Chapter 10 - The Family We Choose
Lorenzo's thumb clamped down violently on the plastic detonator just an inch below the metal grate.
He had caught the dead-man switch exactly a fraction of a second before the trigger fully released.
He lay on the wet deck, panting heavily, his heart pounding in his ears like a war drum.
Marco slumped against the console, bleeding heavily and completely incapacitated by the combat knife.
Lorenzo carefully secured the detonator with electrical tape from the boat's emergency kit.
He took control of the steering wheel and turned the speedboat back toward the safety of the harbor.
When they arrived at the pier, Leo and his loyal men were waiting to secure the traitor.
Clara rushed forward through the crowd, completely ignoring the armed guards.
She threw her arms around Lorenzo's neck, crying tears of absolute relief.
Rosie toddled right behind her, reaching up with her small hands to grab Lorenzo's trouser leg.
Lorenzo scooped the little girl into his arms, finally allowing himself to smile.
The dark shadow of betrayal that had haunted his empire for three years was permanently erased.
A month later, the sprawling mafia estate was completely transformed into a home full of warmth and light.
Clara no longer wore a maid's uniform; she stood beside Lorenzo as his trusted partner and the mother of his child.
Rosie was happily running through the rose gardens, completely unaware of the violent storm she had survived.
Lorenzo sat at his mahogany desk, watching them through the window with a profound sense of peace.
A trusted guard knocked quietly and entered the room, holding an unmarked black envelope.
Lorenzo broke the wax seal and pulled out a recent photograph of Sofia, looking very much alive and holding today's newspaper.
May you like
On the back of the photo, written in her perfectly cursive handwriting, was a chilling message.
"I am coming back for my daughter."
