Chapter 8
Elias hoisted Celine effortlessly until the tips of her tactical boots barely scraped the concrete floor. The sheer, radiating menace rolling off the mafia boss was suffocating. His angular jaw was locked in a grimace of pure, murderous intent, his negative space tattoos flexing as his grip tightened around her throat.
"You came into my bunker," Elias whispered, his voice a demonic rumble that vibrated through the smoky air. "You threatened my children. You threatened my family."
"Elias, please," Celine choked out, her diamond earrings swinging wildly as she clawed uselessly at his iron grip. "My father... he will kill you..."
"Your father is dead," Elias stated coldly. "Silas put a bullet through his skull five minutes ago in my armory."
Celine’s eyes widened in absolute, despairing horror. The arrogance completely vanished, replaced by the crushing realization that her empire had fallen.
With a look of sheer disgust, Elias hurled Celine across the room. She slammed into the concrete wall and collapsed, unconscious and broken on the floor.
Elias didn't spare her a second glance. He holstered his weapon and turned his attention entirely to Megan. He dropped to his knees in front of her, pulling her and the children into a desperate, crushing embrace.
"Elias, you're alive," Megan sobbed, burying her face into his bloodstained shoulder. She inhaled the scent of smoke, gunpowder, and his sharp cologne.
"I told you I would come back," Elias breathed, pressing fierce, desperate kisses to her hair, then to Rosie's curls, and finally resting his hand gently over Oliver's back. "Are you hurt? Did she touch any of you?"
"No, I stopped her," Megan cried, leaning heavily against his broad chest. "But the door... she blew the door."
"It doesn't matter. The fighting upstairs is over," Elias murmured, holding them tighter. "My men broke the siege. The Voss syndicate is finished, Megan. It's over."
Rosie whimpered, clinging to Elias's neck. "Papa, scary lady fall down."
Elias smiled, a weak but genuine expression, and gently rubbed the toddler's back. "The scary lady is going away for a very long time, Rosie. She can never hurt you again."
Heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway. Silas appeared in the ruined doorway, his assault rifle lowered. He looked at the unconscious Celine on the floor, then at his boss holding the maid and the children.
"Boss. The perimeter is secure. The remaining Voss men surrendered when they heard Victor was dead," Silas reported grimly. "We need to get you and the family to the medical wing. The house is a mess, but it's ours."
"Take Celine to the holding cells," Elias ordered, his voice returning to its commanding timber. "If she wakes up, gag her."
"Yes, Boss," Silas nodded, signaling for two guards to drag the heiress away.
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Elias stood up, effortlessly scooping Rosie into one arm while wrapping his other arm securely around Megan’s waist, supporting her as she held Oliver. Together, they walked out of the smoky bunker and began the long ascent up the stone stairs.
The mansion above was in ruins. The crystal chandeliers were shattered, the marble floors stained with soot and blood. But as Elias guided Megan through the destruction, he didn't look at the damage to his empire. He looked only at the woman walking beside him, the woman who had fought like a lioness to protect his bloodline. The war was won, and his true family was finally whole.
