Chapter 4 - The Threat in the Snow
Guards burst into the greenhouse with guns drawn, the deafening sound of automatic weapons fire echoing across the snowy courtyard outside.
"Overwatch engaged!" Mateo shouted through his radio, ducking near the doorway. "Sniper on the ridge! Two vehicles breaching the east perimeter!"
Under the heavy table, Alessandro held Lily tight against his chest. His body felt like solid iron, his left arm pinned over Ethan, while his right hand pulled a sleek silver semi-automatic pistol from his shoulder holster.
Lily pressed her face into the crook of Alessandro’s neck, her body trembling as shards of falling glass scraped his black jacket. The smell of gunsmoke and cordite filled the air, cutting through the sweet scent of chamomile.
"Stay down," Alessandro growled into her ear, his breath hot against her skin. "Mateo! Cover the rear tunnel!"
"Papa!" Ethan whimpered, hiding his face in Lily’s lap.
"I’m here, son. I’ve got you," Alessandro said, his tone shifting into absolute, calm ice. He looked down at Lily, his face inches from hers. "Are you hit?"
"No," Lily whispered, her hands clutching his dark shirt. "Are you?"
"It takes more than a Moretti coward to bleed me," Alessandro replied coldly.
He leaned down, pressing a quick, fierce kiss to Lily’s forehead—a sudden, protective gesture that sent a jolt of heat straight to her core. "Hold Ethan. Do not move until I come for you."
Before she could answer, Alessandro slid out from beneath the table, raised his weapon, and stepped directly into the line of fire.
Through the gap in the wooden table skirts, Lily watched in terrified awe as Alessandro moved like a demon through the smoke. He fired three precise shots through the shattered glass dome. Shouts of pain echoed from the snowy ridge outside. Within four minutes, the gunfire died down into a haunting, echoing silence.
Mateo walked inside, his gun smoking, his face covered in soot. "Clear. Three hit on the ridge, two taken alive in the driveway. They have Moretti tattoos on their wrists."
Alessandro stood among the broken orchids and pools of warm herb water, his suit stained with dirt and blood. He turned back toward the table, kneeling down, and extended his hand to Lily.
"It’s safe," he said softly.
Lily reached out, taking his broad hand. He pulled her up effortlessly, his gaze scanning her body from head to toe to ensure she wasn't harmed.
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When his eyes reached her trembling lips, he didn't pull away. He pulled her flush against his chest in front of all his guards, burying his face in her soft hair, taking a deep, ragged breath.
"If they had touched you..." Alessandro whispered darkly against her temple, "I would have burned the city to ash."
