The billionaire mafia bride

The Rescue

CHAPTER 12

THE RESCUE

The words echoed in Serena's mind.

Your mother.

Alive.

After all these years, her mother was alive.

And someone had her.

Serena stared at Dante, barely able to speak.

"You knew her?"

Dante nodded slowly.

"Not well. But I knew of her."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I believed she was dead."

Serena's hands trembled.

"My whole life... I thought she abandoned me."

Dante stepped closer.

"Serena."

She looked at him.

"We're bringing her home."

Something in his voice made her believe him.

"How?"

Dante's expression hardened.

"By going into the Moretti estate."

---

Two hours later, Dante's private garage was filled with armed men.

Black vehicles waited in formation.

Weapons were being checked.

Maps were spread across a table.

Serena stood beside Dante, wearing black trousers, a dark jacket, and boots.

Dante looked at her.

"You're staying in the car."

"No."

"Serena."

"I'm coming."

"This isn't a negotiation."

"And neither is this."

She folded her arms.

"My mother is in there."

Dante stared at her.

"I know."

"Then I'm going."

He stepped closer.

"If anything happens to you, I won't forgive myself."

Serena softened.

"And if anything happens to my mother because I stayed behind, I'll never forgive myself."

Dante stared at her for several seconds.

Finally, he sighed.

"Stay beside me."

"I will."

"Don't run toward danger."

"I won't."

"Don't try to be a hero."

She smiled faintly.

"You're the hero?"

"No."

Dante's eyes darkened.

"I'm the man who's willing to become a monster if that's what it takes to bring you home."

Serena's smile disappeared.

She reached for his hand.

"Then don't become one."

Dante looked down at their joined hands.

"For you, I'll try."

---

The convoy stopped nearly a mile from the Moretti estate.

Dante stepped out first.

The estate stood beyond the trees, enormous and silent.

Serena stared at it.

"This place..."

"You've never been here?"

"No."

Dante looked toward the mansion.

"Your father came here often."

Serena's stomach tightened.

"With my mother?"

"Sometimes."

Dante checked his weapon.

"Stay close."

They moved through the trees.

No lights.

No guards.

That worried Dante more than a heavily protected entrance would have.

"Something's wrong," he whispered.

Serena looked at him.

"Why?"

"It's too easy."

They reached the side entrance.

Dante signaled.

Two guards quietly opened the door.

They slipped inside.

The hallway was dark.

Serena's heartbeat pounded in her ears.

Then they heard a sound.

A faint cry.

"Help..."

Serena froze.

"Mom?"

Dante grabbed her arm.

"Wait."

Another cry.

"Serena..."

Her eyes widened.

"That's her."

She tried to move forward.

Dante held her back.

"It could be a trap."

"But that's my mother."

"I know."

The voice came again.

"Serena!"

This time, Serena pulled free.

"Mom!"

She ran down the corridor.

"Serena!"

Dante followed.

They reached a large room.

A woman was tied to a chair.

Her hair was messy.

Her face was pale.

But there was no mistaking her.

Serena stopped.

"Mom?"

The woman slowly lifted her head.

Her eyes widened.

"Serena..."

Serena covered her mouth.

Tears immediately filled her eyes.

"Mom."

She rushed forward.

Dante's men checked the room.

"Clear!"

Dante moved toward the woman.

He cut the ropes.

Serena dropped beside her mother.

"You're alive."

Her mother touched Serena's face with trembling fingers.

"My baby..."

Serena began crying.

"Why did you leave me?"

Her mother pulled her into her arms.

"I never left you."

"Then why?"

"I was trying to protect you."

Dante looked around the room.

"From who?"

Her mother looked at him.

"From the Morettis."

Suddenly—

The doors slammed shut.

Dante immediately stood.

"Everyone down!"

The windows shattered.

Gunfire erupted.

Dante pulled Serena and her mother behind a heavy table.

His men returned fire.

"How did they know we were coming?" Serena shouted.

Dante looked toward the doorway.

"Because someone told them."

Serena's face changed.

"The traitor."

Dante nodded.

"Marcus."

A voice echoed through the room.

"Very good, Dante."

Everyone froze.

Marcus stepped into the doorway.

He was holding a gun.

Behind him stood several armed men.

Serena stared at him.

"You betrayed us."

Marcus looked at her.

"I never wanted to hurt you."

"Then why are you doing this?"

"Because your father destroyed my family."

Dante raised his gun.

"Put it down."

Marcus laughed.

"You still think you're in control."

He pointed his weapon at Serena's mother.

Dante's expression changed instantly.

"Don't."

Marcus smiled.

"Give me the key."

Serena looked at the silver key in her hand.

"The key to the ledger?"

Marcus nodded.

"Give it to me."

Dante shook his head.

"Don't."

Serena looked at him.

Her mother whispered,

"Serena, don't give him anything."

Marcus c****d his gun.

"Last chance."

Serena slowly stepped forward.

Dante grabbed her wrist.

"No."

She looked into his eyes.

"Trust me."

Dante hesitated.

Then he released her.

Serena walked toward Marcus.

She held out the key.

"Here."

Marcus reached for it.

At the last second, Serena dropped it.

Marcus looked down.

Dante fired.

The gun flew from Marcus's hand.

Dante's men attacked.

Within seconds, the room erupted into chaos.

Serena grabbed her mother and pulled her behind the table.

Dante fought his way toward them.

"Stay down!"

Marcus ran.

Dante chased him.

"Don't let him escape!"

Serena watched Dante disappear through the doorway.

Then her mother grabbed her arm.

"Serena."

"What?"

Her mother looked terrified.

"You shouldn't have come here."

"Why?"

"Because Marcus wasn't the one who betrayed you."

Serena froze.

"What do you mean?"

Her mother looked toward the doorway.

"The person who told them you were coming..."

She swallowed.

"...was someone much closer to you."

Serena's heart stopped.

"Who?"

Before her mother could answer, an explosion shook the mansion.

The floor trembled.

Dante's voice echoed from somewhere down the corridor.

"SERENA!"

She stood.

"Dante!"

Her mother grabbed her hand.

"Don't go!"

But Serena ran.

Smoke filled the hallway.

She could barely see.

"Dante!"

No answer.

Then she saw him.

He was lying on the floor.

Blood covered his shirt.

Serena screamed.

"DANTE!"

She rushed toward him.

His eyes slowly opened.

"Serena..."

She dropped beside him.

"I'm here."

He tried to sit up.

"Your mother..."

"She's safe."

He breathed a sigh of relief.

Then he reached for Serena's hand.

"Good."

Her tears fell onto his face.

"You scared me."

A weak smile appeared.

"I told you..."

He coughed.

"I wouldn't leave you."

Serena squeezed his hand.

"You better not."

Behind them, her mother watched silently.

And there was something in her eyes that Serena couldn't understand.

Fear.

Guilt.

And regret.

Because she knew the truth.

The person who had betrayed Serena wasn't finished.

Not even close.