Chapter 7 - The Final Stand
Down in the atrium, thick white gas suddenly erupted from the high ceiling vents, flooding the hall within seconds.
Lorenzo gasped, coughing violently as the fast-acting sleep agent hit his lungs. He stumbled, dropping the grenade onto the plush rug before he could pull the pin. He collapsed to his knees, his eyes rolling back as his body went completely limp.
Damiano, who had anticipated the gas and pulled a concealed respirator mask over his face, stepped through the white mist. He kicked the dropped grenade safely away and pressed his boot onto Lorenzo's chest, securing the final enemy.
Through the security camera, I saw Damiano look directly up at the panic room camera lens. He pulled off his mask and offered a proud, breathless salute.
Ten minutes later, the air was cleared, and the remaining threat was completely neutralized. Damiano opened the heavy steel door of the panic room himself.
I didn't wait. I threw my arms around his neck, burying my face in his chest as he lifted me off my feet, holding me tight against his heart.
"You saved us," Damiano whispered into my hair, his voice thick with emotion. "You triggered the ventilation system."
"You taught me how," I smiled through my tears, kissing his cheek, his lips, his jaw. "I told you, we're a team now."
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Emma ran out, wrapping her small arms around both of our legs. Damiano laughed—a rich, joyful sound that echoed through the quiet house—and scooped us both into a massive, warm embrace.
The war with the Romanos was officially over.
