"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"

I watched the security feed as the men approached the heavy vault door. One of them ignited the blowtorch, the blue flame hissing violently against the thick steel. I knew the door was rated to withstand almost anything, but I couldn't risk it. If they compromised the locking mechanism, we would be trapped and suffocated by the smoke. I made a decision that forever severed the last remaining tie to my old, innocent life. I hit the manual override for the outer airlock door. The heavy steel groaned, sliding open just a few inches. The three men stopped, clearly shocked that the impenetrable vault was opening from the inside. "Well, look at this," the leader laughed, turning off the torch and raising his rifle. "The queen is surrendering." I didn't say a word. I stepped into the narrow gap, raising the Glock with both hands, my eyes completely cold. I aimed directly at the center of the leader's chest, just like Enzo had taught me, and pulled the trigger. The gun roared in the confined space of the cellar, the flash temporarily blinding me. The leader dropped instantly. Before the other two could even process what had happened, a shadow dropped from the staircase above them. It was Dante. He was bleeding from a cut on his forehead, but he moved like a striking viper. He neutralized the remaining two men with terrifying efficiency before they could fire a single shot at me. Dante looked up at me, panting heavily, his eyes widening when he saw the smoking gun in my hands. "Are you hurt, Clara?" he asked, dropping his empty magazine. "I am fine," I said, my voice eerily calm as I lowered the weapon. "Is the house secure?" "Yes," Dante nodded respectfully. "The boss just pulled through the front gates." I engaged the lock on the bunker door, ensuring the children were safe, and walked past Dante up the stairs.