Chapter 8 - Siege on the Estate
The compound exploded into war. The sharp, deafening sound of automatic weapons rattled the night air as Donati hitmen swarmed the estate grounds, trying to capitalize on the chaos surrounding the Moretti family.
Vincent grabbed my hand, pulling me swiftly out of the guest house toward the main mansion.
"What about them?!" I yelled over the din of gunshots, pointing back at Eleanor and Sophia.
"Marco’s men will secure them! You and Emily are my priority!" Vincent barked back.
We sprinted through the stone corridors. Glass shattered nearby as bullets tore through the high arched windows. Vincent pulled me down behind a marble pillar, firing three precise shots down the hallway, dropping two invading gunmen who had breached the rear courtyard.
He moved with terrifying, fluid lethality—a man protecting the only things in the world that mattered to him.
We reached the third-floor suite. Madison had already barricaded the heavy door with a oak dressers, holding a heavy iron fireplace poker in her hands. Emily was sitting under the bed, holding her knees to her chest, terrified.
"Claire!" Madison breathed a sigh of relief as we pushed through.
I ran to the bed, dropping to my knees and pulling Emily out into my arms. "I'm here, baby. Mommy’s here."
Vincent stepped into the room, locking the heavy reinforced door behind him. He looked at Emily, his heart breaking at the sight of her fear. He knelt down next to us, keeping his body between us and the door.
"Emily," Vincent said, his voice soft, gentle, and remarkably steady despite the chaotic gunfire echoing outside. "Look at me, sweetheart."
Emily peeked out from my shoulder, looking into his matching silver eyes.
"I know you don't know who I am," Vincent murmured softly. "And I know you're scared right now. But I promise you, on my life, no one in this world will ever hurt you while I am here. You are safe."
Emily looked at his bloody shoulder, then at his gentle expression. "Are you the hero from Mommy's stories?"
Vincent froze, looking up at me with tears in his eyes.
"Mommy said... my daddy was a warrior who lost his way in the dark," Emily whispered softly. "Are you him?"
Vincent choked back a sob, gently reaching out his hand. This time, Emily didn't pull away. She reached out her small hand and placed it into his large, calloused palm.
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"I lost my way for a long time, little one," Vincent whispered, kissing the back of her tiny hand. "But I just found my light."
Suddenly, a heavy explosion rocked the lower floor of the mansion. The safe room access below was compromised. The Donati soldiers were making their final push upstairs.
