Chapter 6 - the ambush on the bridge
The tension in the ballroom had reached a boiling point before Rico ordered Dante to secure the vehicles and prepare for an immediate departure.
Ten minutes later, the three-vehicle armored motorcade sped across the lower deck of the Manhattan Bridge, heading back toward the safety of the Brooklyn estate. Rain began to fall again in heavy sheets, blurring the city lights outside the tinted bulletproof windows.
Clara sat in the plush leather rear seat of the lead SUV, holding Leo tightly in her lap. Rico sat beside her, his suit jacket unbuttoned, his hand resting near his concealed sidearm as his intense gaze swept the dark highway outside.
"Who was that man, Rico?" Clara asked softly, holding Leo's small head against her chest. "He looked at my locket like he hated it."
"Dominic Valenti is a snake," Rico replied coldly. "He built his empire on extortion and betrayal. Six years ago, your sister Sarah uncovered evidence that Valenti was laundering money through corrupt city officials."
Before Rico could finish his sentence, a heavy black commercial truck suddenly surged out of the dark lane beside them!
CRASH!
The heavy truck rammed the side of the armored SUV, sending the vehicle skidding wildly across the slick pavement! Tires screeched as the driver fought for control, the secondary security vehicle behind them taking a direct broadside hit from a second black SUV!
"Ambush!" Dante yelled from the front passenger seat, drawing his weapon instantly. "Hold on!"
Automatic gunfire erupted through the rainy night! Bullets hammered against the bulletproof glass of Rico's vehicle with loud, metallic thuds, cracking the outer reinforced layer!
Leo let out a terrified scream, burying his face into Clara's neck.
Clara didn't panic. She threw her own body completely over the toddler, shielding him with her frame, pressing her back against the seat as Rico drew his heavy silver revolver and fired three precise shots through the reinforced gun-port!
The rounds blew out the front tires of the attacking SUV, sending it spinning out of control into the bridge guardrail in a shower of sparks and metal!
"Clear the bridge!" Rico commanded, his voice roaring over the sound of gunfire.
Their driver slammed his foot onto the accelerator, forcing the heavy SUV through the gap in the wreckage and speeding onto the Brooklyn ramp as police sirens began to wail in the distance.
In the back seat, Rico turned around, checking Clara and Leo with desperate, frantic speed. "Clara! Are you hit?!"
Clara lifted her head, her brown eyes wide but steady, her fair face flushed as she held the unharmed Leo in her arms. "We're okay... Leo is safe."
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Rico looked at the young girl who had instinctively used her own body as armor to protect his son. A fierce, powerful emotion surged through his chest—a feeling he thought had died six months ago.
He reached out, grabbing her face gently in his broad hands, his dark eyes locked onto hers with intense, unspoken devotion. "You are incredible, Clara Vance," he whispered softly.
