Chapter 9 - The Fall of Moretti
Roman walked through the clearing smoke with an icy, terrifying composure. He wore a dark tactical coat, holding a heavy custom pistol held firmly in his right hand. Beside him, Vance had already secured young Toby, cutting his zip-ties and rushing the boy toward a waiting armored vehicle outside.
"Put the gun down, Julian," Roman said, his voice terrifyingly quiet.
"I'll blow her head off!" Julian screamed, his voice cracking with frantic panic as he felt the walls closing in. "Step back, Blackmere! Order your men to drop their weapons or she dies right now!"
Eleanor felt the trembling barrel of the gun against her skin. She looked over Julian’s arm, locking eyes with Roman across the ten feet of space separating them.
In Roman’s eyes, she saw no panic—only absolute trust and a silent signal.
Now.
Eleanor didn't brace for impact. She didn't freeze.
She used the technique Roman’s security team had taught her during her weeks at the estate. She slammed her heavy heel down onto Julian’s foot with all her weight, drove her elbow backward into his ribs, and ducked low toward the ground—shielding her head as she rolled away!
CRACK!
A single, precise gunshot echoed through the hangar.
Roman’s bullet struck Julian’s right shoulder with surgical precision before Julian could even process Eleanor’s movement. The revolver flew out of Julian’s hand, clattering onto the concrete floor.
Julian screamed in pain, clutching his bleeding shoulder, collapsing onto his knees on the wet gravel.
Before Julian could move, Roman stepped forward, swinging his heavy boot into Julian’s chest, sending him crashing onto his back. Roman placed his heavy boot firmly onto Julian’s throat, pressing down just enough to cut off his breath.
"You made a mistake coming to my city, Julian," Roman whispered, looking down at the squirming man like an insect. "And an even bigger mistake touching Eleanor."
"Please..." Julian choked out, his eyes wide with pure, pathetic terror. "My father... he'll pay you..."
"Your father was arrested an hour ago in Detroit," Roman revealed coldly. "Federal agents seized all Moretti assets across three states. You're broke, Julian. And you're going to prison for kidnapping and attempted murder for the rest of your life."
Roman looked at Vance. "Hand him over to the federal authorities waiting at the perimeter."
"Yes, Don Roman," Vance replied, dragging the screaming, crying Julian away into the dark rain.
Roman instantly dropped his weapon into its holster and turned around.
Eleanor was sitting on the concrete floor, her breath coming in heavy gasps. Roman dropped to his knees before her, grabbing her shoulders, his hands trembling as he checked her face and neck.
"Are you hurt? Did he touch you?" Roman asked frantically, his gray eyes wild with concern.
Eleanor looked at his broad, handsome face, seeing the fierce, unshakeable love shining through his dark persona. She threw her arms around his neck, pulling him tightly against her, burying her face into his chest.
"I'm okay," Eleanor sobbed, laughing through her tears. "I'm okay, Roman. It's over."
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Roman wrapped his arms around her, lifting her off the cold floor into his broad chest, holding her as if she were the most precious treasure in the universe.
"It's over, Eleanor," Roman whispered into her hair. "You're free."
