**Elena’s POV**

The confidence I felt earlier began to leave my body. I suddenly became very afraid for Stefano. I turned to him, my hands clutching his jacket. "You have to hide, Stefano," I whispered, my voice shaking so much I could hardly get the words out. "You can’t let him see you. If he sees you here, he won’t stop until you are dead. Please... I can't lose you. Not now."

Stefano cupped my face in his hands, his palms warm and steady. For a second, the chaos of the men outside ...