Chapter 5 - Sanctuary in the Storm
Before Renato could draw the hidden pistol from his coat, Enzo stepped out from behind the heavy velvet curtains, pressing a suppressed barrel against the back of Renato's neck.
"Move an inch and I'll paint this wall with your brain, old man," Enzo growled.
Damiano disarmed Renato with practiced efficiency, pulling a encrypted walkie-talkie from the traitor's pocket.
"Keep him locked in the subterranean bunker," Damiano ordered. "Make sure he watches the security monitors. I want him to see everything that happens tonight."
While Enzo dragged Renato away, Damiano made his way back to his private bedchambers. Inside, Isabel was pacing near the window while Lily lay fast asleep under a heavy cashmere blanket on Damiano’s king-sized bed.
Isabel turned around quickly when the door opened. "Is it starting?"
"Marcus and his men are on the property," Damiano said smoothly, pulling a tactical vest over his crisp dress shirt. "They think they have the element of surprise."
Isabel ran her hands through her hair, her eyes wide with terror. "What about us? What about Lily?"
Damiano walked over to the bed, looking down at the sleeping child who had broken twenty years of cold isolation with a single smile. He reached out and gently brushed a stray brown curl from her forehead.
"No one touches this room while I am breathing," Damiano declared, his voice carrying the immovable weight of a mountain. "You and your daughter are safe here, Isabel. For the first time in your life, you don't have to run."
May you like
Isabel looked into Damiano’s eyes and felt an unfamiliar sensation wash over her: absolute trust. After years of abuse from Marcus and fear of the unknown, she realized that the most dangerous man in the state was standing between her child and harm.
"Thank you, Damiano," she whispered.
