Chapter 3 - Into the Fortress
Victor didn't waste a second. He pulled a black velvet blanket from his desk chair and wrapped it around Ellie, covering her completely so no one outside could see her.
"Keep your head down and stay right behind me," Victor ordered softly. "No matter what happens, do not leave my side."
He pulled a sleek, black gun from a hidden holster under his desk, checking the magazine with a practiced, terrifying efficiency, before tucking it into his belt.
We moved through a hidden side door in his office that led directly into an underground parking garage. The air down here was cold and smelled of oil and gasoline. Parked in the center was a massive, armored black SUV with tinted windows.
Two heavily armed guards were standing by the vehicle. As soon as they saw Victor, they opened the back door.
"Get in," Victor commanded.
I scrambled into the leather back seat, holding Ellie close. Victor slid in right after me, closing the heavy door with a solid thud. Marcus jumped into the driver’s seat, and the engine roared to life.
Just as the SUV started accelerating toward the garage exit, three black sedans screeched into the driveway, blocking our path.
"Hold on," Marcus warned calmly.
Men leaped out of the sedans, drawing weapons. My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird. I leaned over Ellie, using my own body as a shield to protect her.
"Victor!" I screamed as the sound of gunfire shattered the air.
Victor didn't panic. He reached under his seat, pulled out a radio, and spoke in a steady, icy tone. "Clear the exit. Lethal force authorized."
Suddenly, two other armored vehicles—our escorts—erupted from the side lanes, smashing directly into the Moretti sedans with a violent crunch of metal. Glass shattered, tires shrieked, and gunshots echoed through the underground tunnel.
Marcus slammed his foot on the gas pedal. Our SUV plowed right through the gap between the wrecked cars, side-swiping a sedan with a loud screech before bursting out into the rainy city streets.
I was shaking violently, gasping for air. Ellie began to cry, terrified by the sudden noise and motion.
"Shh, baby, shh..." I sobbed, rocking her in my arms, but my own hands were trembling too hard to comfort her.
Suddenly, a warm, massive hand rested on my shoulder.
I looked up. Victor was leaning over, his intense blue eyes fixed on me. The lethality that had radiated from him seconds ago was gone, replaced by a strange, quiet calm.
"You're safe," he said softly. "The glass is bulletproof. The vehicle is armored. No one can touch you in here."
He reached out his hand. "May I?"
I nodded slowly. Victor gently took Ellie from my arms. He placed her over his shoulder, patting her back in a rhythmic, gentle rhythm. Within less than a minute, Ellie’s cries softened into small hiccups, and she rested her small head against his neck once more.
I stared at him in disbelief. "How are you so good with her?"
"Julian and I... we didn't have a good father," Victor said quietly, looking out the rain-slicked window. "When Julian was little, he used to cry every time thunder struck. I used to hold him just like this to keep him quiet so our father wouldn't hear him."
A profound sense of sorrow settled in my chest. I realized then that underneath the terrifying mob boss persona was a man who carried deep, painful scars—and a deep love for the brother he had lost.
Twenty minutes later, the SUV pulled through a set of massive iron gates into an expansive, heavily guarded estate surrounded by high stone walls. The house was a breathtaking, modern mansion lit up against the night sky.
As the car stopped, Marcus opened the door. Victor stepped out first, holding Ellie, then turned and offered me his hand. I took it, stepping out onto the wet driveway.
"Welcome to the Vance estate, Lena," Victor said.
A middle-aged woman in a crisp grey uniform stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Good evening, Mr. Vance. The master bedroom suite has been prepared for Mrs. Vance and the child, as you requested."
"Thank you, Mrs. Gable," Victor replied. He turned to me. "This is Mrs. Gable, the head housekeeper. She will take care of whatever you need. Food, clothing, infant supplies—everything has already been arranged."
"Everything?" I asked, stunned. "How did you arrange all this so quickly?"
"I’m a planner, Lena," Victor said smoothly. "I knew the moment you walked into my restaurant that you were coming home with me tonight."
May you like
Before I could process his words, a cold, sharp female voice cut through the courtyard.
"So this is the little waitress Julian threw his life away for?"
