d46.“11 MAIDS QUIT BEFORE LUNCH!” — THE MAFIA BOSS'S 8-YEAR-OLD SON THREW BREAKFAST AT THE CURVY NEW MAID… BUT HER RESPONSE LEFT HIS FATHER SPEECHLESS!

The storm outside raged violently, lightning flashes illuminating the long, dark corridors of the mansion.

Juliet burst into Nico’s bedroom. The boy was sitting up in bed, rubbing his eyes, frightened by the distant sounds of shouting echoing from the lower levels.

"Juliet?" Nico whispered, his voice trembling. "What’s happening?"

"Shh, sweetie," Juliet said, rushing to his bedside, dropping the brass candlestick onto the nightstand. She pulled him out of bed, grabbing his small coat. "We need to move. Right now."

"Is it Uncle Victor?" Nico asked, tears swelling in his dark eyes. "Is he angry?"

"Your dad is taking care of it," Juliet reassured him, wrapping her arms around his small shoulders. "We’re going to the safe room in the library."

Before they could reach the bedroom door, a loud gunshot echoed through the hallway—a sharp, deafening blast that shattered the silence.

Juliet pulled Nico behind her instantly, backing away toward the bathroom.

Footsteps heavy and deliberate marched down the hallway.

The bedroom door opened wide, and Victor Dane stepped inside.

He no longer wore his polished attorney smile. His hair was disheveled, his suit jacket unbuttoned, and his eyes were wild with unhinged panic. In his right hand, he held a heavy silver revolver.

"Well, well," Victor sneered, his gaze sweeping over Juliet and the boy. "The brave little maid and the spoiled brat."

Juliet stood firmly between Victor and Nico, her curvy frame acting as a human shield. "It's over, Victor. Matteo froze your accounts. The police and his syndicate lieutenants are already on their way."

Victor laughed—a harsh, manic sound. "The police? Matteo Caruso doesn't call the police, my dear! And his men won't reach this estate for another twenty minutes. That's more than enough time for me to grab the master key cards from his safe, blow the house, and board my private jet to South America."

"You killed my mother!" Nico suddenly shouted from behind Juliet, his small voice shaking with righteous anger. "You're a bad man!"

Victor’s eyes narrowed into slits of hatred as he looked at the boy. "Your mother was a fool who couldn't keep her nose out of my business, kid. And just like her, your father thought he was invincible."

"Where is Matteo?" Juliet demanded, her hands tightening into fists behind her back.

"Busy with my men downstairs," Victor sneered, stepping closer, raising the gun toward Juliet’s chest. "Now, get out of my way, girl. I'm taking the boy as my collateral to get past the gate guards."

"Over my dead body," Juliet said coldly, her green eyes blazing with pure, protective fury.

"That can be arranged," Victor growled, taking a final step forward.

In that split second, Juliet didn't hesitate.

She reached behind her back, grabbed the heavy brass candlestick off the nightstand, and swung it with all her strength straight into Victor’s face.

CRACK!

The heavy metal struck Victor across the jaw. He howled in pain, stumbling backward, his gun firing wildly into the ceiling, showering plaster down upon them.

"Nico, RUN!" Juliet screamed.

Nico darted past the groggy attorney into the hallway.

Victor shook his head, spitting blood, his eyes murderous as he lunged at Juliet, grabbing her by her dark curls and slamming her hard against the wall.

Juliet gasped as the back of her head hit the plaster, stars exploding in her vision. But she fought back fiercely, driving her knee straight into Victor’s groin.

Victor doubled over with a wheeze, dropping the revolver onto the carpet.

Juliet scrambled across the floor to reach the gun, but Victor grabbed her ankle, pulling her back violently. They tumbled across the carpet in a desperate struggle for control.

"You arrogant bitch!" Victor hissed, pinning her down, his hand wrapping around her throat, cutting off her air supply.

Juliet choked, her vision blurring, her hands frantically tearing at his fingers.