Chapter 8 - The unbreakable king
The cinematic lighting of the foyer, with its massive crystal chandelier overhead, cast dramatic shadows as the six elite guards circled Vincent. These were not street thugs; these were highly trained enforcers. But Vincent Caruso was a legend for a reason. He stood in the center, completely calm, his fair skin glowing slightly with sweat, his jaw set like carved granite.
The first guard lunged, swinging a heavy baton. Vincent ducked under the swing, driving a brutal uppercut into the man's ribs, followed by a sweeping kick that sent the guard crashing into a marble pillar. The man slumped to the floor, completely unconscious.
The remaining five attacked simultaneously. What followed was a breathtaking display of raw, masculine power and tactical brilliance. Vincent didn't waste energy on flashy moves. Every strike was calculated to end the fight instantly. He caught a punch, twisting the attacker's arm behind his back, using the man as a human shield against the others. He threw him forward, instantly pivoting to deliver a devastating elbow strike to the jaw of the third guard. The air was filled with the sound of breaking wood as guards were thrown through antique tables and heavy wooden chairs.
Vincent absorbed hits—a heavy punch to the shoulder, a glancing blow to his ribs—but he did not fall. He was fueled by the knowledge that Noelle and Julian were hiding just one room away. He fought with the fury of a father protecting his blood.
Within four minutes, the six elite guards were incapacitated, groaning on the floor. Vincent stood amidst the wreckage, his chest heaving, his black shirt clinging to his athletic frame. He didn't have a single graphic injury, just the bruised knuckles of a king who had successfully defended his castle.
He slowly turned his gaze to Lorenzo and Celeste.
Lorenzo stared at the bodies of his best men, his face pale. He took a step backward, his silver-tipped cane trembling in the snow blowing through the open doors.
Celeste, however, refused to accept defeat. She reached into her ruined trench coat and pulled out a small, silver revolver. She pointed it directly at Vincent’s chest. Her hands were shaking wildly.
I won't let you win! Celeste screamed, her sophisticated mask entirely destroyed. I spent eight years building the perfect heir! I sacrificed everything to take this family from you! You are nothing but a brute!
Vincent didn't flinch at the gun. He took a slow, deliberate step toward her. Shoot me, Celeste. Because if you miss, I will throw you out into the snow, and this time, I won't lock the doors. I'll let the wolves have you.
Before she could pull the trigger, a small, calm voice echoed from the doorway of the living room.
The probability of you hitting a vital organ at this distance, with your hands shaking at that frequency, is less than twelve percent, Celeste.
Everyone froze. Vincent turned his head. Standing in the doorway, perfectly composed in his miniature suit, was Julian. He was holding Vincent’s discarded, empty pistol, aiming it flawlessly at Celeste. He knew it was empty, but Celeste did not.
Put the weapon down, Julian commanded, his eight-year-old voice dripping with the exact same terrifying authority as his father. Or I will demonstrate the training you paid for.
Celeste stared at the boy she had raised. Her eyes filled with tears of rage and betrayal. Julian! I am your mother! I raised you!
You are my warden, Julian replied coldly. And I have found my father.
Celeste let out a choked sob of pure defeat. The revolver slipped from her trembling fingers, clattering onto the marble floor. She collapsed to her knees, burying her face in her hands.
May you like
Vincent walked over, kicked the revolver away, and looked at Lorenzo. Take her, Vincent said to the old mafia boss. Take her back to Europe. If I ever see her face in my city again, I will cross the ocean and burn your entire syndicate to ash.
Lorenzo didn't argue. He signaled to two of his conscious men, who grabbed the sobbing Celeste by the arms and dragged her out into the blizzard, leaving the Caruso estate in silence.
