The windshield is shattered, cold air rushing through the cabin as we peel out, but it doesn't stop me from checking in.
Every second counts at this point.
I dial Rico as I drive, my phone pressed between my ear and shoulder. He answers immediately.
"Talk to me," I say.
"We've got movement two blocks east of the villa. At least twenty men, maybe more. They're staging for an assault, Boss. We may be outnumbered."
"What's the perimeter status?"
"Locked down—every entrance is covered. But if they hit us with full force, I don't know how long we can hold." Rico sounds intimidated, but help is on the way.
I won’t let my home fall to these bastards, not with the woman I love and my only child there.
I grip the steering wheel tighter.
"I'm ten minutes out—make sure Angelica and Sofia are in the safe room," I bark, and his response is immediately comforting.
"They've been down there since ten thirty. Marta's with them."
Good. At least they're protected.
"Keep them there no matter what happens. I don't care if the villa burns to the ground. They don't come out until I give the all-clear."
"Understood."
I end the call and press the accelerator harder.
The SUV surges forward, weaving through the sparse late-night traffic.
Rome rushes past the windows—but all I can think about is getting to my family before the enemy closes in.
I should've stayed home.
Coming out to end this convoy may have stopped a few of Gerard's men, but the bulk of them were setting up around my house the whole time.
It was just a distraction.
We reach the villa ten minutes later.
The gates are closed, guarded by four of my men.
They recognize the SUV and wave us through to where the main house is dark, every window shuttered, but security lights flood the garden, turning the olive trees into harsh silhouettes.
I park near the front entrance and jump out.
Rico meets me at the door with a grim expression.
And not a single soul in my army questions me as I leave them to prepare while I descend the staircase that leads to the safe room.
The door is locked, reinforced steel designed to withstand explosives, and the only way in or out is by typing in the code—Sofia's birthday, set only last night to make sure Angelica could remember.
The lock disengages with a heavy click.
The door swings open, and Angelica stands on the other side.
"She's been asking for you," Angelica says quietly, but she wraps her arms around me tightly for a moment as I look past her, over her shoulder to see Sofia curled on the short sofa.
