Chapter 22
Chapter 22
“You didn’t have to go all out,” Camilla said, a teasing smile tugging at her lips as she picked at the plate of fruit. “Breakfast in bed? I’m starting to think you‘ re trying to win me over.”
Don Colen sat at the edge of the bed, watching her with an amused smirk.
“I’ve already won you, Mrs. Armand. This is just me making sure you stay mine.”
She laughed softly, shaking her head.
“You‘ re unbelievable.”
His expression softened, and he reached for her hand. “You‘ ve been through so much. It’s the least I can do.”
Camilla glanced toward the window, where two guards stood just beyond the curtains.
“About that… do we really need all this security?”
Don Colen’s gaze followed hers, and his
55% 12:41
1/6
12:41
Chapter 22
56
jaw tightened slightly. “Yes. After what happened at the wedding, I’m not taking any chances.”
She sighed, leaning back against the pillows. “It’s just… a lot. I can’t even step outside without someone trailing me. I feel like I’m living in a fortress.”
دو
“You are,”
he said firmly. “And as long as there’s a threat out there, that’s how it’ll stay.”
Camilla studied his face, the lines of
worry
etched into his features. “Do we even know who’s behind it yet? Have your men found anything?”
Don Colen’s expression darkened, and he shook his head. “Not yet. The guy we caught isn’t talking. But I’ll get answers, Camilla. I promise.”
“I don’t like this, Colen,” she admitted, her voice softer now. “Living like this- always looking over my shoulder.”
He leaned closer, brushing a strand of hair
55% 12:41
2/6
Chapter 22
from her face. “I know. And I hate that you have to. But until I know who’s responsible, I won’t let my guard down. Not when it comes to you.”
Her hand found his, squeezing gently. “Just… don’t let this consume you. You‘ ve already done so much.”
Don Colen kissed her forehead, lingering for a moment. “Everything I do, I do for us. Trust me, Camilla. I’ll make this right.”
His phone buzzed on the bedside table, breaking the moment. He glanced at it, his expression hardening briefly. Standing, he adjusted his shirt and turned back to her.
“I have a meeting to handle, but I’ll be back for dinner. Let’s have a quiet night, just the two of us.”
Camilla smiled, her heart easing slightly despite her lingering worries. “You‘ re impossible, you know that?”
He smirked, leaning down for one last kiss.
55% 12:41
3/6
12:41
Chapter 22
“Only for you, my love.”
Meanwhile, across town, Jackson and Ridge sat in a dimly lit room, nursing glasses of whiskey. Their conversation meandered through the past, filled with shared laughter and old memories of the days when Camilla had been part of their
group.
“You ever think about how different things would’ve been if she stayed?” Jackson asked, swirling the amber liquid in his glass.
Ridge exhaled deeply, his gaze distant.
“All the time. She was the glue, man. Kept us steady when things got rough.”
Jackson nodded, a flicker of regret crossing his face. “I didn’t realize what we had until she was gone. Don Colen might be a bastard, but he knew her worth. She protected her during that chaos and I was glad that Camilla was okay.”
“Yeah, me either. I was so glad that she
55% 12:41
4/6
12:41
Chapter 22
was safe after what happened. But who would do that-”
Their reflective moment was abruptly interrupted by a deafening explosion outside. The ground shook, and the
56
windows rattled violently. Both men shot to their feet, adrenaline coursing through their veins.
“What the hell was that?” Ridge yelled, rushing to the window.
Smoke billowed into the sky, and the
distant sound of gunfire reached their ears.
Their headquarters was under attack.
“We’re being hit!” Jackson barked,
grabbing a gun from a nearby table. “Get everyone ready. We‘ re not going down without a fight.”
Chaos erupted as men scrambled to defend their territory. The sound of gunfire grew louder, echoing through the building. Jackson and Ridge moved swiftly, barking orders and taking positions, their focus
55% 12:41
5/6
12:41
66
Chapter 22
razor–sharp.
“Who do you think it is?” Ridge asked, ducking behind cover as bullets flew overhead.
Jackson clenched his jaw, firing back at their attackers. “Could be anyone. We‘ ve pissed off enough people over the years. But damn, they know when to attack. Father is not here and we‘ re not prepared.”
Not far away, Underboss Carlo, Camilla‘ s father, sat with his wife in their study. The two shared quiet laughter as they looked through old family photos. The moment of peace shattered when the door burst open, and armed thugs stormed in.
“Stay behind me!” Carlo barked, pulling his wife Nadia close.
The intruders leveled their weapons, forcing Carlo and Nadia to freeze.
