Chapter 9 - The Ambush
Julian’s hand dropped from Emma’s face instantly. His expression hardened back into carved granite.
"Patel?" Julian asked coldly. "Why Patel?"
"Marcone’s men tortured him until he gave up the details of the ER visit," Lev explained hurriedly. "Patel told them that Emma wasn't just any nurse—he said she was the one who personally cleared you out of the hospital. Marcone knows she's here."
Emma felt a cold spike of panic shoot through her chest. "Dr. Patel... is he—"
"He's alive, but Marcone is using him as bait," Lev said. "They set up a trap at the old iron foundry near the harbor. They sent a message: if Julian doesn't show up alone in two hours to negotiate terms, they drop Patel into the river and send a strike team straight over the walls of this compound."
"No," Emma gasped, grabbing Julian’s arm. "Julian, it’s a trap! They want to kill you!"
"I know," Julian said calmly, checking the heavy silver watch on his wrist.
He turned to Lev. "Mobilize all units. Every captain, every soldier. We end the Marcone family tonight."
"Julian, please!" Emma cried out, pulling on his jacket. "You're still injured! Your stitches haven't even dissolved yet! You can't go fight a war!"
Julian took her face in both of his hands, holding her gaze with terrifying intensity. "Listen to me, Emma. Marcone thinks you're my weakness. He thinks by threatening you and taking people connected to you, he can make me break."
He leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers.
"He's wrong," Julian whispered fiercely. "You're not my weakness, Emma. You're my reason to make sure no one ever threatens us again."
He kissed her then—a deep, fiery, desperate kiss that tasted of fire and raw promise.
Before she could process the shock of his lips against hers, Julian pulled back, handed her a small silver key, and looked at Lev.
"Lock her in the safe room beneath the study. If I am not back by sunrise, take her to the airstrip and fly her out of the country."
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"Julian, no!" Emma screamed as Lev gently but firmly grabbed her arm, pulling her back inside the house. "Julian!"
Julian turned his back, pulling two heavy pistols from his desk drawer, and walked out into the stormy night.
