Chapter 10 - THE EMBRACE IN THE ASHES
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Luca pulled Oliver and me so tightly against his chest that I could feel the violent, ragged hammering of his heart against my ribs.
He buried his face between my neck and Oliver’s hair, his broad shoulders heaving with silent, shuddering sobs of pure relief.
The smell of cordite, broken glass, and rain surrounded us, but within the circle of his arms, the world was completely still.
“Are you hurt? Tell me where you’re hurt!” Luca pleaded, pulling back slightly, his trembling hands scanning my arms, my back, my face.
“I’m okay, Luca,” I whispered, tears of adrenaline and relief finally spilling down my cheeks.
“The stone took the bullets. We’re okay.”
Oliver looked up from my chest, his small face pale and smeared with gray concrete dust, but his hazel eyes were clear and unafraid.
He reached out with his little hand, gently touching the fresh cut along Luca’s temple where flying glass had grazed his skin.
“Daddy,” Oliver whispered softly.
“You chased the wolves away.”
Luca let out a choked, wet laugh through his tears, wrapping his arms around his son once more, kissing Oliver’s forehead, his cheeks, his hair.
“I did, buddy,” Luca choked out.
“They’re gone.”
“All of them are gone forever.”
Marco stepped into the conservatory, stepping carefully over the shattered glass, his tactical rifle lowered.
He stopped three feet away, his rugged face etched with profound relief and unyielding respect.
“Enzo is alive, boss,” Marco reported quietly.
“The federal marshals are waiting at the front gate with an armored transport.”
“He has multiple compound fractures and will be transferred directly to the secure medical wing at the federal penitentiary.”
Luca slowly stood up, helping me to my feet before scooping Oliver securely into his left arm.
His right arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me firmly against his side, supporting my trembling legs.
“Hand him over to Miller, Marco,” Luca ordered, his voice returning to its calm, absolute authority.
“Tell the federal prosecutor that Enzo Moretti has no family to post his bail.”
“He belongs to the government now.”
“Understood, Mr. Moretti,” Marco replied, nodding respectfully to me before turning to lead his men out into the gardens.
Luca looked down at me, his dark eyes brimming with a depth of emotion so vast it took my breath away.
He reached up with his free hand, his fingertips gently wiping the concrete dust from my cheek.
“You threw yourself over my son, Emily,” Luca whispered, his voice trembling with raw, sacred reverence.
“You took the fire for him.”
“I love him, Luca,” I answered honestly, meeting his piercing gaze without a single drop of hesitation.
“I loved him from the moment he walked into my pantry eight months ago with that torn sweater.”
“I would have died on that floor before I let anyone hurt him.”
Luca closed his eyes for a moment, resting his forehead against mine, his breath warm and sweet against my lips.
“You are never dying for this family, Emily,” he promised fiercely against my skin.
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“You are going to live with us.”
“And I am going to spend the rest of my days making sure you never know fear again.”
