Chapter 8 - The Siege of the Mansion
The loud siren shattered the quiet evening,
sending adrenaline surging through Sophia's veins.
Alessandro was on his feet instantly,
drawing a heavy silver pistol from his shoulder holster with lightning speed.
"Stay behind me!"
he commanded,
his voice instantly switching back to the lethal mafia commander.
Marco burst through the study doors,
a tactical submachine gun strapped across his chest.
"Boss!
Dante Vance sent a suicide squad!"
Marco reported rapidly.
"Three armored SUVs just rammed through the front security gates!
They have automatic weapons and night-vision gear!"
"Where is Emma?"
Sophia cried out,
panic gripping her chest as she tried to rush toward the hallway.
Alessandro grabbed her arm firmly,
pulling her back into the safety of his chest.
"She is in her bedroom on the third floor with two guarded doors,"
Alessandro said with absolute authority,
looking deeply into Sophia's panicked eyes.
"Look at me,
Sophia!
I promise you on my life,
no one touches your daughter!
Marco,
get Sophia to the safe room in the basement right now!"
"No!
I am going to my daughter!"
Sophia demanded,
trying to pull away from Marco's grip.
"Sophia,
listen to me!"
Alessandro barked,
his hands framing her face gently despite the chaos around them.
"I will go get Emma myself and bring her down to you.
Trust me!"
Sophia looked into his fierce,
unwavering eyes and saw the absolute promise within them.
"Bring her back to me,"
she sobbed.
"I will.
I give you my word,"
Alessandro swore.
He turned toward the grand staircase as the sound of heavy gunfire erupted from the front courtyard,
shattering the glass of the front entryway.
Alessandro moved through the corridors like a shadow,
firing with deadly precision as three of Dante's hitmen breached the main foyer.
He dropped the first two attackers before they even realized he was above them on the landing.
The third attacker turned his weapon toward the upper hallway,
but Alessandro slid across the polished marble floor,
firing two rounds straight into the intruder's chest.
He rushed up the stairs to the third floor,
where Emma's guards were actively suppressing two more gunmen near the nursery hallway.
Alessandro flanked the remaining attackers,
eliminating the threat in seconds.
He kicked open the heavy door to Emma's room,
finding the little girl hiding under her bed,
clutching her gold locket tightly in her tiny hands.
"Emma!"
Alessandro called out,
dropping his weapon to his side as he knelt down by the bed.
Emma looked out,
seeing his familiar face,
and scrambled out from under the bed,
throwing her small arms around his neck.
"Mr. Alessandro!
There were loud noises!"
she cried softly.
Alessandro wrapped his arms tightly around her,
shielding her body completely with his heavy coat.
"I know,
little one,"
he whispered,
lifting her easily into his strong arms.
"I've got you.
May you like
You are completely safe.
Let's go see your mom."
