TRAPPED BY THE DEVIL

TRAPPED BY THE DEVIL

Chapter 1: The Man Who was shot

Rain poured relentlessly over Raven City, turning the streets into rivers of shimmering black. Thunder cracked across the sky as Amelia Hart, a twenty-four-year-old emergency room nurse, hurried home after another exhausting twelve-hour shift.

She sighed, rubbing her sore neck.

"Another day... another life saved."

She had always believed kindness was worth more than money. Even though she barely earned enough to pay her rent, she never regretted becoming a nurse.

As she crossed a deserted alley to save time, something made her stop.

A low groan.

Her heartbeat quickened.

"Hello?"

No answer.

Then another painful grunt echoed from behind a pile of abandoned crates.

Amelia slowly walked closer.

Her eyes widened.

A man lay on the ground, soaked in blood.

His expensive black suit was torn apart by bullets. Several gunshot wounds stained his shirt crimson.

"Oh my God..."

She knelt beside him.

The stranger was unbelievably handsome despite his pale face. Jet-black hair clung to his forehead. His sharp jawline and expensive watch suggested he wasn't an ordinary man.

He grabbed her wrist with surprising strength.

"Don't... call... the police."

His voice was cold despite his weakness.

Amelia frowned.

"You've been shot!"

"No... police."

She hesitated.

Everything in nursing school told her to call emergency services immediately.

But the fear in his eyes...

Someone wanted him dead.

She looked around.

The alley was empty.

After a moment's hesitation, she made the biggest mistake of her life.

Nearly an hour later...

Amelia had secretly brought the stranger into the unused treatment room of the small private clinic where her elderly mentor, Dr. Samuel, volunteered at night.

The old doctor nearly fainted.

"Good heavens! Where did you find him?"

"No questions."

Dr. Samuel looked at the bullet wounds.

"This man won't survive without surgery."

"We have to try."

For four long hours...

They removed two bullets.

Stopped the bleeding.

Stitched torn flesh.

Restarted his weakening heartbeat twice.

Finally...

The heart monitor settled into a steady rhythm.

Amelia collapsed into a chair with relief.

"He'll live."

Dr. Samuel smiled.

"You saved him."

Three days later...

The mysterious man finally opened his eyes.

His gaze was icy.

Dangerous.

Powerful.

He looked around the room before focusing on Amelia.

"You."

She smiled politely.

"You're awake."

"You saved me."

"Yes."

Silence filled the room.

"What is your name?"

"Amelia Hart."

He stared at her for a long moment.

Then he nodded once.

"I owe you my life."

She laughed softly.

"You don't owe me anything. Just get better."

He almost smiled.

Almost.

Outside the clinic...

Dozens of black luxury SUVs screeched to a stop.

More than fifty armed men rushed toward the entrance.

Every passerby immediately fled.

One man stepped out of the first vehicle.

"Boss!"

The stranger slowly stood despite his injuries.

His followers immediately bowed.

Every single one.

Amelia blinked.

"What is happening?"

One guard whispered in shock.

"Miss... do you know who you saved?"

She shook her head.

"No."

The guard swallowed nervously.

"That's Luciano De Luca..."

"The King of the De Luca Mafia."

Her blood froze.

The most feared mafia boss in the country.

The man whose name appeared in every whispered criminal rumor.

The man governments failed to arrest.

The man everyone feared.

And she had stitched his wounds.

Luciano looked back at her.

For the first time...

A genuine smile touched his lips.

"You saved the devil."

Before she could answer...

He climbed into the SUV.

The convoy disappeared into the rain.

Amelia exhaled.

"I'll never see him again."

She couldn't have been more wrong.

Because in another part of the city...

Luciano sat silently inside his mansion.

His right-hand man asked carefully,

"Boss... should we reward the nurse?"

Luciano stared at Amelia's medical file lying on his desk.

"No."

The man looked confused.

"No?"

Luciano closed the file.

"She belongs beside me."

The room fell silent.

His men exchanged nervous glances.

Only one thing could happen when their boss became interested in someone.

Chapter 2: The Contract She Never Wanted

He never lets them go

Amelia barely slept that night.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the cold, unreadable face of Luciano De Luca—the man she had unknowingly saved. She kept telling herself it was over. He had gone back to his world, and she would return to hers.

By sunrise, she was getting ready for another shift at the hospital.

She grabbed her bag, locked her apartment door, and walked downstairs.

The moment she stepped outside, she froze.

Six black luxury SUVs were parked in front of her small apartment building.

More than twenty men dressed in black suits stood in two neat rows.

Residents peeked through their windows, whispering in fear.

One of the men stepped forward.

"Miss Amelia Hart?"

Her heart pounded.

"Y-Yes..."

He bowed respectfully.

"Our boss wishes to see you."

"I have to go to work."

"I'm afraid that won't be possible."

She frowned.

"I said I have to work."

The man remained expressionless.

"Our boss doesn't take no for an answer."

Before Amelia could protest, the rear door of the first SUV opened.

Luciano stepped out.

Even with his injuries, he carried himself like a king. His tailored black suit hid the bandages beneath, and his piercing gray eyes locked onto hers.

"You look well," he said.

She crossed her arms.

"You shouldn't be here."

"What do you want?"

Luciano took a few slow steps toward her.

"To thank you."

"I already told you. You don't owe me anything."

He snapped his fingers.

One of his men handed Amelia a black envelope.

She opened it cautiously.

Inside was a contract.

She frowned.

"What is this?"

"My proposal."

She skimmed the first page.

Then her eyes widened.

Marriage Contract.

She looked up in disbelief.

"You've lost your mind."

"I haven't."

"You want me to marry you?"

"Yes."

She laughed nervously.

"This is a joke."

I don't joke

"I don't even know you!"

She shoved the papers back into his hands.

"No."

Luciano's expression didn't change.

"You should think carefully."

"I already have."

"I don't accept rejection."

She stared at him.

"I saved your life, and this is how you repay me?"

His eyes darkened.

Before she could ask what he meant, several black vans sped toward them.

Gunfire erupted.

"Get down!" one of Luciano's guards shouted.

Bullets shattered windows.

People screamed and ran.

Luciano grabbed Amelia around the waist and pulled her behind one of the SUVs just as bullets struck the wall behind them.

Her entire body shook.

"What is happening?"

"My enemies."

"They're shooting at me!"

"They're shooting at us."

The attack lasted less than two minutes.

Luciano's men quickly overpowered the attackers.

Silence returned.

Amelia looked around in horror.

Police sirens echoed in the distance.

Luciano gently brushed broken glass from her hair.

"Now do you understand?"

She looked at him with frightened eyes.

"They know you saved me."

Her face turned pale.

"If they believe you matter to me..."

He paused.

"They'll kill you."

She couldn't breathe.

"This... this isn't my world."

"It is now."

"No..."

"I'm giving you a choice."

"What choice?"

"Marry me."

"And if I refuse?

"I force"

"You'll never leave my sight."

She realized there wasn't much difference between protection and imprisonment.

That evening...

Amelia sat inside Luciano's enormous mansion.

She had insisted she wasn't staying.

Yet somehow she was sitting across from him in a luxurious dining room that looked like a palace.

He slid the contract toward her again.

"You'll live here."

"No."

"You can continue nursing."

She looked surprised.

"You'd allow that?"

"I won't stop you from doing what you love."

She studied him carefully.

"What's the catch?"

"You'll be my wife for one year."

"And after that?"

"If you still wish to leave..."

He looked away briefly.

"I'll let you go."

She searched his face.

For the first time, she noticed something unexpected beneath his cold exterior.

Loneliness.

Still, she couldn't trust him.

"Why me?"

He answered without hesitation.

"Because when everyone else saw a monster..."

"You saw a patient."

Silence filled the room.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then one of Luciano's guards burst into the dining room.

"Boss!"

Luciano stood instantly.

"What is it?"

"The Black Serpent Syndicate has kidnapped Dr. Samuel."

Amelia gasped.

"Dr. Samuel?"

The guard nodded grimly.

"They left a message."

Luciano's face hardened.

"What did it say?"

The guard swallowed.

"They said..."

"'Bring us the nurse... or the old doctor dies

"No."

"They want me. If I surrender myself, they'll let him go."

"They're lying."

"You don't know that."

"I do."

His voice was calm, but firm.

"People like them don't honor deals."

Amelia glared at him.

"And people like you do?"

A heavy silence settled over the room.

Luciano didn't answer.

Instead, he looked at Marco, his right-hand man.

"Find out where they're holding the doctor."

Marco nodded. "Already working on it, Boss."

Amelia clenched her fists.

"We don't have time!"

"We'll make time."

"What if they kill him before you find him?"

Luciano stepped closer until they were only inches apart.

His gray eyes bored into hers.

"I won't let anyone touch you."

"You can't promise that."

"I just did."

Across the city...

Dr. Samuel sat tied to a wooden chair inside an abandoned warehouse.

His face was bruised, but his spirit remained strong.

A man in a black leather jacket walked toward him.

His name was Victor Kane, leader of the Black Serpent Syndicate.

Unlike Luciano, Victor enjoyed cruelty.

He smiled as he crouched before the old doctor.

"Your little nurse has caused us quite a problem."

Dr. Samuel remained silent.

Victor sighed dramatically.

"I was hoping she'd call by now."

He checked his watch.

"Maybe she doesn't care about you."

The old doctor looked up.

"She'll come."

Victor grinned.

"I know."

Back at the mansion...

Marco hurried into Luciano's office.

"We found them."

Luciano looked up immediately.

"Where?"

"An abandoned shipping warehouse near the harbor."

"How many men?"

"At least sixty."

Luciano smiled—a cold, dangerous smile.

"They brought too few."

Amelia stepped into the room.

"I'm coming."

"No."

"I'm the reason this happened."

"Exactly why you're staying here."

She folded her arms stubbornly.

"I'm not hiding while someone dies for me."

Luciano walked toward her.

"So stubborn."

"You barely know me."

"I know enough."

Before she could argue again, he gently placed something in her hand.

A small silver pendant.

She frowned.

"What is this?"

"My mother's."

She stared at him in shock.

"Why are you giving this to me?"

"So I know you'll come back."

For the first time, his voice wasn't cold.

It was... vulnerable.

Amelia looked at the pendant.

Then back at him.

"I'll come back."

He gave one short nod.

"Good."

Then his face hardened again.

"Lock every door."

The guards nodded.

"Yes, Boss."

Within minutes, Luciano and thirty heavily armed men sped toward the harbor.

The warehouse...

Victor smirked as headlights appeared outside.

"They're here."

His men c****d their rifles.

The massive warehouse doors exploded inward.

Luciano walked through the smoke.

Alone.

Victor laughed.

"You came by yourself?"

Luciano didn't answer.

Victor pushed a gun against Dr. Samuel's head.

"Where's the nurse?"

"Safe."

Victor clicked the safety off.

"Wrong answer."

Bang!

The gunshot echoed through the warehouse.

Dr. Samuel closed his eyes.

But he wasn't the one who had been shot.

Victor looked down in disbelief.

Blood spread across his shoulder.

A sniper.

Luciano's men poured into the warehouse from every entrance.

Chaos erupted.

Gunfire exploded in every direction.

Luciano moved like a shadow, disarming one enemy after another with terrifying precision.

Within minutes, the Black Serpent Syndicate was overwhelmed.

Victor staggered backward, clutching his wounded shoulder.

"You think this is over?"

Luciano grabbed him by the collar.

"No."

Victor laughed despite the blood running down his arm.

"You've already lost."

Luciano narrowed his eyes.

"What do you mean?"

Victor smiled.

"I never wanted the old man."

Luciano's grip tightened.

"Talk."

Victor's grin widened.

"My men..."

He coughed blood.

"...are already at your mansion."

Luciano's eyes widened for the first time in years.

Amelia.

Without another word, he released Victor and sprinted toward the exit.

Behind him, Marco untied Dr. Samuel.

"Boss!"

Luciano was already gone.

Back at the mansion...

The lights suddenly went out.

Amelia looked around nervously.

"What happened?"

Before the guards could answer...

The sound of breaking glass echoed through the halls.

Then came the first scream.

One of Luciano's guards crashed through the living room window, landing unconscious on the marble floor.

Heavy footsteps echoed from the darkness.

A deep voice laughed.

"Looks like the king left his queen unprotected."

Amelia slowly backed away as a tall masked man emerged from the shadows, surrounded by armed intruders.

He pointed a gun directly at her.

"Come with us... quietly."

Amelia's heart pounded as she realized Luciano was miles away—and she was completely surrounded.

Chapter 4: The Devil Comes for His Queen

The mansion had become a battlefield.

Broken glass crunched beneath Amelia's shoes as she slowly stepped backward. Around her, Luciano's remaining guards stood their ground, guns raised, despite being outnumbered.

The masked man smiled behind his black mask.

"Miss Amelia Hart," he said mockingly. "You've caused quite a bit of trouble."

"I've done nothing to you."

"Oh, but you did." He tilted his head. "You saved the wrong man."

Amelia swallowed hard.

"If you're after Luciano, then go after him. Leave innocent people alone."

The man laughed.

"Innocent? You're the woman who softened the most ruthless mafia boss in the country. That makes you valuable."

He pointed his gun at one of the wounded guards.

"Drop your weapons."

The guards hesitated.

"I said now!"

Reluctantly, they lowered their guns.

The masked man gestured toward Amelia.

"Tie her hands."

Two men approached.

Amelia tried to run, but one of them caught her wrist.

"Let me go!"

She kicked one of them hard in the knee. He cried out in pain, but another grabbed her from behind.

Within seconds, her wrists were bound.

"Boss will be pleased," one of the men sneered.

The masked leader chuckled.

"Take her."

Just as they reached the front door—

Boom!

The massive entrance exploded inward.

The force sent several attackers flying across the marble floor.

Smoke filled the room.

A single figure emerged from the haze.

Luciano.

His black suit was stained with blood, his knuckles bruised, and his gray eyes burned with terrifying fury.

He looked at Amelia's bound wrists.

His face became frighteningly calm.

The kind of calm that came before a storm.

"I warned you," he said quietly.

The masked man laughed.

"You're too late."

Luciano took one step forward.

"No."

His voice was almost a whisper.

"You are."

The lights flickered back on.

From every hallway, staircase, and balcony, Luciano's elite guards appeared, surrounding the intruders.

The attackers realized they had walked into a trap.

The masked man's confidence vanished.

"Kill him!" he shouted.

Gunfire erupted.

Luciano moved with incredible speed, dodging bullets as he closed the distance. He disarmed one attacker with a brutal punch, sent another crashing through a table, and kicked a third into the wall.

Within moments, the living room became a blur of chaos.

Amelia watched in stunned silence.

She had never seen anyone fight like this.

Luciano wasn't simply defending himself.

He was protecting her.

One attacker slipped past the guards and rushed toward Amelia with a knife.

She froze.

The blade flashed toward her—

A gunshot rang out.

The attacker collapsed at her feet.

Luciano stood several meters away, his pistol still raised.

Without saying a word, he crossed the room and cut the ropes binding her wrists.

"Are you hurt?"

She shook her head, tears welling in her eyes.

"No."

He gently examined her wrists where the rope had left red marks.

A dangerous look crossed his face.

"They touched you."

"I'm fine."

"No."

His jaw tightened.

"They laid hands on what's mine."

Before Amelia could respond, the masked leader tried to escape through a broken window.

Luciano caught him by the collar and slammed him against the wall.

"Who sent you?"

The man laughed despite the blood running from his mouth.

"You'll never stop what's coming."

Luciano pressed a knife against his throat.

"Who?"

"The Council..."

Luciano's eyes narrowed.

"The Five Families have united against you."

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Even Marco looked shocked.

"The Five Families?" he repeated.

The masked man smiled weakly.

"Every mafia organization in the country wants the De Luca empire destroyed."

Luciano released him.

The man fell to the floor, unconscious.

Marco turned to Luciano.

"Boss... if that's true..."

"It means war."

Amelia stared at Luciano.

War.

Not between two gangs.

But between the five most powerful criminal families in the country.

And somehow...

She had become the center of it.

Luciano turned to her.

"The contract is no longer optional."

She frowned.

"What?"

"If they believe you're my weakness, they'll never stop hunting you."

"I don't want to marry you."

"I know."

"Then why force me?"

He held her gaze for a long moment.

"Because it's the only way I can keep you alive."

Amelia looked away, conflicted.

She hated being cornered.

She hated the danger.

But deep inside, she also knew one painful truth.

Without Luciano...

She might not survive the week

chapter 5

The wedding plans

The grand dining hall was unusually quiet.

Amelia hadn't slept all night. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the bloodstained wedding veil and the threatening note.

She sat across from Luciano, who calmly sipped his coffee as though death threats were an ordinary part of breakfast.

Finally, she broke the silence.

"I won't marry you."

Luciano looked up.

"I expected you to say that."

"I mean it."

"So do I."

She pushed her untouched breakfast away.

"I'm not a bargaining chip."

Luciano leaned back in his chair.

"I've spent years building enemies."

They don't attack me directly anymore."

"Because they can't?"

"They've learned it's easier to attack the people around me."

His voice remained calm, but there was pain beneath it.

"My mother died because someone wanted revenge against my father."

Amelia's expression softened.

"My younger sister..."

He paused.

"...was killed because of me."

The room fell silent.

Marco lowered his eyes respectfully.

Luciano rarely spoke about his family.

Amelia looked at him differently.

For the first time, she saw not only the feared mafia boss, but also a man carrying unbearable guilt.

"I couldn't save them," he said quietly.

"But I'll save you."

Amelia swallowed hard.

You saved my life without asking who I was."

His gaze met hers.

"In my world, that kind of kindness is rarer than loyalty."

Meanwhile...

Miles away...

Inside a luxurious estate, five powerful figures sat around a circular table.

Each represented one of the country's most feared mafia families.

At the head of the table sat an elderly man with silver hair and piercing blue eyes.

Don Vittorio Moretti.

He tapped the table once.

"So..."

"The Devil has found someone he wishes to protect."

A woman dressed in red smiled coldly.

"That makes the nurse his greatest weakness."

Another man nodded.

"We strike during the wedding."

Don Vittorio's smile widened.

"Exactly."

Back at the mansion...

Wedding preparations had already begun.

Designers, florists, chefs, and security teams filled every hallway.

Amelia couldn't believe it.

She hadn't even agreed.

As she wandered through the mansion, she found herself standing in front of a locked door.

Curiosity got the better of her.

It was slightly open.

She stepped inside.

The room was simple.

Unlike the rest of the mansion, it wasn't luxurious.

Family photographs covered the shelves.

A younger Luciano smiled in one picture beside a beautiful woman.

His mother.

Another showed him carrying a little girl on his shoulders.

His sister.

Amelia picked up the frame gently.

"You kept these..."

"You weren't supposed to see this room."

She turned.

Luciano stood in the doorway.

"I'm sorry."

My sister was twelve."

"I'm sorry."

"So am I."

He stared at the photograph for several seconds before placing it back on the shelf.

"I don't want another innocent person to die because of me."

Amelia looked into his eyes.

For the first time, she believed him.

That evening...

Dr. Samuel finally arrived at the mansion after recovering from his injuries.

The old doctor smiled warmly when he saw Amelia.

"You're safe."

She hugged him tightly.

"I was so worried."

He gently patted her shoulder before turning to Luciano.

"Thank you."

Luciano simply nodded.

After a moment, Dr. Samuel asked to speak with Amelia alone.

They walked into the garden.

"My dear," he said softly, "do you trust him?"

Amelia hesitated.

"I... don't know."

"Does he frighten you?"

"Sometimes."

"But has he ever harmed you?"

She thought back over everything that had happened.

"No."

Dr. Samuel smiled gently.

"Then don't judge him by the name people fear."

She looked toward the mansion, where Luciano stood on a balcony, watching the grounds.

For the first time, she wondered if there was more to him than the ruthless legend everyone knew.

Late that night...

Luciano was alone in his office when Marco burst through the door.

"Boss!"

Luciano immediately stood.

"What happened?"

Marco handed him a tablet displaying live security footage.

A black limousine had stopped outside the mansion gates.

Only one man stepped out.

He wore a perfectly tailored white suit and carried a single white rose.

Marco's face was pale.

"It's him."

chapter 6

came back to life

Luciano's expression darkened.

"I thought he was dead."

"So did everyone else."

The mysterious man looked directly into the security camera and smiled.

Then he spoke five chilling words.

"I'm here for my fiancée."

Luciano's grip tightened on the edge of the desk.

" fiancée?"

Marco nodded slowly.

"He means Amelia."

Luciano's eyes blazed with fury.

"Open the gates."

"Boss?"

"I've been waiting for this ghost to return."

Outside, the man in white smiled as the massive gates slowly opened.

He whispered to himself,

"Let's see if the Devil remembers his old friend.

The iron gates groaned open.

The man in the white suit walked in as though he owned the mansion. His polished shoes clicked against the stone driveway, a single white rose resting casually in his hand.

Every guard raised their weapons.

He didn't even flinch.

Luciano descended the grand staircase, his expression unreadable.

The two men stopped a few feet apart.

For a long moment, neither spoke.

Then the stranger smiled.

"It's been a long time, Luciano."

Luciano's voice was cold.

"I watched you fall off a cliff."

"And yet..."The man spread his arms. "Here I am."

Amelia, standing on the balcony above, watched the tense exchange.

"Who is he?" she whispered to Marco.

Marco's face tightened.

"His name is Adrian Romano."

"Who is he?"

Marco hesitated.

"He was Luciano's closest friend."

Amelia blinked.

"Was?"

"They grew up together."

"What happened?"

Marco sighed.

"One betrayal destroyed everything."

Adrian's gaze shifted to Amelia.

"So..." he said with a charming smile. "You're even more beautiful than I imagined."

Luciano stepped in front of her line of sight.

"Don't look at her."

Adrian laughed.

"Still possessive."

"What do you want?"

"I'm here to collect what's mine."

Luciano's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Choose your next words carefully."

Adrian held up the white rose.

"Amelia Hart."

He smiled.

"My fiancée."

chapter 7

the man in white

The words echoed through the silent hall.

Amelia stared at him.

"I've never met you."

"No."

"But your father did."

She frowned.

"My father died when I was little."

"He made a promise before he died."

Luciano's voice became deadly calm.

"You're lying."

Adrian reached into his jacket and removed an old, weathered envelope.

"It's all here."

He tossed it onto the table.

Luciano opened it.

Inside was a signed agreement.

His jaw tightened.

Amelia stepped closer.

"What is it?"

Luciano didn't answer.

Instead, he handed her the document.

Her hands trembled as she read.

In exchange for financial protection, Amelia Hart will be betrothed to the Romano family upon reaching adulthood.

At the bottom...

Her father's signature.

Tears filled her eyes.

"No..."

"This can't be real."

Adrian nodded sympathetically.

"Your father was desperate."

"He loved you."

"He wanted to make sure you'd always be cared for."

Amelia shook her head repeatedly.

"He would never sell my future."

"He didn't."

"He saved your life."

Luciano crushed the document in his fist.

"The agreement means nothing."

"It means everything."

"It was never completed."

"It will be."

Adrian's smile disappeared.

"I've waited fifteen years."

"I'm not leaving without her."

The atmosphere turned deadly.

Dozens of guards tightened their grip on their weapons.

Marco whispered,

"Boss..."

Luciano never looked away from Adrian.

"Leave."

"No."

"I won't ask twice."

Adrian chuckled.

"You've changed."

"So have you."

"I hear you're getting married."

"I am."

"Not if I stop it."

Suddenly...

A loud explosion shook the mansion.

Boom!

The crystal chandeliers rattled violently.

Smoke poured through the windows.

"Boss!" one of the guards shouted.

"We're under attack!"

Luciano cursed.

"This isn't Adrian."

Outside...

More than thirty armored vehicles surrounded the estate.

The flags on their doors all bore different symbols.

The Five Families.

They had arrived together.

Marco's face turned pale.

"They've united."

Luciano looked toward the battlefield forming beyond the gates.

"They chose today."

Gunfire erupted.

Bullets shattered windows.

The wedding preparations dissolved into chaos.

Luciano grabbed Amelia's hand.

"Stay behind me."

She nodded, her heart racing.

Adrian looked out the window and sighed.

"I suppose introductions will have to wait."

He turned toward Luciano.

"For today..."

"We have a common enemy."

Luciano glared at him.

"I don't trust you."

"You don't have to."

Adrian picked up a fallen rifle from one of the guards.

"You only have to survive."

Outside, hundreds of armed men stormed the mansion from every direction.

Inside, Luciano realized he was about to fight the biggest battle of his life.

And the only man who could help him...

Chapter 9

A House Under Siege

Was his best friend who he thought was dead but was now standing next to him as an enemy

The first explosion had only been the beginning.

Machine-gun fire echoed across the De Luca estate as bullets shattered windows and carved holes into the mansion's stone walls.

"Protect Miss Amelia!" Marco shouted.

The guards immediately formed a circle around her.

Luciano reloaded his pistol with practiced ease, his face completely devoid of fear.

"They've come with everything they have," Marco said.

Luciano gave a single nod.

"Then we'll give them everything we've got."

Another explosion ripped through the front gate, sending chunks of iron flying through the air.

Enemy soldiers flooded into the grounds.

More than two hundred.

Their black uniforms bore the emblems of the Five Families.

For the first time in years, Luciano was outnumbered.

Amelia stood frozen.

She had never imagined this level of violence.

The constant sound of gunfire.

It was like stepping into a war zone.

A wounded guard stumbled through the hallway, clutching his bleeding shoulder.

Without thinking, Amelia rushed to him.

"I need a medical kit!"

One of the maids pointed toward a nearby cabinet.

Within seconds, Amelia was on her knees, pressing gauze against the wound.

"Keep pressure here," she instructed.

The guard stared at her.

"Miss... it's dangerous."

"So is bleeding to death."

Despite the chaos around her, she remained calm.

She was a nurse.

Saving lives was what she did.

One by one, injured guards were brought to her.

Soon the grand ballroom had become an emergency treatment center.

Even while bullets struck the walls outside, Amelia stitched wounds, stopped bleeding, and comforted frightened staff.

Luciano glanced through the doorway as he passed.

For a brief moment, pride flickered across his face.

Even surrounded by death...

She was still saving people.

Outside...

Adrian fought beside Luciano.

Back-to-back.

Like they had years ago.

"You still shoot too slowly," Adrian teased after taking down another attacker.

Luciano didn't even look at him.

"You still talk too much."

Adrian laughed.

"There he is."

For a moment, it almost felt like old times.

Then a sniper's bullet whizzed between them.

They dove behind a fountain.

Marco joined them.

"They're pushing from the east wing!"

Luciano looked toward the burning gardens.

"They're trying to split our defenses."

Adrian nodded.

"I'll take the east."

Luciano frowned.

"You expect me to trust you?"

"No."

Adrian smirked.

"But trust that I hate them more."

Without waiting for permission, Adrian sprinted toward the eastern wall, firing as he ran.

Luciano watched him go.

Marco glanced sideways.

"Do you think he's telling the truth?"

"I don't know."

"But if he's lying..."

Luciano's eyes turned cold.

"I'll kill him myself."

Inside the mansion...

Amelia had just finished bandaging another injured guard when the lights suddenly went out.

Darkness swallowed the room.

A gasp escaped one of the maids.

The emergency generators failed to start.

Only the orange glow of the fires outside illuminated the hall.

Something felt wrong.

Very wrong.

Amelia slowly stood.

"Everyone stay together."

A frightened servant whispered,

"I heard footsteps..."

The room fell silent.

Then—

Click.

A gun being c****d.

A masked assassin emerged from the darkness.

He wasn't wearing the insignia of the Five Families.

He belonged to someone else.

His eyes locked onto Amelia.

"There you are."

The guards raised their weapons.

Too late.

The assassin threw a smoke grenade.

The room filled with thick gray smoke.

People screamed.

Amelia coughed violently, unable to see anything.

Strong hands suddenly grabbed her from behind.

She struggled.

"No! Let me go!"

The man whispered into her ear,

"The boss wants you alive."

He dragged her toward a hidden exit concealed behind one of the bookshelves.

Outside, the sound of battle drowned out her cries for help.

By the time the smoke cleared...

Amelia was gone.

Marco rushed into the ballroom.

"Where's Miss Amelia?"

No one answered.

One trembling maid pointed toward the secret passage.

"They... they took her..."

"They didn't just kidnap my future wife..."

They signed...."