The Poor Nurse Disappeared After Accidentally Kissing the Mafia Boss—But He Refused to Let Her Remain a Stranger

The following afternoon, the tension inside the estate reached a boiling point.

Julian’s intelligence network had intercepted scrambled communications indicating that the Dresco family was planning a full-scale armed assault on the riverside estate that very night. They knew Priya had been captured, and they were coming to rescue their operative—and eliminate Julian and Cora once and for all.

In the reinforced security control room on the lower level, screens flickered with live camera feeds of the perimeter gates.

Tomas stood beside Julian, reviewing tactical maps. "They're bringing heavy artillery, Boss. At least twenty men. They're going to hit the northern gate first."

Julian’s face was a mask of cold fury. "Let them come. Secure every corridor, and ensure Miss Whitaker is moved to the subterranean safe room immediately."

"No," a voice echoed sharply from the doorway.

Julian and Tomas turned. Cora stood in the entrance, dressed in dark denim and a heavy jacket, her chin tilted up with absolute defiance.

"I am not hiding in a safe room like a frightened child," Cora said, stepping into the room. "This war started because of me, and it's going to end tonight. I'm staying right here."

Julian’s eyes darkened into twin abysses of absolute wrath. "This is not a game, Cora! Those men are coming to slaughter everyone in this house, starting with you!"

"I know the risks!" Cora stepped right up to him, refusing to back down an inch. "You think hiding me away makes you noble? It just makes me a coward. I've spent my whole life running from debt collectors, bullies, and fear. I am done running!"

Julian stared at her, his jaw clenching so hard muscles ticked along his jawline. For a terrifying second, it looked as though he might physically pick her up and carry her to the safe room himself.

Instead, a slow, grim smile touched the corner of his mouth—a look of profound, terrifying respect.

"You really are the most stubborn woman in New York," Julian muttered, shaking his head. He turned to Tomas. "Give her a sidearm and position her by the secondary monitoring station. If anyone breaches the inner perimeter, she shoots."

Tomas raised an eyebrow in silent shock, but nodded briskly. "Understood."

As night fell over the Hudson River, the storm outside broke. Heavy rain lashed against the reinforced glass windows of the mansion, accompanied by the low, rumbling growl of distant thunder.

Inside, the estate went pitch black as the main power grid was suddenly cut by a remote explosive device.