Rescued by Darkness

Shadows in the Night

Lorenzo's mind was restless as he paced the hallways of the mansion. His body was exhausted from the night's events, but sleep would not come. The weight of protecting his family—especially Luciana—had sharpened his instincts to the edge of paranoia. The Russians had been dealt with, and the mole was being hunted, but Lorenzo knew better than to let his guard down. 

There was always another enemy lurking, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

He passed Luciana's crib once more. She was still asleep, curled up under the soft blankets Alessia had wrapped her in. Just watching her brought a calm to his soul that nothing else could. 

Her tiny, peaceful presence was a reminder of why he fought so hard. But even as his heart softened, the cold edge of his awareness never left. He kissed her forehead gently before stepping out of the room.

Alessia sat on the bed, her soft features lined with concern. She had sensed the tension building within him, and it mirrored her own worries. "You've been up for hours, Lorenzo," she said quietly. "I know something's bothering you."

Lorenzo sighed, running a hand through his thick black hair. "There's too much at stake, Alessia. The mole... I should have found him by now. And I don't trust the silence. It feels like the calm before a storm."

As if on cue, his phone buzzed violently in his pocket, breaking the stillness of the night. He pulled it out, his sharp eyes narrowing at the message on the screen.

*Problem at the perimeter. Armed men spotted. Advancing.*

His body tensed, his instincts flaring into action. He stepped back toward the master suite, his mind already calculating the next move. "Stay here with Luciana. Lock the doors. Do not open them for anyone unless it's me or one of the boys."

"Lorenzo, what's happening?" Alessia's voice trembled, fear lacing her words.

"I don't know yet, but it's nothing we can't handle." He tried to soften his tone for her, but the cold fury building inside him was undeniable. His enemies had dared to threaten his family again, and they would pay dearly for it.

As he turned to leave the room, he saw the crib again, the soft glow of a nearby lamp casting a golden light on Luciana's tiny face. She was oblivious to the world's dangers, trusting him completely to protect her. The thought filled him with even more rage toward whoever was out there.

Lorenzo strode down the hallway, his long strides powerful and purposeful. The house had already sprung into action. His sons were waiting for him in the war room, each of them fully armed and ready.

"The perimeter's been breached," Nico said as soon as Lorenzo entered. His eldest son stood tall, a rifle slung over his shoulder. His blue eyes, so much like his father's, burned with intensity. "They're moving fast—at least a dozen of them. Could be more."

"Who is it?" Xander asked, his brow furrowed in frustration. "Russians?"

"It doesn't matter who it is," Lorenzo said darkly, checking the gun strapped to his side. "They came for us, and now they'll face the consequences. No one touches this family."

Leo, Mason, and Cassio exchanged determined looks, their faces set in stone. They knew what was at stake. Luciana had become their beacon, and they would tear apart anyone who tried to harm her.

"We'll divide the property," Lorenzo commanded, taking control of the situation with the ease of a seasoned general. "Nico, Xander—head to the east side. Leo, Mason, Cassio—secure the south gate. Leave no one standing."

The brothers moved quickly, splitting off to carry out their father's orders. Lorenzo headed toward the mansion's entrance, his hand firmly gripping his pistol. As he approached the front door, a sudden explosion rocked the ground beneath his feet. The windows shook, glass shattering in a few corners of the house.

Lorenzo growled low in his throat, his eyes flashing with fury. They had underestimated his enemies' resolve. They were trying to blow their way in.

He stormed outside, his men already engaged in gunfire with the invaders. Shadows darted in and out of view as bullets cut through the night. The scent of gunpowder filled the air, and the sharp crack of gunfire echoed through the estate.

Lorenzo's heart pounded, but his movements were calculated. Each shot he fired was precise, taking down one armed man after another. He could hear the chaos of battle, the shouts of his soldiers and the screams of dying men. Yet through it all, his mind stayed locked on one thing—Luciana.

She was upstairs. Safe. But for how long?

He spotted Nico in the distance, his eldest son leading the charge on the eastern front. Xander was right behind him, moving with deadly precision. Leo, Mason, and Cassio were handling the south, cutting down enemies with unyielding ferocity.

Lorenzo moved toward the garage, where the enemy seemed to be concentrated. As he approached, a figure broke through the shadows—one of the attackers, moving fast toward the mansion.

Lorenzo raised his gun, but before he could pull the trigger, a scream pierced the air.

It was coming from inside the house.*Luciana.*

His blood ran cold as he turned and sprinted back toward the mansion. He had stationed enough men inside, but the scream... It was Alessia.

He crashed through the front doors, heart pounding, as another explosion shook the ground outside. He barreled up the stairs, nearly tearing the door off its hinges as he entered the master suite.

Alessia stood at the crib, her arms wrapped tightly around a wailing Luciana. A man lay sprawled on the floor, blood pooling around him—one of the attackers, his life already snuffed out by the bullet Lorenzo had fired without thinking.

Alessia looked at him, her eyes wide with terror, but she held their daughter close, cradling her as if the world outside didn't exist.

"I've got you, piccola," Lorenzo murmured as he rushed to her side, his heart pounding in his chest. He kissed Luciana's head, letting her feel his presence. Slowly, she stopped crying, sensing her father's calm through the chaos.

Lorenzo turned his gaze back to the dead man. His fury burned hotter. This was no random attack. This was deliberate—someone had known exactly where to strike.

"Stay here," Lorenzo ordered Alessia, his voice tight with emotion. "Lock the doors. No one else gets in."

Alessia nodded, holding Luciana even tighter.

Lorenzo stepped out of the room, his eyes blazing with wrath. Whoever had sent these men had made a grave mistake. He was going to hunt them down, rip them apart one by one, and make sure no one ever dared come near his family again.

He descended the stairs, the sounds of gunfire still echoing outside. His sons were handling the rest of the attackers, but this wasn't over. This was only the beginning.

There was a rat in his family, and now, more than ever, Lorenzo was determined to root them out.

But first, he had to make sure the D'Angelo name was feared once again.

This attack would be avenged. He would make sure of it.