Chapter 3 - The Interrogation
Hunter stared down the barrel of Lorenzo's gun with complete disbelief. She instinctively curled her body around little Leo to shield him from the deadly weapon. "I am not a spy for the Moretti family," Hunter cried out in desperate defense. "Tommy Vance is the monster who pushed me down a flight of stairs and killed my unborn daughter." Tears streamed down her cheeks as the horrific memories flooded her exhausted mind. She explained that Tommy had beaten her because she refused to give him her savings to pay his gambling debts. Lorenzo scrutinized her face, searching for any sign of deception in her tearful eyes. He saw nothing but pure, unadulterated trauma and a mother's fierce protective instinct. The mafia boss slowly lowered his weapon, trusting his gut over the circumstantial evidence. "Lower your weapon," Lorenzo ordered his head of security. "She is telling the truth, and she is the only reason my son is currently breathing." The security chief hesitated but eventually holstered his gun with a frustrated sigh. Lorenzo gently reached out and touched Leo's tiny, warm cheek. The baby had finally fallen into a deep, peaceful sleep against Hunter's chest. "Bring a bed into my private study," Lorenzo instructed his loyal men. "She and the baby will sleep in my quarters where I can keep an eye on them." Hunter felt a strange mixture of relief and sheer terror at the prospect of sharing a room with the ruthless boss. They relocated to the massive, heavily fortified study overlooking the crashing ocean waves. Hunter carefully laid the sleeping infant into a portable bassinet near Lorenzo's desk. For the first time in months, Lorenzo poured himself a glass of whiskey and actually drank it. He watched the young woman adjust her uniform, apologizing silently for threatening her life. A silent, unspoken understanding began to form between the two grieving souls. They were both shattered pieces of a broken world, clinging to the only innocent life they had left. The quiet peace of the study was suddenly shattered by the sound of breaking glass downstairs. Loud, violent gunfire erupted from the main foyer of the grand mansion. Lorenzo instantly grabbed two loaded pistols from his desk drawer. "The Moretti family is launching a full assault on the house," Lorenzo yelled over the deafening noise. A heavily armed assassin suddenly kicked open the study door, aiming an assault rifle directly at the bassinet.
