Shattered Vows Romano Revenge - Full Story

However, every great villain leaves one final dying gasp.

Eighteen months into Barrett’s eighteen-year sentence, an unexpected security breach occurred.

While being transferred from the maximum-security state facility to a medical center for a planned spinal procedure, Barrett managed to escape with the help of a corrupt guard whom his mother had bribed using hidden family jewelry.

The news hit the headlines at midnight:

BREAKING: Escaped Convict Barrett Hayes on the Run in New York Area.

Within twenty minutes of the news report, Dominic's security network was activated. Armored vehicles surrounded my estate, and Rocco personally escorted me to Dominic's fortified countryside manor in upstate New York.

"He's desperate, star," Dominic said calmly, sitting in his command study while tracking satellite feeds. "He knows he has nowhere to run. A man with nothing left to lose is dangerous."

"He's coming for me, isn't he?" I asked, sitting calmly beside Julian, who refused to leave my side despite Dominic's warnings.

"He thinks he can," Julian said, his jaw set firm, holding my hand tightly. "But he won't get anywhere near you."

At 2:00 AM, Barrett made his move.

Driven by insane, bitter rage and delusional thoughts of revenge, Barrett breached the perimeter gates of Dominic's countryside estate, holding a stolen handgun he had obtained from his corrupt contact.

He sprinted through the dark gardens, heading toward the illuminated windows of the main study, his eyes wild with madness.

"Mallory!" Barrett screamed into the night air, raising his gun as he reached the glass patio doors. "You destroyed my life! I'm taking yours!"

Before he could even touch the glass handle, six red laser dots appeared on Barrett’s chest.

From the dark shadows of the trees, six heavily armed men from Dominic's tactical response team stepped out, their weapons trained directly on his heart.

Barrett froze, his hand trembling violently on the grip of his pistol.

Dominic stepped out onto the balcony above, looking down at Barrett with cold, effortless authority. Beside him stood Rocco.

"Drop the weapon, boy," Dominic said softly. "Or you won't live long enough to hear the sirens."

Barrett looked up, seeing the unyielding wall of men surrounding him, realizing the sheer, absurd hopelessness of his foolish attempt. He dropped the gun onto the wet grass, falling onto his knees, weeping hysterically in the mud.

Rocco stepped forward, kicking the pistol away, and pinned Barrett’s arms behind his back.

"Take him back to federal custody," Dominic ordered calmly. "And ensure he spends the remainder of his sentence in maximum isolation."

As Barrett was dragged away into the darkness, weeping like a pathetic child, I stood on the balcony beside Julian and my father.

The last desperate strike of the Hayes family had been extinguished in a matter of seconds.