Page 13 of Secret Revenge

“Third guard, on the stairs,” came the next quiet warning. The familiar sound of a body hitting the floor soon followed.

My confidence grew with each step we took toward our ultimate goal. “We’re almost there.”

“Fourth guard, by the door,” Enzo whispered again. My instincts kicked into overdrive as I considered the potential consequences of being discovered now – so close to our objective.

Another soft thud echoed through the house, and I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up in anticipation.

“Finally,” I breathed, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest. The path to Abby now lay open before us, but the real challenge was just beginning.

An iron door loomed cold and imposing before me, its very presence a testament to the depravity I sought to dismantle. What kind of animal separates a mother from her child?

“Locked,” I muttered, studying the door with icy resolve. It was time to put my skills as a seasoned criminal to good use. The lock yielded to my deft fingers and with a soft click, the door swung open, revealing the basement that held young Abby captive.

“Abby,” I whispered into the darkness, my voice barely audible, yet laced with an urgency that demanded the child’s attention. What monster kept a child in the dark all the time? “It’s alright, Abby. You’re safe now. I’m a friend of your mother’s.”

“Who... who are you?” came a small and trembling voice from a dim corner of the room. I could feel the weight of her fear wrapping around her like a suffocating shroud.

“My name is Nicholas, and I’m your friend,” I said, stepping deeper into the dark chamber. “I’m here to take you home.”

“Not home,” she whimpered, tears evident in her voice. “Daddy will just bring me back here.”

“Yes, baby. You’re going somewhere safe and you won’t be separated from your mother again. Cross my heart,” I replied solemnly, holding out my hand for her trembling fingers to grasp. “Now come on, we need to leave.” As she hesitantly took my hand, I felt a surge of protectiveness course through my veins, igniting a fire within me that burned hotter than the sun.

“Where’s my mom?” her voice trembled as we made our way back up the stairs, her steps hesitant and weak.

“We’re going to get her next,” I assured Abby, my tone gentle yet firm.

“Can...can she come with us?” the child whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.

“Of course,” I vowed, knowing that I would do whatever it took to ensure Jocelyn’s safety – and by extension, Liliana’s happiness. “I’ll protect you both.”

I snapped a quick photo of Abby and Riccardo, barely pausing to ensure the focus was clear. “Riccardo, take Abby to my home. Liliana will look after her.”

“Are you sure, Nicholas?” His voice betrayed uncertainty. “I don’t like leaving you.”

“I can take her, Boss,” Marco said. “I can look after her.”

That wasn’t the plan and Marco knew it. Strike two for him today.

“Abby goes with Riccardo.” I wouldn’t trust her to anyone else.

Riccardo nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.

“Be careful,” I warned them before turning my attention back to our next objective. The second house loomed ominously even in the bright midday sun.

The henchman guarding the door to Luca Carbone’s house barely had time to register my presence before I struck, driving my fist into his throat with brutal force. He crumpled to the ground, gasping for air as I stepped over him without a second thought.

I kicked the flimsy back door down. “Luca Carbone!” My voice echoed through the dimly lit hallway, laden with menace and authority.

Luca called from another room. “Nicholas Romano, always the hero.” His voice dripped with contempt, but I could hear fear lurking beneath his bravado.

“More than I can say about you,” I spat, my fury boiling over as the man responsible for inflicting so much pain on his family finally came into view.

“Came back for another beating? Don’t tell me you left that pretty little wife of yours home alone. Did she tell you what we did to her? I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s disappointed, being back home with you,” Luca taunted.

My vision grew dim and I was about to rush him, pound his face into pulp, and make him wish he’d never set eyes on my wife when there was a sick cracking noise and Luca fell to the ground.

“Did Liliana send you?” the woman asked. She spit on Luca. “I didn’t think she’d follow through.”

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