My three-year-old daughter tugged on the trousers of one of New York’s most feared mafia bosses and asked him for a stuffed dog before tomorrow. Julian Hail almost smiled until Ivy whispered, “It’s not for me. It’s for a boy who doesn’t have anybody.” Then she told him where that six-year-old boy lived, and the man who frightened half the city suddenly went completely still.

The deafening crash of the helicopter completely paralyzed Silas and his mercenaries.

Huge shards of broken glass rained down onto the concrete floor of the warehouse.

The helicopter hovered dangerously low, its massive rotors kicking up a blinding dust storm.

Julian stood boldly in the open side door of the chopper, holding a heavy machine gun.

He did not waste a single second negotiating with his psychotic brother.

Julian opened fire, unleashing a relentless barrage of heavy bullets across the warehouse floor.

Marcus was struck multiple times and collapsed permanently onto the concrete.

Silas dove behind his leather chair, screaming in pure terror as bullets shredded the furniture.

The mercenary holding Ivy released his grip to draw his own weapon.

I seized the chaotic opportunity and tackled the man with my shoulder, knocking him off balance.

I grabbed Ivy with my bound hands and dragged her behind a stack of metal shipping crates.

Julian's pilot skillfully maneuvered the helicopter lower, crushing the remaining mercenaries beneath the landing skids.

Julian tossed his empty machine gun aside and leaped down onto the warehouse floor.

He sprinted toward our hiding spot, drawing his silver pistol from his holster.

He quickly sliced the zip-ties off my wrists with a sharp tactical knife.

He pulled Ivy into a tight, protective hug and asked if she was hurt.

Ivy shook her head, tears streaming down her dirty cheeks.

Julian turned to me and promised he would never let anyone take her again.

We hurried toward the waiting helicopter as the remaining syndicate members started firing back.

Julian returned precision fire, covering our desperate retreat to the aircraft.

I lifted Ivy into the cabin and quickly climbed up behind her.

Julian grabbed the edge of the doorway just as Silas emerged from behind the ruined chair.

Silas raised a specialized rocket launcher and aimed it directly at the hovering helicopter.

He pulled the trigger, sending a massive, fiery projectile screaming across the warehouse.

When my newborn 'passed away,' my mother-in-law leaned in and said

My Husband Left Me Alone in My Car While I Was in Labor

“You’re Dead When We Get Home,” He Snapped

Julian threw himself entirely over my body as the rocket detonated against the tail rotor.

The explosion violently threw the helicopter completely out of control.

Chapter 7 - The Extraction