Page 25 of Vows Made in Silence

How the fuck did Daniel get here?

Luca’s breath comes in ragged pulls. Someone must’ve followed Giuliana. Tracked her. The betrayal runs deep—deeper than he thought.

This wasn’t about him anymore.

They didn’t just come to send a message.

They came to take his son.

To use him.

To break Luca from the inside.

He hits the staircase two steps at a time, gun drawn.

Turk’s voice follows him. “Second floor—small frame. Mezzanine. We think it’s him.”

Luca doesn’t answer. He already knows.

The mezzanine is dark. Smoke curls in from below. Emergency lights flicker like dying stars.

Then he sees him.

Daniel.

Crouched behind a marble column, clutching a book to his chest. Trembling. Alone.

And not alone.

A shadow looms behind him. Masked. Armed. A knife glinting in his grip.

“Move!” Luca roars.

Daniel drops.

The man lunges.

Luca fires twice.

The first shot hits the attacker in the shoulder. The second drives through his chest.

The body staggers back—then topples over the railing.

It hits the marble below with a sickening crunch.

Luca doesn’t blink.

He’s already moving—rushing to Daniel, arms out, gun ready.

The boy looks up.

Wide eyes. His eyes.

Luca drops to one knee, pulling him close. Daniel curls into his chest like he was always meant to be there.

Like a lock finally meeting its key.

It’s the first time he’s touched his son.