She Walked Into a Mafia Boss's Kitchen to Save Her Daughter — and His Four Sons Made Sure She Never Left

"DOWN!" Daniel roared.

In a fraction of a second, Daniel tackled Elena to the floor just as a deafening CRACK shattered the heavy glass of the French doors.

Plaster exploded from the wall behind the desk. Glass rained down like diamond dust.

"Stay down! Don't move!" Daniel commanded, rolling over her to shield her body with his own.

Another high-powered rifle shot echoed across the estate grounds, tearing through the wooden bookshelf where Daniel had been standing seconds before.

From the hallway, the sound of automatic gunfire erupted. Security guards were screaming orders. The high-pitched alarms began to blare, drowning out the storm outside with a rhythmic, mechanical screech.

Elena’s heart slammed violently against her chest. "The boys!" she screamed, her voice choked with sheer panic. "Daniel, the boys!"

"They're in the panic room on the third floor! It's reinforced steel!" Daniel drew his gun from his shoulder holster, his face instantly transforming back into the ruthless crime lord. The warmth from moments ago was gone, replaced by pure, lethal ice. "Listen to me, Elena. You stay under this desk."

"No!" Elena grabbed his collar, pulling him down to look at her. "I'm coming with you! If someone is in the house, they'll be heading for the boys!"

Daniel looked into her fierce, unyielding eyes and realized there was no point in arguing.

"Stay behind me. If anyone non-security steps into your sight line, you run."

They crawled out from behind the desk, navigating through shattered glass and falling debris. Daniel kicked open the study door and stepped into the hallway, firing three rapid shots into the shadows. A man in black tactical gear collapsed near the stairs.

The estate was a battleground. Flashbangs detonated on the floor below, blinding white light flashing through the smoke.

Daniel led Elena through the back stairwell, his gun raised, clearing every corner with terrifying, lethal efficiency. He was a weapon built for this environment, moving with brutal grace.

They reached the third floor. The door to the boys' bedroom was wide open.

"No, no, no," Elena whispered, terror gripping her throat.

They rushed into the room. The secret wall panel leading to the panic room was half-open. Inside, Luca, Nico, and Matteo were huddled together, crying softly.

But Leo was gone.

"Where is he?!" Daniel demanded, grabbing Luca by the shoulders. "Luca, where is your brother?!"

"A man... a man in a black mask pulled him out before the door locked!" Luca sobbed, clutching his father’s jacket. "He took Leo toward the roof!"

Elena felt the world spin. "Victoria," she whispered. "She said they were going to strike before Friday."

Daniel’s eyes turned into liquid fire. "She didn't just strike. She sold my coordinates to the Moretti family." He looked at Elena, his voice cold and steady. "Stay with the boys. Lock the steel door from the inside."

"Daniel, wait!" Elena grabbed his hand. "Don't let them hurt him."