Page 96 of Daddies of the Underworld

I caught her before he pulled her to the floor, kicking the pistol away even though there was no way in the seven hells he was a threat when his brains were leaking across the floor.

“I knew you’d come.” Sofia clawed at my vest. “I knew you’d come.” She said it over and over, no doubt needing to reassure herself.

“I’ve got you.” I kept the rifle at waist level and made my way toward the door. “Asset secured.”

The comms exploded in cheers. Luca cursed loud enough to cause static, his voice cutting in and out amid the mingled voices. “Dante, room…”

A groan of hinges was my only warning. I turned to check over my shoulder as the wardrobe door swung open. Shit. A gun barrel lifted. Sofia’s breath hit my neck, and the barrel went higher.

No. Not happening. I twisted, lifting my arm to cover Sofia’s head and torso. A bullet slammed into my side, digging into the space my vest didn’t cover. The punch stole the air from my lungs. My knees hit stone, and I grunted, keeping one arm around Sofia.

“No!” Sofia screamed in my ear, but it sounded tinny and distant.

Gunfire erupted over my head, and the hidden shooter dropped into the wardrobe, revealing a hidden tunnel on the other side. That explained why Luca hadn’t seen him.

I pressed my palm against the floor and tried to stand. My hand slipped, and I turned just in time to cradle Sofia to my chest instead of falling on her.

Blood filled my mouth. I wheezed out Nina’s name before the world went dark.

35

MATTEO

“Medic to the lower tower. Now.” I shoved my way through the command tent, already reaching for the tablet in Luca’s hands. “Paolo, report.”

We couldn’t get a medic through. I knew that, but I needed them to get as close as possible.

Static crackled through my earpiece. “Dante took a shot to the side. He’s going in and out of consciousness, and there’s a lot of blood. Sofia is secure.”

Fuck. Nina made a sound beside me and bolted for the exit.

I caught her around the waist and dragged her back. She fought me like a wild thing, all elbows and terror. “Let me go!”

“No.” I tightened my grip. “You promised to follow my instructions.” I hated myself for it, but I yanked her around to look at me. “Do not step foot outside this tent. You will be a distraction we cannot afford.”

“You bastard.” She hammered a fist into my chest, her eyes filling with tears. “I hate when you’re right.”

She stopped fighting, but I kept hold. I loved her spirit, but that spirit would get her killed.

We’d all seen Dante turn and throw his arm up. We’d heard the shot, then we’d seen nothing but the stone floor and then the ceiling. “She is coming to you. So is Dante.” My arm around her waist tightened of its own accord when she turned away.

Luca stood in the doorway of the command vehicle, one hand clamped over his earpiece. His face had gone pale, but his voice stayed steady. “Medical vehicle moving your way, Paolo. The north road is locked. Get out.”

“Keep the south exit closed. Viktor does not leave this property.” He’d almost succeeded in taking out my best friend. He would not survive this day.

Nina jerked against my hold again, then stopped when Sofia’s scream cut through the night and the comms simultaneously. “Mama!”

I let Nina go, following her out with my weapon trained into the distance in case some asshole thought he could take her from me.

Nina ran across the rocky ground, tripping over small pebbles but not slowing down.

Massimo, one of my men, came out of the dark, carrying Sofia against his chest. Her face was streaked with dirt and tears, and she was missing a shoe. The sight nearly put me on my knees.

Massimo set her down, and the tore across the space, diving into Nina’s arms. Nina dropped to her knees, their arms locking around each other as Nina rocked them back and forth. She wiped hair from Sofia’s face and kissed her cheek.

“Daddy got hurt.” Sofia’s chin quivered, and she looked over her shoulder. “They put him on a table. He…” she gulped and hiccuped a sob. “He couldn’t breathe.”

Oh, baby. My poor, amazing, sweet little girl. She’d been through so much and still her first thought was about Dante.