Chapter 6 - AMBUSH IN THE SHADOWS
“Well, well, well,” a cold, mocking voice echoed from the tree line nearby. “The great Lorenzo DeSantis, on his knees like a dog.”
Lorenzo’s survival instincts kicked in instantly. He scrambled to his feet, shielding Isabella with his body, reaching for the concealed firearm at his waist.
Three armed men stepped out from the brush, wearing tactical gear and holding silenced automatic rifles.
Leading them was Victor Moretti—the ruthless, unstable younger brother of New York’s rival crime boss, whom Lorenzo had pushed out of the city’s shipping ports two years ago.
Isabella gasped, ducking behind Lorenzo.
“Victor,” Lorenzo growled, his body tense, his eyes turning back into the deadly predator he had always been. “How did you track me here?”
“Did you really think you could mobilize every private contractor on the East Coast without my family noticing?” Victor sneered, stepping closer with his rifle raised. “We followed your high-priced tracker, Gabriel. We let him do all the legwork. And look what we found... the legendary DeSantis heir, hiding in a dusty desert shack.”
Victor’s eyes glinted with malicious joy as he looked past Lorenzo at Isabella’s prominent belly.
“A pregnant wife,” Victor laughed softly. “The ultimate leverage. My father will be thrilled. We don't just take back the ports, Lorenzo—we take everything you own, or we send your little family back to New York in wooden boxes.”
Lorenzo’s eyes flashed with absolute, murderous fury. “If you touch a single hair on her head, Victor, I will bleed your entire family dry. I will leave nothing left of your name.”
“You’re in no position to negotiate, DeSantis,” Victor snarled, signaling his men. “Drop your gun. Now!”
Lorenzo slowly unholstered his pistol, holding it by the barrel to drop it.
“Isabella,” Lorenzo whispered out of the side of his mouth, his voice so quiet only she could hear. “When I move, get inside and lock the door. Do not look back.”
“Lorenzo, no—” she whispered, horror gripping her heart.
“I love you,” Lorenzo whispered. “Protect our child.”
In a split second, Lorenzo didn't drop the gun. He spun around, catching the barrel of the nearest henchman’s rifle, forcing it upward as a volley of suppressed gunfire shattered the night air!
THWIP! THWIP! THWIP!
Lorenzo fired two rapid shots, dropping the first guard instantly. He tackled the second guard off the porch, both men crashing into the dirt in a chaotic struggle for control of the weapon.
“Get her!” Victor screamed, aiming his rifle directly at Isabella!
Isabella panicked, backing into the house, but Victor lunged onto the porch, grabbing her arm violently!
“Got you, bitch!” Victor yelled.
Isabella didn't scream. Her maternal instincts exploded into action. She grabbed a heavy brass lamp off the entryway table and smashed it with all her strength against the side of Victor’s head!
Victor groaned, staggering backward, blood streaming down his temple.
At that exact moment, a loud gunshot echoed across the yard—a deep, unsuppressed boom from a high-powered hunting rifle!
Victor’s chest exploded outward as a massive bullet tore through him. He collapsed onto the porch floor, dead before he hit the wood.
Isabella looked out into the yard in shock.
Standing near the fence was Thomas, her elderly neighbor, holding a double-barreled shotgun, his face grim.
In the dirt near the SUV, Lorenzo stood up slowly, covered in dust and blood. The remaining henchmen were dead on the ground.
Lorenzo clutched his side, his face pale under the moonlight. Blood was rapidly seeping through his dark shirt, staining his jeans.
“Lorenzo!” Isabella cried out, rushing past Victor’s body to the edge of the porch.
May you like
Lorenzo looked up at her, offering a weak, trembling smile.
“You’re... you’re safe...” he whispered, before his knees buckled and he collapsed into the desert dirt.
