Chapter 8 - THE TRAP AT ELENA'S HOUSE
The hallway inside Elena’s house was dark and reeked of cordite and spilled whiskey.
Shattered picture frames littered the hardwood floor.
Gabriel signaled with two fingers: *clear left.*
I moved silently down the hallway, keeping my pistol raised, my senses dialed to absolute maximum.
From the master bedroom at the end of the hall came the muffled sound of weeping.
“I'll ask you one more time, Elena,” a harsh voice sneered. “Where is Gabriel hiding the ledger?”
“I don't know anything about any ledger!” Elena sobbed. “Please, just leave my children alone!”
Gabriel kicked the bedroom door open with explosive force.
*Bang.*
A bullet splintered the doorframe inches from Gabriel’s head.
Gabriel fired twice through the smoke, dropping the armed enforcer instantly.
A second thug lunged from behind the wardrobe, grabbing Elena by the hair and pressing a knife to her throat.
“Drop the gun, Moretti, or the bitch gets her throat slit right now!” the thug screamed, his eyes wide with panic.
I didn't hesitate.
Stepping past Gabriel into the doorway, I raised my Glock, took a steady breath, and fired.
The bullet struck the thug cleanly in the shoulder.
He shrieked, releasing Elena as he collapsed backward onto the bed.
Gabriel closed the distance in a fraction of a second, driving the butt of his pistol into the man's temple and knocking him out cold.
Elena scrambled across the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.
Gabriel rushed to her, pulling her into his arms.
“Are you alright, El? Are the kids safe?”
“They're... they're in the panic room downstairs,” Elena choked out, trembling violently. “They locked themselves in when the glass broke.”
Gabriel helped her to her feet, then turned to look at me.
I stood by the doorway, lowering my smoking weapon, my hands finally beginning to shake as the adrenaline wave receded.
Gabriel walked over, gently taking the gun from my trembling fingers and setting it aside.
He placed both hands on my shoulders.
“You saved her life,” he whispered, his eyes blazing with fierce admiration and raw emotion.
“I told you,” I whispered back, looking up into his dark eyes. “I can handle it.”
Elena wiped her tears, looking from her brother to me with sudden recognition.
“Wait... are you Rachel? Daniel’s wife?”
I nodded slowly.
Elena let out a shaky gasp, wrapping her arms around me in a tight, grateful hug.
“Daniel always said you were the strongest woman he ever met,” she murmured against my ear. “He was right.”
Gabriel checked his watch.
“We don't have much time,” he announced grimly. “Donato knows this hit squad failed. He's going to send his entire personal army next.”
“Where do we go?” Elena asked, pulling her terrified children out from the basement panic room.
May you like
Gabriel looked at the map on his phone, a dark, dangerous smile crossing his face.
“We go straight to the lion's den.”
