Chapter 6 - The Ghost of the Docks
The three mercenaries aimed their assault rifles at Salvatore's chest.
He had left the shotgun in the library, and his handgun was completely empty.
For the first time since the parking garage, Salvatore truly believed he was about to die.
"Gianni thought you might try the old tunnel," the lead mercenary sneered.
Nadia pushed Milo firmly behind her back, shielding her silent son with her own frail body.
Before the mercenary could pull the trigger, a suppressed gunshot sliced through the sound of the rushing river.
The lead mercenary dropped to the wooden floorboards instantly, a neat bullet hole right between his eyes.
The other two men spun around in pure panic, firing blindly into the shadows outside the boathouse.
Two more suppressed shots echoed rapidly in succession.
Both remaining men collapsed simultaneously, their weapons clattering loudly against the wooden planks.
The boathouse plunged into a terrifying, heavy silence.
A tall figure stepped out of the freezing rain and into the dim moonlight of the boathouse.
He wore a dark tactical coat and held a smoking, customized pistol perfectly steady in his right hand.
Salvatore stared in absolute shock.
It was Luca, his massive head of security.
"I thought I told you to lock down the east wing, Luca," Salvatore breathed, overwhelmed by intense relief.
Luca lowered his weapon and offered a rare, grim smile.
"I tried, Boss, but the fire forced me out."
"I tracked Gianni's men down to the river when I saw the explosion."
Luca walked over and quickly helped Salvatore off the wooden bench, supporting his heavy weight.
"We need to get out of here, Gianni is sending more men to sweep the perimeter."
Luca led them to a hidden, heavily armored speedboat tied beneath the wooden docks.
He loaded Salvatore, Nadia, and Milo into the boat before starting the powerful twin engines.
The boat tore away from the dock, speeding down the dark, freezing river away from the burning mansion.
They drove for nearly an hour before Luca pulled into a secluded, abandoned shipyard on the edge of the city.
He helped Salvatore into a waiting black SUV hidden inside a rusted shipping container.
"Where are we going?" Nadia asked, wrapping her sweater tightly around shivering Milo.
"To a safehouse that Gianni does not know exists," Salvatore answered quietly.
They drove through the dark, abandoned streets of Providence until they reached a small, unassuming brick apartment building.
Luca carried Salvatore up three flights of stairs, laying him gently on a worn sofa in the small living room.
Nadia took Milo into the bathroom to wash the soot and mud from his small face.
Salvatore looked at Luca, his gray eyes hardening with absolute, vengeful fury.
"Gianni destroyed my home and killed my people."
"I want him found by sunrise."
Luca nodded seriously.
"I already have men tracking his movements, Boss."
"He set up a temporary command center at his nightclub downtown."
Salvatore gripped the edge of the sofa tightly.
"Gather every loyal soldier we have left."
"We are going to hit the club tomorrow night and end this."
Luca hesitated, looking uncomfortably toward the closed bathroom door.
"What about the cleaning woman and the kid, Boss?"
"They cannot stay here while we prepare for war."
Salvatore stared at the closed door, remembering the absolute bravery of a silent boy offering a wooden toy to an assassin.
"They stay with me," Salvatore decided firmly.
"I will protect them with my life."
Suddenly, the bathroom door burst open, and Nadia ran out screaming hysterically.
May you like
"He is gone!" she cried, pointing wildly toward the open bathroom window.
"Milo climbed out onto the fire escape, and someone grabbed him!"
