Chapter 70

Rossi.

The roar of gunfire echoed through the warehouse district as we approached the Gottis’ stronghold. My men moved with precision, covering each other as we advanced. The chaos of the diversion team’s assault provided the perfect cover for our infiltration.

I led the way, my heart pounding with a mixture of fear and determination. Aurora was here somewhere, and I wouldn’t leave without her.

Marco’s voice crackled through my earpiece. “The diversion team is holding their attention. You’ve got a clear path to the west entrance.”

“Copy that,” I replied, signaling to my men to move in. Leo, Sam, and Victor flanked me as we slipped through the shadows, avoiding the sporadic guard patrols.

We reached the west entrance, a heavy steel door that was guarded by two armed men. With a nod, Leo took out the first guard with a silent shot from his silenced pistol. Sam followed suit, and the second guard crumpled to the ground.

“Nice and easy,” I muttered, pushing the door open. We slipped inside, the dimly lit corridors a stark contrast to the chaos outside. I motioned for Alex to start the thermal scan, his equipment giving us a clear view of the guards inside.

“There,” Alex whispered. “Three guards are in the main hallway, two more near the storage rooms. Aurora should be just beyond that.”

“Let’s move,” I said. We moved through the corridors, taking out guards with swift precision. Each step brought us closer to Aurora, and my pulse quickened with anticipation.

We reached the main hallway, and I signaled for my men to take positions. The guards were unaware of our presence; their focus was on the noise outside. In a matter of seconds, we had them down, their bodies crumpling to the ground.

As we approached the storage rooms, my heart pounded in my chest. “Alex, any sign of her?”

He scanned the room again, his brow furrowing. “She’s moving. They’re taking her somewhere.”

“Damn it!” I cursed. “We need to move faster. Let’s go.”

We rounded a corner, and my breath caught in my throat. There she was, being dragged by a guard, her eyes wide with fear and determination. Aurora.

“Aurora!” I shouted, raising my gun.

The guard turned, his eyes widening in shock. Before he could react, I fired, the bullet striking him in the shoulder. He fell to the ground, releasing Aurora. She stumbled forward but caught herself, her eyes locking onto mine.

“Rossi!” she cried, relief flooding her voice.

I rushed to her, pulling her into my arms. “I’ve got you,” I whispered fiercely. “You’re safe now.”

But before we could move, a cold voice echoed through the hallway. “Well, isn’t this touching?”

I turned, my grip tightening on Aurora. Leticia Gotti stood there, a gun pointed at us, her eyes cold and calculating. Behind her, Riccardo emerged, his face twisted with anger.

“Let her go, Rossi,” Riccardo sneered. “Or I’ll make sure neither of you leave here alive.”

My men moved to flank them, but Leticia’s gun remained steady. “You think you can just walk in here and take what belongs to us?” She spat, her eyes narrowing. “You have no idea what you’re dealing with.”

“You have no idea what I’m capable of,” I retorted, my voice low and dangerous. “Leticia, Riccardo, this ends now.”

Before anyone could react, a series of shots rang out. My men fired, the sound deafening in the enclosed space. Leticia and Riccardo dove for cover, but not before a bullet grazed Leticia’s arm, causing her to cry out in pain.

“Move!” I shouted, pulling Aurora with me as we dove behind a stack of crates. The air was thick with tension, with the sounds of gunfire and shouting echoing around us. I could feel Aurora’s trembling beside me, but she remained strong, her eyes focused and determined.

“We need to get out of here,” I said. “Stay close to me.”

She nodded, her grip on my arm tight. We moved through the chaos, my men covering us as we made our way to the exit. Riccardo’s voice echoed through the warehouse, his fury palpable.

“You think you can escape? You’re dead, Rossi! Both of you!”

I ignored him, focusing on getting Aurora to safety. We reached the exit; the cool night air was a stark contrast to the suffocating tension inside. My men formed a protective circle around us as we moved towards the vehicles.

But as we reached the parking lot, an explosion rocked the ground, the shockwave knocking us off our feet. I shielded Aurora with my body from the heat and debris flying around us.

When the dust settled, I looked up to see Riccardo and Leticia emerging from the wreckage, their faces twisted with rage and determination. “This isn’t over, Rossi!” Riccardo shouted, his voice a roar of anger.

Before I could react, Leticia aimed her gun at Aurora. Time seemed to slow, the world narrowing to the single point of that gun aimed at the woman I loved. I moved without thinking, throwing myself in front of Aurora just as the shot rang out.

Pain exploded in my side, but I ignored it, focusing solely on Aurora. “Run!” I shouted, pushing her towards the waiting car.

“But Rossi—” she began, her eyes wide with fear and determination.

“I said run!” I barked.

She hesitated for a moment, then turned and ran, my men covering her as she reached the car. I turned back to face Riccardo and Leticia, my vision blurring from the pain.

“This ends now,” I growled.

Riccardo laughed with a cold, cruel sound. “You’re bleeding out, Rossi. You think you can stop us?”

I gritted my teeth, raising my gun. “Watch me.”

With a roar, I charged at them, firing with precision. The world seemed to narrow to the single focus of taking them down. I felt another bullet graze my arm, but I kept moving and kept fighting.

Finally, I reached them, taking down Riccardo with a well-placed shot. He fell to the ground, his eyes wide with shock and pain. Leticia screamed, raising her gun again, but I was faster. I knocked the weapon from her hand, pinning her to the ground.

“This is for Aurora,” I hissed, my voice a growl of fury as I shot both their legs.

Her eyes were filled with fear and hatred, but I didn’t care. I turned, looking towards the car where Aurora was waiting. My men had managed to subdue the remaining guards, and the way was clear.

I stumbled towards the car, the pain in my side making every step a struggle. But I had to reach her. I had to make sure she was safe.

Aurora rushed toward me, her eyes wide with worry. “Rossi! You’re hurt!”

“I’m fine,” I managed. “Let’s get out of here.”

With her help, I climbed into the car, my men piling in around us. As we sped away from the warehouse, the adrenaline began to wear off, and the pain in my side became more pronounced.

Aurora held my hand tightly, her eyes filled with tears. “You saved me,” she whispered. “You came for me.”

I squeezed her hand, my heart swelling with love and relief. “I’ll always come for you,” I said, my voice soft but firm. “Always.”

As we drove through the night, leaving the chaos and danger behind, I knew that this was far from over. The Gottis would come for us, and we would be ready. But for now, Aurora was safe, and that was all that mattered. Together, we would face whatever came next, and we would emerge victorious. For us. For our future.