Chapter 7: The Safe House

The explosion echoed across downtown Manhattan, sending a massive cloud of smoke into the afternoon sky.

Inside the armored SUV, Devon twisted around in his seat, staring helplessly through the rear window.

"Marco!" he shouted.

The garage entrance had completely collapsed beneath tons of concrete and twisted steel.

"Turn around!" Devon yelled.

"We have to go back!"

Luca Romano kept both hands firmly on the steering wheel.

"No."

"He's still in there!"

"Boss gave an order."

"I don't care!"

"I do."

The SUV accelerated through traffic, ignoring every red light.

"Marco told me to protect you," Luca said calmly.

"That is exactly what I'm doing."

"He'll die!"

Luca glanced at Devon for the first time.

"You don't know Marco De Luca."

"Buildings collapse."

"People die."

"Marco survives."

"Always."

Devon wanted to argue, but deep inside he wasn't sure.

The man he had met over the past two days hardly seemed ordinary.

Nothing about Marco was ordinary.

Still...

The image of Marco taking a bullet to protect him refused to leave his mind.

"Why would he do that?" Devon whispered.

"Because you matter to him," Luca answered.

"We've known each other for less than forty-eight hours."

"Boss doesn't risk his life for strangers."

"Then why me?"

Luca didn't answer.

Instead, he drove onto a private highway leading away from Manhattan.

After nearly an hour, the city skyline disappeared behind them.

Eventually, enormous iron gates appeared ahead.

Security cameras rotated toward the approaching SUV.

"Identification confirmed," a voice announced through the speaker.

The gates slowly opened.

Beyond them stood an enormous estate hidden among thick forests.

"Where are we?" Devon asked.

"One of Marco's safe houses," Luca replied.

"Only a handful of people know this place exists."

The mansion looked more like a luxury resort than a hideout.

Marble fountains decorated the entrance.

Armed guards patrolled the perimeter.

Several black helicopters rested on a nearby landing pad.

As soon as the SUV stopped, doctors rushed outside.

"Where's Boss?" one of them asked anxiously.

"Still in Manhattan," Luca answered.

The doctor's face immediately turned pale.

"What happened?"

"An ambush."

"Take Mr. Hamilton inside."

Devon climbed out slowly.

"I'm not staying here."

"You are until Boss says otherwise," Luca replied.

"What if he never comes back?"

No one answered.

The silence was enough to make Devon's chest tighten.

Inside the mansion, everything was surprisingly elegant.

Large paintings covered the walls.

Crystal chandeliers illuminated polished marble floors.

The place felt more like the home of a billionaire than a mafia leader.

"Your room is upstairs," a housekeeper said politely.

"If you need anything, just ask."

"I need answers."

"I'm afraid I can't help with that."

Devon walked toward the large bedroom prepared for him.

He couldn't sit still.

He couldn't think.

Every few minutes he walked back to the window, hoping to see Marco's car arrive.

Hours passed.

Night slowly covered the estate.

Still no sign of Marco.

Downstairs, Luca quietly coordinated dozens of phone calls.

"Any news?" Devon finally asked.

"Our men are searching the garage."

"Nothing yet."

"Nothing?"

"The fire is still burning."

Devon closed his eyes.

"This is my fault."

"No."

"If I hadn't kissed him..."

"Someone wanted this confrontation."

"The kiss only changed the timing."

"You really believe that?"

"Yes."

Before Devon could respond, every phone inside the mansion rang simultaneously.

Luca answered immediately.

"Report."

His expression changed.

"Are you certain?"

"...Understood."

He slowly lowered the phone.

"Well?" Devon asked.

Luca smiled for the first time that day.

"Boss is alive."

Devon released a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.

"Where is he?"

"On his way here."

"How did he survive?"

"Like he always does."

"He found another exit before the second explosion."

"He also captured one of the attackers alive."

"Already?"

"Boss works quickly."

Less than thirty minutes later, headlights illuminated the driveway.

A black SUV entered the estate.

Devon hurried outside before anyone could stop him.

Marco stepped out of the vehicle.

His shoulder was heavily bandaged.

His suit was torn and stained with blood.

Yet he was standing.

Alive.

"You're injured," Devon said immediately.

"I'll recover."

"You were almost killed."

"Almost doesn't count."

Marco looked surprisingly calm.

"Did you really come outside just to check whether I survived?"

Devon hesitated.

"I..."

"Yes."

A faint smile appeared on Marco's face.

"Good."

"Why good?"

"Because it tells me I'm not the only one who's curious anymore."

Devon looked away, embarrassed.

"Don't misunderstand."

"I'm grateful."

"You saved my life."

"Twice."

"I simply protected someone under my care."

"That's all."

Before Devon could answer, another SUV sped into the estate.

A guard rushed toward Marco.

"Boss!"

"The prisoner is awake."

"He says he'll only speak to you."

Marco nodded.

"Bring him to the interrogation room."

"Immediately."

The guard hurried away.

Marco turned toward Devon.

"Would you like to know why people are trying to kill you?"

Devon's heartbeat quickened.

"You already know?"

"I'm about to find out."

"Come with me."

"It's time you saw the truth."