Forbidden Claim: A Mafia King’s Obsession

Chapter 28: Injured

Nadia’s POV

My life flashes before my eyes before I can even realize it. The terror of what is going to happen if I am taken by the intruders leaves a deep ache in my chest.

The flashlights cuts through the darkness of the kitchen, sweeping over the steel counters . The heavy thuds of combat boots comes closer, the sound echoing off the metal appliances. My heart beats so loud I am sure the man with the gun can hear it. My hand flies to my mouth, I press down hard trying to muffle the sobs that are threatening to come out. Francesca remains still beside me, her sharp eyes staring into the darkness. She doesn’t flinch, though her breathing is ragged, but she still tries to maintain her fearless Donna demeanor.

The footsteps stop right on the other side of the refrigerator. The lights hit the floor, just inches away from my shoes. I squeeze my eyes shut, waiting for the rough hands to drag me out, for the nightmare to turn intense.

Bang!

The sudden , deafening roar of a handgun shatters the silence in the kitchen, causing a loud deafening ringing in the air. The intruder gasps as his flashlight drops to the floor, rolling widely and illuminating a pair of pristine, black leather boots.

Lorenzo.

Another shot echoes through the room before the wounded man can even scream, followed by the lifeless thud of his body hitting the cold floors.

“Clear the pantry!” Lorenzo’s voice roars through the dark, a horrifying, primal sound that makes the hairs on my arms stand up. “Viktor, take the back exit. Leave no one alive.”

The chaos that follows is one I will never forget my entire life. Sounds of gunfire, grunts of pain, and the shattering of glass fills the air. It is a brutal, deathly scene. The flashing muzzle of guns illuminating the room like lightning. It goes on for a long moment, then just as quickly as it started, the terrifying gunfire stops. The only sound left is the heavy , ragged breathing of the men remaining.

“Don, the perimeter is clear. We have executed the rats, apart from the ones held captive,” Viktor’s voice calls out, breathless but steady.

“The lights,” Lorenzo growls, his voice sounds strained, lower than usual, making my stomach twist.

A second later, the fluorescent lights flicker to life, buzzing loudly as the backup generators finally kick in. The rays of the white light forces me to blink rapidly.

Francesca immediately steps out from behind the refrigerator, smoothing down her wrinkled dress as if she hadn’t just been hiding for her life. I come out shortly after, my legs trembling so bad I had to hold on to the edge of the counter for support.

Lorenzo stands in the center of the room. His black shirt is torn at the shoulder, his hair is unkempt and his chest is heaving. His right hand holds his weapon firmly, the barrel still smoking. My eyes drifts suddenly to his left hand. He clutches his side, his large fingers pressed tightly against his ribs. Dark, crimson liquid is already leaking through his fingers, staining the black fabric of his shirt.

“Lorenzo,” Francesca says, her voice cracking as she takes in the sight of her injured son. She tries going to him, but he raises up a hand, stopping her in her tracks.

“I ordered the both of you to stay in the dining hall,” Lorenzo says, his dark eyes fixing on his mother first, then sliding over to me. The intensity of his gaze makes the room feel small again, but there’s a little flicker of fatigue in his features that I’ve never seen before.

“The intruders blew the doors, Lorenzo,” Francesca snaps, though her eyes remains fixed on his bleeding side. You are hurt. You need a doctor.”

“Viktor is getting the medic,” Lorenzo replies coldly, refusing to let go of his injury. He takes a step toward me, his stride slightly less steady than before, but his towering Frame still dominates the space. He stops just a foot away, staring down at me. His eyes scans my face, dropping to my body as he ensures I am untouched.

“Did they hurt you, piccola?” he asks. His dangerous tone from earlier is gone, replaced by something raw and demanding.

“No,” I whisper, my voice trembling as I stare at the blood pooling under his hand. “I… I am fine.”

Lorenzo lets out a rough breath, his jaw clenching tightly as a wave of pain hits him. He shuts his eyes for a brief second, his shoulders sinking slightly.

“Good,” he murmurs, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. He opens his eyes, the dark, monstrous fire returning to them as he looks at his mother, then back to me. “Because this war has just begun.”