Chapter 2 - The Crossfire
The deafening roar of gunfire shattered the elegant illusion of the restaurant.
Riccardo moved with terrifying speed for a man of his age.
He tackled Sofia to the marble floor just as a hail of bullets shredded the table where they had been standing.
Glass rained down on them like deadly crystal snow.
Stay down and do not move.
Riccardo commanded her with a voice that carried absolute authority.
His bodyguards instantly returned fire, turning the luxury dining room into a deadly war zone.
Sofia covered her ears, pressing her face against the cold, wine-stained floor.
She could not understand why the manager wanted to kill her.
Riccardo pulled a silver handgun from his tailored jacket.
He fired three precise shots over the edge of the overturned table.
The restaurant manager screamed in pain as his weapon clattered to the floor.
Move to the kitchen, now.
Riccardo grabbed Sofia by the arm and dragged her through the chaos.
They sprinted through the swinging doors, slipping on spilled sauces and broken plates.
Two more armed men blocked the rear exit of the kitchen.
Riccardo did not hesitate.
He eliminated both threats with ruthless efficiency.
Sofia clamped her hands over her mouth to stop herself from screaming.
They burst out of the back door into the cold, rainy alleyway.
A heavily armored black SUV tore around the corner and screeched to a halt right in front of them.
Get inside the car.
Riccardo shoved her into the back seat and climbed in right behind her.
The driver floored the gas pedal, tearing away from the burning restaurant.
Sofia gasped for air, trembling violently in the plush leather seat.
Who were those men?
She asked, her voice cracking with pure panic.
They belong to the Falcone family.
Riccardo stared out the dark window, his jaw clenched tight.
And they just confirmed that you are exactly who I think you are.
Sofia looked at her gold bracelet, her mind spinning with impossible questions.
But as the SUV sped over the city bridge, the driver slowly turned his head to look at them in the rearview mirror.
May you like
I am sorry, Boss, but the Falcones offered me a price I could not refuse.
The driver suddenly slammed on the brakes and locked the doors, while the headlights of three enemy trucks blocked the road ahead.
