Page 40 of Devil's Embrace
I ducked as his bullet shattered a vase behind me, shards of crystal raining down.The letter opener slipped into my palm, and I drove it upward as I rose, finding the soft flesh beneath his jaw.His eyes widened in shock as blood spurted from the wound.Luca finished him with a single shot to the chest.
"Remind me never to make you angry."Luca’s voice came out calm despite the carnage surrounding us.
I yanked the letter opener free, wiping it on my jeans.I’d panic later.Right now, I had to protect my daughter, no matter what it took."Just get us to Mina's room."
We collected Mina, who was shaking but silent, her blue eyes huge in her pale face.I wasn’t sure any amount of therapy would help her when this was over.The corridors were eerily quiet as we advanced, the absence of gunfire more unnerving than its presence had been.
"They're regrouping.Changing tactics."Luca glanced at me, and I saw the concern in his eyes.
We reached the hallway leading to Mina's room, and my blood ran cold.The door stood open, two men in tactical gear moving methodically through her belongings.They hadn't seen us yet.
"They're looking for clues to where she might be," Luca whispered."Personal items, favorite toys."
Something primal rose in me at the sight of strangers pawing through my daughter's things."Take her."I passed Mina to Luca.To my surprise, she went willingly, wrapping her arms around his neck.
I pulled the gun from my waistband, checking the safety as Luca had shown me.The weight felt strange in my hand, but my grip was steady.I took a deep breath, then stepped into view.
"Get away from my daughter's things."
The men whirled, weapons raising.I fired before they could, adrenaline and maternal fury guiding my aim.The first shot went wide, but the second caught one man in the shoulder, spinning him against the wall.Luca appeared beside me, holding Mina securely behind him with one arm while he fired with his free hand.His shots were more accurate than mine—two clean hits that left both men crumpled on the floor.
"Cover the door," Luca instructed as we entered the room."I'll check the bathroom and closet."
I stood guard, gun raised, as Luca cleared the remaining spaces.Mina stayed pressed against his leg, her trust in him both touching and terrifying.What did it say about our situation that my five-year-old felt safe with a killer?
"Clear.”Luca returned to my side."We need to secure the door.They'll be back with reinforcements."
Together, we dragged a heavy cabinet in front of the door, barricading ourselves inside.Luca pushed the bed against it for good measure, then checked his phone.
"Antonio's team is engaging hostiles in the west wing.Marco's holding the main entrance.We're isolated here for now."
"Is that good or bad?"I asked, gathering Mina close.
"It means we have time to think."He moved to the window, checking the grounds below."We can't stay here long.This room is too obvious a target."
I began gathering Mina's essential items—her favorite stuffed unicorn, a change of clothes, things Luca had asked someone to bring from our rental home the other day.As I worked, I noticed Luca's expression change as he looked at his phone.
"What is it?"Dread pooled in my stomach.
"Mateo.He's here."
I froze, confusion washing over me."That's impossible.You killed him.I saw it happen."
Luca's gaze met mine, cold and hard."Not Mateo himself.His namesake.His son."
"His son?"The words felt like stones in my mouth."You never mentioned he had a son."
"Because he kept him separate from the business.Protected.Educated in Europe."Luca's jaw tightened."Junior.Just as vicious as his father, but with a veneer of sophistication.And apparently, he's decided to claim his inheritance."
The implications hit me like a physical blow.This wasn't just about revenge for Mateo's death.This was about succession—about who would control the Moretti empire now that the old man was gone.And somehow, my daughter had become a pawn in that deadly game.They needed her to control Luca, the only other heir.
Luca's phone buzzed again.He checked it, his expression turning grim."He's inside the mansion.Coming this way."
I looked at Mina, at her tear-stained face and trembling lips, at the trust in her eyes despite the terror surrounding us.Then I looked at Luca, at the man who had killed without remorse yet had shown my daughter nothing but gentleness.
"What now?"I asked.
Luca moved to the far wall, pressing a panel that slid open to reveal a small alcove—a panic room built into the bedroom itself."In here.Both of you.It's reinforced steel, with its own air supply and communication system.Not nearly as good as the one we were going to, but in a pinch, it will do."
