touch surprisingly gentle despite the circumstances.

Leaning closer, Leonardo caressed Sofia’s cheeks, his voice filled with urgency and worry. “Are you okay, Sofia? Please say something,” he pleaded, his eyes searching for any sign of her well-being.

Sofia tried to speak, but her throat constricted with emotion. Tears streamed down her face relentlessly, and she struggled to control her sobs. She pressed her lips tightly together, fighting against the urge to break down completely.

She gathered the front of her torn dress in her hands, her eyes filled with pain. Leonardo’s face reflected the same anguish as he hugged her tightly.

“I am so sorry, Sofia. I am late. I couldn’t protect you when they were kidnapping you. Please forgive me,” Leonardo whispered, his voice heavy with regret and pain.

He continued repeating his apologies, his voice laden with guilt. Sofia wanted to assure him that it wasn’t his fault, but her voice refused to escape her throat. Though she longed to reciprocate the embrace, she stood still, allowing him to hold her close and whisper his remorse into her ears.

Mark approached Leonardo and handed him his jacket. Leonardo gratefully accepted it and gently wrapped it around Sofia’s trembling form.

“Can you walk?” Leonardo’s eyes watched her with concern, and something very delicate mixed in it.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Sofia could only manage a nod in response. Leonardo wrapped his arms around her shoulder, offering support, and guided her towards the door. However, as she took a step forward, her weakened state caused her to stumble. She was on the verge of collapsing to the floor, but Leonardo reacted swiftly, slipping his arm around her waist and catching her before she could hit the ground.

With utmost care, he lifted her up into his arms, cradling her gently, and began making his way toward the door. The weight of Sofia in his embrace did nothing to deter him as he focused on ensuring her safety.