Chapter 4 - Red Snow
The lights died.
The glowing monitors blanked out, plunging the study into pitch blackness. Instantly, the high-pitched whine of the estate's emergency sirens began to wail through the dark.
"Stay down!" Luca roared.
In a fraction of a second, he grabbed Naomi, pulling her off the chair and slamming his body over hers just as the glass of the massive floor-to-ceiling windows shattered inward. A hail of bullets tore through the room, shredding the leather furniture and shattering the expensive art on the walls.
Naomi screamed, burying her face in Luca's chest. He felt like a wall of solid muscle, shielding her from the flying glass and plaster.
"Marco!" Luca yelled over the deafening roar of gunfire. "Return fire! Get the armored SUV ready in the sub-level!"
"They've blocked the tunnels, Boss!" Marco yelled back from the hallway, his weapon firing in rapid bursts. "We have to go through the woods!"
Luca pulled a heavy black pistol from a holster concealed under his sweater. He looked down at Naomi, his eyes glowing in the dim emergency strobe lights.
"Naomi, look at me," he commanded, his voice steady, calm, and utterly reassuring amidst the chaos.
She forced herself to look up, her eyes wide with terror.
"I am going to get you out of here," Luca said, his hand cradping her face. "Do you trust me?"
She shouldn't. He was a mafia boss. But in this moment, looking into his fierce, unwavering eyes, she knew he was the only thing keeping her alive.
"Yes," she gasped.
"Good. Hold onto my jacket and don't let go, no matter what."
Luca stood up, pulling Naomi with him. He kept her behind him, using his massive frame to shield her as they ran out of the ruined study and down the grand hallway. The air was thick with smoke and the metallic smell of gunpowder.
They reached the back exit of the mansion, stepping out into the freezing winter night. The snow was falling heavily, coating the pine trees in a thick layer of white. Behind them, the mansion was partially engulfed in flames, casting long, dancing shadows across the snow.
"This way!" Luca hissed, pulling her toward the dense tree line.
But before they could reach the cover of the forest, three figures emerged from the shadows. Russian mercenaries, armed with assault rifles.
"Ferraro!" one of them shouted, raising his weapon.
Luca didn't hesitate. He pushed Naomi behind a thick oak tree and stepped into the open. With lethal, terrifying precision, he fired three shots. The deafening cracks echoed through the forest. All three men collapsed into the snow, their dark blood staining the white ground.
Naomi gasped, covering her mouth to keep from screaming.
Luca turned back to her, but before he could reach her, a loud crack echoed from the opposite direction.
Luca stiffened.
He stumbled slightly, his hand flying to his side. When he pulled his hand away, it was covered in dark, slick blood. He had been hit.
"Luca!" Naomi cried, running to him.
"I'm fine," he growled through gritted teeth, though his face had gone dangerously pale. "Keep moving. We have to reach the cabin. Two miles north."
"You're bleeding!"
"I said move, Naomi!"
May you like
The sound of shouting and barking dogs echoed behind them. The hunt was on.
Naomi didn't argue. She threw his arm over her shoulders, supporting his massive weight. She was strong, her body built for endurance, and she refused to let him fall. Together, they plunged into the freezing, dark forest, leaving a trail of red in the pristine snow.
