Sir, I Found Your Son in the Trash Bin by the Kitchen, the Maid's Little Girl Said, Mafia Boss Was Stunned

A sharp *thud* echoed from the valley below, followed by the dull, rhythmic crackle of suppressed rifle fire from the estate's outer perimeter gate.

Matteo immediately tapped his tactical radio. "Sentry Post One! Report!"

Static. Then a choked voice: *"Matteo! Multiple black SUVs ramming the south barricades! They've got heavy caliber—Castiglione’s enforcers! They know the layout—"*

The transmission cut out with a burst of static.

"They aren't here to rescue her," Rocco said instantly, reading the play like an experienced general. "They are here to clean up the mess. If my son and I die tonight, the Castiglione family absorbs the territory by sunrise."

Dr. Rossi scrambled to pack his equipment. Elena pulled Sophia against her chest, letting out a stifled sob of panic. "Don Rocco, please! Save my baby!"

Rocco didn't flinch. He drew his custom Kimber .45 from under his arm, racked the slide with a crisp, lethal snap, and looked directly at Sophia.

"Sophia."

The little girl looked up from her mother’s embrace. Her lip quivered, but her eyes were clear.

"You saved my boy once tonight," Rocco said, his voice dropping into a solemn vow. "Can you be brave for him one more time?"

Sophia swallowed hard and nodded. "Yes, Don Rocco."

"Elena, take the child and follow Matteo," Rocco ordered. "There is a reinforced vault behind the wine cellar, three feet of steel and concrete with independent air scrubbers. You lock the door from the inside. Do not open it for anyone except my voice or Matteo's code word: *Sol Invictus*. Understood?"

"Yes, Don Rocco! God keep you safe!" Elena cried, picking up baby Leo while Sophia clung tightly to her mother's coat.

Matteo opened the hidden wall panel behind the bookshelf, ushering the doctor, Elena, Sophia, and the baby into the subterranean shaft. As the door slid shut, Matteo looked back at Rocco. "Boss, we have twelve loyal men in the main house. They brought at least thirty."

"Then twelve will have to be enough," Rocco said.

He glanced down at Valentina, who looked up at him with sudden, panicked comprehension. "Rocco... wait! The Castigliones won't spare me! They consider me a loose thread! Don't leave me here!"

"You made your pact with wolves, Valentina," Rocco said coldly, tossing a single key onto the floor five feet out of her reach. "Pray your fingers are long enough."