Chapter 8 - THE SHADOW OF THE PAST
While our world inside the Moretti mansion had become a haven of peace and budding love, the world outside was erupting into chaos.
The disgraced Bellini family in New York was experiencing a massive internal power struggle. Don Bellini’s health was failing rapidly, and without the political alliance with the Moretti family, rival factions were moving in to carve up their territory.
Three weeks after the incident at the party, Luca received urgent news that a rogue faction of the Bellini syndicate—loyal to Vanessa’s radical younger cousin, Marco Bellini—had crossed state lines into Chicago. They blamed Luca for Vanessa’s exile and were seeking revenge.
The mansion was put on high alert. The security guard doubled. Heavy iron gates were locked, and armed sentries patrolled the estate grounds twenty-four hours a day.
I was sitting in the library with Lily, helping her practice her reading, when the heavy oak doors banged open.
Daniel rushed inside, his face pale and covered in sweat. “Hannah! Where is the Boss?”
“He’s in the war room downstairs with the captains,” I replied, standing up instantly. “What happened?”
“Marco Bellini’s men just launched a hit on the downtown office!” Daniel spat out. “They’re trying to draw Luca out into the city so they can strike the estate!”
Before Daniel could finish his sentence, the sharp sound of gunfire echoed from the front gates of the estate.
RAT-AT-AT-AT-AT!
Explosions shook the ground, shattering the heavy glass windows of the grand entrance hall downstairs. Screams and shouts echoed through the corridors as the outer defense line was breached.
Lily shrieked, burying her face in my dress. “Hannah! I’m scared!”
“Daniel! Get Lily to the panic room!” I yelled over the deafening sound of gunfire.
“No!” Daniel pulled out a secondary sidearm and shoved it into my hands. “The panic room is downstairs—the hallway is already compromised! Take Lily to the secret vault behind the master bedroom closet! I’ll hold the upper staircase!”
I grabbed the heavy metal gun, my heart leaping into my throat. I had never held a weapon in my life, but looking at the terrified little girl clinging to my leg, an incredible surge of protective instinct flooded through my veins.
“Come on, Lily!” I pulled her into my arms and sprinted down the upper corridor toward the master suite.
Behind us, the sound of heavy automatic gunfire intensified. Smoke began filling the hallways, set off by flashbang grenades launched by the attackers.
I reached Luca’s master bedroom, slammed the heavy door shut, and threw the iron deadbolt into place. I rushed to the walk-in closet, pushed aside the heavy racks of suits, and pressed the hidden release button behind the cedar wall paneling.
The secret reinforced steel door slid open with a soft hiss.
“Go inside, Lily! Stay down and don't make a sound!” I commanded, shoving her gently into the dark, padded room.
“Hannah, come inside with me!” Lily cried out.
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“I have to lock it from the outside so they don't find it, sweetie!” I whispered hastily. “Trust me. I’ll be right back.”
I pulled the steel door shut, hiding the seam behind the clothes just as a heavy explosion blew the master bedroom doors off their hinges.
