Chapter 7 - Fire and Ice
Julian’s eyes narrowed, his posture instantly shifting from savior to threat. "You're too smart for your own good, waitress."
He raised his gun, but Mina didn't hesitate. She lunged forward, swinging the heavy brass candlestick with all her strength. It struck Julian hard across the side of his face. He stumbled back with a curse, dropping his firearm onto the hardwood floor.
Mina kicked the gun under the bed and slammed her body weight against Julian, shoving him back out into the hallway. She threw her weight against the heavy wooden door, turning the deadbolt just as Julian threw his shoulder against it.
"Ezra! The window!" she shouted.
The third-floor suite had a fire escape that led down to the courtyard. Mina helped Ezra climb through the window into the freezing rain, following right behind him.
Behind them, the door splintered open. Julian thrust his head out the window, his face bloodied, aiming another weapon down at them. "You won't make it to the street!"
Suddenly, a loud gunshot echoed through the courtyard.
Julian gasped, dropping his weapon, and fell backward into the room.
At the bottom of the fire escape stood Dominic Torrio, framed by the glare of headlights. His dark eyes were blazing with pure fury, a smoking pistol in his hand. Behind him, dozens of his men swarmed the estate, neutralizing the remaining intruders.
Dominic rushed to the base of the stairs, catching Ezra as he jumped down, then wrapping his massive arms around Mina, pulling her into his chest.
"I’m sorry," Dominic whispered into her wet hair, his chest heaving. "I'm so sorry I wasn't here."
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"He was going to take Ezra," Mina gasped, trembling from the adrenaline and the cold.
"He will never hurt anyone again," Dominic promised, his tone terrifyingly final. "None of them will."
