Chapter 12 - The Father at the Gate
Matteo entered through the eastern loading bay with Dante and Rachel’s federal team.
Aldo’s guards fired from behind shipping containers.
Matteo moved through the chaos with one purpose.
His wife was somewhere below him.
So was Liana’s son.
Dante disabled the facility’s external generators.
Emergency lights painted the corridors red.
Rachel’s agents secured the exits while Matteo followed the signal from Liana’s locket.
It led downward.
A guard stepped from a doorway.
Matteo disarmed him and demanded the location of the nursery.
The man refused.
Dante discovered a blue triangle printed beside the elevator controls.
They descended two levels.
Luca was waiting.
He fired before the elevator doors fully opened.
The bullet struck Dante’s shoulder.
Matteo dragged him behind the metal frame and returned fire.
Luca disappeared into the medical wing.
“Go,” Dante said through clenched teeth.
“You’re bleeding.”
“I’ve been bleeding for twenty years.”
“I can manage another hallway.”
Matteo hesitated.
Dante met his eyes.
“Bring your family home.”
Matteo followed Luca.
Inside the medical facility, Elena and Liana moved toward Samuel’s room.
Dr. Vale stood beside the crib with a syringe in his hand.
“Stop,” Liana said.
Vale turned.
“This will only make him sleep.”
“Put it down.”
Elena aimed the weapon.
Vale’s hand shook.
“You have no idea how powerful Aldo is.”
“I know exactly how weak he is,” Elena said.
“He hides behind doctors, grieving fathers and children too young to speak.”
Vale set the syringe down.
Liana rushed to the crib.
Samuel opened his eyes.
For one terrible second, he stared at her without recognition.
Then his mouth trembled.
A small cry escaped him.
Liana lifted him.
“My baby.”
Samuel pressed his face against her chest.
The sound that left Liana was half sob and half prayer.
Elena guarded the doorway while Liana held the son she had buried.
Matteo appeared at the end of the corridor.
Elena looked up.
Seven months of grief passed between them.
He slowed as if one sudden movement might make her disappear.
“Elena?”
She lowered the weapon.
“I’m sorry.”
Matteo crossed the distance and wrapped his arms around her.
For one heartbeat, Black Harbor vanished.
May you like
Then Luca’s voice came through the intercom.
“If you want Nico to remain safe, return to the main chamber.”
