The Mafia Boss Promised the Poor Janitor She Would Die If His Brother Did, Until Her Phone Rang With a Child Who Could No Longer Breathe

Salvatore instantly pulled back, his romantic warmth vanishing as his instincts snapped back into combat mode. He stood up, pulling a sleek black handgun from his shoulder holster with practiced speed.

"Stay here," Salvatore commanded, his voice dropping into a stern, protective growl. "Lock the heavy oak doors from the inside and do not open them for anyone except me or Liam."

"Salvatore, what’s happening?!" Dela asked, her face turning pale with fear.

"The Moretti crew," Marco’s voice barked through Salvatore’s radio. "Boss! They rammed the front gates with a heavy construction truck! They’ve got thirty men coming up the main driveway!"

Salvatore’s jaw set into a hard, dangerous line. "Keep them away from the east wing! The boy is in the sunroom!"

Dela’s heart plummeted. "Leo!"

She didn't wait for Salvatore’s permission. She sprinted past him out of the library, ignoring his shouts behind her. Her maternal panic carried her through the sprawling marble hallways toward the sunroom where Maya and Leo were staying.

Gunfire echoed outside the estate—sharp, terrifying pops that shattered the quiet night.

Dela burst into the sunroom. Maya was huddled in the corner beneath a heavy oak desk, clutching a terrified, crying Leo in her arms.

"Dela!" Maya screamed over the sound of breaking glass outside.

"I’m here! I’ve got you!" Dela dropped to her knees, pulling Leo into her arms. "We have to move to the basement panic room! Now!"

Outside the large glass windows of the sunroom, silhouettes of armed men moved through the garden.

Suddenly, a heavy boot kicked through the glass doors.

A tall, scar-faced man wearing a tactical vest stepped into the room, holding an assault rifle. It was Dominic Moretti—the ruthless underboss of the North Side family.

"Well, well," Dominic sneered, his cold eyes scanning the room until they landed on Dela. "The famous janitor who saved Liam Brennan. Salvatore’s new prize."

Maya screamed, pulling back into the corner. Dela immediately stood up, stepping directly in front of Leo and Maya, shielding them with her own body.

"Leave them alone," Dela said, her voice shaking but her stance unyielding. "They have nothing to do with your war."

"You made yourself part of this war the second you saved a Brennan," Dominic growled, raising his weapon toward her chest. "Salvatore killed my brother last month. Now I’m going to take his woman."

He stepped forward, reaching out a heavy hand to grab Dela’s arm.

Dela didn't flinch. Drawing on every ounce of adrenaline coursing through her veins, she grabbed a heavy bronze statue from a side table and swung it with all her strength, smashing it directly into Dominic’s face!

Dominic roared in pain, stumbling backward, blood spurting from his broken nose. "You crazy bitch!"

He raised his rifle to shoot her.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Three sharp, deafening gunshots echoed through the room.

Dominic’s eyes rolled back, and he collapsed heavily onto the marble floor, motionless.

Standing in the doorway, framed by smoke and holding a steaming weapon, was Salvatore. His face was a mask of pure, murderous rage. Behind him, Marco and four armed guards quickly swept the hallway, securing the perimeter.

Salvatore dropped his weapon into its holster and sprinted across the room, pulling Dela violently into his arms. He squeezed her so tightly she could barely breathe, his entire body shaking with terrifying adrenaline.

"Are you hurt? Did he touch you?" Salvatore demanded frantically, examining her face, her hands, her arms.

"I’m fine... I’m fine," Dela gasped, holding onto his suit jacket. "Leo and Maya are safe."

Salvatore looked down at Leo, who was peeking out from behind Dela’s legs. He dropped to one knee, gently placing his large hands on the small boy's shoulders.

"You okay, little man?" Salvatore asked softly, his voice trembling.

Leo nodded bravely, sniffing back his tears. "My mommy hit him with a statue."

Salvatore let out a breathless, emotional laugh, looking up at Dela with eyes filled with reverence and overwhelming love. "Your mommy is the dangerous one in this house, Leo."

Marco walked into the room, his face pale but relieved. "Boss, the perimeter is clear. The rest of Moretti’s men surrendered or fled when Dominic fell. It’s over."

Salvatore stood up slowly, keeping one arm tightly wrapped around Dela’s waist.

"It’s not over," Salvatore said coldly, his eyes hardening as he looked out over his estate. "Send a message to the North Side. The Moretti family is finished in Chicago. Effective tonight, every asset they own belongs to the Brennans."