Chapter 6 - The Trap Beneath the River
The subterranean tunnel was damp, echoing with the distant, heavy rhythm of the Hudson River pressing against the reinforced concrete ceiling above. Emergency battery-powered lights flickered at ten-foot intervals, casting long, jittery shadows against the damp walls.
Sophia’s breath came in ragged gasps. Her legs burned from sprinting in stocking feet, her arms aching under Emma’s dead weight as the little girl slumbered on, completely oblivious to the war raging above them.
Just another hundred yards, Sophia told herself, keeping her eyes fixed on the red glowing exit sign at the far end of the service tube. Just reach the safe house dock, get a boat, and—
Clack. Click.
The distinct, unmistakable sound of a shotgun bolt being racked echoed from the darkness ahead.
Sophia slammed to a halt, her boots skidding across the damp concrete. She threw her body sideways, pressing herself and Emma flat against the cold concrete pillar just as a deafening blast tore through the air.
BOOM.
A shower of concrete shrapnel rained down where Sophia’s head had been a second earlier. A thick plume of white smoke billowed from the wall.
"Well, well, well," a smooth, gravelly voice echoed from the shadows ahead. "The little cleaning rag thinks she can scurry out through the drain."
Step by slow step, a tall, impeccably dressed man emerged from the gloom. Julian Romano.
At sixty-five, Julian still possessed the cold, immaculate posture of a man who owned judges, politicians, and hitmen. His silver hair was neatly combed, his dark trench coat completely spotless, save for a single drop of blood on his leather glove. In his right hand, he held a suppressed tactical shotgun, pointed with casual, executioner’s precision right at Sophia’s chest.
"Mr. Romano," Sophia whispered, her voice tight with terror as she shielded Emma with her own body.
"You know, Sophia, you played your part brilliantly," Julian said, stepping closer, his smile thin and cruel. "Living in my shell company for years, leaking fake numbers, hiding like a rat in Aleandro’s mansion. I almost admired your survival skills. Almost."
"I never leaked anything," Sophia spat back, her heart hammering against her ribs. "I wanted out! I wanted to disappear!"
"And you could have," Julian sighed, shaking his head with mock disappointment. "If you hadn't given birth to that little bastard."
He gestured with the barrel of his shotgun toward Emma, who stirred slightly at the loud noise, burying her face further into Sophia's shoulder.
"Aleandro is a bloodhound," Julian continued, his eyes turning to ice. "When he finds out he has an heir, his entire empire locks down. He stops being a businessman and turns back into the monster his father was. I couldn't risk him having a bloodline, Sophia. And I certainly couldn't risk my daughter's engagement party being overshadowed by a street rat dancing better than a Romano."
Julian raised the shotgun, his finger tightening smoothly around the trigger.
"Say goodbye to your daughter, maid. Family tradition dictates the clean-up is always thorough."
Sophia closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around Emma with an unbreakable, desperate grip. She braced for the impact, offering her own body as a living shield.
May you like
The trigger clicked.
Bang.
