The Mafia Ice Queen

CHAPTER 2

WINTER POV

For an agonizing second, the entire world ground to a halt. My reality shattered into a thousand jagged pieces. My eyes widened in horror as I stared at my younger sister, the same girl who had been smiling up at me just a fraction of a second ago now drenched in crimson. Blood soaked through her pristine white gown. Then her gown dropped, revealing a second bullet hole that had torn directly through his body.

A piercing scream echoed through the hall as a barrage of gunfire tore through the air. I lunged forward on instinct, but a hand suddenly grabbed my shoulder, dragging me backward.

“Ma’am, go to safety! We will”

I ripped my shoulder out of the guard's grip and sprinted straight into the chaos of the chapel. My hands were shaking, the metallic stench of iron filling my nose as a bloody firefight erupted around us. Bullets sprayed, dropping attackers and guards alike.

My gaze swept the room frantically, searching for Lily. I found her huddled near the front pews, cradling Father, who had taken a bullet intended for her.

“Father!” she sobbed, her throat choked with tears, her hands completely soaked in blood.

His blood.

Father's blood.

A sudden, deadly cold washed over my body as I watched him lie motionless.

“Winter! Help Dad! He isn't moving! Help!” she screamed, her voice cracking with terror.

I bolted toward them, but the grand side doors kicked open and another squad of heavily armed attackers stormed in. I drew my gun, raising the barrel and opening fire . One by one, men dropped, I pulled the trigger again, the slide locked back.

Shit!!! I was out of bullet

I caught the glint of surprise in the attackers' eyes as they recognized me.

They knew I was here? How? I only arrived minutes ago.

I didn't waste time asking questions. Letting the empty gun drop, I waited until the nearest man rushed me, then lunged inside his guard. I unsheathed my ankle dagger in a single fluid motion and slashed across his throat. As he fell, I seized his gun and fired a burst into the chest of the man behind him. When the rifle clicked empty, I hurled the heavy frame into a third attacker's face, breaking his nose and knocking him out cold.

I pushed forward, a blur of merciless violence. I ducked a wild swing, driving a brutal elbow into another man's windpipe, then delivered a lethal kick to the temple of the guy behind him. Bodies hit the marble floor one after another until I stood drenched in blood, surrounded by corpses.

“You b***h!” a remaining shooter snarled, raising his weapon.

I dove behind a stone pillar as the bullets

chipped away the marble. Pushing off the pillar, I swept his legs out from under him, disarming him mid-fall. I turned the weapon on him, but a loud shriek cut through the gunfire.

My head snapped toward the altar.

Lily was pinned to the floor, a gun jammed hard against her temple. I shifted my gaze to the man holding her. He wore a tailored suit, looking far more refined than the mercenaries, clearly the ringleader of this hit squad.

“Drop the gun,” he commanded smoothly, “or the little bride joins her father.”

I slowly raised my hands, keeping my posture rigid. “I don't know who you are or who sent you. All I know is that I will give you a slow, excruciating death. I will make you regret the day you ever crossed the Asherford name.”

“Really?” He chuckled, a dark, mocking sound. “How about I give you a preview?”

Before I could react, he shifted his aim and fired three rapid shots point-blank into Father’s unconscious body. Blood spattered across his skull.

“Dad!” I screamed, stepping forward, but two attackers held me from behind, pinning me to the floor.

“No! Save Father!” Lily sobbed.

“Break her legs,” at his order two men descended on me. Heavy boots and fists rained down on my ribs, gut, and thighs.

Every blow carried enough force to shatter bone, driving my body to the absolute edge of consciousness.

“No, please stop! Leave my sister alone! Take me instead!” Lily shrieked, struggling against her captor.

“Shut up, Lily!” I barked through gritted teeth. I would rather endure a thousand beatings than let them touch a hair on her head.

“Sister... I’m so sorry,” Lily sobbed, her voice breaking. “If you hadn't come for my wedding...”

“Stop talking, Lily!” I spat out a mouthful of blood as a heavy boot slammed directly into the side of my head. My skull cracked against the stone floor. Dark spots danced across my vision, pooling red.

I forced my eyes open, locking onto the leader. “Let my sister go,” I rasped, blood bubbling at my lips. “She’s weak. She’s not involved in the mafia business. Let her go and take me. I know everything, the bank accounts, shipment routes, offshore assets, cartel contacts. I can hand you the entire Asherford empire. Just let her walk.”

A deep, cruel laugh echoed through the ruined chapel. “We already have all of that. We don't need you. And we certainly don't need her.” He racked the slide of his pistol, preparing to execute Lily.

Adrenaline surged through my broken frame. Slipping from the attackers' grip, I lunged toward him with everything I had left. My fingers reached for the barrel of his gun, inches away from knocking it aside

A heavy glass bottle shattered violently against the back of my skull.

My body froze instantly. Darkness invaded the edges of my vision. Before my knees gave out and I crashed to the cold floor, I turned my head just enough to catch a glimpse of the person standing over me holding the broken bottle.

Ice flooded my veins.

“Alfred?”

Father’s most trusted assistant.

He offered me a cold, sinister grin, giving a polite little wave.

“Goodbye, Miss Asherford.”

And with that, I succumbed to the dark.