**CHAPTER 8**
1098 Words
*Elena’s POV*
The cold night air hit me like a slap as my father and I burst through the exit. My heart was still racing, and my legs felt like they might give out beneath me, but we were free.
Free, but not safe.
“Keep moving,” my father ordered, his voice sharp. He didn’t release my arm, practically dragging me through the shadowy alley behind the estate. His grip was firm, but I could feel his hands trembling ever so slightly.
“Dad,” I started, trying to slow him down, “are we safe now?”
“No,” he said bluntly, his eyes scanning the dark street ahead. “Not yet.”
I glanced back toward the building we had just escaped from. Gunfire and chaos still raged inside, and though I couldn’t see him, I knew Dante was still in there, fighting to cover our retreat.
I hated to admit it, but a part of me worried about him. He’d been calm and controlled when everything was falling apart, shielding me even when he didn’t have to. But why? What did he want from me?
“Stop looking back,” my father snapped. “Focus on what’s ahead.”
His tone made me flinch, but I swallowed my retort. This wasn’t the time for questions, and I knew better than to push him when he was like this.
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*Lorenzo’s POV*
Every step felt like a gamble. The Montessi family had made their move tonight, and it was a bold one—too bold. Something wasn’t adding up. They wouldn’t risk open war unless they had an ace up their sleeve.
And now they knew about Elena.
My chest tightened as I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye. She didn’t belong in this world. I’d spent years keeping her at a distance from my business, shielding her from the bloodshed and betrayal that came with it.
But tonight, I’d failed.
“Dad,” she said again, her voice quieter this time, “why were they after me?”
I didn’t answer right away. How could I? How could I tell her that she wasn’t just collateral damage—that she was a target now?
“They weren’t after you,” I lied. “They were after me.”
She didn’t look convinced, but before she could press the issue, the screech of tires cut through the silence.
I stopped in my tracks, pulling her behind me as a sleek black SUV skidded to a halt in front of us. The doors flew open, and four men stepped out, each armed and clearly ready for a fight.
Montessi.
“Lorenzo Torres,” one of them said, his voice dripping with false courtesy. “You’ve been a thorn in our side for too long.”
I reached for my gun, but before I could draw, the man raised his hand, signaling his men to aim.
“And the girl,” he added, his eyes flicking to Elena. “She’ll be coming with us.”
Over my dead body.
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*Elena’s POV*
Panic surged through me as the men stepped closer, their weapons gleaming under the dim streetlights. My father’s hand tightened around mine, but I could feel the tension radiating off him.
“Run,” he said under his breath, his tone urgent.
“What?” I whispered, my heart pounding.
“Run!” he snapped, shoving me toward the alley behind us.
I stumbled, my feet moving before my brain could catch up. But I barely made it a few steps before one of the men grabbed me, his grip like iron as he dragged me backward.
“Let me go!” I screamed, struggling against him.
“Enough!” the leader barked, his voice cutting through the chaos.
I froze as the barrel of a gun pressed against my temple. My breath hitched, and tears stung my eyes, but I refused to cry. I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction.
“Let her go,” my father growled, his voice low and dangerous.
“Not until you give us what we want,” the man replied. “You know the deal, Torres. The girl is leverage. You hand over the territory, and we let her live.”
I didn’t understand half of what they were saying, but the fear in my father’s eyes told me enough.
“Fine,” he said, lowering his gun. “Just don’t hurt her.”
“No,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “Don’t do it, Dad.”
The man smirked, but before he could say anything else, a single gunshot rang out.
The man holding me crumpled to the ground, and I stumbled forward, my ears ringing.
“Get down!”
The voice was unmistakable. Dante.
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*Dante’s POV*
I stepped out of the shadows, my gun still aimed at the men in front of me.
“Miss me?” I said, smirking as the Montessi thugs turned to face me.
Their leader glared at me, his jaw clenched. “Moretti. Always sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.”
“Funny,” I replied, firing another shot and taking down the man closest to him. “I was just thinking the same thing about you.”
The fight was quick and brutal. Lorenzo had managed to grab his gun during the chaos, and together, we took out the remaining men.
When the last one hit the ground, I turned to Elena, who was still trembling but alive.
“You okay?” I asked, my voice softer than I intended.
She nodded, her green eyes wide as she stared at me.
“You followed us,” Lorenzo said, his tone accusatory.
I shrugged. “You’re welcome.”
Before he could argue, the sound of distant sirens reached us.
“This isn’t over,” I said, turning back to Elena. “They’ll keep coming for you. Both of you.”
“What do you suggest?” Lorenzo asked, his voice dripping with disdain.
I smirked. “Simple. She stays with me.”
Both Elena and her father stared at me, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief.
“You’re out of your mind,” Lorenzo said.
“Maybe,” I replied, meeting Elena’s gaze. “But if you want her to live, you know I’m right.”
The twist in the air was palpable, and I knew this decision would change everything.
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