"Mobilize the helicopter," Stefano ordered, his vision already edging crimson at the thought of unknown alphas approaching what was his. "Full tactical team. Heavy weapons. Tell the pilot we fly regardless of weather conditions."
"Already done, boss," Giovanni confirmed, studying the tactical feed on his tablet. "Our perimeter team reports movement in the outer forest—professional formation, attempting to approach under cover. Our men are engaging quietly. So far, the cottage remains secure and unaware."
Stefano nodded once, the information offering cold comfort as they strode toward the elevator. The early morning surveillance feed on Giovanni's tablet showed the cottage still quiet, the sun just beginning to filter through trees and cast golden light across the clearing. Leo was still asleep, still unaware of the danger circling his sanctuary. But that could change in seconds if these unknown hostiles breached the final security perimeter.
"Origin?" Matteo demanded.
"Unknown," Giovanni admitted, matching Stefano's pace. "No identifying markings or known communication protocols. They're using encrypted channels we haven't seen before."
"Old enemies," Marco said, all playfulness evaporated, his expression the cold mask that had earned him his reputation. "Kenji kept that boy hidden for years. Someone finally found him."
The elevator ascended toward the rooftop helipad, the morning sunlight streaming through reinforced glass. The city spread beneath them, waking to a day that would end in blood for those who dared threaten what belonged to the Vitale Brotherhood.
"Surveillance feeds?" Stefano demanded.
Giovanni swiped through his tablet, bringing up multiple camera angles from inside the cottage. "All systems operational. Security team maintaining perimeter defense without alerting the household. Current visuals show Leo still asleep."
The screen displayed their omega curled on his side in bed, ash-blond hair spread across the pillow, face peaceful in sleep, completely unaware of the danger approaching his sanctuary. The sight of him—vulnerable, beautiful, finally within reach after three years of waiting—sent another surge of possessive rage through Stefano's blood. No one would touch him. No onewould frighten him. No one would even get close enough for Leo to know danger had approached his sanctuary.
"Thirty minutes flight time," Matteo noted, already mentally calculating contingencies. "We need real-time updates throughout."
The elevator doors opened to the rooftop, where the helicopter waited, blades already cutting through the morning air. A tactical team in Vitale black stood ready, expressions impassive beneath tactical gear.
"Live feed to my tablet throughout the flight," Stefano ordered as they boarded. "Any change in status—any movement toward the cottage—I want to know immediately."
The pilot nodded as they lifted off, banking sharply as they accelerated toward the isolated forest where Leo had been hidden for eight years. The city fell away beneath them, the morning traffic already building on streets that would never know the violence about to erupt miles away in a secluded forest.
Throughout the flight, Stefano's attention remained fixed on the surveillance feed, watching Leo through the golden morning light. The cottage remained peaceful—Leo now stirring in bed, stretching as consciousness returned, unaware of the violence gathering at the edges of his sanctuary. Unaware that his alphas were already in motion, already flying toward him, already prepared to eliminate anything that threatened what was theirs.
"Perimeter team reports neutralizing three advance scouts," Giovanni's voice came through their comms. "Silent takedowns. Cottage security not compromised yet."
"Identities?" Stefano demanded.
"Professional contractors, likely hired specifically for this mission. No identifying markers."
The answer did nothing to ease the lethal rage building in Stefano's chest. Someone had orchestrated this attack—someone who would suffer consequences beyond imagination once Leo was secure.
On the screen, Leo had just woken up, hair tousled from sleep as he sat on the edge of his bed. Stefano watched as their little prince's hand slid beneath his waistband, his head falling back as he touched himself. The surveillance feed captured Leo's lips forming familiar names—their names—as pleasure mixed with frustration on his features. Stefano's cock hardened instantly at the sight of Leo pleasuring himself while thinking of them, their little wildcat's need evident even through the digital feed. Even after six months apart, even through a surveillance feed, Leo's beauty hit Stefano with physical force, making his possessive instincts roar to life.
"Landing zone secure," the pilot announced twenty-eight minutes into the flight. "Ground team standing by with vehicles."
The helicopter descended toward a cleared area nestled among dense pine forest. As the skids touched down, Stefano was already moving, ducking beneath still-spinning blades and striding toward the convoy of black SUVs where additional Vitale soldiers waited.
"Status," he demanded as they climbed into the lead vehicle.
"Perimeter breach in progress," reported the commander, already accelerating onto the narrow forest road. "Multiple hostiles approaching from the northeast quadrant. Our team is engaging, but they're well equipped."
Stefano's jaw tightened as he checked his weapon, the familiar weight of the Glock settling into his palm like an extension of his rage. "Time to cottage?"
"Fifteen minutes in these conditions."
"Make it ten."
The forest blurred past as the SUV tore down the winding road, tires finding purchase as they accelerated toward thecottage. Stefano tucked the tablet away, fixing his gaze on the road ahead. His vision edged crimson with each passing second, primitive alpha rage building in his chest at the thought of unknown men approaching what belonged to him. What had always belonged to him.
Leo. His little prince. Naked. Vulnerable. Unaware.
"Two minutes out," the driver reported as the first glimpse of the cottage came into view through the trees.
