CHAPTER 7 – THE CHOICE THAT CHANGED THE VALENTINO EMPIRE
CHAPTER 7 – THE CHOICE THAT CHANGED THE VALENTINO EMPIRE
"Detonation in... fifty-nine seconds."
The computerized voice echoed through the underground tunnel.
Red emergency lights flashed across the concrete walls.
Every second felt louder than the one before.
Luca immediately began searching the tunnel map.
"There has to be another exit!"
"There isn't," Marcus answered.
"I designed this place."
Charlotte stared at him.
"You built your own tomb?"
"I built a bunker no one could find."
He looked toward the surveillance monitor where Gabriel Rossi smiled calmly.
"I never imagined someone would spend years turning it into a trap."
Forty-eight seconds.
Maya doubled over.
Another contraction.
This one nearly brought her to her knees.
Marcus caught her before she fell.
"The baby..."
she whispered.
"I think..."
"My water just broke."
Charlotte looked down.
The marble floor beneath Maya was wet.
Her expression changed instantly.
"Oh, God..."
"She's in labor."
Luca looked between the countdown and Maya.
"Boss..."
Marcus didn't hesitate.
He holstered his pistol.
Removed his bulletproof jacket.
Wrapped it around Maya.
Then looked directly at Charlotte.
"Can you deliver a baby?"
Charlotte blinked.
"What?"
"Can you?"
"I've taken emergency medical training..."
"But Marcus—"
"That's enough."
He turned toward Luca.
"There is an emergency ventilation shaft."
"It's too small."
Marcus nodded.
"For me."
Then he looked at Maya's stomach.
"But not for her."
Luca finally understood.
"No."
Marcus grabbed him by the shoulders.
"You will take Maya through the shaft."
"I'm staying."
Maya's eyes filled with tears.
"No!"
"You are coming with us."
Marcus smiled softly.
For the first time in years...
He looked like the man she had fallen in love with.
Not the Mafia Boss.
Just Marcus.
"If I leave..."
"They'll follow us."
"If I stay..."
"They'll think you're still here."
She shook her head violently.
"I already lost you once."
"You won't."
"I refuse."
Marcus gently placed both hands against her face.
"Listen to me."
"Our child deserves one parent who isn't covered in blood."
Tears streamed down Maya's cheeks.
"Our child deserves you."
He leaned forward.
Pressed his forehead against hers.
"I've spent my entire life protecting an empire."
"Today..."
"I choose my family."
The countdown reached...
Twenty seconds.
Gabriel's men were only meters away.
Marcus kissed Maya one last time.
Then whispered into her ear:
"If it's a boy..."
"Teach him kindness."
"If it's a girl..."
"Teach her never to settle for men like me."
Maya sobbed.
"I still love you."
Marcus smiled.
May you like
"I never stopped loving you either."
He turned away before she could see him cry again.
