Chapter 6 - THE FIRE HOSE AND THE FALL
The heavy canvas hose struck the back of Dante’s knees with a sickening thwack.
With a startled roar, Dante’s legs buckled. He lost his balance, tumbling backward onto the hard concrete floor. The heavy steel revolver flew from his grip, skittering across the slick surface and sliding beneath the landing gear of the private jet.
“Ahhh!” Dante bellowed, clutching his bruised shins.
At the exact same second, old Salvatore leaped down from the boarding stairs, swinging his heavy iron wrench with deadly accuracy. It connected squarely with Dante’s jaw, knocking the larger man flat on his back into unconsciousness with a dull thud.
Vanessa shrieked in horror, turning her head toward the sudden commotion.
That single split-second distraction was all Luca needed.
With the explosive speed of a striking panther, Luca crossed the remaining twenty feet of the hangar in a blur of motion. Before Vanessa could react, he slammed his hand against her wrist, twisting her arm upward with professional, merciless precision.
The small pocket knife slipped from her fingers and clattered onto the concrete.
With his other hand, Luca scooped nine-year-old Sophie up into his arms, pulling her tightly against his chest as the little girl buried her face in his wet coat, sobbing uncontrollably.
“I’ve got you, baby,” Luca choked out, his voice cracking as he buried his face in her dark hair. “Daddy’s here. You’re safe. I’ve got you.”
Vanessa stumbled backward, clutching her twisted wrist and glaring at me with pure, venomous hatred.
“You—you stupid housemaid!” Vanessa screamed, lunging toward me with her fingernails bared like claws. “You ruined everything!”
I didn't flinch. I braced myself to defend against her attack.
But Vanessa never reached me.
Marco and two security guards came crashing through the hangar service doors at a dead run, water spraying from their jackets. Marco grabbed Vanessa by both shoulders, yanking her backward and slamming her wrists into a pair of cold steel zip-ties before she could take another step.
“Let me go!” Vanessa shrieked, kicking her expensive red heels against the concrete. “You can't do this to me! I’m going to be Mrs. Moretti! I’ll ruin all of you!”
“You’re going to federal prison for corporate fraud, forgery, and child abduction,” Marco said coldly, hauling her to her feet and dragging her toward the waiting Lincoln Navigator outside.
In the center of the hangar, the echoes of shouting slowly faded into the rhythmic sound of rain drumming against the metal roof.
Luca stood holding Sophie, rocking her gently back and forth while whispering soothing Italian words into her ear. The little girl's breathing gradually slowed down, her small arms wrapped tightly around her father’s neck as if she never wanted to let go.
After a long moment, Luca looked up, his dark eyes meeting mine across the quiet space.
He didn't say a single word. He didn't need to.
The look of profound, unreserved gratitude in his eyes spoke louder than any speech ever could.
He walked over to me, still holding Sophie with one arm, and reached out with his free hand to gently brush a wet strand of hair from my forehead.
“You saved her life, Hannah,” Luca said, his voice thick with emotion.
“I just did what anyone would have done, Mr. Moretti,” I answered, feeling a hot tear mix with the rainwater on my cheek.
Sophie slowly turned her head, looking at me with big, tear-stained brown eyes.
“Are you... are you the lady who practices dancing with Grandma?” she whispered softly.
I smiled, kneeling down slightly so I was at eye level with her.
“Yes, sweetie. That’s me.”
Sophie reached out a small, trembling hand and touched my sleeve.
“Thank you for saving my daddy,” she whispered.
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My heart melted. I gently squeezed her tiny fingers.
“Always, Sophie. Now... let’s take you home to your grandma. She’s waiting in the kitchen with those red dancing shoes.”
