Chapter 7 - The Lion's Den
|
The front door cracked down the center as another violent kick struck the deadbolt.
Splinters of painted pine flew across our small linoleum hallway.
“You think Luca Moretti can protect you in this part of town, Hayes?” the man outside barked with cruel laughter.
“Don Bellini runs these streets, and tomorrow morning your daughter will be floating in the river!”
Tears of absolute fury and terror streamed down my face as I clutched the phone against my ear.
Suddenly, the quiet neighborhood street erupted into a symphony of screeching tires and roaring engines.
Blinding high-beam lights flooded through our apartment windows, turning the dark living room as bright as high noon.
Three matte-black SUVs slammed to a halt around the Bellini Cadillac, completely boxing it in against the curb.
Through the phone, Luca’s voice remained razor-sharp.
“Cover Emma’s ears, Caroline.”
Heavy gunfire did not erupt; instead, the terrifying sound of tactical efficiency echoed from the hallway outside.
A sharp crack shattered the stillness as the enforcer outside my door let out a muffled scream of agony.
Heavy bodies slammed hard against the hallway drywall, followed by the clatter of dropped weapons hitting the floorboards.
“Don’t move! Down on your faces, now!” a commanding voice shouted from the corridor.
Within fifteen seconds, the violent commotion ceased completely.
A gentle, rhythmic knock tapped against what was left of my front door.
“Caroline? It’s Luca. You’re safe.”
I stumbled to my feet, my legs shaking so violently I had to lean against the wall for support.
I reached out and unlocked the chain, pulling the broken door inward.
Luca stood in the narrow hallway, wearing a black wool overcoat over his dress shirt, smelling faintly of rain and gun oil.
Behind him, Matteo and three armed guards were pinning two bloodied Bellini thugs face-down onto the dusty carpet.
Luca immediately stepped over the debris and placed his large, warm hands on my shoulders.
“Are you hurt?” he asked, his dark eyes scanning my face with genuine concern.
“No,” I breathed, barely able to find my voice. “We’re okay. Emma is in the bathroom.”
Emma peeked out from behind the bathroom door, clutching her graduation cap against her chest like a shield.
Luca looked past me toward my daughter and gave her a reassuring, protective nod.
“Matteo,” Luca commanded without turning around.
“Yes, Don Moretti?” Matteo replied, his knee pressed firmly into the back of one groaning enforcer.
“Strip their weapons, throw them in the trunk of their own car, and deliver them to Salvatore Bellini’s front lawn.”
“Tell Salvatore that if a single one of his men steps within ten blocks of this woman again, I will raze his territory to ash.”
“Understood, Boss,” Matteo said, hauling the thugs up by their collars and dragging them down the stairs.
Luca turned back to Emma and me, his expression firm and brook-no-argument.
“You cannot stay here anymore, Caroline.”
“This neighborhood is no longer secure for you or your mother.”
“Mr. Moretti, we don’t have anywhere else to go,” I said, looking around our humble, ruined home.
“My mother is still recovering at my sister’s house, and our lease isn’t up.”
Luca reached down and picked up Emma’s small duffel bag that was sitting near the coat rack.
“You’re coming to the estate,” Luca stated with absolute finality.
“The private guest wing has its own security detail, three bedrooms, and a full medical staff for your mother.”
Emma looked at me, her eyes wide with disbelief and relief.
May you like
“Pack whatever clothes you need for the week,” Luca said softly, his hand lingering gently on the small of my back.
“From this night forward, Caroline, nobody touches your family again.”
