He Heard His Assistant Crying—And the Mafia Boss Rushed to Her Without Hesitating

The peace at Haven Ridge lasted until two hours past midnight.

A sharp, sudden explosion rocked the eastern wing of the manor, shattering the stained-glass windows in the main hall and setting off blaring security alarms throughout the estate.

Andrew was out of bed in a fraction of a second.

He pulled a tactical vest over his black t-shirt and retrieved a heavy semi-automatic rifle from the concealed wall safe in the bedroom.

Cindy sat up in bed, her face pale as dust in the flashing red emergency lights.

"Romano," Andrew spat, checking the weapon's magazine with practiced speed. "He must have bribed one of the estate's local security contractors to track my route."

The heavy wooden bedroom doors burst open, and Lucas stepped into the room, a submachine gun slung across his chest, blood dripping from a small graze on his arm.

"They brought thirty men, Andrew!" Lucas called out over the sound of blaring sirens and distant gunfire echoing from the gardens. "They breached the south gate with heavy explosives. They’re trying to burn the house down with us inside!"

Andrew turned to Cindy, stepping over to the bed. He grabbed her hand, pulling her to her feet, and led her to a narrow wooden panel behind the massive stone fireplace. He pushed a hidden latch, and the panel slid open to reveal a dark, reinforced concrete staircase leading down into the foundations.

"This tunnel leads to a hardened bunker beneath the greenhouse," Andrew commanded, his hands gripping her shoulders tightly. "It has its own power grid, bulletproof steel doors, and a satellite coms unit. Lucas's men are already moving my mother down through the west lift. You go with them."

"No!" Cindy cried, clutching his vest. "Come with us, Andrew! You can't fight thirty men!"

Andrew looked down into her eyes, his expression fierce, terrifying, and filled with an ancient, unshakeable rage.

"They came into my home twice, Cindy," Andrew swore, his voice cut like diamond. "They attacked my assistant, and now they bring fire to my mother’s roof. I am done hiding."

He leaned down, pressing a hard, desperate kiss to her lips, before shoving her gently into the darkness of the secret tunnel.

"Lock the steel door behind you!" Andrew ordered.

The wooden panel slid shut, locking her into safety.

Andrew turned back toward the study, his face transforming into a mask of pure, unadulterated death. He racked the bolt of his rifle.

"Lucas!" Andrew bellowed over the sound of breaking glass and shouting mercenaries coming up the main staircase.

"Right behind you, boss!" Lucas yelled back.

Andrew stepped out into the grand gallery overlooking the main hall. Down below, twenty armed mercenaries in dark tactical gear were pouring through the shattered front doors, carrying rifles and incendiary torches.

Standing in the center of the hall, wearing an expensive camel-hair coat, was Victor Romano himself—a grey-haired, arrogant man holding a heavy pistol.

"Carter!" Romano’s voice echoed up into the rafters. "Come down and die like a man! Hand over the girl and the ledgers, and I might leave your mother alive!"