The car rolled to a smooth stop in front of the Moretti estate.
The iron gates closed behind them with a heavy metallic groan, sealing the world outside.
For a brief moment, everything was quiet.
Lucian stepped out first, adjusting the cuff of his sleeve as the evening air brushed across his face. Elena followed a second later, the gravel crunching beneath her shoes.
Marco climbed out from the front seat and stretched his arms.
"Well," he said lazily, "nothing like a relaxing drive home after a pleasant dinner."
Lucian ignored him and began walking toward the mansion.
That was when it happened.
A sharp crack echoed through the air.
Gunfire.
Lucian's head snapped toward the sound.
"Down."
His arm moved instantly, pulling Elena behind him as another shot rang out. The bullet struck the side of one of the parked cars with a metallic ping.
Elena's heart slammed violently against her ribs.
"Inside!" Marco barked. But Lucian didn't move. Instead, something dark flashed across his face.
"Damn it," he muttered under his breath. "I can't even have a moment of peace in my own house."
Another figure appeared from behind one of the estate's stone pillars.
Lucian's irritation hardened into something colder. "Fucking pests."His voice was so cold it made Elena shiver.
Before she could even process what was happening, Lucian moved.
Fast. Terrifyingly fast.
He stepped forward, pulling a pair of black leather gloves from his pocket and sliding them on with practiced ease as if violence were simply another task on his schedule.
The attacker fired again.
Lucian sidestepped the shot effortlessly. Then he was on him.
One brutal strike.
The gun flew from the man's hand, followed by the sharp crack of bone breaking.
Lucian grabbed his collar and slammed him hard against the stone wall, the impact echoing across the courtyard.
The man gasped in pain but couldn't form a sound.
Lucian's grip tightened around his throat.
"You chose the wrong house," Lucian said coldly.
Behind them, Marco had already taken down another attacker, pinning him to the ground with a knee pressed into his spine.
Elena stood frozen near the car, her pulse racing as chaos unfolded around her.
More guards rushed across the estate grounds.
Another gunshot echoed somewhere near the back of the property.
Lucian barely seemed to notice.His attention was completely fixed on the man struggling for air in his grasp.
His expression had changed. Gone was the calm, controlled man from the café.
This version of Lucian was something else entirely. Cold and ruthless.
His fingers tightened slowly. The man began to choke.
Marco looked up and immediately swore.
"Lucian."
No response.
Marco stood quickly.
"Lucian!"
Lucian's hand tightened further, irritation simmering beneath his calm exterior.
The attacker's face was turning red. Marco walked closer and grabbed Lucian's arm.
"Stop."
Lucian turned his head slightly, irritation burning in his eyes as he glared at him.
"What."
Marco sighed. Knowing these people were really testing his patience.
"We need him alive."
Lucian stared at the man for another second.
Annoyance flickered across his face.
Marco added calmly,
"You know… interrogation."
Lucian's jaw tightened, of course...Someone had helped them.
No one entered the Moretti estate without assistance. Someone inside had opened the gate.
Lucian's gaze darkened as his eyes narrowed dangerously.
I'll deal with that personally.
He shoved the man toward Marco with clear disgust.
"Take him."
Marco nodded, relieved that Lucian had listened at least this once.
"Gladly."
Lucian turned immediately, his attention shifting back to Elena.
She was still standing beside the car.
Frozen. Her face pale. Shock, confusion, and fear flickered across her expression.
When their eyes met, Lucian noticed something else. Questions. So many questions.
Elena swallowed. Pushing down the wave of fear rising in her stomach.
"Why…" her voice trembled slightly, "why are they trying to kill me?"
Lucian didn't answer immediately.
Before he could, the mansion doors opened.
Matteo stepped outside, his expression already tense.
"Lucian."
Lucian turned toward him.
"We handled three of them behind the estate," Matteo reported calmly. "Two are dead."
Marco dragged the captured man forward.
"And this one," Marco said cheerfully, "is our guest for the evening."
Matteo's eyes shifted briefly to Elena before returning to Lucian.
"There's more."
Lucian's gaze hardened.
"What."
Matteo's voice lowered.
"We found the ones who let them in."
For a moment, silence fell across the courtyard.
Lucian's expression went completely still.
Dangerously still.
Inside his mind, one thought repeated.
A traitor.
And traitors never lived long in the Moretti empire.
Lucian glanced back toward Elena. She was still staring at him. Her eyes wide. Fearful and confused.
As if she were finally realizing something terrible.
Ever since she had stepped into the Moretti mansion…
Elena had believed she was nothing more than a prisoner.
But now she understood something far more terrifying. She wasn't just trapped in his house. She was a target.
Her breath faltered at the realization.
Lucian was suddenly beside her, steady and silent, as if he had sensed the moment her fear threatened to overwhelm her.
Elena looked up at him.
For once...
she wondered, whose life was truly in greater danger.
Hers.
Or Lucians.