Chapter 6 - THE UNDERGROUND
The cold, damp air of the service tunnels smelled like rust and old rainwater.
I led the way, my flashlight beam cutting through the darkness. Luca walked right behind me, a silenced pistol gripped loosely in his hand. Two of his best men flanked our rear.
I was terrified, but every time I thought about turning back, I remembered the crayon drawing. To Daddy, Love Leo.
"Turn left at the next junction," I whispered, my voice echoing off the brick walls. "The warehouse is straight up the maintenance grate."
"You're doing well, Emily," Luca said quietly.
"Sir, why are you trusting me?" I asked, unable to hold it in anymore. "I'm just a maid. I could be walking you into a trap."
"Because earlier tonight, when Vanessa threatened your job, you still chose to tell the truth," Luca replied. "Loyalty bought with money is cheap. Loyalty given out of morality is rare."
We reached a rusted iron ladder that led up to a heavy grate.
Luca signaled his men. They climbed silently, lifting the grate just enough to peer into the warehouse above.
"Two guards," the lead security man whispered down. "The kid is tied to a chair in the center office."
"Take the guards," Luca ordered. "Quietly."
The men slipped through the grate like shadows. I heard the muffled thwip-thwip of silenced gunfire, followed by two heavy thuds.
Luca climbed up next, then reached down and pulled me up effortlessly.
We were in a dusty, abandoned shipping office. Through the glass partition, I saw him. A little boy with dark curly hair, sitting in an oversized office chair, tears streaking his dirty cheeks.
Luca kicked the door open.
Leo jumped, his eyes wide with terror.
"It's okay, Leo," Luca said, his voice instantly softening to a warm, gentle rumble. He put his gun away and knelt down. "I'm a friend of your dad's. We're here to take you home."
I rushed forward and quickly untied the thick ropes around the boy's small wrists. He clung to my arm instantly, burying his face in my uniform. I hugged him tight, rubbing his back. "You're safe now, sweetie. You're so brave."
"Daddy?" Leo whimpered.
"He's waiting for you," I promised.
Suddenly, the warehouse doors rattled loudly. Heavy boots stomped against the concrete outside. More Falcone men had arrived.
"They locked the front gates," a voice outside yelled. "They're trying to sneak him out! Burn the building down!"
Luca cursed under his breath. He looked around the office, then grabbed a heavy steel chair and smashed the back window.
"Emily, take him down the fire escape. Run back to the tunnels."
"What about you?" I asked, clutching Leo to my chest.
"I'm going to make sure they don't follow you," Luca said, pulling his weapon back out.
Before I could argue, a Molotov cocktail shattered against the front wall of the warehouse, sending flames roaring into the rafters.
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"Go!" Luca roared.
I didn't look back. I grabbed Leo's hand and we scrambled out the shattered window, the heat of the fire licking at our heels.
