Chapter 8 - The Fall of the Romano Dynasty
The pier erupted into a fierce firefight. Leo’s men moved with military precision, flanking Julian’s disorganized guards.
Leo didn't seek cover. He walked forward, his rifle firing with absolute accuracy, taking down anyone who raised a weapon near Bella. He moved like a man possessed, his focus entirely locked on Julian, who was crawling toward a shipping container, clutching his bleeding nose.
Bella scrambled behind a heavy steel crate, covering her ears as bullets pinged off the metal.
Julian, realizing he was entirely outmatched, drew his spare weapon and aimed it directly at Bella’s exposed shoulder. "If I die, you die with me, bitch!"
But before his finger could squeeze the trigger, a shadow loomed over him. Leo tackled Julian to the ground, the gun flying from Julian’s hand.
What followed was not a duel; it was a systematic execution of hope for the Romano family. Leo’s fists rained down on Julian with brutal, unrelenting force. Every blow was for the fear Bella had felt, for the blood she had shed, and for the peace they had stolen.
"Please!" Julian choked out, his face a swollen, bloody mess. "Mercy, Moretti! We can make a deal!"
Leo grabbed Julian by his collar, dragging him to the edge of the pier. Below them, the dark, icy ocean churned violently against the concrete pylons.
"There are no deals for people who touch my wife," Leo whispered, his voice colder than the ocean depths.
With a powerful heave, Leo threw Julian over the edge. A loud splash was heard, swallowed instantly by the roaring waves and the dark, unforgiving sea. Julian Romano was gone, and with him, the last threat to the Moretti empire.
Leo turned slowly, his chest heaving as the adrenaline began to fade. He looked around the pier. The enemy forces were completely neutralized.
His eyes searched the shadows until they landed on Bella, who was slowly standing up from behind the steel crate.
Leo dropped his weapon. He ran to her, his long strides covering the distance in seconds. He threw his arms around her, lifting her off her feet and burying his face in her wet, tangled hair. He was shaking, the fearsome Don crying silent tears into her shoulder.
May you like
"I have you," he whispered repeatedly, his voice cracking. "I have you. I’m so sorry, Bella. I’m so sorry."
Bella held him just as tightly, her fingers tracing the wet contours of his back. "You came for me. I knew you would. I’m safe, Leo. I’m safe."
