Page 78 of Malevolent Secrets

“Lorenzo!” Vincent shouts, pulling me out of my thoughts. “We need to push them back!”

I nod, focusing on the task at hand. We move forward, gaining ground inch by inch. Massimo’s forces are strong, but so are we. The fight is relentless, each side refusing to give an inch.

Finally, after what feels like hours, we manage to push Massimo’s men back. The docks are a mess, but we have held our ground. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart.

Massimo glares at me from a distance, his face twisted in rage. “This isn’t over, Duretti. You’ll regret this.”

“You’re the one who’s going to regret it, Massimo,” I reply, my voice cold.

He turns and retreats with his men and I allow myself a moment of relief. But it’s short-lived. I have to get to Daniella.

“Vincent, Victor, finish up here. Make sure everything is secure,” I order. “I need to get to the club.”

Vincent looks at me, his expression tightening. “Renee is also at the club. Massimo’s men are there.”

Vincent’s face goes pale, his jaw clenching. He nods, understanding the urgency in my voice. “We’ll handle things here. Go.”

I sprint to my car, my mind racing with thoughts of Daniella and Renee. I have to get to them, have to make sure they’re safe.

The drive to the club is a blur. My phone buzzes again, and I see it’s Carla calling me.

“Lorenzo, you need to hurry. Massimo’s men are here.”

“Keep her safe, Carla. I’m on my way,” I say, my voice tight with fear and anger.

I arrive at the club and rush inside, my gun at the ready. The place is a mess, signs of a struggle everywhere. I move quickly, my heart pounding in my chest.

I find Carla and a few of my men in the main hall. “Where is she?” I demand.

“They’re in the back, in the saferoom,” Carla says, her face pale.

I nod and move towards the back, my mind focused on one thing: finding Daniella. I reach the inventory room and throw open the door.

Daniella, Maria, and Renee are inside, looking anything but frightened and they are unharmed. Relief floods through me, but it’s quickly replaced by anger.

I lurch forward, wrapping my arms tightly around Daniella, pulling her close. My heart is pounding so hard I can feel it in my throat. Her arms wrap around me and the feeling of her is almost too much.

For a minute I thought I had lost her and it felt like my entire world had come crashing down.

“What the hell were you thinking, coming here?” I demand, my voice harsher than I intend. But she’s safe. She’s here, in my arms, and that’s all that matters right now.

“I needed to…I couldn’t just stay at the house,” Daniella stammers, her eyes wide.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm down. “You’re safe now. That’s all that matters.” She steps into me again, squeezing me around my midsection. I wrap my arms around her again and hold her to me.

“You're okay. You're okay.” I'm saying it to her, but really, it's more for my benefit. I need the constant reminder that she is okay.

She nods, and I can see the fear in her eyes. I soften my tone. “I’m sorry. I was just worried about you.”

Maria steps forward. “We were lucky. Your sister showed up and saved us.”

I frown and turn to my sister. Well, there's one way to make a big reveal.

“Yes,” Maria says. “She…she killed some of Massimo’s men. Saved our lives.”

“Pretty sure it was at least three of them,” she says, and I raise my brows.

“Only three?”

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