Chapter 4 - The Threat in the Dark
The warmth that had softened Vincent's face vanished instantly, replaced by a mask of lethal ice. "Did Moretti bring his brother?"
"Yes," Dante replied, racking the slide of his pistol discreetly behind his back. "And twelve vehicles. They aren't looking to negotiate, boss. They're looking for blood."
Vincent set his glass onto the table with a firm, hollow click. "Tell the boys to arm up. Secure the perimeter. Nobody enters the estate gates under any circumstances."
He turned back to me, his hands resting on my shoulders with surprising gentleness. His touch sent a jolt of electricity through my veins. "Elena, take Lily down to the basement vault behind the wine cellar. There is food, water, and an independent air filtration system. Do not open that door for anyone except me or Dante. Do you understand?"
"Vincent, what's happening?" I whispered, my heart thumping against my ribs in terror. "Is it a gang war?"
"It's business I should have settled five years ago," he said, his gaze unwavering. "Moretti thinks because I haven't put a bullet through his head that I’ve grown soft. He believes I'm distracted. I'm going to remind him why this city carries my name."
He leaned in, his thumb gently brushing across my cheek, wiping away a stray tear I hadn't realized had fallen. "Keep your daughter safe, Elena. I'll be back before breakfast."
I watched his broad back disappear down the dimly lit hallway, flanked by four heavily armed guards carrying assault rifles.
I rushed upstairs to the small staff quarters, scooped Lily up from her bed wrapped in her fleece blanket, and hurried down the spiral stone stairs into the depths of the mansion. The basement vault was disguised behind a heavy mahogany wine rack. I pressed the emergency override switch Vincent had shown me earlier that week. The six-inch steel door disengaged with a dull, heavy thud.
Lily rubbed her eyes, yawning against my shoulder. "Mommy? Is it time for school?"
"No, baby," I whispered, holding her tight against my chest as the vault door sealed shut behind us with a mechanical hiss. "We're playing a game. We have to be very, very quiet."
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"Like a ninja?" she asked.
"Yes, sweetheart," I choked out, staring at the closed surveillance monitors mounted on the steel wall. "Just like a ninja."
