Silks and Bullets

Chapter 10: Armor and Allegiance

Julian broke cover completely, ignoring the bullets whizzing past his head. He fired three continuous shots, taking down Valenti’s men, before aiming directly at Valenti’s chest.

The rival Don, seeing his men fall and realizing the tide had turned, scrambled into the back of a waiting black SUV, which tore out of the pier, tires screaming.

Julian didn't give chase. He dropped his weapon and fell to his knees beside Elena, his face pale, his hands shaking as he pulled her into his lap.

"No, no, no," he muttered frantically, pressing his hand against the tear in her white gown. "Elena, stay with me. Look at me."

Elena blinked, coughing slightly as the smoke cleared. She looked down at her chest, then up at

Julian's panicked face. A breathless, weak laugh escaped her lips.

"I told you," she gasped, her ribs aching fiercely.

"The... the carbon fiber blend. It works."

Julian paused, his hands sweeping away the torn, ruined white silk. The bullet had penetrated the dress, but it was completely embedded in the thick, dense layer of the high-tech lining underneath.

It hadn't pierced her skin. The impact had given her a massive, deep bruise and likely cracked a rib, but she was alive.

The sheer relief that washed over Julian's face made him look entirely human. He leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers, his chest heaving. "You terrified me," he whispered, his voice cracking. "I thought I lost you."

"You're not getting rid of me that easily," Elena whispered, wrapping her good arm around his neck.

Marco and a dozen Salvatore soldiers rushed into the pavilion, securing the area. "Boss, the federal authorities are en route. We have the data from the warehouse. Valenti’s empire is done."

Julian stood up, effortlessly lifting Elena into his arms. He held her tight against his chest, like the rarest piece of silk in the world. He looked down at his men, his voice returning to that cold, absolute authority but this time, it was laced with a new kind of power.

"Let the feds take the docks," Julian commanded