Chapter 2: Taken by the Mafia King
1000 Words
The sharp crack of a gunshot split the night.
For a heartbeat, the entire parking lot froze.
Then panic erupted.
People screamed and scattered in every direction, abandoning shopping bags, coffee cups, and even their cars. Tires screeched as drivers desperately tried to escape.
Olivia's heart leaped into her throat.
"What was that?" she gasped.
Before she could take another step, a strong arm wrapped around her waist and yanked her behind a black SUV.
She crashed against a hard, muscular chest.
The familiar scent of cedarwood and expensive cologne filled her senses.
Luca.
"Stay down," he ordered.
His deep voice was calm, almost emotionless, as though bullets flying through the air were an ordinary part of his day.
Another burst of gunfire rang out.
Bullets slammed into the SUVs, shattering windows and leaving deep dents in the armored doors.
The bodyguards instantly surrounded them.
"Guns out!"
"Protect the boss!"
"Move! Move!"
The men moved with military precision, drawing their weapons and taking defensive positions.
Olivia stared at them in horror.
"This... this can't be happening."
She looked at Luca.
"What is going on?"
His eyes never left the parking lot.
"You shouldn't have been here tonight."
"What does that mean?"
Instead of answering, he spoke into the small earpiece hidden beneath his hair.
"Report."
A bodyguard crouched beside him.
"Boss, we've identified the attackers."
"Who?"
"The Romano family."
Luca's jaw tightened for only a second.
"I expected them tomorrow."
"They moved earlier than we predicted."
Another bullet struck the SUV only inches from Olivia's head.
She screamed and covered her ears.
Without thinking, Luca pulled her closer, shielding her with his own body.
His expensive suit was now pressed against the dirty pavement, but he didn't seem to care.
Olivia looked up at him.
"You're going to get hurt."
His expression didn't change.
"They'll have to get through me first."
Her chest tightened.
Five years ago, this was the man who had promised to protect her forever.
Then he disappeared.
Now he was risking his life for her.
Nothing made sense anymore.
Several black sedans raced into the parking lot.
Doors flew open.
More armed men emerged.
Their faces were hidden behind black masks.
One of them shouted,
"There he is!"
Gunfire erupted again.
The parking lot became a battlefield.
People who hadn't escaped hid behind cars, praying the nightmare would end.
Luca's bodyguards returned fire with remarkable discipline.
Every movement was controlled.
Every command was obeyed instantly.
"Left side clear!"
"Two targets down!"
"They're advancing!"
Olivia trembled violently.
She had only ever seen violence like this in movies.
Now she was standing in the middle of it.
Luca turned to one of his guards.
"Get her out."
The guard nodded.
"Yes, Boss."
"I'm not leaving!" Olivia protested.
Luca looked at her.
His gray eyes softened for the briefest moment.
"You have no idea who these people are."
"Then tell me!"
"I can't."
"You disappeared for five years without a word. You come back surrounded by armed men, and now people are trying to kill you. Don't you think I deserve an explanation?"
For the first time since she'd seen him again, guilt flickered across his face.
"I owe you more than an explanation."
"Then start talking."
A loud explosion interrupted them.
One of the attackers' vehicles burst into flames.
Heat washed over the parking lot.
The fire reflected in Luca's eyes.
He grabbed Olivia's wrist.
"Not here."
She pulled free.
"I'm not going anywhere with you."
"You don't have a choice."
"I do."
"No."
His voice became dangerously quiet.
"The second those men saw you standing beside me..."
He took another step closer.
"...you became part of my world."
A cold shiver ran down her spine.
"I don't want your world."
"I know."
"I don't want bodyguards."
"I know."
"I don't want enemies chasing me."
"I know."
"Then leave me alone."
For a moment, silence settled between them despite the chaos around them.
Luca looked at her as if memorizing every feature of her face.
"I tried."
His words were barely above a whisper.
"I stayed away because I thought it would keep you safe."
Olivia blinked.
"What?"
"I never stopped watching over you."
Before she could ask what he meant, another bodyguard rushed over.
"Boss!"
"What?"
"We've intercepted their radio."
Luca stood.
"They're sending reinforcements."
"ETA?"
"Less than two minutes."
He nodded once.
"Prepare the convoy."
The guard hurried away.
Olivia stared at him.
"You've been watching me?"
"For five years."
"You expect me to believe that?"
"I don't expect you to believe anything tonight."
He reached for her hand.
She instinctively stepped back.
"I hate you."
His expression remained unreadable.
"I know."
"I cried because of you."
"I know."
"You broke me."
Pain flashed across his face before it disappeared.
"I know."
Another series of gunshots echoed across the parking lot.
The lead bodyguard shouted,
"Boss! We have to move now!"
Luca didn't hesitate.
He lifted Olivia into his arms.
She gasped.
"Put me down!"
She pushed against his chest, but it was like trying to move a stone wall.
"I said put me down!"
He carried her toward the waiting armored SUV while bullets continued to ricochet around them.
The guards formed a protective circle, escorting them through the chaos.
The rear door opened.
Luca gently placed Olivia inside before climbing in after her.
The convoy roared out of the parking lot just as another line of black vehicles sped in from the opposite direction.
Olivia watched through the tinted window as the city lights disappeared behind them.
She had no idea where Luca was taking her.
She didn't know who wanted him dead.
And she certainly didn't know why he claimed he had spent five years protecting her from the shadows.
But one thing had become painfully clear.
The man who had once broken her heart was no longer the boy she had loved.
He was a ruthless mafia king...
And somehow, she had just become the most valuable target in his dangerous world.
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