My men disperse to get into position and I look down the hall at the door to the safe room one last time.
"I'll come back, I promise," I whisper one last time as I turn to head to the roof.
Gerard's attacks on me will be over tonight, one way or another.
And I can only pray I end up on top.
Because if I don't make it out of this, I don't know what he'll do to Sofia.
But I know it won't be good.
31
ANGELICA
The generator hums beneath the floor with a constant vibration that rattles through the concrete walls of the safe room.
I've been counting the rhythm for the past hour, trying to focus on anything other than the muffled explosions coming from somewhere above us.
Each blast sends a tremor through the foundation, and I tighten my arms around Sofia, pulling her closer against my chest.
Two of Dante's men stand near the door with their rifles held at ready positions.
I don't know their names, and Dante never introduced them.
They came in after Dante left and Marta opened the door.
After what happened yesterday, I'm terrified to fall asleep now.
Sofia squirms in my lap, pressing her small hands over her ears.
"Mama, what's that noise?"
"Just fireworks, baby." I hate lying to her, but what else can I tell her?
That her father is out there fighting for our lives and killing men so we can hopefully be safe now?
I'm working so hard to keep her away from his world, but it's beginning to feel like that's impossible.
"I don't like fireworks," she whispers, and I'm grateful she's not asking to go see them.
I don't like that she's scared, but in this case, scared and safe is better than curious and dead.
"I know, but they'll be over soon." I stroke her dark, soft hair beneath my fingers. "Close your eyes. I'll tell you a story."
She nestles against me, and I feel her little heart pounding.
She really is scared, so I search my mind for something familiar and soothing.
My mind latches onto the story I was busy reading her in the kitchen because it's the most recent in my memory.
"Once upon a time," I begin, my voice barely audible over the generator's hum, "there was a little rabbit who lived in a beautiful garden."
Another explosion rocks the room.
Dust drifts down from the ceiling, coating my hair and Sofia's shoulders.
She flinches, and I pull her tighter.
