Chapter 7 - The Poisoner's Second Strike
The banquet ended without open gunfire, but the storm broke the moment our armored convoy entered the secluded winding roads leading back to the Falcone estate.
I sat in the back of the reinforced Maybach beside Gabriel. Carmine was driving, his eyes constantly checking the rearview mirrors.
"Carmine," Gabriel commanded quietly. "Cut through the lower docks. Valenti’s phone just pinged a tower near the old processing plant."
"Boss, we have two black SUVs trailing us three cars back," Carmine warned, his foot pressing harder on the gas pedal.
"Let them follow," Gabriel said, reaching beneath the seat and pulling out a matte-black automatic rifle. He checked the magazine with effortless precision and turned to me. "Stay low, Elena. No matter what happens, do not leave this vehicle."
Before I could answer, the night exploded.
A deafening crash shook the Maybach as a heavy pickup truck rammed our rear flank, sending the vehicle spinning across the wet asphalt. The screech of tires tore through the rain. Gunfire erupted instantly—automatic rounds hammering against our bulletproof glass like heavy hail.
"Elena, down!" Gabriel roared, wrapping his entire body over mine, shielding me with his broad frame as glass cracked and shattered from high-caliber impacts.
Carmine returned fire through the driver’s side firing port, steering the skidding car into an alleyway between two abandoned shipping warehouses.
"Tires are blown on the right side!" Carmine yelled. "We’re stationary!"
"Out! Now!" Gabriel grabbed my hand, kicking his door open and pulling me into the darkness of the rain-slicked alley.
Bullets kicked up sparks on the brick walls around us. Three gunmen in tactical gear advanced from the street, weapons raised.
Gabriel didn't hesitate. With terrifying speed and ruthless efficiency, he raised his rifle. Three distinct double-taps echoed through the alley. The three attackers collapsed into the puddles, motionless.
Gabriel pulled me behind a steel dumpster, his breathing heavy, his eyes scanning the rooftops.
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Suddenly, a shadow lunged from behind a stack of wooden crates, holding a gleaming blade. It was Leo Valenti, his eyes wide with desperate mania.
"You should have died in that bed, Gabriel!" Valenti screamed, lunging directly at Gabriel’s injured shoulder.
