Chapter 7 - The Bloodline Restored
Lorenzo Rossi burst through the nursery door, holding a silver pistol in his hand, his suit soaked in rain and blood.
Behind him, Marco and five enforcers rushed in with heavy tactical flashlights, their beams cutting through the dark room.
When the light hit the floor, Lorenzo stopped dead in his tracks.
He saw the Moretti assassin lying unconscious and bleeding on the rug. He saw the broken bronze floor lamp.
And sitting on the floor in the corner of the room, holding his son tightly against her bare chest, was Hunter Higgins. Her maid's dress was torn at the shoulder, her hair soaked with rain, but her hazel eyes burned with an fierce, unbroken spirit.
"Lorenzo..." Hunter whispered, her voice breaking.
Lorenzo dropped his pistol onto the floor.
He dropped to his knees beside her, his massive hands trembling as he reached out, pulling both Hunter and Leo into a fierce, suffocating embrace.
"You're safe," Lorenzo rasped into her wet hair, his voice thick with uncharacteristic emotion. "You're safe. I've got you."
Leo let out a happy, gurgling sound, comforted by the familiar warmth of his father’s chest and Hunter’s embrace.
Marco stepped forward, checking the unconscious assassin on the floor. "He's alive, Don Lorenzo. It's one of Gino Moretti’s primary lieutenants."
Lorenzo didn't look at the assassin. He kept his arms wrapped securely around Hunter and his son.
"What happened at the docks?" Hunter asked softly, looking up into Lorenzo’s face.
"Gino Moretti is dead," Lorenzo revealed quietly. "His entire family surrendered twenty minutes ago. The war is over, Hunter. It's completely over."
He pulled back, his dark eyes searching Hunter’s face with a profound reverence he had never felt for another human being.
"You fought an armed assassin with a lamp," Lorenzo murmured, a faint, awe-struck smile touching his lips. "To protect my son."
"He's not just your son, Lorenzo," Hunter said, a soft, tired smile appearing on her face. "He's the boy who saved my life, too."
Lorenzo reached out, his long fingers gently wiping a tear from Hunter’s cheek.
"Frank told me about the car at the gate," Lorenzo said softly. "Thomas Vance."
Hunter’s smile faded, fear returning to her eyes. "Is he... did he die in the crash?"
"No," Lorenzo said coldly. "He survived with a broken leg. Marco’s men have him in custody."
Hunter swallowed hard. "What are you going to do to him?"
Lorenzo looked into Hunter’s eyes. For weeks, his instinct would have been to execute Tommy Vance without a second thought. But looking at the woman who had brought life, warmth, and healing back into his broken home, Lorenzo felt the dark, bloodthirsty rage inside him begin to subside.
"He will never lay eyes on you again," Lorenzo promised firmly. "He will be handed over to the state police for his role in the armed assault on this estate. He will spend the next twenty years in a federal prison."
Hunter let out a long, shuddering breath, feeling an incredible weight lift off her shoulders. The ghost of her past was finally gone.
Lorenzo stood up, extending his hand down to Hunter.
May you like
Hunter took his hand, allowing him to pull her gently up from the floor.
"Come," Lorenzo said softly, taking Leo into one arm while keeping his other hand firmly wrapped around Hunter’s. "Let's get you dry. This house belongs to you now."
