Chapter 5 - The King’s Wrath
Rico arrived at the estate like an apocalyptic storm.
Flanked by fifty of his most lethal enforcers, Rico breached the grounds in three minutes. His eyes were burning with a terrifying, demonic fury that struck absolute terror into the hearts of the invading mercenaries.
The battle was short, brutal, and decisive.
Within fifteen minutes, the Luciano hit squad was completely neutralized.
Rico stormed into the shattered library, his suit covered in rain and soot, a dark weapon gripped tightly in his hand. His chest was heaving, his heart hammering against his ribs with a agonizing terror he hadn't felt since his wife's death.
"Clara!" Rico roared, his voice echoing off the walls. "CLARA!"
He rushed to the bookcase, punching in the emergency code on the hidden keypad.
The heavy steel door hissed open.
Inside, sitting on the floor in the corner, was Clara. Her dress was torn, her hair disheveled, but she had wrapped her own body completely around Leo, shielding him with her own life. Leo was unharmed, sleeping from sheer emotional exhaustion in her lap.
When Clara looked up and saw Rico standing in the doorway, a sob broke from her throat.
Rico dropped his weapon to the floor, fell to his knees, and pulled both of them violently into his arms.
He crushed Clara against his chest, burying his face in her neck, breathing in the scent of her hair while his whole body shook with profound, uncontrollable emotion.
"Thank God," Rico choked out, his voice thick with tears. "Thank God... you kept him safe... you kept yourself safe..."
"I promised you I would protect him, Rico," Clara wept softly, resting her head against his broad shoulder, holding him back just as tightly. "I won't let anyone hurt him. I won't let anyone hurt our family."
Rico pulled back slightly, his large hands framing her pale face, his dark eyes searching hers with a raw, intense, and eternal devotion.
May you like
"Our family," Rico whispered softly.
Without another word, he leaned in and pressed his lips against hers in a deep, desperate, and passionate kiss that shattered the last remaining walls between their hearts.
