The room's atmosphere congealed as two of the captors drew weapons.The guns, crude extensions of their intent, were trained steadily at the heads of Catrina and I.Their fingers, resting with casual malice on the triggers, betrayed their readiness to end lives on a whim.
Cold metal pressed against my temple—a deathly kiss promising oblivion.
25
ENRICO
A visceral rage ignited, dark and potent, ready to unleash its fury.These men, these vermin, dared to threaten what was under my protection?The very audacity of their act called for retribution—a debt to be paid in blood.Not only had they kidnapped my sister, but the love of my life.They had to know the consequences.Their lives would end tonight.
I raised my hand, fingers twitching.It was all the signal my men needed.Shadows shifted, coalescing into solid forms as my loyal soldiers materialized from the darkness.Their presence encircled the four assailants, an unspoken threat that crackled in the air like static before a lightning strike.
“Let them go.”
The men stiffened, their false bravado faltering as they took in the gravity of the situation.They were surrounded, outmatched.The standoff was palpable, a taut wire, vibrating with the potential of violence yet to unfold.
My fingers curled around the grip of the weapon.The air constricted around us, a silent audience to the deadly dance about to commence.I stepped forward—a predator in my prime.
The night whispered secrets only to me, guiding my movements as I closed the distance.There was no hesitation in my step, no tremble in my hand.My existence had been forged in the fires of brutality and power; it was a language written in the scars that adorned my body and soul, spoken through the barrel of a gun.
Time slowed, the world narrowing to the tunnel vision of purpose.My senses sharpened, every breath, every heartbeat of my quarry amplifying in my ears.I moved with lethal grace, cloaked in darkness, until I stood but an arm's length away from the first man.
A flicker of realization dawned in the thug's eyes—an instinctual recognition of impending doom—but it was too late.I acted.The sound of bone cracking against bone resounded, a percussion to accompany the final notes of the assailant's life.Before the body hit the ground, I was already pivoting, the second man barely registering the fall of his comrade before facing the same fate.The efficiency of my strikes left no room for error, no chance for counters.It was over in seconds—two lives extinguished with the ease of snuffing out candles in the wind.
As silence reclaimed its throne in the aftermath, I straightened, my chest rising and falling with controlled breaths.The men who dared laid their hands on what was mine now laid motionless, irrelevant obstacles removed from my path.
I turned my attention to the final pair of assailants.Every muscle in my body tensed, coiled with the readiness to strike.“Release them.”
A split second later, two bodies crumpled to the ground.Blood blossomed on the wall behind.My expression remained impassive, the dark canvas of my face void of satisfaction or remorse.I had done what was necessary—no more, no less.
Mia's chest heaved, her wide eyes locked onto mine as the threat to her life dropped before her.She stood there trembling.
“Are you hurt?”
“Enrico…” she began, but no further words came out.
I moved and knelt before Catrina.Deliberately avoiding the bloodstains on the floor.My focus narrowed to the ropes binding her wrists.Fingers working, unwinding the knots.Once freed, Catrina pulled her hands to her chest, rubbing at the red marks left behind.
“Thank you.”
Mia pulled back from her father, and now her gaze met mine again.
Is this how it feels?To care for someone beyond the scope of power and control?
But there was no time for such musings—not when duty and danger loomed ever-present.With Mia and Catrina free from their restraints, I glanced at my wife, expression inscrutable.What lay ahead was uncertain, but in this moment of calm after the storm, one thing was for sure: I would burn the world to ashes before letting harm befall her again.
“Let's get out of here.”My manner was all business as I ushered the women towards the car.My men surrounded us, forming a protective barrier between us and the unseen dangers of the night.I opened the door to the back seat and gestured for us to enter.“Get inside so we can get home safe.”
The drive was a blur.Mia sat close to Catrina, their hands still entwined as they leaned into each other for support.They had been through a traumatic experience.If they weren’t inseparable before, they would be now.
Finally, we arrived at an estate, its gates opening.Once inside, the girls were on edge.
Catrina released a shaky breath.“Thank you.”
Mia nodded, echoing her sentiment without words.Here, in this unexpected haven, the reality of what transpired began to sink in.They were alive.
“I’m going to have a doctor came and take a look at both of you.Until then get some rest.I'll ensure no one breaches these walls.”
As I followed Mia up the stairs, and into our bedroom, things started making sense.Mia might be my wife now, but my obsession with her started years ago.I loved her and would protect her with my own life.
