Lisa's POV
The days passed in a blur of quiet moments. Noha and I had found a rhythm, a fragile peace amidst the storm that was our lives. But even in the calm, I couldn't ignore the dark cloud hanging over us. The mafia's grip on Noha was tightening, and with it, the dangers that came with being so deeply involved.
I knew Noha was trying to protect me, trying to shield me from the chaos of his world, but I could see the toll it was taking on him. He wasn't the same man I had met, the man who had once been cold and unreachable. No, this man was softer, more vulnerable in ways I couldn't quite explain.
But I could also see the anger building in him again—the anger he had always tried to keep buried. And I couldn't help but wonder how long he could keep it under control.
Noha's POV
I had been restless lately. It wasn't just the looming threat of my past coming back to haunt me—it was Lisa. She had become my anchor, my reason for trying to stay grounded, but she was also the one thing I couldn't protect in this godforsaken world.
I couldn't control the mafia's movements, and I couldn't stop the war that was coming. It was only a matter of time before someone made their move against me—and against her.
I sat at the bar, surrounded by my men, but my mind wasn't here. It was with Lisa. She was at the house, safe for now, but that didn't bring me any peace. I couldn't stop thinking about the danger that lurked just outside the door.
One of my men, Marco, slid into the chair across from me, his face serious. "Boss, we've got a problem," he said quietly.
I looked up at him, my jaw tightening. "What is it?"
"The Rivoli family. They've been making moves. They're planning something. We don't know what yet, but it's big. And they're gunning for you."
I clenched my fists, my grip tightening around my glass. "How long until they make their move?"
Marco hesitated. "A few days. Maybe less."
I nodded, my mind already calculating the best course of action. I had to keep Lisa safe. And I had to prepare for whatever was coming.
Lisa's POV
I was at the house, sitting in the garden, the cool evening breeze brushing against my skin. My mind was still racing with everything that had happened between Noha and me—the confessions, the love, the fear.
But something felt different tonight. There was a sense of unease in the air, something I couldn't quite put my finger on.
I knew Noha had been distant recently. He was always there physically, but I could feel the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him. The darkness from his past had a way of creeping into the present, no matter how hard he tried to push it away.
I was lost in thought when I heard the sound of footsteps behind me. I turned to find Noha standing at the edge of the garden, his eyes dark and unreadable.
"Hey," I said softly, standing up to walk toward him.
He didn't say anything at first. He just looked at me, his expression hard, like he was struggling with something.
"Is everything okay?" I asked, reaching out to touch his arm.
Noha's eyes flickered with something—something dangerous, something raw. He grabbed my wrist gently but firmly, pulling me closer.
"We need to talk," he said, his voice low, almost strained.
Noha's POV
I had to tell her. I had to tell her everything. The danger that was closing in on us, the war that was brewing. It wasn't just the mafia—it was the world I had created, the one I had dragged her into.
But I couldn't protect her by keeping her in the dark.
"Lisa," I started, my voice heavy. "The Rivoli family—they're making a move. They're coming for me, and they won't stop until they get what they want."
Her eyes widened, fear flashing across her face. "Noha... what are we going to do?"
I cupped her face in my hands, my heart pounding. "I'm going to protect you. I won't let anything happen to you."
"You can't protect me from everything, Noha," she whispered, her voice trembling.
"I will," I said, my grip tightening on her wrist. "I swear. But I need you to trust me."
Her gaze softened, but I could see the worry in her eyes. She wasn't afraid of me. She was afraid for me. And that made everything so much worse.
"Please, stay inside," I continued, my voice rough. "Don't leave the house. Not until I say so. It's not safe right now."
Lisa nodded slowly, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I'll stay. But you have to promise me something."
"What?" I asked, my brow furrowing.
"Promise me that you won't push me away. I know this world is dangerous, but I'm not afraid of you, Noha. I'm afraid of losing you."
My heart tightened in my chest. How could I promise her that? How could I promise to stay in this dangerous world and keep her safe?
But I couldn't break her heart. I couldn't hurt her again.
"I won't push you away," I promised, my voice barely a whisper. "I'll fight for you, Lisa. Every single day."
Lisa's POV
I didn't know what the future held. I didn't know if Noha's promises were enough to protect me from the storm that was coming.
But as I looked at him, standing before me with his pain and fear laid bare, I realized something.
I wasn't afraid of the mafia. I wasn't afraid of the danger that surrounded us.
I was afraid of losing him.
And I wasn't ready to let go.
Noha's POV
I kissed her then, my lips pressing against hers with a force that spoke of everything I couldn't say. The weight of my fear, the fear of losing her, the fear of everything unraveling around us.
When I pulled away, I rested my forehead against hers, my hands still holding her close.
"We'll get through this," I whispered, though I wasn't sure if I believed it myself.
Lisa's POV
I didn't know how we were going to get through this. But for the first time, I wasn't sure it mattered.
No matter what happened, we had each other. And that, in itself, was enough.