Chapter 98

Ava sat at the kitchen table, her hand resting on her growing belly, a small, nervous smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Dominic had promised her that tonight would be the end of the war. Alex would be dealt with, and after everything, they would finally be able to start a life free from fear.

But the unease in Ava’s stomach wasn’t just from her pregnancy. She could feel the tension in the air, like a storm on the horizon. Dominic hadn’t told her all the details, but she knew this final confrontation would be dangerous. She had insisted on being involved, on knowing what was happening, but Dominic, as always, had shielded her from the worst of it.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the low hum of voices near the security monitors. Marcus, the head of Dominic’s security team, stood by the door, his brow furrowed as he spoke quietly into his radio. Ava’s instincts kicked in immediately—something was wrong.

She stood, her heart pounding as she crossed the room toward Marcus. “What’s happening?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Marcus glanced at her, his expression tight. “Everything’s under control, Mrs. Rossi. We’re just monitoring the situation.”

“Don’t lie to me,” Ava said, her voice firmer now. “What’s going on?”

Marcus hesitated for a moment, then let out a quiet sigh. “We just received word that Alex has dispatched a team. They’re headed here, and fast.”

Ava’s breath caught in her throat. The baby. The thought of Alex sending men to attack her while Dominic was out fighting for their future sent a chill down her spine. She felt the familiar grip of fear tightening around her, the panic rising in her chest.

But it was different this time.

She took a deep breath, her hand resting protectively on her stomach. The fear was there, but so was something else—something stronger. She had spent too long running, hiding, waiting for Dominic to protect her. She had fought too hard to get this far. No more.

“Is Dominic aware?” Ava asked, her voice steady now.

Marcus nodded. “He knows, but he’s tied up in the middle of the assault. He sent us reinforcements, but we don’t have a lot of time.”

Ava’s mind raced. The men would be here soon, and though Dominic’s security team was well-trained, there was no guarantee they would be able to stop the attack before it reached her. She had to act. She couldn’t be the helpless woman she once was.

“How many men are coming?” she asked, her eyes narrowing as she began to form a plan.

“Five, maybe six,” Marcus replied. “But we’re ready for them.”

Ava turned toward the small safe on the wall near the kitchen. Dominic had insisted on teaching her how to defend herself months ago—how to shoot, how to handle a situation if things went south. At the time, she had protested, insisting she would never need it. Now, she was grateful for every lesson.

She opened the safe and pulled out the small handgun Dominic had given her. The cold weight of the metal felt strange in her hand, but not unwelcome. It was a reminder that she wasn’t powerless anymore. She wasn’t going to be a victim.

Marcus’s eyes widened slightly when he saw the gun, but he quickly composed himself. “Mrs. Rossi, I don’t think—”

“I’m not staying out of this, Marcus,” Ava interrupted, her voice firm. “They’re coming for me and my child. I’m not running, and I’m not hiding.”

Marcus looked as though he wanted to argue, but there was something in Ava’s expression that stopped him. Instead, he nodded, his respect for her growing in that moment. “Alright. We’ll do this together.”

The moments that followed were a blur of preparation. Marcus and the rest of the security team positioned themselves throughout the penthouse, preparing for the imminent attack. Ava moved with purpose, checking the locks, listening to the radio chatter as Dominic’s team engaged Alex’s forces in the distance.

She could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins, her senses heightened, her mind laser-focused. The old Ava, the one who had been scared and helpless, was gone. This was the woman who had survived unimaginable horrors, who had fought to rebuild her life and protect her family. She wasn’t going to let Alex or anyone else take that away from her.

The first sound of the attack came like a crash of thunder—a deafening explosion that rocked the lower levels of the building. Ava’s heart raced, but she stood her ground, her fingers gripping the gun tightly.

“They’ve breached the first floor,” Marcus called out. “We need to hold them here.”

Ava nodded, positioning herself behind a large marble column near the entrance, the gun raised and ready. She wasn’t naïve—this wasn’t about taking out all of Alex’s men on her own. She knew Dominic’s security would handle the bulk of the attack, but if anyone got through, she would be ready.

The sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway, followed by the telltale click of a gun being cocked. The tension in the air was suffocating, every second stretching into an eternity as Ava waited, her breath shallow, her heart pounding in her chest.

Then, they came.

The door burst open, and two of Alex’s men charged in, guns drawn. Marcus’s team reacted instantly, gunfire erupting as the attackers were met with a hail of bullets. Ava ducked behind the column, her ears ringing from the noise, but she kept her grip steady, waiting for her moment.

A third man, larger and more heavily armed, barreled through the doorway, his eyes scanning the room for a target. Ava held her breath, her hands trembling slightly as she aimed. The man hadn’t seen her yet—he was focused on Marcus and the other guards.

But when his gaze finally landed on her, Ava didn’t hesitate.

She squeezed the trigger.

The shot rang out, and the man stumbled, his body hitting the ground with a heavy thud. Ava’s hands shook as she lowered the gun, her breath coming in ragged gasps, but the feeling of fear had been replaced by something else—pride. She had done it.

The rest of Alex’s men were taken down swiftly by Marcus and the team, their bodies crumpling to the floor as the last echoes of gunfire faded into silence. Ava stood there, her heart still racing, her eyes scanning the room for any remaining threats.

It was over.

Marcus approached her, his expression one of respect and relief. “You did good, Mrs. Rossi. Real good.”

Ava nodded, her chest rising and falling with each shaky breath. She glanced down at the gun in her hand, the weight of what she had done settling over her. But there was no regret. No hesitation. She had defended herself and her child, and she had done it without Dominic at her side. She wasn’t helpless anymore.

The door burst open again, but this time it was Dominic.

He rushed inside, his eyes scanning the room for Ava. When he saw her standing there, alive and unharmed, a wave of relief washed over his face. He crossed the room in an instant, pulling her into his arms, holding her tightly.

“Ava,” he breathed, his voice filled with emotion. “Thank God.”

Ava hugged him back, her body trembling slightly from the adrenaline. “I’m okay,” she whispered. “We’re okay.”

Dominic pulled back slightly, his hands framing her face as he searched her eyes. “I got word they were coming after you. I was so—”

“They’re gone,” Ava interrupted softly. “I handled it. With Marcus and the team. It’s over.”

Dominic’s eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, he was speechless. He had always protected Ava, always fought to keep her safe, but now, seeing her like this—strong, capable, standing her ground—it filled him with a pride he couldn’t put into words.

“You’re amazing,” he whispered, pressing his forehead to hers.

Ava smiled, her hand resting on his chest. “We’re going to be okay, Dominic. We can do this. Together.”

For the first time, she truly believed it. They had faced the worst, and they had survived. And now, with the last of Alex’s men gone and the threat neutralized, Ava knew that they could finally build the life they had dreamed of—one free from fear, one where their child would grow up safe and loved.

It wasn’t just Dominic who would protect their family. Ava had made her decision. She was in this fight with him, every step of the way.

And together, they would win.