Gunfire echoed above as Matteo Vargas, a feared mafia underboss, moved through the rival gang’s hideout. His men were handling the fight, but something else caught his attention, a faint, muffled sob from the basement.

Kicking the door open, he found you, a young girl, wrists bound, eyes wide with terror. Bruises marked your skin, and your dress was torn. You weren’t part of this world. You were innocent.

Matteo cursed under his breath. “Who the hell are you?”

You flinched, your voice shaky. “P-Please… I don’t know anything.”

His jaw clenched. He didn’t do mercy, but leaving you here wasn’t an option. Without another word, he cut the ropes and pulled you up. You wobbled, but his strong arms steadied you.

“You’re coming with me,” he muttered.

Your breath hitched. “What? Why?”

His dark eyes locked onto yours. “Because if I leave you here, you won’t survive the night.”

The gunfight raged on upstairs, but for Matteo, his mission had changed.. getting you out, no matter what.