The dining hall glowed under golden chandeliers, each crystal reflecting the opulence of the gathering. Long tables adorned with white linens stretched the length of the room, lined with high-ranking mafia members dressed to the nines. It wasn't just a dinner; it was a statement of power and unity.
Vanessa sat beside Vincenzo, her hand resting lightly on her rounded stomach. At six months pregnant, she had grown used to the stares and whispers, but tonight felt different. Perhaps it was the grandeur of the event, or the way Vincenzo's father, Marco, watched her like she was an enigma he had yet to unravel.
"She doesn't look like the mafia type," Marco had remarked earlier in private, his voice filled with both curiosity and skepticism.
"She's stronger than she looks," Vincenzo had replied, his tone protective yet firm.
Now, as the first course was served, Vanessa felt his hand rest on hers under the table. A silent reassurance.
"You'll be fine," he whispered, his lips brushing her ear.
She nodded, mustering a smile. But as the meal progressed, unease crept in.
---
The tension began subtly. A glass shattering in the kitchen. A guard whispering urgently into his earpiece by the door. Vincenzo's eyes narrowed as he picked up on these details, but he remained calm, his mask of indifference firmly in place.
Marco, however, was not one to overlook signs of trouble. "Something's off," he muttered to Vincenzo, leaning slightly toward him.
Vincenzo's jaw tightened. "I've already sent Luca to check the perimeter."
Vanessa glanced between them, her pulse quickening. She tried to focus on the conversation at the table, but it was hard to ignore the growing tension.
"Excuse me," she said softly, rising from her seat. "I need some air."
Vincenzo stood immediately. "I'll come with you."
"No," she insisted, placing a hand on his chest. "Stay. Your father and your guests need you."
Reluctantly, he sat back down, watching her as she exited the hall.
---
The hallway was quieter, the muffled sounds of the dinner fading as Vanessa walked. She rested a hand on her stomach, taking slow breaths. The baby kicked gently, a small reassurance amidst her growing discomfort.
But as she turned a corner, a shadow crossed her path. She froze, her heart leaping to her throat.
"Madam," Luca's voice came from behind her, startling her further.
She spun to see him standing there, his expression grave. "You shouldn't be wandering alone. The perimeter is not secure."
"What's happening, Luca?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Before he could answer, a loud crash echoed from the dining hall, followed by shouting.
"Stay here," Luca ordered, drawing his weapon and moving toward the noise.
Vanessa's instincts screamed at her to follow, but she knew better than to put herself and her unborn child at risk. Instead, she retreated to Vincenzo's study, locking the door behind her.
---
Back in the dining hall, chaos had erupted. The shattered window by the far wall was evidence enough of an intrusion. Guards rushed to secure the area, and Marco stood at the head of the table, his composure unshaken.
"Whoever dares disrupt this gathering," he said, his voice cutting through the noise, "will regret it."
Vincenzo, meanwhile, was already issuing orders, his mind racing. "Find Vanessa," he barked at one of the guards. "Make sure she's safe."
---
Vanessa paced the study, her nerves on edge. The baby kicked harder now, as if sensing her distress. Suddenly, the door creaked open.
"Vincenzo?" she called out hopefully.
Instead, two wolves padded into the room—Rocky and Teddy. Their presence startled her, but their calm demeanor quickly eased her nerves.
"What are you two doing here?" she whispered, crouching to stroke their fur.
They responded with low growls, their eyes darting toward the door.
Moments later, the door burst open again, and this time, it was Vincenzo. Relief flooded her as he crossed the room in long strides, pulling her into his arms.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice thick with concern.
"I'm fine," she whispered, clinging to him. "But what's happening?"
"We'll figure it out," he assured her, his lips brushing her forehead. "I won't let anything happen to you or our child."
Rocky and Teddy growled again, their attention snapping to the window. Vincenzo followed their gaze, his body tensing.
"Stay here," he ordered Vanessa, pulling his gun from its holster.
"No, Vincenzo—"
"Vanessa," he said firmly, his eyes locking onto hers. "Trust me."
---
The wolves growled louder as Vincenzo approached the window, his movements calculated. Outside, the faint silhouette of a figure loomed in the shadows. A warning shot from Vincenzo's gun sent the figure retreating into the night.
"Coward," he muttered under his breath.
Returning to Vanessa, he found her sitting on the couch, her hands trembling. He knelt before her, cupping her face in his hands.
"It's over," he said softly.
"For now," she replied, her voice shaky.
Vincenzo kissed her deeply, a promise of safety in the midst of uncertainty. "I'll protect you, always."
As the wolves settled at her feet, Vanessa leaned into Vincenzo's embrace, allowing herself a moment of peace amidst the storm.