Chapter 15 - The Cleanup
Marco lay groaning on the marble floor of the foyer below, his leg shattered from the fall. Julian stood at the top of the stairs, his chest heaving, his eyes wild.
Clara ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck. "Julian! You're hurt—"
"Are you okay? Did he touch you?" Julian demanded, checking her face, then looking down at Lily, who was clutching Clara’s leg, eyes wide but unharmed.
"We're fine," Clara sobbed, burying her face in his chest. "You came back."
"I told you I would."
Silvio and Dante burst through the front doors a moment later, weapons drawn. They saw Marco on the floor and immediately understood. Dante’s face twisted in betrayal; he dragged Marco up by the collar.
"Get him out of my house," Julian said, his voice entirely devoid of mercy. "Take him to the basement. I’ll deal with him when I’m done here."
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Silvio nodded, dragging the traitor away.
Julian knelt down and scooped Lily up in his good arm, holding her tightly against him. The little girl wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in his shoulder. Julian closed his eyes, inhaling the scent of her strawberry shampoo, grounding himself in the reality that he hadn't failed this time. He hadn't lost them.
