La Fiamma Nera: Bound By Death

CHAPTER TWO

Smoke on the road

Sam jumped into his car, his hands trembling slightly as he gripped the wheel. He knew the road to Richard’s house like the back of his hand, but tonight it felt longer, darker, and heavier. He pressed hard on the accelerator, the car jerking forward, brushing past bushes and scraping against branches as he forced his way through a shortcut to Richard's house

All he wanted was to get there before it was too late. Richard and his family needed to be warned. If they could flee before the mafia arrived, there might still be hope.

Meanwhile, at 42 Ravenwood Drive, inside Richard’s house…

Richard, once a powerful name in La Fiamma Nera>the Black Flame mafia, sat quietly with his family. He had retired years ago to give more of himself to his wife, Elena, and his daughter, Maya. Tonight was a peaceful one.

Dinner was over, and Richard leaned back on the couch with Maya lying across his chest, her small hands holding on to him as the television flickered in the background.

“Baby girl,” Elena’s voice came from the kitchen, “come and help me with the dishes.”

Maya pouted, hugging her father tighter.

“No, Mama. I want to stay with Daddy.”

Richard laughed, brushing his daughter’s hair back.

“What do you mean, young lady? Go on, help Mama. You can come back later.”

Reluctantly, Maya slid off her father’s chest and followed her mother into the kitchen. Elena gave her a playful look, then turned to wash the plates. That was when she noticed it shadows moving past the window.

Years of being a mafia wife had sharpened her instincts. She froze, her heart pounding, then slowly crouched, pulling Maya down with her. She tiptoed toward the sitting room, keeping her eyes low but sharp.

“Elena?” Richard frowned at the strange way she moved.

She raised her finger to her lips, signaling him to be silent. Then she leaned closer and whispered, “some people are here. Men outside.”

Richard’s expression hardened instantly. He didn’t need to ask who. He reached for the weapon he had sworn never to touch again, while Elena gripped Maya’s hand and led her toward the back of the house.

Behind the living room shelf was a hidden latch. Elena pulled it open quickly, revealing a narrow stairway to a small underground room Richard had built years ago just in case.

“Mummy, what’s happening?” Maya asked, her voice trembling.

Elena crouched in front of her, holding her face. “Listen to me, baby. You’ll be fine. Stay here, don’t make a sound. I’ll come back for you.”

Tears rolled down Maya’s cheeks. “Mama, don’t go”

“Shh. Be brave, Maya. For me.”

Elena kissed her forehead, then closed the latch, locking her in the darkness.

Back in the living room, Richard loaded his gun just as the front door was kicked open. Heavy boots stormed in, followed by a group of armed men dressed in black. At the center of them was a towering man, dark skinned and muscular.

“What do I owe this visit?” Richard asked coldly, his gun raised. Elena stood at his side, armed with a knife.

The man smirked. “Richard. You must have received my message about the war with La Corona Nera. Yet you ignored it. You betrayed us.”

Richard’s jaw tightened. “I retired. That’s not betrayal.”

The boss’s voice was deep and sharp. “There’s only one end for betrayers.”

And with that, the fight began.

Bullets cracked, knives clashed, and the room turned into chaos. Richard fought with the skill of a man who had once been feared across the underworld. He moved like lightning, dropping two men in seconds. Elena struck fiercely too, her blade catching one thug across the throat.

The boss himself joined the fight, lunging at Richard. In the struggle, Richard slashed him across the arm, leaving a wound so deep it made the man roar in fury.

Meanwhile, hidden underground, Maya shivered in the dark. She covered her ears against the terrifying sounds above gunfire, screams, shouts. Tears soaked her face as she sobbed quietly.

Suddenly, a hand covered her mouth from behind. She kicked and struggled, but then a whisper came.

“It’s okay, it’s me. Uncle Sam.”

Her eyes widened. She turned to see him in the dim light and threw herself into his arms.

“Uncle Sam! Uncle Sam!” she cried, hugging him tightly.

Sam pressed her close, whispering, “Stay quiet. I’ve got you now.”

But even as he held her, he knew the night was far from over.