Page 50 of The Underboss's Secret Twins

I glance down at her, then back at the approaching men.

We’re not out of the woods yet.

13

MARCO

The realization of just how much trouble we are in grips my spine like a vice, but there’s no time to dwell on it. Not with the warehouse closing in around us like a death trap, not with Lombardi reinforcements flooding through every possible entrance, their weapons raised, their orders clear—cut us down before we make it out alive.

Gunfire erupts from both sides, bullets slamming into concrete, ripping through crates, sending splinters and debris into the air. The stench of gunpowder thickens, acrid and choking, mixing with the sharp bite of cold metal and sweat.

We’re running out of time.

"Sofia—stay low." My voice is rough, urgent, leaving no room for argument.

She nods weakly against my chest, her breath warm against my collarbone, her body still trembling from exhaustion. She’s fighting to stay upright, to move on her own, but she’s been through too much. I tighten my hold around her, shifting my grip so I can carry her more easily.

"Cover us!" I bark, my voice cutting through the chaos.

Dante and Adriano are already in motion, laying down heavy fire as I start toward the exit, keeping Sofia close, shielding her body with mine. A Lombardi enforcer steps into our path, raising his rifle. I fire first—two shots, center mass. He crumples like a marionette with its strings cut, and I don’t break stride.

Footsteps pound against the concrete behind us. More shadows moving in. A fresh wave of gunfire cuts through the air, forcing me to duck low, curling around Sofia as we push forward.

"Keep going!" Dante roars. "We’ve got your back!"

We sprint through the narrow corridor leading to the loading dock, the cold air hitting my skin like a slap as we burst through the exit.

Finally.

The SUVs are waiting, engines running, headlights slashing through the murky light, exhaust curling in thick plumes against the cold.

Almost there.

A bullet whizzes past my ear, slamming into the warehouse doorframe behind me. Another kicks up dust at my feet. My heart pounds, every muscle burning with the instinct to move, move, move.

I don’t stop.

I reach the first SUV, throwing the door open with a violent yank before lowering Sofia into the backseat. She lets out a sharp gasp as she collapses onto the seat, her fingers gripping my wrist with surprising strength.

"Marco—" Her voice is hoarse, barely audible over the gunfire, but the plea is there.

"I’ve got you," I promise, my hand briefly cupping her face, my thumb brushing against the bruise marring her cheek. "You’re safe now."

I climb in beside her, using my body as a shield while my men hold the line. Bullets ricochet off the vehicles, denting metal,shattering glass. Dante and Adriano are still outside, firing in tight bursts, covering every angle as the Lombardis swarm forward like locusts.

"Now, Adriano!" I shout.

He tosses a smoke grenade toward the warehouse entrance, the canister spinning before erupting into a thick, suffocating cloud. The air fills with a dense gray fog, swallowing the gunmen, buying us the seconds we need.

"Move your ass, Dante!"

Dante doesn’t hesitate. He fires a final shot before diving into the second SUV.

Adriano follows suit, sliding into the driver’s seat of the third vehicle just as a fresh spray of bullets shatters the warehouse’s upper windows.

"Go, go, go!" I yell at the driver, slamming my palm against the headrest.

Tires screech against the pavement. The convoy roars to life, engines growling as we tear away from the warehouse in a blur of smoke and lead.