Chapter 17

"Sofia, get down!" Luca's voice cut through the chaos as another burst of gunfire erupted in the hallway.

Sofia dropped to the floor, her heart pounding in her ears. She crawled towards the door, pressing her ear against it to try and make sense of the commotion outside.

The sound of breaking glass and muffled shouts filled the air. Sofia's mind raced, trying to piece together what was happening. Had her father found them? Or was this some other enemy of the Moretti family?

Suddenly, the door flew open, nearly hitting Sofia in the face. Luca stood there, his shirt splattered with blood, a wild look in his eyes.

"We need to move," he growled, reaching down to pull her to her feet. "Now."

Sofia didn't hesitate. She grabbed the gun she'd hidden under her pillow and followed Luca into the hallway.

The scene that greeted them was one of chaos. Broken glass littered the floor, and the acrid smell of gunpowder hung in the air. Two bodies lay motionless near the staircase, men Sofia didn't re