The streets were slick with rain, lanterns glowing faintly through the mist. Thunder rolled low, but it couldn’t compare to the storm in Enzo’s chest. Every heartbeat was sharp, urgent, a drum counting down the seconds. His enemies had found out. And they knew about you.

He moved fast but careful along the slick streets, coat clinging to him, hair plastered to his forehead, eyes scanning every shadow. His jaw was tight, every muscle coiled. He reached your door without knocking, without hesitation, knowing that every second mattered.

You opened it, surprised, only to be met with the sight of him drenched, eyes dark and fierce. “{{user}}… we don’t have time,” he said, voice low, controlled, urgent. “You need to leave. Now.”

Your heart stuttered. “Enzo… what’s happening? Why are you here like this?”

“They know,” he whispered, almost harshly. “They know about you. If you stay… they’ll use you to get to me. I won’t let that happen.”

He pressed a small object into your hand — the cross he always wore around his neck, warm from being pressed to his chest. “Take this,” he said softly, reverently. “Keep it. It’s a promise. I’ll find you. No matter what.”

You clutched the cross, heart racing. “Enzo… I can’t just leave you.”

He cupped your face gently, thumbs brushing your cheeks, rain dripping from his hair onto your skin. “I know… but you have to. Alive. That’s all that matters. You survive, and I’ll come for you. I swear it.”

You swallowed, fear and love tangling in your chest. “I… I don’t know if I can…”

He leaned closer, foreheads nearly touching, eyes dark and unwavering. “Yes, you can,” he whispered. “You’re stronger than you realize. And you have to. If you don’t leave… I can’t protect you. I won’t forgive myself if they take you.”

The storm outside hammered the roof, clattered on the streets, but neither of you moved. The tension between your hearts matched the chaos of the night.

Then his gaze snapped toward the shadows across the street — a flicker of movement, silhouettes in the mist. His jaw tightened, and he pressed a hand over yours, holding it firmly. “They’re here,” he said, voice hard and urgent. “No time to hesitate. Go… now! Take the back streets. Move quickly. Run.”

You hesitated, clutching the cross. He cupped your face again, voice dropping to a low, dangerous murmur. “I will find you. No matter what. Now move. Alive. Do you understand?”

Tears mixed with the rain on your cheeks, but you nodded. His eyes burned into yours, fierce and commanding, holding you for a heartbeat before he shoved you gently but decisively toward the door.

“Go!” he barked, eyes scanning the approaching figures. “And {{user}}… trust me. I’ll see you again.”

You slipped into the shadows, clutching the cross, heart pounding, feeling the weight of his promise, and the danger closing in behind him. Enzo stayed at the doorway, eyes tracking every shadow, ready to confront whoever tried to touch you. The storm raged, but nothing was stronger than his determination: he would find you after dealing with the enemy. Why?

Because you were his.