Chapter 7 - Blood on the Marble
"Fire!" Carmine screamed, diving behind a pile of wooden crates.
The slaughterhouse erupted into absolute warfare.
Russo soldiers poured through the destroyed entrance, tactical lights blinding the remaining Chicago mercenaries. Automatic gunfire filled the air with deafening thunders, plaster and dust exploding from the concrete walls.
Vincent moved with terrifying, lethal grace. He didn't take cover. He marched straight down the center aisle, firing his shotgun with brutal rhythm, clearing every target that stepped into his line of sight.
Beatrice screamed in terror, scrambling backward toward a side exit, her high heels snapping on the concrete.
Nora pulled frantically against her bonds as bullets whizzed overhead. The wooden chair creaked under the strain.
Vincent reached her in seconds.
He dropped to his knees in front of her, his heavy combat knife flashing in the dim light. With one swift stroke, he sliced through the heavy ropes binding her wrists and ankles.
"Vincent!" Nora threw her arms around his neck, burying her face into his chest.
Vincent pulled her fiercely against him, his broad arms wrapping around her small body, shielding her completely from the flying sparks and stray bullets.
"I have you, Nora," Vincent breathed into her hair, his heart pounding violently against her cheek. "I’ve got you. You're safe."
He pulled back, his hand gently cupping her jaw, checking her face for injuries. "Did they hurt you?"
"I'm fine," Nora said, her voice shaking slightly. "Vincent... Beatrice and Carmine—"
A shadow rose behind them.
Carmine Gallow stepped out from behind a concrete pillar, his face smeared with blood and soot, raising a silver revolver aimed directly at Vincent’s back.
"Russo!" Carmine roared.
Nora saw it first.
Without thinking, driven by pure instinct, Nora threw herself in front of Vincent.
BANG!
A sharp, agonizing pain burst through Nora’s shoulder as the bullet tore through her sweater.
Vincent’s eyes widened in horror as Nora collapsed against his chest, blood quickly staining the dark wool of her clothes.
"NORA!" Vincent let out a primal, gut-wrenching roar of agony and rage.
He caught her as she fell, lowering her gently to the floor. Then, turning toward Carmine, Vincent’s face transformed into something demonically terrifying.
Vincent stood up, ignoring the gunfire around him. He walked toward Carmine as the Chicago boss pulled the trigger again.
CLICK. CLICK.
Carmine’s gun was empty.
Terror filled Carmine’s eyes as he backed away, his hands shaking. "Vincent... wait! It was Beatrice! She wanted this! We can negotiate—"
Vincent reached Carmine in two strides. He didn't use a gun.
Vincent grabbed Carmine by the throat, lifted the heavy man off his feet, and hurled him through a reinforced glass office window. The glass shattered into thousands of sharp shards, raining down on the concrete below.
Carmine groaned on the floor inside the office, battered and bleeding.
Vincent stepped through the broken frame, picked up a heavy steel pipe lying on the floor, and brought it down with absolute finality.
The war for New York was over.
Out in the main hall, Paulie and his men had secured the facility. Beatrice Gallow was dragged out from her hiding spot under a staircase, sobbing hysterically as handcuffs were slapped onto her wrists.
Vincent rushed back to Nora’s side.
He dropped to his knees, ripping off his shirt to press it firmly against the wound in her shoulder. His hands were covered in her blood.
"Stay with me, Nora," Vincent begged, his voice breaking, tears finally spilling from his dark eyes. "Stay with me, please. Don't leave me."
Nora opened her eyes slowly, looking up at the fearsome mafia boss who was crying for her. She reached up with her good hand, her bloody fingers gently touching his cheek.
"I'm not... going anywhere, Vincent," she whispered weakly, a small, tired smile gracing her lips. "I still have... a job to do."
"You're not my maid anymore, Nora," Vincent whispered, pressing his lips against her forehead, soaking in her warmth. "You're my heart. Stay awake. Please."
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Sirens wailed in the distance as medical teams and Russo security vehicles arrived at the scene.
Vincent lifted Nora into his arms once more, carrying her out into the crisp, clean morning air as the sun began to break through the dark storm clouds over the city.
