Chapter 9 - The Trap
Across the glittering ballroom, Luca excused himself for a brief moment to speak with the city commissioner.
Emily took Sofia to the private terrace overlooking the city skyline to catch a breath of fresh air. The night breeze was cool, rustling the silk of Emily’s gown.
“You did so well tonight, Sofia,” Emily praised, smoothing down the little girl’s dress. “I am so proud of you.”
“I felt like a princess, Emily,” Sofia smiled, hugging Emily tightly around the waist. “Daddy looked at you the whole night like you’re his queen.”
Emily laughed softly, her cheeks glowing. But before she could reply, the heavy terrace doors clicked shut.
Two men in dark suits stepped out from the shadows near the marble columns, their hands tucked inside their jackets.
“Miss Emily,” one of them said with an icy, mocking smile. “Don Corsetti would like a private word with you and the little girl.”
Emily instantly shoved Sofia behind her back, her protective instincts taking over completely. “Back away! The guards are right outside those doors!”
“The guards on this terrace took a little nap ten minutes ago,” the man sneered, pulling a silenced pistol from his coat. “Move quietly, and neither of you gets hurt. Make a sound, and the kid takes the first bullet.”
Sofia whimpered in terror behind Emily’s skirts.
Emily’s mind raced. She knew that if they were taken off this terrace, Luca would be forced to sign over his empire, and neither she nor Sofia would ever be allowed to survive.
“Sofia,” Emily whispered under her breath, barely moving her lips. “When I say run, run toward the glass doors and scream for Daddy.”
“Emily, no—!”
May you like
“Trust me, sweetheart.”
With a burst of adrenaline, Emily grabbed a heavy bronze patio lantern from the marble table beside her and hurled it with all her strength directly into the face of the armed gunman!
