Chapter 10: An Acknowledgment of Risk

The shot was fast and final, echoing across the room. The anarchy seemed to stop for a minute, every heartbeat stretching into eternity. Dante's vision grew narrower as he saw the scene: the intruder's gun remained elevated, and the man's expression changed with realization he had missed his target. Dante's body jerked on instinct, diving sideways as the man lifted his rifle once again and wrath twisted his features.

Dante snarled and squeezed the trigger on his own weapon, not today. The invader slumped, the sound of his fall lost in the rebuilt chorus of gunshots.

Dante turned to face his left with a piercing gasp. Elena was crushed against the wall, her eyes wide, a smear of blood marring her cheek from where a shard of broken glass had cut her? His heart faltered at the sight, but Enzo was there, positioned between her and the tumult before he could act.

The battle raged all around them, Marco yelling commands as Dante's men drove the assailants back; the little safehouse became a