"THE STRUGGLING WAITRESS THOUGHT SHE WAS A GHOST UNTIL SHE THREW HERSELF OVER A CRIME LORD’S LITTLE BOY—AND WHEN THE CRYSTAL SHREDDED HER BACK, ENZO VALENTI DECIDED HER LIFE WAS HIS TO PROTECT"

"Dante, where are they?" I demanded, my blood turning to pure ice. "They breached the kitchen windows," Dante yelled over the sound of automatic fire. "We are heavily outnumbered. Do not open the bunker door under any circumstances!" The radio went completely dead. I stared at the security monitors. I could see men in black tactical gear sweeping through my beautiful home. They were checking every room, shooting the artwork, kicking down the bedroom doors. They were looking for us. "Mommy?" Leo asked, standing up from the couch. "Why did the radio get loud?" I stood up, forcing a calm smile onto my face despite the sheer terror radiating through my bones. "Everything is fine, sweetheart," I lied smoothly. "Stay here with Mia. I just need to lock the outer door." I walked out of the main living area of the bunker and into the reinforced airlock chamber. I opened the steel weapons cabinet mounted on the wall. Enzo had taught me how to shoot three years ago, insisting I know how to defend myself. I had hated the loud noise and the violent recoil. But as I pulled the heavy Glock 19 from the shelf and racked the slide, my hands were perfectly steady. I was not a scared waitress anymore. I looked at the monitor showing the wine cellar just outside the bunker door. Three armed men were walking down the stone steps, carrying a heavy blowtorch. They knew exactly where we were. And they were going to burn through the steel door to get to my children.