A Mafia Boss Walked Into A Dying Bakery With A Starving Baby — Then The Poor Baker He Hired Became The Only Person Who Could Save His Family.

PART 8

There was no time to argue.

They moved through a narrow corridor with Marco’s team behind them. Luca’s cries became audible through the walls.

Hannah ran toward the sound.

Adrian caught her arm before she reached the final doorway.

He entered first.

A man stood near a broken window holding Luca against his chest. His other hand pressed a gun near the baby’s head.

Everyone froze.

Luca screamed, his face red with terror.

“Put the weapons down,” the man ordered.

Adrian lowered his gun slightly.

“Give me my son.”

“You take one more step, and he dies.”

Hannah stood several feet behind Adrian.

Luca heard her voice when she whispered his name.

His crying changed.

The gunman looked toward her.

It was only a glance.

It was enough.

Hannah ran.

Adrian shouted her name as the gunman turned.

She reached Luca at the same instant the weapon fired.

Pain tore across her left shoulder.

Hannah fell, curling her entire body around the baby.

The bullet struck the concrete wall behind her.

Adrian crossed the room before the echo faded.

The gunman was disarmed and forced to the floor. Marco’s officers secured the hallway.

But Adrian saw none of it.

He dropped beside Hannah.

She was pale, breathing hard, one arm locked around Luca.

“Let me see him,” Adrian said.

“No.”

“Hannah, it’s me.”

“Check him first.”

“He’s crying. He’s alive.”

“Check him.”

Dr. Bennett’s emergency medical team rushed into the room. One medic examined Luca while another pressed bandages against Hannah’s shoulder.

“The baby is unharmed,” the medic said. “Frightened, but unharmed.”

Only then did Hannah release him.

Adrian lifted Luca carefully and handed him to Marco.

Then he knelt beside Hannah.

Snow drifted through the broken window, settling in her hair.

“You came for us,” she whispered.

“There was never a choice.”

“Marcus said you had to choose.”

“He was wrong.”

Her eyelids fluttered.

Adrian slid one arm beneath her knees and the other behind her back.

As he lifted her, Hannah winced and rested her head against his chest.

Dozens of Valenti employees stood along the corridor. Drivers, guards, managers, and men who had once believed Adrian feared nothing watched him carry a wounded baker through the ruined terminal.

At the main loading bay, he stopped.

Marcus was on his knees beside a police liaison Adrian had secretly summoned with the evidence of the poisoning, kidnapping, and attempted murder.

Adrian looked at everyone gathered around them.

“Listen carefully,” he said.

His voice was quiet, but it carried through the building.

“Hannah Brooks stood between my son and death twice. From this moment forward, anyone who threatens her threatens my family.”

No one answered.

No answer was necessary.

Adrian lowered his gaze to Hannah.

The woman no one had chosen had become the person his entire world would now protect.

Hannah woke in a private hospital room two days later.