Rescued by Darkness

Tightening the Reins

With the adoption of Luciana finalized, Lorenzo D'Angelo had officially claimed her as his daughter, making her not just a part of the family, but the crown jewel of his empire. The weight of that decision was heavier than anything he had carried before. Everyone needed to know: 

Luciana Marie D'Angelo was now untouchable.

Lorenzo's home—fortress, really—was now locked down tighter than ever. Every guard had been briefed. Every inch of the property was under surveillance. The thought of a mole, someone working with the Russians, had sent a ripple of fear through the family, but Lorenzo was determined to handle it. Trust within the mafia was sacred, and the idea of betrayal was unacceptable, especially now.

The estate had been bustling all day as staff prepared for the imminent visit from the rest of the D'Angelo family. But Lorenzo's mind was elsewhere. Nico's earlier call had left him unsettled. He sat in his office, staring at the array of security footage on his monitors, his phone sitting silently on the desk. His jaw clenched as the echoes of Nico's words played in his head: "There's a mole."

Lorenzo ran his hands over his face, letting out a deep sigh. He'd dealt with enemies before, had fought countless battles to protect his family and his empire, but this? This felt different. The stakes were higher. Luciana was a target now, and that made his blood boil.He couldn't stop thinking about how vulnerable she had been when he found her. The cuts, the bruises, the fear in her eyes. No one had ever hurt one of his own like that, and no one ever would again. But the Russians weren't just a threat from outside—they were trying to weaken him from within.

He glanced at the monitor displaying Luciana's crib in the master suite. She was curled up, sleeping peacefully. The sight of her tiny body breathing steadily, safe under his watch, calmed the storm inside him—if only for a moment. But it wasn't long before his thoughts shifted back to the mole. He needed to find out who it was, and fast.

His phone buzzed, snapping him out of his thoughts. It was Xander this time.

"Everything's ready," Xander's voice came through the phone. "Extra men are posted at all the exits, and no one's getting close to the house without us knowing."

"Good," Lorenzo muttered. "What about the information I asked for?"

"Still working on it," Xander replied. "But if there's a rat, we'll flush him out."

Lorenzo hung up without another word, his mood darkening again. The Russians had become a growing threat in recent years, making their way into his territory. Normally, Lorenzo would crush any rival that got too close, but this time, it wasn't just about business. They were after his family. He had to be one step ahead. Always.

He stood from his desk, pacing the office. The feeling of dread clung to him, weighing on his every move. But then he heard the faint sound of Luciana stirring in her crib, her small whimpers cutting through his thoughts. Without thinking, he walked toward the master suite, pushing the door open softly.

Luciana was awake, her green eyes wide with confusion and a hint of fear. As soon as she saw Lorenzo, her face relaxed, and she reached out her tiny arms toward him. The gesture melted the ice around Lorenzo's heart. She trusted him completely. She was his now.

He lifted her gently from the crib, cradling her in his strong arms. The warmth of her small body against his chest soothed him in ways he hadn't expected. She nuzzled into him, her little hand gripping his shirt like she was afraid he might disappear.

"Shh... Daddy's here," he whispered, kissing the top of her head.

Despite everything happening, despite the enemies that lurked, Luciana made him feel grounded. He carried her over to the window, where the moonlight bathed them in a soft glow. Luciana's eyes were drooping again, her tiny fingers still clutching his shirt.

As he swayed with her in his arms, his mind drifted back to the mole, the Russians, and the threat that loomed over their heads. But when Luciana snuggled deeper into his chest, he couldn't help but smile. The tension eased from his shoulders, just for a moment. She was his little princess, and nothing—not a mole, not the Russians—would take her away from him.Alessia entered the room quietly, her eyes softening as she saw Lorenzo holding their daughter. She crossed the room, her hand resting gently on Lorenzo's back.

"She's finally asleep?" Alessia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah," Lorenzo replied, his gaze still fixed on Luciana. "She knows she's safe."

Alessia leaned into him, her presence comforting. "I'm glad she has you. You're her rock."

Lorenzo chuckled softly. "She's got me wrapped around her finger."

Alessia smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. "All our boys were mamma's boys. It's nice to finally have a daddy's girl."

Lorenzo grinned at the thought. "She is a daddy's girl. And I'll protect her with everything I've got."

Alessia looked at him, her face serious. "I don't doubt it. But don't forget you're not alone in this. We're all here to protect her."

Lorenzo nodded, his expression hardening again as the weight of the situation returned. "I know. But the Russians... they're pushing too far. And if there's a rat, I'm going to find him."Alessia's grip on his arm tightened. "We'll get through this. We always do."

Lorenzo kissed Luciana's forehead one last time before gently placing her back in the crib. He lingered there for a moment, watching her tiny chest rise and fall with each breath. She was so small, so innocent. And the world she had been born into was anything but.

But she was his daughter now. His princess. And nothing—no one—would touch her.

As Lorenzo turned away from the crib, his smile faded. The fire in his chest burned hotter. He had enemies to crush, and he wouldn't rest until the mole was found, and the Russians were buried.

But before the war resumed, he needed one more look at Luciana, to remind him what he was fighting for. One last glance at his sleeping daughter made his chest swell with determination. He would protect her at all costs.

The night was far from over. There were plans to make, threats to eliminate, and a mole to catch. But for now, as he lay down next to Alessia, he allowed himself a moment of peace. Luciana was safe. For now.