Chapter 5 - The Shadows in Lincoln Park
While Vincent was defending his empire with our children at his side, I was realizing that walking away from Vincent Moretti’s orbit was never that simple.
I was walking back to my mother’s brownstone with a bag of groceries when a black sedan with tinted windows crept slowly along the curb behind me. My instincts, honed from two years of being married to a mob boss, kicked in instantly.
I sped up my pace, but the car accelerated, cutting sharply in front of my driveway. Two men in dark leather jackets stepped out.
""Mrs. Moretti,"" the taller one said, his accent heavy and eastern European. ""Mr. Vance sends his regards. He wants to know what kind of secret Vincent has been hiding for five years.""
Victor Vance. Vincent’s fiercest and most sadistic rival in the underground narcotics trade—a man Vincent had spent years driving out of the city.
""I don't know what you're talking about,"" I said, backing away toward the porch steps, my heart pounding in my throat. ""I’m divorced. I have nothing to do with Vincent.""
""We know about the kids, sweetheart,"" the second man sneered, reaching for my arm. ""And Vance thinks they’d make excellent leverage for the shipping manifests.""
Before his fingers could touch my jacket, a deafening crack split the evening air.
The man who had reached for me dropped to his knees, clutching a shattered shoulder, screaming in agony.
Tires screeched as three sleek black SUVs swerved onto the lawn, demolishing the wooden fence. Marco leaned out of the passenger window, smoke drifting from the barrel of his rifle. Within seconds, a dozen of Vincent’s elite operators surrounded the two attackers, pinning them to the cold pavement.
A heavy car door slammed shut. Vincent strode through the chaos, looking like an angel of death. When his eyes found mine, the sheer panic in his face melted into pure, protective fury.
He didn't say a word. He grabbed my wrist, pulled me against his chest, and wrapped his arms around me so tightly I could barely breathe.
""You're shaking,"" he murmured against my hair, his voice raw.
May you like
""They know about Ethan and Lily,"" I whispered, tears of adrenaline finally spilling down my cheeks.
""They won't live to see sunrise,"" Vincent promised darkly, his hand cradling the back of my neck just like he used to. ""The two months are over, Emily. You’re coming home to the penthouse. Tonight.""
