Chapter 42- Return
Lucia The warehouse humed like a beacon against the night sky.
I watched from the shadows of an abandoned church, calculating angles and timing as chaos erupted around my former prison. Shouts and gunfire mixed with the crackle of flames, creating a symphony of destruction that marked Dante’s arrival.
Right on schedule.
My makeshift lockpick fashioned from a guard’s broken phone – had earned me freedom from the handcuffs, but escape would require more precise timing. Three guards remained at my door, their attention split between the commotion outside and their increasingly restless prisoner, A explosion rocked the building’s foundation Closer this time.
“They’re coming through the west entrance Someone shouted in Russian accented English. “We need to move the girl-”
The power cut out, plunging everything into darkness.
Perfect.
I moved before my guards could adjust, muscle memory taking over as I struck through the darkness. The first went down silently, nerve strike dropping him before he could shout. The second managed half a curse before my elbow found his throat. The third got off a shot that went wide, giving away his position.
Amateur
“Sorry about the mess.” I told their unconscious forms as I liberated weapons and phones. “But you really should have checked my background before taking this job.”
The hallway outside held more chaos–guards running toward the fighting, flames beginning to lick at support beams, the distinctive sound of Romana enforcement teams breaching defenses.
I moved in the opposite direction, knowing Dante would have positioned secondary teams to catch anyone trying to escape. Three years of watching my brothers coordinate operations, combined with months of learning Romano tactics, made their strategy transparent.
A figure appeared through the smoke, gun raised.
“Don’t shoot,” I called softly in Italian. “Unless you want to explain to your boss why his wife has extra holes.”
“Mrs. Romano Taylor’s voice carried relief beneath professional control. “East exit is secure. Car waiting.”
“No.” I checked the borrowed weapon’s ammunition. “Not without him.”
“Mr. Romano ordered-”
“Since when do I follow orders?” I flashed him a grin that probably looked feral in the emergency lighting. “Besides, someone needs to watch his back while he plays avenging angel”
Taylor’s sigh spoke volumes about dealing with stubborn Romanos. “At least take Martinez’s tearn as backup?”
“Fine” I was already moving, following the sound of fighting. “But tell them to keep up.”
The warehouse’s main floor had become a war zone. Smoke hung thick in the air as Romana enforcers engaged with hired muscle. Through gaps in the chaos, I caught glimpses of Dance – lethal grace in motion as he systematically dismantled the operation that had dared touch his family.
Well, our family.
A guard spotted me, weapon rising. My borrowed gun ended that threat before he could pull the trigger. Another tried flanking Dante’s position while he handled two attackers. My shot dropped him before he got within range.
Dante spun at the sound, instinct bringing his weapon up before recognition hit. Our eyes met through smoke and chaos, a thousand unspoken things passing between us in that frozen moment,
Then reality crashed back as more gunfire erupted.
“You were supposed to be safely extracted,” he growled as I reached his position, back to back like we’d trained for situations exactly like this,
“You were supposed to wait for full tactical assessment.” I dropped another threat trying to rush our position. “Guess we both have authority issues.”
His laugh held edges of relief and fury and something darker. “Impossible wonaan.”
“You knew that when you married me.”
“Contract marriage,” be corrected, but something in his voice made the words ring false.
“Speaking of contracts.” I spotted movement in the raften. My shot sent a sniper tumbling to the concrete below. “We should discuss some amendments to ours. Starting with better contingency planning for kidnapping attempt.”
“I was thinking more comprehensive clunges.” He moved with that liquid grace that still caught my breath, taking down two more attackers without breaking stride. The two year timeline seemi… Inadequate.”
Mylar stuttered even as my body kept responding to threats. “Ola”
“Later “But has free hand found mine for just a moment, burning like a brand, “When we’re not
“Surrounded by people trying to kill us?
Clupter 42 Retur
sarily
We moved together through smoke and chans, reading each other’s movements with practiced ease. Every shot coordinated, every step synchronized, every breath matched like we’d been training together for years instead of months.
“The sisters!” 1 asked between bursts of gunfire.
“Safe. Worried.” He touched my arm briefly as we cleared another section. “Maria’s been planning creative revenge scenarios.
“That’s my girl.” Pride colored the words before I could analyze the possessiveness in them.
More Romano teams breached the building, flooding the space e with coordinated precision. The remaining opposition began surrendering, finally recognizing the futility of resistance.
“Clear” Voices called from different sections. “Building secured!”
“Time to go.” Dante’s hand settled on my lower back, urging me toward the exit. “Before the fire department arrives asking uncomfortable questions.
Ilet han guide me outside, where Taylor waited with a car. The night air felt sharp after smoke and gunpowder, making me realize how much my langs burned.
“The man in charger I asked as we slid into the back seat
Dame’s smile held shadows and satisfaction. “Explaining his poor life choices to Marco’s team.”
“Good” I cataloged injuries mostly bruises and rope burns, nothing serious. “He needs to understand exactly what happens
when
me to meet his dark gaze. All that careful control had cracked, leaving something raw and
My voice cut off as Dante’s hands cupped my face, timing me to m desperate in his eyes.
“Never again.” he growled, forehead pressing against mine. “You don’t leave my sight until we figure out who arranged this, Who knew about the contract. About the harbor’s real purpose.”
and it to sound teasing, but my voice shook slightly: “Careful, caro. Someone might think
*The great Dante Romano, admitting he needs help? I meant it to
you actually are
“You know I do”
The words hung between us, heavy with implications neither of us was ready to face.
His thumb traced my cheekbone, surprisingly gentle after so much violence. “When I heard them take you… when the line went dead…
“I know.” I pressed closer, letting his heartbeat steady mine. “I’m here. I’m–”
His kiss stole the rest of that sentence, desperate and demanding and nothing like our usual careful performance. I tasted smoke and fear and relief
so sharp it hurt. His hands tangled in my hair as mine fisted in his shim, both needing to confirm presence and life and connection
“Sir.” Taylor’s voice from the front sear held careful neutrality. “We’re approaching the estate”
Reality crashed back. We had appearances to maintain, a campaign to protect, a careful facade to preserve.
But Dante’s hands stayed on me as we drove through familiar gates, like he couldn’t quite int I was really there.
The sisters waited in the entrance hall, all propriety forgotten as they rushed to envelope me in a group hug that smelled of expensive perfume and family loyalty.
“Don’t ever do that again.” Julia ordered, pregnancy hormones making her voice shake. “We were so worried-
“Our fierce protector,” Sofia added, squeezing tighter.
“Our sister,” Maria finished..
Dante watched from the doorway, something unreadable in his dark eyes. When our gazes met heat flickered beneath my skin despite exhaustion “The guest suite is prepared, Taylor reported. “Security teams are-
My wife sleeps in our room,” Dante cut in, voir brooking no argumen. “Where I can endure hec safety personally,
The possessiveness in his tone should have angered me. Instead, it sent shivers down my spine that had nothing to do with fear.
Later, as moonlight spilled through bulletproof windows, I lay in his arms listening to his heartbeat slow. His fingers traced patterns on my skin. mapping every mark and bruise like he was memorizing proof of survival.
“We should talk about it,” I said finally. “The harbor project. The leak about our arrangement. All
“Tomorrow.” 1 lis arms tightened slightly. “Right now, I just need…”
“I know.” I pressed closer, letting his heat chase away memories of cold cells and calculating voices. “Im here.”
“Stay”
