Chapter 5 - THE EMBARGO
The courtyard erupted into chaos. Red emergency lights flashed across the stone walls of the estate as gunfire echoed in the distance.
Dante reacted instantly. In one fluid movement, he pulled a compact hand-gun from his holster and placed himself between Rosie and the balcony glass. Titan was on his feet in a second, a low, fierce growl vibrating deep within his chest.
"Stay behind me," Dante ordered sternly, grabbing Rosie’s wrist and pulling her into the interior hallway.
Two of Dante's senior lieutenants, Gabriel and Luca, came running up the marble stairs with rifles drawn.
"Boss! It's Moretti's men," Gabriel reported breathlessly. "They blew the south gate with a breaching charge. They're trying to push into the lower garages."
"Marco," Dante growled, his jaw tightening into iron. "He thought he'd take advantage of the post-dinner confusion."
"They aren't targeting the money or the cars, Dante," Luca added quickly, glancing nervously at Rosie. "They hit the east wing laundry and the clinic storage first. They're looking for the girl."
Rosie's blood ran cold. "Me?"
"Marco wants to take what I claimed," Dante said, his voice terrifyingly calm. "He thinks taking you will break my authority in front of the families."
Dante turned to face Rosie. He grabbed both of her hands in his, his grip tight and reassuring. "Listen to me carefully, Rosalind. Gabriel is taking you and Titan down through the old wine cellar exit to the safe house near the docks."
"No," Rosie said immediately, shaking her head. "I'm not leaving you here."
"You have to," Dante insisted, his eyes blazing with fierce protectiveness. "If they get to you, I lose my leverage. You are the only weakness I have right now, and I will not let them harm a single hair on your head."
The declaration hung heavy in the air—the only weakness I have.
Before Rosie could reply, Dante cupped her neck with his hand, pulled her close, and pressed his lips firmly against hers. The kiss was deep, intense, and filled with a desperate promise. Rosie closed her eyes, melting into his touch, her hands gripping the lapels of his suit jacket.
When he pulled back, his dark eyes were burning.
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"Go," Dante commanded gently. "I'll clean up this trash and come for you before dawn."
Gabriel motioned for Rosie to follow. Holding Titan's leash tightly, Rosie looked back one last time. Dante stood at the top of the stairwell, reloading his weapon with cold precision, looking every bit the lethal king of Baltimore’s underground—a man fighting to protect the woman he refused to lose.
