Page 50 of That Time I Accidentally Took Over the Mafia

“What the fuck?” he calls back.

“We’re trapped! We have nowhere to go.”

“Dammit.” He growls, pausing to reload his confiscated gun.

“Here.” I hand him a clip as I look to the window with the river below. “Enzo, blow this place into the sky and take me for a swim.” My gaze is heavy with what we need to do. “It’s not just about protecting me but those who can’t protect themselves.”

Enzo is looking at me and doesn’t see the attacker coming at him from behind. I panic as I call out his name and throw my blade like I just saw him do. I miss my target but get close. The blade slices the assailant’s face badly enough for Enzo to turn and pull his gun.

Two pops later, the man is on the ground, his wide, dead eyes staring at me as his life fades.

“All right. Let’s go for a swim.”

Enzo’s counterattack appears frenzied, but it has purpose. I can see the strategy in it. What appears to be random spurts of hand-to-hand fighting, followed by a pushback with gunfire, allows Enzo’s soldiers to move about the large room, helping patrons make their way to the back walls.

Gunfire echoes through the club, mingling with the screech of chairs, shattering glass, and the desperate cries of bystanders.

Enzo and his men move with calculated precision, coordinating with military-like efficiency to clear the room. I watch as they drag terrified civilians into secret passages hidden behind walls, ushering them to safety while the rest of the men hold their ground, gunning down the invaders one by one.

But Enzo doesn’t stop—not for a second. His eyes are focused, sharp, scanning the room for every possible threat. His team takes care of business while he ensures the safety of the people here—of me. I can see it in the way his muscles tense, his every movement purposeful.

I remain behind the blockades, helping move those who need assistance to the tunnels within the walls. Some are injured, and I avoid looking at the ones lying motionless on the ground.

“Ninety seconds, Delaney.” His tone is low and menacing, leaving no room for argument. In less than two minutes, all hell is going to break loose.

The large artillery gun is nearly set up, and when they start using it, none of us will make it out. I can see the large-caliber rounds from here. If one were to rip through a human body, there would be nothing left.

Two of Enzo’s men are preparing the explosives we’ve taken from the bodies of those who broke in. Several guards are armed with grenades to throw, and Enzo is handling the large bundle.

We will be the last two out, causing a distraction so the patrons can escape through the walls. It’s me they’re after anyway, and by extension, Enzo.

An older woman stumbles, nearly out in the open and exposed to the gunfire. She’s slipping on broken glass, spilled food, and blood. I dart out for her just as Enzo yells for us to get down. I cover her with my body and feel Enzo’s heat as he covers me.

The explosion rattles the ground and vibrates the chandeliers above. I expected a spray of debris, but it never comes. Peeking behind me as the blast dissipates, I see Enzo has flipped a table on its side and is holding it to shield us.

“Thank you.” I cup his face, then help the woman to her feet. One of Enzo’s guards takes her, and they disappear into the darkness of the passages behind the walls.

Enzo takes the bundle of explosives, his finger holding the tab. When he pulls it, the countdown will start, and we’ll run for our lives.

“Can you run in those, baby?” he asks. His eyes are wild, and I know he doesn’t like this plan, but we have no other options.No one is coming to help because all the mafia families are either sending someone to kill us or are busy killing each other. I have no idea where Jax and Luca are, and frankly, I’m trying to ignore the possibility of what that could mean.

If these men attacked Enzo’s house first and caught them off guard... If they are already?—

I can’t finish the thought and swallow it down, focusing on Enzo and what we’re about to do. “Yeah, I’ll be okay.”

He releases a huff of resignation and pulls me into a kiss. “You better not fucking die,” he growls, taking one last look at the anarchy.

“We’ll see you on the other side, boss.” One of his men pats his shoulder. I see them take their positions, and emotion washes over me. The loyalty Enzo’s men have to him, their training, their devotion—it gives me hope. He’s a good leader for his family, and that’s enough to know we’re going to make it out.

An assault of explosions will blast around us as we run for the window. Enzo will throw the bundle at the heavy cannon blocking the doorway. As long as we don’t get shot, it should be fine.

“We’ve got thirty seconds to make it out of the building once I pull this pin, okay?”

“Got it.” I nod, steeling myself internally to make the push toward the other end of the building. Then comes the hard part.

We have to run straight through a large glass window and jump three stories down into the freezing river below. No big deal at all. Super glad this was my idea.

Enzo looks down at the bundle, his finger pausing on the tab. Then he releases a deep breath and pulls it. We’re up and running. The first few steps are tricky amid the shrapnel littering the floor.

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