Chapter 83

• Aria's breath came in quick gasps, her mind racing. She could hardly process what was happening. The elegant restaurant, with its soft lighting and romantic ambiance, had become a battleground. Fear gripped her as she felt Dante's body shielding hers, the heat of his presence a stark contrast to the cold dread settling in her stomach.
• “Why is this happening?” she thought, her heart racing as she pressed her face against the cool floor, trying to make herself as small as possible. She could hear the distant sounds of shouting and the sharp cracks of gunfire, each one sending jolts of terror through her.
• Dante’s eyes scanned the room, assessing the situation. He could feel Aria trembling beneath him, her fear palpable. “I won’t let anything happen to you,” he murmured, though the uncertainty of the moment loomed large. He needed to protect her, to keep her safe, but he also had to figure out who was behind the attack.