y cl

nse and stifling, making it difficult to breathe. She nodded as she watched Dante survey the room with cold, analytical eyes, her heart racing frantically. He was shook, but not broken by the situation. He moved li

're moving toward the rear. Secure the

e's jaw tightened. Vince didn't say anything else before rush

aty face. Flames were consuming the mansion as Lorenzo's men were pulling

reathe and her lungs burned. "I am unable to... She

le her waist and draw her c

her in spite of the commotion all around them. Her inner maelstrom of horror subsided momentari

The stench of smoke continued to saturate the air, making every breath

ghing as the smoke bit at h

e, "Underground. Below the mansion

ughts racing. "A tunnel? You

rward, his grip tightening around her arm. "Have a

ened to a tiny, poorly lighted staircase. He gestured for her to lead. With a

ing house, and armed men pursuing them-it all felt surreal. Her life had turned from a calm and

heat above was a sharp contrast to the chilly, moist stone walls. The farther they descended, the fresher th

emonium and smoke outside. In front of them extended a d

nce she'd arrived at his estate. "Why didn't you inform me of this earlier?" Francesca

s jaw hardened. "Do you think I wanted any of this? Do

ce, she fired back. "Without warning, you pulled

at her, his eyes blazing with anno

e and smoke continued to rage above them, and

menacing. "Francesca, you would already be dead if it weren't for me. You are un

his words struck like a kick to the gut. She was at a loss for words for a time. Her resistance felt

ion to me honestly. Why did my father associate with someone

lf for a while. "Francesca, your father owed me more than just money. He was entitled to protection. Years ago, he made a

the bakery had no bearing on thi

g to get me by using you. He believes he w

ep, her heart raci

g, Dante's eyes softened and his coun

and charged in the air between them. In Dante and Lor

words. Dante's gaze suddenly shifted to the tunnel entrance. He

here. As the shadows moved, Vince appeared out of the shadows, his face pallid and solemn

asn't time for it. Grabbing Francesca's h

alls closed in around them. The road ahead was barely illumin

esca and Dante were thrown to the ground with a deafening explosion that tore

racing in her chest, she reached out blindly, but she got no answer. In

eard footsteps getting closer and louder. Dante was unconsc