Chapter 9 - The Final Stand
The high-speed chase ended at Pier 14—a dark, deserted container yard stretching out into the black waters of the Hudson River.
Our armored SUV crashed through the chain-link fence, coming to a halt near a massive crane after two tires were blown out by spike strips laid by our pursuers.
"Stay inside the vehicle! The glass is bulletproof!" Frank ordered, pulling a heavy rifle from the floorboards as three enemy cars surrounded us, their headlights blinding through the rain.
Gunfire peppered the side of our vehicle like heavy hail. I curled up on the floorboards beneath the leather seats, holding my breath, my mind screaming Vincent's name over and over.
Suddenly, a heavy black semi-truck burst through the container stacks at fifty miles an hour, smashing directly into two of the enemy vehicles, sending them spinning into the icy ocean waters with a deafening crash!
The truck slammed to a halt.
The door flew open, and Vincent Moretti stepped out into the pouring rain. His blue velvet coat was gone, his white shirt soaked in rain and blood, holding a heavy shotgun in his hand.
Behind him came a dozen armored vehicles, completely encircling the container yard. Vincent had not just come to rescue us; he had brought his entire army to wipe the Falcone family off the map forever.
Don Alberto Falcone stumbled out of the remaining damaged sedan, his face covered in blood, brandishing a small pistol with trembling hands.
"Moretti..." Alberto gasped, backing toward the edge of the pier. "You... you can't kill me! The commission will destroy you!"
Vincent walked forward slowly, his heavy boots splashing through the rain puddles. He didn't look angry; his face was a stone mask of absolute, final judgment.
"The commission died an hour ago, Alberto," Vincent said, his voice carrying over the sound of the churning river waves. "You targeted my children. You targeted the woman I love. There is no commission high enough to grant you mercy."
Vincent raised the shotgun.
"Wait!" Alberto screamed.
A single heavy thud echoed across the dark water.
Silence fell over Pier 14.
Vincent dropped the weapon to the ground, turning away from the river’s edge. He walked over to our armored SUV, tearing open the damaged door with his bare hands.
He looked inside.
May you like
I scrambled out of the vehicle, throwing myself into his arms regardless of the blood, soot, and rain covering his body. I wrapped my legs around his waist, burying my face in his neck, sobbing uncontrollably as he held me tight against his massive chest, his arms shaking with exhaustion.
"It's over, Elise," Vincent whispered into my ear, his lips pressing deeply against my wet skin. "It's all over. The war is finished."
