Rescued by Darkness

The Battle Begins

Lorenzo led his sons into the war room, the weight of their family's legacy pressing down on him with every step. The moment he had waited for—the unraveling of the Russian threat—was now upon them. The D'Angelo family had faced enemies before, but this time it was different. This time, it was personal. Luciana had come into their lives, and her presence had heightened every sense of protection and vigilance within him. He would ensure that no harm ever came to her.

Around the table, Nico, Xander, Leo, Mason, and Cassio stood ready, each of them prepared to follow their father's lead. They knew what was at stake. The Russians had dared to cross into their territory, and worse, there was a traitor among their ranks. The betrayal was an open wound, festering, and it needed to be cut out.

"Are the teams in place?" Lorenzo asked, his deep voice carrying authority.

Nico nodded. "They're positioned around the city, watching all our key assets. The Russians think they can move tonight, but we're ready for them."

Xander leaned forward, his sharp eyes fixed on the map spread across the table. "We've tracked their movements to an old warehouse near the docks. They're expecting a shipment of weapons, but they don't know we've intercepted the entire operation. Once they arrive, we'll have them."

Lorenzo studied the map, his jaw clenched. The docks had always been a volatile place—neutral ground between rival families. But tonight, it would be the site of a massacre. The Russians would pay for their arrogance.

"Good," Lorenzo said, his voice dark. "No mercy. I want the mole brought to me alive, but as for the rest of them—make an example."

Leo and the twins exchanged glances, their expressions hard. They had grown up in this life, knowing the brutality required to maintain their empire. But this time, it was different. They weren't just protecting the family business—they were protecting their sister. Luciana's presence had transformed their sense of duty into something far more primal.

---Hours later, the night cloaked the city in shadows as the D'Angelo soldiers moved in. Lorenzo stood in a black SUV parked a few streets away from the docks, his eyes scanning the scene through binoculars. He could see the flicker of lights in the distance, the faint outline of the Russian men gathering near the warehouse.

Beside him, Nico was on his phone, giving orders to the team positioned nearby. Xander sat in the front seat, his fingers drumming against the dashboard, waiting for the right moment to strike.

"Any sign of the mole?" Lorenzo asked.

"Not yet," Nico replied. "But we'll know soon enough. He won't be able to hide for long."

Lorenzo's mind drifted for a moment, despite the intensity of the situation. He thought of Luciana back at home, sleeping peacefully in the crib in his master suite. Alessia would be watching over her, ensuring that she was safe and warm. The thought of his little girl brought a rare smile to his face—brief, fleeting. Then, just as quickly, his expression hardened again.

He wouldn't let anyone endanger her. Not the Russians. Not a traitor. No one.

"We move in ten minutes," Lorenzo said, his voice calm but lethal. "Make sure we catch them off guard."

---The attack was swift and brutal.

The D'Angelo men moved like shadows, slipping through the docks and surrounding the warehouse. Nico and Xander led their teams in a synchronized assault, overwhelming the Russians before they even realized what had hit them. Gunfire echoed across the waterfront, the sharp crack of bullets slicing through the night.