1.The mansion doors closed behind Elena Vulkoff with a soft click, and for the third time that week, she thought no one had noticed she was leaving early.

The storm outside raged fiercely, mirrors of lightning cutting through the black midnight sky as heavy rain pounded against the estate windows.

Elena sat by Leo's bedside in the cottage, watching the quiet rise and fall of her son's chest. He was sleeping peacefully, completely oblivious to the war being fought in the dark outside.

She couldn't sit still. The ticking clock on the mantelpiece sounded like a bomb counting down.

1:00 a.m. 2:00 a.m. 3:30 a.m.

Every minute that passed without news felt like an eternity. She knew Vincent was out there in the rain, facing armed men, putting his life in danger because he had dared to step between a helpless family and a ruthless mob boss.

Please, God, she prayed silently, squeezing her eyes shut, her hands folded in her lap. Keep him safe. He saved my child. Don't let him die because of us.

At 4:45 a.m., the sound of heavy tires crunching over the wet gravel driveway echoed through the night.

Elena jumped up instantly. She threw a thick sweater over her clothes and ran out into the pouring rain, ignoring the cold drops soaking her hair.

Two black SUVs were parked in front of the main garage. The doors opened, and several armed men in dark tactical gear stepped out, looking weary and soaked.

Then, the rear door of the lead SUV opened.

Vincent stepped out into the mud. His black coat was stained with rain, his hair plastered to his forehead. He looked exhausted, but as he stepped under the driveway light, Elena saw he was standing tall.

However, as he took a step forward, he winced, his left hand pressing tightly against his side. Blood was seeping through his white dress shirt, darkening the cloth.

"Mr. Marcelli!" Elena cried out, running across the courtyard toward him.

"Elena? What are you doing out here?" Vincent barked, his voice laced with concern as Marcus helped him balance. "It's freezing. You should be inside with Leo."

"You're hurt!" she exclaimed, reaching him and looking at the red stain spreading across his ribcage. "Marcus, help him into the house!"

"It's just a graze," Vincent grunted, though his face was pale. "Moretti had a sniper on the roof. It's nothing."

"It's not nothing!" Elena snapped, her worry overpowering her usual submissive demeanor. She grabbed his right arm, throwing it over her shoulders to support his weight. "Come on. We're going inside right now."

They brought him into his private quarters, sitting him down on the leather sofa near the fireplace. Marcus quickly retrieved a medical kit from the bathroom, but Elena snatched it from his hands.