When a terrifying ninety-pound mafia guard dog broke loose in a snow-dusted courtyard, a three-year-old toddler casually walked up to it with a washcloth and a yellow cup.

The attack came on a moonless Tuesday night, wrapped in a sudden spring rainstorm.

Heavy thunder clapped across the valley, masking the sound of cutting wire at the far edge of the estate's estate line. A team of Vance’s mercenaries, taking advantage of the blinding rain, bypassed the outer security grid and breached the courtyard.

Inside the estate, the alarm system cut through the silence with low, pulsing tones. Red emergency lights flickered along the corridors.

Sophia woke up instantly, her heart slamming against her ribs. She threw on her robe and rushed into Emma’s room, pulling the sleeping child into her arms.

"Mommy? What's that noise?" Emma mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

"Shh, baby, it's okay. Mommy's here," Sophia whispered, pulling a blanket around her daughter.

Suddenly, the heavy wooden door of the bedroom swung open. Sophia gasped, pulling Emma behind her, but it was Alessandro. He wore a dark tactical vest, his face hardened, but his eyes softened the moment they landed on Sophia and Emma.

"They breached the perimeter," Alessandro said calmly, though the urgency in his voice was clear. "Marco is handling the courtyard. I am taking you two to the safe room below the estate."

Before they could move into the hallway, glass shattered at the end of the corridor. Two armed men in dark tactical gear rounded the corner, their weapons raised.

"Moretti!" one of them shouted.

Alessandro reacted instantaneously. He pulled a sidearm from his holster, firing two precise shots that neutralized the threat before the men could even raise their sights. The thunderous noise filled the hallway.

Sophia screamed softly, covering Emma’s ears.