Chapter 11 - The Clearing Smoke
The acrid scent of gunpowder and burning varnish hung thick in the study as the reality of the siege settled over the room. Salvatore groaned against the Persian rug, his consciousness slowly returning, while his four remaining mercenaries knelt with their hands locked behind their heads. Marco pressed a folded linen handkerchief against his bleeding shoulder, wincing as the crimson soaked through the fabric. Lorenzo didn't look at the prisoners. His eyes remained fixed on Sophia and Emma, who were still huddled near the edge of the reinforced panic room panel.
"Are you hurt?" Lorenzo asked, his voice stripped of its usual razor-sharp edge, carrying a raw, unguarded warmth that startled even Marco.
"We’re fine. Just... shaken," Sophia answered, her voice trembling slightly as she pulled Emma closer to her chest. She looked up at the man who had just stood alone against a firing squad to protect them, realizing that the cold mafia legend was entirely gone.
"Take Salvatore and his dogs down to the basement cells," Lorenzo commanded without turning around, his gaze never leaving Sophia. "Make sure no one disturbs them until sunrise. And call Dr. Vance for Marco's shoulder."
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"Boss," Marco grunted, hauling Salvatore up by his collar with one hand while keeping his weapon trained on the mercenaries with the other. "What about the network? Salvatore didn't bypass the eastern gate alone. Someone inside gave him the codes."
Lorenzo’s jaw tightened, a dangerous shadow falling across his features. "I know. And I’m going to find out who before the sun comes up."
