Page 28 of His to Protect

Yeah, they were definitely no civvies.

Which meant that they were his prey.

The men inside barely had time to react before Dante started firing, each shot echoing through the cramped space like thunder.

The dive bar became a chaotic battleground, tables and chairs overturned as Dante and Matteo exchanged gunfire with the desperate criminals.

With each enemy Dante took out, his heart pounded harder in his chest, fueled by a potent mix of adrenaline and possessive rage. He knew Felix was here somewhere, and he wouldn't rest until he found him.

Dante ducked behind an overturned table just as a bullet whizzed past his head. He couldn't help but feel a twisted sense of exhilaration at the danger, the raw power coursing through his veins. This was what he was born to do – fuck shit up and protect those he loved, no matter the cost.

He had to find Felix.

"Dante!" The room was chaotic, loud with the sounds of battle, but Felix's voice was unmissable. "Is that you?! We're in the basement!"

The basement? Dante's blood sung with victory. That may have been Felix and Luna's prison, but right now, it was also their sanctuary. Locked away down there, there was no risk of them catching a stray bullet.

That meant that Dante was clear to take down the scum out here.

Matteo took one of the remaining men down with a well-placed shot, sending him dropping to the ground. Dante's muscles tensed, his eyes locked onto the nearest man, a predator ready to pounce on its prey. Taking the opportunity, he charged forward like a raging bull, using his brute strength to smash him off his feet. Sweat dripped from his brow as he grunted with the powerful impact, his mind focused solely on the task at hand.

He slammed the man against a wall, the man's gun clattering to the ground. "Is this all you've got?" Dante snarled, his voice dripping with contempt. The man's face contorted in pain as Dante tightened his grip around his throat, cutting off his air supply.

"Fuck… you..." the man gasped, desperation etched across his features. He struggled, seeking either escape or mercy. Dante had neither of them for him.

"Should've thought about that before you took what's mine," Dante growled, his eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. With a swift, merciless motion, he squeezed harder. The man jerked, and soon it was over.

He let the lifeless body slump to the floor, his gaze sweeping over the room. A few of the dirtbags were still groaning, collapsed on the floor and bleeding out. Matteo strode over to them, ready to put an end to their noise.

"We're clear back here!" Aurelio shouted, his voice cutting through the door to the rear of the building. He struck the door, letting Dante and Matteo know he was about to open it, and came in. His skin shone with sweat, but he was untouched. "There was one out back."

"Here, too!" Romeo's voice echoed. He came down the narrow staircase, his voice as filled with grim satisfaction. "There were two upstairs. Clear now."

At being beaten, Aurelio scowled.

As they checked their guns, Dante surveyed the scene, smug pleasure curling in his chest like smoke. His men had proven their loyalty and skill once again. No-one hunted like his boys.

One he was sure they'd neutralized all the threats, he strode over to the basement. It was locked, but a swift boot took the handle off entirely.

Descending the rickety steps, Dante found himself in a small room, the stench of sweat and desperation thick in the air. There, huddled together, were Felix, Luna, and half a dozen other girls he'd never seen before, each looking terrified.

"Is that your boyfriend?!" Luna blurted out, her wide-eyed gaze stuck on Dante. "Felix, what the hell?"

As an embarrassed expression bloomed on Felix's face, Dante smirked. "Come on, ladies — and gentleman. Let's get you the fuck outta here. Boys, lend a hand."

His men began helping the girls up and out of the basement. "Wait outside for me," Dante instructed them, wanting a moment alone with Felix before they left. They nodded as they helped the girls out of the building, leaving Dante and Felix in the wreckage of the front bar.

"Are you okay, kid?" Dante asked, concern lacing his voice as he took in Felix's bruised face and torn clothes.

Felix looked at him, his eyes shining with unshed tears. "I am now," he whispered, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions.

Dante closed the distance between them, pulling Felix into a tight embrace, their bodies pressed together like a promise. Felix's breath hitched, and he embraced Dante back.

Dante's heart hammered in his chest as he held Felix close, feeling the warmth of his body and the steady rise and fall of his breath. The streetlights coming in through the windows cast shadows across Felix's face, highlighting the vulnerability in his eyes. Dante couldn't help but be captivated by the rare moment of raw emotion, unable to resist the pull it had on him.

"I felt like shit," Felix confessed.

Dante winced. He knew Felix wasn't talking about the kidnapping. "Yeah, I kind of got that when you kicked me out. I didn't mean it that way."

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