BOUND TO THE BOSS

Chapter 19: The Quiet Before the Storm

The mansion was on lockdown. Guards patrolled the gates. Security cameras watched every corner. Dante had not slept in two days. Elena brought him coffee. "You need rest." "I need Moretti dead." "You need to be alive to kill him." He took the coffee. His hands were steady, but his eyes were tired. "The attack will come tonight. I can feel it." "Then we'll be ready."

The afternoon crawled. Elena checked her gun. Loaded extra magazines. Reviewed escape routes. Rosa found her in the study. "You're scared." "Terrified." "Good. Fear keeps you sharp." Elena hugged her. "Thank you for staying." "I go where Mr. Vitale goes. That includes you."

At sunset, Dante gathered his men. "Moretti will hit us tonight. He wants to catch us sleeping. He wants revenge for Enzo." The men listened. Hard faces. Ready. "We hold the line. Front and back. No one gets through." "And the women?" one man asked. "Rosa and Elena stay in the safe room. They don't come out until I say." Elena wanted to argue. But she had promised.

She followed Rosa to the safe room. The steel door closed behind them. The lights flickered on. "One hour," Rosa said. "Maybe less." Elena sat on the cot. Her hands were shaking. "He's going to fight." "He always fights." "But this time, I can't help him." Rosa took her hand. "You're helping him by staying alive. He needs to know you're safe."

The first gunshot echoed through the mansion. Elena flinched. Rosa held her hand tighter. More shots. Shouting. Glass breaking. "God, please let him live," Elena whispered. The fighting went on for what felt like hours. Then silence.

The safe room door opened. Dante stood there. His shirt was torn. His knuckles were bloody. "It's over." "Moretti?" "Dead. His men surrendered." Elena ran to him. Threw her arms around him. "You're bleeding." "It's not mine." "I don't care. You're alive."

They walked through the mansion. Bodies were being removed. Glass was being swept. Guards were tending wounds. "How many did we lose?" "Three. Moretti lost fifteen." Elena's stomach turned. "Three families destroyed tonight." "Three men who knew the risks." She looked at him. "Does it ever get easier?" "No. But it gets necessary."

That night, they sat in the study. The fire crackled. The house was quiet. "It's done," Dante said. "Moretti is gone. His family will scatter." "And yours?" "Solid. Loyal. They saw what happens to those who betray me." Elena leaned her head on his shoulder. "I want to leave. The city. The violence. All of it." "Soon. I need to stabilize things first. A few weeks." "You promised." "I keep my promises."