Chapter three

The Calm Before the Storm

The air outside was thick with tension, a palpable sense of dread hanging in the cool night. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins as Ryder led us into the shadows of the alley. Each step was measured, every noise amplified in the eerie silence that surrounded us. The weight of the moment pressed down on me, a reminder that the calm we were experiencing was deceptive—a mere prelude to the storm that was sure to follow.

“Stay close,” Ryder instructed, glancing back at me as he led the way. I nodded, tightening my grip on Luca’s hand, our fingers entwined as if he could anchor me to this world where danger was looming just beyond our reach.

The dim glow of the streetlights barely penetrated the darkness, casting long shadows that twisted and turned with the wind. It was disorienting, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were being watched. Every rustle of leaves, every distant footstep sent my heart racing, and I forced myself to breathe steadily, to remain focused.

“Where are we going?” I whispered, my voice barely a murmur. 

“To a safe house,” Ryder replied tersely. “It’s not far, but we need to be quick. He’s already on high alert, and it won’t take long for him to realize you’re gone.”

“Who exactly is this fourth man?” Dante asked, his tone edged with suspicion. “What does he want with Elena and the kids?”

Ryder hesitated for a moment, glancing around as if to ensure we weren’t being followed. “He’s a shadow in this world—someone who’s been pulling strings from behind the scenes for years. He knows everything about you, Elena, your past, your family. But more than that, he knows the power your children hold.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly. 

“The Romano legacy is more than just a name. Your father hid away a fortune, resources that could bring entire kingdoms to their knees. The moment your children were born, they became targets—not just for the mafia kings, but for anyone who wants control over that legacy.” 

Fear coursed through me at his words, and I felt the weight of my responsibility crashing down. My children weren’t just innocent bystanders in this dangerous game; they were the keys to a war that could tear the mafia world apart. “I can’t let that happen,” I whispered, but the resolve in my voice sounded shaky even to my own ears. 

“We’ll protect them,” Luca promised, his grip on my hand tightening. “But we need to get to that safe house and regroup. The more time we waste, the more dangerous this becomes.”

As we rounded the corner, the safe house came into view—an unassuming brownstone tucked between larger buildings, its windows dark and inviting. Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived. The sense of safety I’d hoped to find here quickly dissipated when I saw the flicker of headlights approaching in the distance. 

“Get inside!” Ryder hissed, urgency filling his voice as he ushered us toward the entrance. 

I fumbled with the door, my heart pounding in my chest as we slipped inside. Ryder pressed his back against the wall, eyes trained on the street outside, ready for anything. The moment the door closed behind us, I felt a wave of isolation wash over me—here we were, trapped in a world of shadows, with danger lurking just outside.

“Is everyone in?” Ryder asked, glancing back to confirm. 

“Wait, what about the kids?” I realized suddenly. “They’re still at the house. I can’t leave them behind!” 

“We’ll go back for them,” Dante said firmly. “But first, we need to secure this place. Ryder, what’s the plan?”

Ryder took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the room. “We can’t let him know we’re here. We need to set up defenses and lay low until we can figure out our next move. He’ll come looking for you, and we need to be ready.”

“Ready for what?” I asked, trying to calm the rising panic in my chest. 

“For the storm that’s coming,” Ryder replied, his voice low and grim. “Trust me; it’s going to be a fight for your lives.”

I turned to the men, the gravity of our situation sinking in. We were caught in a tangled web of deceit and power struggles, and I could feel the storm gathering around us. “What do we need to do?” 

“Stay together,” Dante instructed, moving toward the window to peek through the curtains. “And be ready for anything.”

As we settled into the safe house, I couldn’t shake the feeling of impending doom. The walls felt like they were closing in, and I could hear my heart pounding in my ears, a relentless reminder of the danger we faced.

“Let’s barricade the doors and windows,” Luca suggested, his eyes scanning the room for anything that could be used as a weapon. “We need to make it harder for him to get in.”

I joined him, my hands trembling as I pushed a heavy bookshelf against the door. It felt futile, a temporary barrier against an enemy that seemed invincible. But I had to focus on the task at hand; I couldn’t afford to let my fears spiral out of control.

Ryder moved around the room, checking the windows and making sure there were no gaps for anyone to slip through. The tension was thick in the air, and I could feel it hanging over us like a dark cloud, ready to unleash its fury.

Suddenly, a loud bang echoed through the house, causing me to jump. My heart raced as I exchanged frantic glances with the others. 

“What was that?” I whispered, my throat dry with fear.

“Stay quiet,” Ryder ordered, his expression shifting to one of intense focus. He moved to the door, peering through the peephole, and I could see the tension in his shoulders as he scanned the street.

“It’s him,” he muttered, voice low. “He’s here.”

“What do we do?” Sasha asked, moving closer to me, his eyes dark with concern.

“We wait,” Ryder replied, his eyes narrowing as he watched. “We can’t let him know we’re inside. He’s hunting for you, Elena. He won’t leave until he finds you.”

The seconds stretched into minutes, and the air felt electric with anticipation. I could hear the soft thud of my heartbeat, the rustling of clothes as the others shifted nervously. 

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps approached, heavy and deliberate. My breath hitched in my throat, and I clutched Luca’s hand tighter. 

“Get ready,” Ryder said, his voice a sharp whisper. 

I felt the heat of panic rising in my chest, my body coiling with the urge to flee. But where could I go? We were trapped in a house with no escape, and my children were still in danger. 

The footsteps stopped outside the door, and I held my breath, praying that they would just pass by. But the door rattled as someone pushed against it, the sound of metal scraping against wood sending chills down my spine. 

“Open up!” a voice called out, deep and menacing. “I know you’re in there, Elena. You can’t hide from me. Not anymore.”

A wave of fear washed over me, and I fought the urge to scream. The fourth man had found us. 

“Don’t let him in!” I whispered urgently, backing away from the door. 

Ryder moved to stand in front of me, his expression grim. “We can’t let him get in. If he does, everything is over.”

The door rattled again, and I could hear the low chuckle of the man outside, filled with dark amusement. “You think you can keep me out? I’ll get what I want, one way or another.”

I exchanged frantic looks with the others, the reality of our situation crashing down around us. This was it—the moment we’d been dreading. 

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed as the door burst open, splintering the wood as the man pushed his way inside. The force of the impact sent me stumbling back, and I caught a glimpse of his face—a familiar visage twisted into a cruel smirk.

“Welcome to the party,” he sneered, taking in our frantic expressions with twisted delight. “I knew you couldn’t resist coming back to me, Elena.”

“Stay back!” Ryder shouted, stepping forward, but I could see the uncertainty in his eyes.

“You think you can protect her?” the man taunted, his voice laced with derision. “She’s mine. She always has been.”

I felt the weight of his words, a chilling reminder of the bond we once shared, and I could feel the darkness of my past crashing down on me like a tidal wave. 

“Who do you think you are?” Sasha demanded, his voice steady despite the chaos around us. “You have no power here.”

But the man only laughed, a cold, hollow sound that echoed in the room. “I have all the power. And soon, I will have Elena back where she belongs.”

As the tension in the room reached a boiling point, I could see the menace in his eyes, a darkness that promised destruction. I had to act—I had to protect my children and myself, no matter what it took.

“Get away from her!” Luca shouted, stepping forward, his body tense and ready for a fight. 

“Your love won’t save you this time,” the man sneered, eyes gleaming with malice. “I’ll take what’s rightfully mine, and you will all fall before me.”

And just like that, the calm before the storm shattered.