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The pressurized air of the cabin suddenly felt thick, heavy, and suffocating. My lungs burned as I fought the urge to grab Julie by her linen collar and force the rest of the truth out of her right there at thirty thousand feet. / Chapter 6 / 20

Chapter 6 - Crossfire in the Loft"Oh, spare me the cinematic threats, Dante," Viktor sneered, stepping further into the studio, his eyes scanning the artwork, the expensive espresso machine, and finally lingering on Naomi’s terrified face. "Word on the street was that Moretti had gone soft, that he was spending too much time playing legitimate businessman. But a little bird at the airport tipped us off that your sister-in-law was bringing you a very special delivery today."

Viktor’s gaze snapped back to me, a cruel, predatory grin spreading across his face. "A daughter. Who would have thought the untouchable Dante Moretti had a weak spot wrapped in pink ribbons?"

My grip on the Sig Sauer tightened until my knuckles ached. "Touch a hair on their heads, Viktor, and I won't just kill you. I'll take your entire empire apart brick by bloody brick, starting with your mother's estate in Milan."

Viktor chuckled, raising his carbine slightly. "You're in my crosshairs, Dante. Drop the piece."

Instead of dropping my weapon, I executed a lightning-fast combat roll to the left, diving behind a massive mahogany sculpture stand just as Viktor’s men opened fire.

Rat-tat-tat-tat!

A hail of 9mm rounds shredded the air, splintering wood, shattering ceramic vases, and turning the beautiful art studio into a warzone. Shards of glass rained down like lethal confetti.

"Naomi! Keep Lily down!" I shouted over the deafening roar of automatic gunfire, popping up from behind the sculpture stand and firing two rapid shots.

My first round caught the lead gunman in the shoulder, spinning him backward into the drywall. My second round shattered the second mercenary's weapon, sending him scrambling for cover behind a couch.

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The heavy oak door of the master suite swung wider, letting out a sharp draft of chilled air that smelled faintly of expensive bourbon and cold rain. Lorenzo Moretti did not blink.

The heavy oak door of the master suite swung wider, letting out a sharp...

The rain in the lower district did not fall; it drifted like smoke, slicking the asphalt and carrying the smell of coal smoke and rotting citrus from the wholesale market two blocks down.

The rain in the lower district did not fall; it drifted like smoke, slic...

The word mother hung in the sterile terminal air like a frozen dagger.

The word mother hung in the sterile terminal air like a frozen dagger.

Viktor cursed loudly, firing blindly through the kitchen partition. "Flank them! Flush them out!"

I checked my magazine—four rounds left. Marcus and my backup team were still at least five minutes away, assuming they hadn't been ambushed at the street level. I had to end this now, before a stray bullet found its way to Lily.

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Chapter 7 - The Final Stand in the StudioThe acrid smell of cordite and burnt gunpowder filled the sunlit loft, mixing with the scent of spilled coffee and fresh paint.

Chapter 8 - The Aftermath and the BloodlineWithin minutes, the loft was secured. Marcus swept the perimeter, confirming Viktor’s men were either neutralized or fleeing down the fire escape. Paramedics and cleanup crews would be here soon, but for now, the smoke was clearing.

Chapter 9 - The ChoiceThree months later, the transition wasn't clean, and it certainly wasn't easy.

Chapter 10 - The HorizonThe autumn wind whipped across the balcony of our new penthouse overlooking Central Park, rustling the golden leaves of the trees below.

Chapter 11 - Shadows in the ParkThe crisp autumn air of Central Park carried the scent of roasted chestnuts and damp earth, but my senses were hyper-tuned to the rustle of dry leaves behind us.

Chapter 12 - The Perimeter Breach"Naomi," I whispered, my hand dropping smoothly to the concealed holster beneath my overcoat. "Walk slowly toward the carriage path. Do not look back. Take Lily and head straight for the black SUV waiting at 72nd Street."

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