My Childhood Bully is a Mafia Boss-Chapter 94

Aidan

Glass shattered. Boots thudded.

Instinct kicked in—I grabbed my gun and dove behind the cabinet while Ivy scrambled to the feet and grabbed Lucas’s hand. She didn’t hesitate for a second, and neither did Ellie. They both ran upstairs immediately.

Gunfire cracked through the house, bullets splintering wood and punching holes in the walls. I peered around the cabinet and spotted masked men swarming inside, assault rifles blazing.

Not just a break-in. An attack.

I squeezed off a shot, dropping one of the bastards. The others scattered, ducking behind furniture and returning fire.

I heard my men rushing in, shouting. Bullets zinged by, chewing into the cabinet inches from my face. I leaned out and took aim, squeezing the trigger in a steady rhythm. The intruders fell one by one, their blood pooling on the hardwood.

The gunfire slowed, then ceased. Silence descended, broken only by my ragged breaths.

I stepped out from behind the cabinet, pistol still gripped tightly in my hands as I scanned the room. Bodies littered the floor, blood and shell casings scattered around them.

The metallic tang of gun smoke coated my tongue. My heart pounded, fueled by a mix of adrenaline and rage.

Who dared attack my family?

"I think we got them all, Boss," James said, breathing hard.

"Good," I replied, my voice hoarse. The urgency of the moment didn’t allow me the luxury of a breather. Had to keep moving.

Suddenly, the front door burst open again. More masked men charged in, their eyes cold and feral beyond those black ski masks.

I pushed James aside and shouted, "More incoming!" Ducking low, I sprinted for the fireplace mantle where I’d hidden an extra gun.

Shouts echoed through the house, and the air turned hot with lead. Bullets buried themselves in plaster and woodwork while my men fought back fiercely.

"Fall back!" I yelled, grabbing the extra gun. A bullet grazed my shoulder, pain flaring white-hot, but I gritted my teeth and kept moving. No way would these Cobras win.

Despite our resistance, they kept advancing, an endless wave of black-clad figures. We were outnumbered but not outgunned.

With guns in both hands, I threw myself back into the fray. Shots echoed off the walls, reverberating in my ears as we desperately held our ground.

Suddenly, two men charged me from the side. No time to aim - I swung a fist at one while firing at the other. Blood splattered as my bullet hit home.

The second goon lunged at me, tackling me to the ground.

Shit, I should’ve paid more attention.

The man held a gun to my forehead, but suddenly, someone barreled into him.

The impact sent the man sprawling, his gun skittering across the floor. I looked up to see Giovanni standing over me, grinning.

"You," I grunted, taking his hand and getting to my feet. "What are you doing here?"

Giovanni’s grin widened, but his eyes remained serious. "Saving your ass, apparently."

"Shit," I growled, raising my gun and firing at another intruder who had tried to sneak up on us.

Giovanni pulled out his own weapon, his movements swift and precise. Despite my initial shock and anger at his sudden appearance, I couldn’t deny he was an asset in this fight. He moved with a lethal grace, each shot deliberate and deadly.

Together, we pushed back against the attackers, driving them out of the house inch by inch. My men regrouped, taking advantage of the temporary shift in momentum. The air was thick with smoke and the smell of gunpowder, but we pressed on, determined to protect our home and loved ones.

After what felt like an eternity, the last of the attackers were either down or retreating. The silence that followed was almost deafening, punctuated only by the labored breathing of the survivors.

Giovanni lowered his gun, his face streaked with sweat and blood. "Where is Ellie and the kids?"

I glanced around, ensuring the area was secure before responding. "Upstairs. Ivy took them to the safe room."

Giovanni nodded, his expression softening for a moment. "Good. Let’s check on them."

We moved quickly, adrenaline still coursing through our veins. The house was a war zone, debris and blood staining the once peaceful home. I couldn’t let myself think about the damage or the bodies. Not yet.

As we reached the top of the stairs, I could hear Ivy’s soothing voice, attempting to calm the kids. I tapped on the hidden panel that concealed the entrance to the safe room.

"It’s me," I called out. "It’s safe now."

The panel slid open, revealing Ivy with Lucas clinging to her leg and Elora cradled in Ellie’s arms. Ellie’s eyes were wide with fear, but she stepped forward as soon as she saw me, relief washing over her face.

"They’re okay," Ivy confirmed, her voice trembling slightly. "What about downstairs?"

"It’s over, for now," I replied, pulling Lucas into a hug. "The attackers are either dead or gone."

Ellie’s gaze shifted to Giovanni, standing just behind me. "What are you doing here?" she demanded, her tone a mix of confusion and frustration.

Giovanni stepped forward. "I came to visit you. This was quite the welcome."

"Were they your men?" Ellie snarled.

Giovanni lifted his hands in mock surrender. "No, no, Bella. I wouldn’t attack you, the mother of my children. Besides, if I did, I’d do a better job than whoever they are."

"Red Cobras," I said, ignoring Giovanni’s teasing words. "They were the ones who attacked us."

Ivy’s eyes widened. "What do we do now? Do we have to move again?"

I shook my head. "No. We can’t keep running. I will amp up the security."

Ellie looked uncertain, but Ivy placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It’s going to be fine, Ellie."

Ellie sighed, glancing at me and then at Giovanni. "It’s nothing I haven’t seen, but I worry for the kids."

"Then come live with me," Giovanni said, his voice steady. "I have enough guards to call my house a fortress."

Lucas clung to my leg, his small body trembling. I picked him up, holding him close. "I’ll be damned if I let you take my sister to live with you."

Giovanni turned to me, and for a moment, we delved into a staring contest. "I get you don’t trust me, Blackwood, but think about the safety of the children. My house is the most secure place they could be right now."

"I will go with him," Ellie said before I had the chance to say anything.

I turned to Ellie, my eyes wide with surprise. "Ellie, you can’t be serious."

Ellie took a deep breath, her expression resolute. "Aidan, I have to think about the kids. If Giovanni’s place is as secure as he says, then it’s the best option right now."

I clenched my jaw, struggling to keep my composure. "You don’t have to go with him. I can keep you safe here."

Ellie’s head shook back and forth. "I have full confidence in your abilities, but if I stay here, not only will you have to worry about Ivy but also about me. I can’t let you take on that much stress. Let me go with Giovanni."

Giovanni stepped forward. "I promise you, they’ll be safe. You can come and check on them whenever you want."

Ellie looked at me with her eyes cold and determined. "I am going with him, Aidan."