Page 38 of Lured By the Cartel

"I'm fighting with you," he'd said earlier, his tone slamming the door on debate. "They threatened our family. Our babies. This ends tonight."

Now, as we stood in our fortified safe house, surrounded by my most trusted men, I couldn't help but marvel at how much he'd grown. The college student I'd first met was gone, replaced by someone stronger, deadlier, and even more beautiful. His change was almost palpable.

"The perimeter is secured," Salvatore reported, checking his weapons. "But Giovanni's men have been spotted approaching from the east and west. They're trying to box us in."

I nodded, feeling the familiar cold focus settle over me. It always happened in moments like this one. "How many?"

"At least thirty that we can see. Probably more waiting in the shadows."

Lucas stepped closer to me, checking his own gun—the one I'd taught him to use after the twins were born. He learned more quickly than I thought he would. "They're expecting you to be distracted," he said softly. "They think the babies make you weak."

"They're about to learn how wrong they are," I growled, pulling him close for a fierce kiss. "Stay close to me. No heroics." I couldn't risk him any more than I already was.

He smiled against my lips. "Same goes for you, old man."

The first explosion rocked the building before I could respond. They were making their move, trying to draw us out. Amateur tactics, really. I'd expected better from Giovanni.

"They're breaching the east wall!" Someone shouted.

"Let them come," I ordered, positioning myself near the main entrance. "Lucas, take the high ground. You're a better shot from a distance."

He nodded, already moving toward the stairs, his movements fluid and confident. Who would have thought that my omega would become such a formidable fighter? But then again, nothing about our relationship had ever been conventional, and nothing about it would ever be.

The sound of gunfire erupted outside, followed by screams. My men were giving as good as they got, but Giovanni's forces had numbers on their side. Not that it mattered—quality always beat quantity.

"Marco!" Lucas's voice crackled through our earpieces. "They're trying to flank around the north side. Three men, heavily armed."

I signaled to Salvatore, who immediately moved to intercept. The years of working together meant we barely needed words anymore.

The main doors burst open, and chaos erupted. Giovanni's men poured in, guns blazing, but we were ready. I dropped two before they could properly aim, their bodies hitting the floor with dull thuds. From above, Lucas provided precise cover fire, each shot finding its mark.

"Boss!" Antonio's voice came through the comm. "The twins are secure. We're moving to the secondary location now."

Relief flooded through me, knowing our sons were safe. Now we could focus entirely on ending this threat once and for all.

"Giovanni's here," Lucas reported suddenly. "Third car, just pulled up. He's staying back, letting his men do the dirty work."

"Coward," I spat, ducking behind a pillar as bullets sprayed past. Despite saying that, I wasn't surprised. "Always was, always will be."

More explosions rocked the building, and I heard Lucas curse. "They're trying to bring down the upper floor. I need to move."

"Be careful," I ordered, my heart clenching at the thought of him in danger. But I knew better than to try and stop him—he was as stubborn as I was, maybe more so. It was one of his qualities.

I moved through the chaos like a ghost, years of experience guiding my actions. Every shot counted, and every move had a purpose. Giovanni's men were good, but they lacked the desperation of someone protecting their family. They weren't like me and my men.

"Marco, on your six!" Lucas's warning came just in time. I spun, catching my would-be assassin with a quick double-tap to the chest. Above me, I heard Lucas engage in his own firefight,his controlled bursts of gunfire reassuring me he was holding his own.

"We need to end this," I growled into the comm. "Giovanni's not going to stop unless we stop him permanently."

"I have an idea," Lucas replied, and something in his tone made me nervous. "But you're not going to like it."

"Lucas-"

"Trust me," he cut me off. "Like you taught me to trust you."

Before I could argue, he was moving. I caught glimpses of him through the smoke and chaos, making his way toward the east side of the building. What was he planning?

Understanding hit me just as he reached his position. "You're creating a killbox," I realized, pride warring with concern.

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