Chapter 16 - The Ambush in the Dark
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The rest of the gala was a blur of whispered gossip and awe-struck stares. Emma danced with Lorenzo, feeling lighter than she had in her entire life. For the first time, she wasn't hiding in the shadows; she was the absolute center of gravity in the room, anchored entirely by the dangerous, magnetic man holding her waist.
Shortly after midnight, they decided to leave.
Marco escorted them through the private VIP exit leading to the underground parking garage. The garage was dimly lit, the sound of their footsteps echoing off the concrete pillars.
"I have never seen a man dismantled so thoroughly without a single punch being thrown," Lorenzo murmured, his arm wrapped securely around Emma’s shoulders as they walked toward the armored SUV. "You are terrifying, mia bella."
"I learned from the best," Emma smiled, leaning her head against his chest.
Suddenly, Marco raised his hand, halting them instantly. The massive enforcer drew his suppressed weapon with blinding speed, his eyes scanning the dark rows of parked cars.
"Boss," Marco grunted, his voice tense. "We have a problem."
From behind a concrete pillar stepped Andrew Whitmore.
He didn't look like the smug, arrogant heir from the penthouse. His tuxedo was torn, his face was bruised, and his eyes were wild with the manic, desperate panic of an addict who had run out of time. He had clearly skipped out on his bail hearing.
Flanking Andrew were two massive, heavily tattooed thugs holding cheap, unsuppressed handguns. They were cheap hired muscle, desperate and dangerous.
"You thought you could just take everything and walk away?!" Andrew screamed, his voice cracking hysterically. He pointed a trembling gun directly at Emma. "You ruined my life! The Macau guys are going to kill me! If I'm going down, you're coming with me, you ungrateful bitch!"
"Andrew, put the gun down," Emma commanded, trying to keep her voice steady, though her heart was hammering wildly against her ribs.
"Shut up!" Andrew shrieked, his finger tightening dangerously on the trigger. "Tell your mob boyfriend to wire the eighteen million back right now, or I blow your head off!"
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Lorenzo didn't yell. He didn't try to negotiate. He simply stepped smoothly in front of Emma, completely shielding her body with his own.
"You made a fatal mistake, Andrew," Lorenzo said softly, his voice devoid of any fear. "You assumed I brought only one guard to a public event."
