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.

A chilling silence fell over the chaotic shipyard as the gunfire slowly ceased.

Every single person stared at Silas, who was standing boldly on a loading gantry above the docks.

He held the small, blinking detonator high in the air for everyone to see.

He gloated that if his thumb left the button, we would all be instantly vaporized.

Julian ordered his men to lower their weapons, refusing to risk the lives of the children.

He slowly walked out into the open, completely exposing himself to his brother's line of sight.

Julian offered his own life in exchange for the safe passage of everyone else.

Silas laughed hysterically, stating that Julian's life was absolutely worthless to the master plan.

He demanded that I bring Toby forward immediately or he would let go of the switch.

I held Toby tightly, completely paralyzed by the impossible choice in front of me.

Suddenly, Toby pulled away from my grasp and sprinted out toward Julian.

The brave six-year-old boy looked up at Silas and yelled that he was not afraid of bullies.

Toby reached into his pocket and threw his heavy, broken toy car directly at Silas's face.

The toy struck Silas perfectly in the eye, causing him to flinch violently in pain.

His thumb momentarily slipped off the dead man's switch.

We all braced for the massive, fiery explosion that would end our lives.

The switch hit the metal grating and shattered into several plastic pieces.

Absolutely nothing happened.

Julian instantly realized the entire bomb threat was a desperate, pathetic bluff.

He drew his silver pistol and fired a single, perfect shot directly into Silas's right knee.

Silas screamed in agony and collapsed onto the metal gantry, completely defeated.

Julian's men stormed the stairs and dragged the bleeding traitor down to the ground.

Julian stood over his brother, pointing the gun directly at his chest.

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

Silas coughed up blood and laughed weakly, telling Julian it did not matter if he died tonight.

Silas chillingly revealed that the true mastermind who originally ordered the hit on Toby's parents was still completely unknown.

Chapter 9 - The Dead Man's Switch