Chapter 7 - Cara Walks Into the Lion’s Den
Dante became frighteningly calm.
Cara had learned that his silence was more dangerous than shouting.
Marcus tracked the kidnappers toward an abandoned mining complex.
Police wanted time.
Dante had none.
Then Cara received a text.
COME ALONE IF YOU WANT THE BOY ALIVE.
She showed nobody.
That was her mistake.
She took a car and left.
Thirty minutes later Dante discovered she was gone.
His fury shook the house.
Meanwhile, Cara entered the abandoned mine.
A man waited inside.
Victor Romano.
Sixty years old.
Silver hair.
Expensive coat.
A smile without warmth.
“You're remarkably brave.”
“I've been called stupid too.”
Victor laughed.
Noah sat tied to a chair behind him.
Unharmed.
Cara’s heart steadied.
“What do you want?”
“Dante.”
“Then why contact me?”
“Because he loves you.”
Cara froze.
“No.”
Victor smiled.
“Men like Dante Moretti don't chase waitresses into secure houses and assign six guards to their mothers unless feelings are involved.”
Cara ignored the warmth rising to her face.
“Let Noah go.”
“Bring Dante here.”
“You already know he'll come.”
“Exactly.”
Cara understood.
She was not bait.
She was the messenger.
Then gunfire erupted outside.
Victor sighed.
“Predictable.”
Dante had tracked her car.
He entered minutes later with Marcus.
Victor pressed a gun against Noah.
“Stop.”
Dante stopped.
“Release my son.”
“Your father killed mine.”
“I am not my father.”
“You inherited everything he stole.”
Dante slowly lowered his weapon.
“Take me.”
Cara stared at him.
“No.”
“Cara.”
“No.”
Victor smiled.
“How touching.”
Dante looked at Noah.
Then Cara.
His expression softened.
“Sometimes you choose what matters.”
Victor ordered him forward.
Then Noah did something nobody expected.
He kicked Victor in the shin.
Victor stumbled.
Cara lunged.
Dante moved.
Marcus fired.
The gun flew from Victor’s hand.
Security stormed the room.
Seconds later, it was over.
Dante tore Noah’s restraints loose.
The boy threw his arms around him.
“Dad!”
Dante froze.
Then held him tightly.
Cara turned away, crying.
Outside, rain had begun falling.
Dante found her near the vehicles.
“You came alone.”
“I had to.”
“You could have died.”
“So could Noah.”
“You cannot keep doing this.”
Cara laughed bitterly.
“You're telling me that?”
Dante stepped closer.
“I cannot lose you.”
Silence.
Cara looked at him.
“What did you say?”
His voice became quieter.
“I can survive losing money. Companies. Houses. Reputation.”
He touched her cheek.
“But I don't think I could watch you fall away from me.”
Cara’s heart pounded.
“Dante…”
He kissed her.
Not dramatically.
Not possessively.
Just carefully.
As though asking permission.
Cara kissed him back.
From the SUV, Noah yelled, “Finally!”
They separated.
Dante closed his eyes.
Cara laughed.
For several seconds, the nightmare disappeared.
Then Marcus approached.
“We have a problem.”
May you like
Victor Romano had escaped during the confusion.
And this time, he had taken Vanessa with him.
