Chapter 16
By eleven o'clock at night, the compound was buzzing with lethal preparation. Heavily armed men in black tactical gear checked night-vision goggles, loaded high-capacity magazines, and primed explosive breaches in the subterranean garage. The storm outside had intensified, thunder shaking the heavy glass windows of the estate.
Maya stood near the window of Dante’s private second-floor office, watching the rain lash against the dark grounds. She felt terrified, not just for herself, but for the man who was about to lead an army into a lethal trap.
The heavy door opened, and Dante stepped into the room. He had replaced his tailored suit with dark tactical armor, a heavy sidearm holstered across his chest, a black assault rifle slung over his broad shoulder. He looked like a force of nature, forged for violence.
Yet, as he looked at Maya standing by the window, his eyes softened. He walked over to his grand oak desk, opened a concealed wall safe, and pulled out a heavy leather folder. He walked toward her, setting the folder in her hands.
"What is this?" Maya asked softly.
"Insurance," Dante said, his deep voice carrying a strange, heavy quiet. "Inside that folder is the deed to a commercial property in Greenwich Village. It’s a two-story brownstone with a fully equipped bakery on the ground floor and an apartment upstairs. Paid in full under a clean shell company. There is also a bank card linked to an account with two million dollars."
Maya gasped, trying to push the folder back into his hands. "Dante, no! I told you I don't want your money—"
"Take it!" Dante commanded gently, closing his massive hands over hers, forcing her to hold the leather folder. His palms were warm and rough against her skin. "If I do not return tonight... Lorenzo Moretti’s allies will try to tear my empire apart. Luca has orders to take you and Sophia out of the state immediately. That folder is your future. You open your pastry shop, Maya. You live the life you deserve."
Maya looked up into his pale gray eyes, tears blurring her vision. "Don't talk like that. You're coming back. Sophia needs her father."
"And she needs you," Dante whispered softly. He reached up with his thumb, gently wiping a stray tear from her cheek. His touch was shockingly tender for a man wearing body armor. "In two days, you turned my daughter’s dark world back into light. You gave me hope when I was ready to burn this city to ash. Whatever happens tonight... thank you, Maya."
Maya stood frozen, her chest aching with a deep, confusing emotion. She looked at this dangerous, lethal man, realizing with terrifying clarity that under the armor and the blood, he was a man who loved his family with every drop of his soul.
May you like
Before she could speak, the tactical radio on Dante’s chest crackled. "Boss. The convoy is primed. It's time."
Dante took a deep breath, his hands slipping away from hers. He stepped back, giving her one last, long look, then turned and walked out the door, disappearing into the dark corridor.
