“How the hell did they get in?” Lo demanded.
I was at a loss. After Gigi's abduction, I strengthened the security measures. How they found a way onto the property didn’t make any fucking sense.
“Lo, call Enzo,” I snapped, glancing at him in the rearview mirror.
“On it,” he responded.
We rounded the final bend and the house came into view; the security lights blazed to life, and the blaring alarm echoed into the night.
“Guns out!” I shouted.
I pulled into the driveway and came to a sudden halt. My team drew their weapons, scanning the area as we exited the car. Alphonse was already by the gate, prepared to charge inside.
“We’ll head around the back,” I said, gesturing toward Alphonse, Luca, and Dante. “Lo, Matteo, you two take the front. Make sure to round up the guards.”
“Got it,” Matteo shouted as we burst through the front gate.
I noticed three guards sprawled on the ground with bullets in their heads.
I headed to the back of the house, desperate to remain unseen. And then, like a dagger to my heart, I spotted her—my angel.
“Liam! Watch out!” she screamed.
Liam stumbled as he was shot. He crumpled onto the grass.
“NO!” A gut-wrenching cry escaped her lips.
My gaze shot up to see the man who shot Liam and everything inside me froze. His face twisted into a wicked smile that sent a chill down my spine as he started to advance on Gigi.
“Fuck!” I broke into a sprint to get to her.
Just ahead, an axe lay abandoned on the grass, and without a second thought, I snatched it up, my grip tightening around the handle.
I closed the distance between us, my eyes never leaving his face. With a roar, I swung the axe with all my might, killing him instantly.
“Gigi!” Alphonse bellowed, racing up to me.
“Liam! Liam!” Dante called out from the other side.
The wail of sirens grew louder. “The front’s clear, and the house. Matteo and Lo are securing it,” Luca informed us, his gaze fixed on Liam, who lay motionless.
“Fuck,” he murmured.
“Nico!” Enzo called out as he and his men rushed in, his eyes quickly falling on Liam. “Get me something to carry him!” he barked at his team.
Dante was hunched over his son, his anguished cries filling the air as he clutched Liam’s body. Alphonse hovered nearby, desperately attempting to get Gigi to move away, but she wouldn’t budge. Her trembling hands remained glued to Liam’s chest.
I kneeled beside her. “Baby? Move your hands so Dante can take over.”
She shook her head. “No.” When she turned her gaze to me, it felt like she yanked my soul right out of my body.
Tears streamed down her face, and snot was pooling under her nose as her breath came in frantic gasps, her tiny frame shaking.
Alphonse wrapped his arms around Gigi, pulling her away from Liam to comfort her while she sobbed uncontrollably.
Enzo’s men returned, paramedics in tow, and they swooped in, taking over.
The paramedics carefully lifted Liam onto a stretcher and wheeled him away. Dante trailed closely behind, his face pale and tears flowing down his cheek.
