Chapter 16 - The Final Reckoning
The silenced pistol skittered across the concrete, plunging into the dark, churning waters of the drainage channel below.
Julian thrashed beneath Lorenzo, but the mafia boss weighed like a falling mountain. Lorenzo’s heavy fists descended with rhythmic, brutal precision, cracking bone and silencing the smug laughter forever.
"You lost, Julian," Lorenzo hissed, pinning the man’s throat to the ground with his forearm. "The Duca family doesn't fall because of secrets. We survive because of what we bleed for."
With one final, bone-crushing twist, the fight went out of Julian. Lorenzo rose slowly, wiping a smear of blood from his cheek, and turned immediately toward the iron pillar.
He rushed forward, pulling a combat knife from his belt and slicing through the heavy nylon ropes binding little Emma. The little girl tumbled forward into his arms, sobbing softly, burying her small face in his shoulder.
"Sir... I knew you would come," Emma whimpered, her tiny hands gripping his lapel.
"Always, Emma," Lorenzo murmured, his voice thick with emotion as he cradled her safely against his chest. He turned his gaze to Isabella, who stood a few paces away, her shoulders shaking as she stared at the floor, waiting for the verdict.
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Lorenzo walked over to her, carrying Emma in one arm. With his free hand, he reached out, gently lifting Isabella’s chin until her dark, tear-filled eyes met his.
"It doesn't matter what happened six years ago, Isabella," Lorenzo said softly, the harshness completely gone from his voice. "We died in that fire. Today, we are someone else."
