Rescued by Darkness

The Family War Room

Lorenzo D'Angelo sat at the head of the long, mahogany table in the heart of the mansion's underground war room. Around him were his most trusted men—Nico, Xander, Leo, Mason, Cassio—and the inner circle of his mafia operation. Maps of the city, marked with the territories of his allies and enemies, were pinned to the walls. The air was thick with tension.

Lorenzo's expression was hard, his mind already calculating the steps needed to flush out the rat within his ranks. The revelation of a possible mole had rocked the family to its core. He would have to tighten security even more, not just for Luciana's sake, but for the survival of his entire empire. His hazel eyes scanned the room, taking in the faces of those he trusted most. He knew loyalty when he saw it, but now, he had to question everyone.

The thought infuriated him, but he kept his composure. His men needed to see strength in him, even if there was chaos brewing beneath the surface.

"Let's make this clear," Lorenzo began, his deep voice cutting through the silence. "The Russians have stepped over the line, and someone within our family has helped them do it."

His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. There were murmurs of disbelief, but no one spoke outright.

"We've tightened security here," Nico added, leaning forward in his seat. "Extra guards. No one gets in or out without clearance. We've been watching movements closely, but we still need to find out who's feeding the Russians information."

"I've got some leads," Xander chimed in, his black hair falling into his eyes as he reviewed the notes in front of him. "It's not just one person acting alone. This feels coordinated."L

orenzo nodded, his fingers tapping against the table. His mind was sharp, always several steps ahead. He trusted his sons with his life, but there was no room for mistakes.

"Good," Lorenzo said. "I want every angle covered. We're going to be digging deep into our own people. Anyone who's even remotely suspicious is going to be handled."

His gaze shifted to Leo, Mason, and Cassio, who were listening intently. They were younger, but they had grown up fast in this world, and they knew how to play the game.

"We're upping security at every location we control," Leo added, his voice measured. "This mole won't be able to hide for long."

As they continued strategizing, the conversation turned to protecting Luciana. She was still too small, too innocent to understand the danger she was in, but Lorenzo wouldn't take any chances. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, the image of his daughter's sleeping face flashing in his mind.

Luciana was the first girl born into the D'Angelo family in six generations. That fact alone made her a precious rarity, but in the underworld, it also made her a target. Lorenzo's enemies knew how much she meant to him. They knew she was his weakness.

"We're going to need more eyes on Luciana," Lorenzo said, his voice steady but filled with unspoken urgency. "No one comes near her. No one."

"I've already tightened the perimeter around the house," Xander said. "More men, more surveillance."

"Good," Lorenzo replied. "But that's not enough. We need to take things up a notch."

The weight of his words hit hard. Everyone understood what it meant to put Luciana at the center of their operation. If anyone got close to her, it would be the end of their empire—and the end of them.---After the meeting, Lorenzo made his way back upstairs to check on Luciana. The sun had set, casting long shadows over the estate. He could hear the soft murmur of voices from the staff downstairs, but his mind was solely focused on his daughter.

As he entered the master suite, he found Alessia sitting by Luciana's crib, humming softly. She looked up when Lorenzo came in, her blue eyes meeting his with a quiet understanding.

"She's been asleep for a while," Alessia whispered, brushing a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "But she's restless. Maybe she can sense that something's off."

Lorenzo moved closer to the crib, looking down at Luciana's tiny form. She was so peaceful, her little hands curled into fists as she slept. His heart softened as he watched her breathe, the worries of the world melting away for just a moment.

"She's strong," Alessia said softly, standing up to join him. "She'll be okay, Lorenzo."

Lorenzo didn't respond right away. Instead, he reached down and gently stroked Luciana's hair, his large hand almost covering the top of her head. It was hard to imagine how someone so small could carry so much of his heart with her.

But that's what Luciana had done. In just a few short weeks, she had become the center of his world. His princess.

Alessia placed a comforting hand on his arm. "I know it's hard," she said. "But we're doing everything we can to protect her."

Lorenzo nodded, but the fire in his eyes hadn't dimmed. The threat from the Russians still loomed, and until he found the mole, he wouldn't rest.

"We'll find whoever it is," he said quietly, almost to himself. "And when we do, they'll wish they'd never crossed us."

Alessia didn't say anything more. She knew Lorenzo well enough to understand the depths of his anger, but she also trusted that he would keep their family safe.

As the night deepened, Lorenzo stayed by Luciana's crib, watching over her like the fierce protector he had always been. Even though the threat of a mole gnawed at him, and the looming war with the Russians weighed on his mind, there was a strange sense of peace that washed over him whenever he looked at his daughter.

She stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open for a brief moment before closing again. Her tiny fist reached out, gripping the edge of her blanket, and a small smile tugged at Lorenzo's lips.No matter what happened, Luciana was his light in the darkness. And he would burn down the world to keep her safe.---The next morning, the estate was buzzing with preparations. Lorenzo had sent out word to all his allies in the mafia. Luciana's arrival had to be officially announced to the D'Angelo's powerful network. Security was being doubled at every location, and a message was being sent: Luciana 

Marie D'Angelo was now the priority.

As Lorenzo watched his men work from the balcony, the weight of his responsibilities pressed down on him, but he remained unshaken. This was what he was born for—to protect his family, to maintain power, and to make sure no one dared cross him.His phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him from his thoughts. It was Nico.

"We've got movement from the Russians," Nico said, his voice low but urgent. "They're making their next move. And we think we know where the mole is."

Lorenzo's jaw clenched. "Get everything ready. I'm on my way."

As he hung up, he took one last glance down at the estate. Luciana's laughter echoed faintly from the house, where Alessia was keeping her entertained. The sound brought a smile to his face, but it quickly hardened as he turned back toward his men.

It was time to hunt down the traitor. And when he found them, there would be no mercy. Luciana was his daughter, and anyone who threatened her would face the full wrath of the D'Angelo family.