Escape into Shadows
The mansion was collapsing around them, smoke curling through the air, fire crackling along the walls. Lucian held Isabella tight against his chest, his other hand gripping his gun with merciless precision. Elena moved at his side, her smaller frame darting in and out of cover as bullets rained down.
"Stay close to me," he commanded, his voice a mix of steel and fear.
"I'm not leaving you," Elena shot back, eyes fierce even as sweat and soot smeared her face.
They moved through the burning corridors, every step a fight for survival. Marco and two of Lucian's men cleared the path, returning fire as they carved a way toward the garage. But more SUVs screeched into the compound, spilling out armed men. Whoever orchestrated this wasn't just attacking — they were declaring war.
"Boss, we're surrounded!" Marco shouted.
Lucian's jaw tightened. Escape seemed impossible—until his gaze locked on a hidden passageway near the library. It was an old tunnel, one he'd had built years ago as a contingency.
"This way!" he ordered.
They ducked inside, the tunnel narrow and dark, the sound of battle muffled behind them. The path twisted and turned until it spat them out into the forest behind the estate. The night air was cooler, the silence almost jarring after the chaos.
For the first time in hours, they could breathe.
Elena collapsed onto the damp grass, her chest heaving. She still clutched the pistol, knuckles white, refusing to let it go. Isabella clung to Lucian's neck, her small body trembling.
Lucian crouched, finally letting his daughter rest safely between them. His eyes, usually cold and untouchable, softened as they met Elena's.
"You could've run," he said quietly, his voice hoarse from smoke. "You had every reason to. But you stayed. You fought."
Elena swallowed hard, her heart pounding—not from fear anymore, but from the way he was looking at her, as if she was the only person in the world who mattered.
"I couldn't leave you," she whispered. "Either of you."
Lucian's hand lifted, brushing a streak of soot from her cheek. For a heartbeat, he almost leaned closer, almost gave in to the fire burning between them. But then Isabella stirred, her small voice breaking the moment.
"Daddy… are we safe now?"
Lucian pulled his hand back, his expression hardening again. "For now," he said. "But this isn't over."
He stood, scanning the dark trees, every muscle tense. "Whoever dared to come after my family will regret it. I'll burn their world to the ground."
And for the first time, Elena realized something terrifying and beautiful at once—she wasn't just the nanny anymore. She was part of his family.