The rival families did not take Vincent’s display of power lightly, especially the Moretti syndicate who knew they were marked for death.

Realizing that Vincent was fully healed and preparing to retaliate for the poisoning, Don Moretti made a desperate, suicidal move.

At two in the morning, the heavy iron gates of the Rossy estate were violently breached by three armored vehicles.

Norah was asleep in the master suite, having been permanently moved there by Vincent for her own absolute protection.

The blaring, deafening shriek of the estate’s security alarms ripped her violently out of a deep sleep.

Vincent was out of bed in a fraction of a second, moving with explosive speed as he grabbed a heavy asNextlt rifle from a hidden wall safe.

"Stay exactly where you are," Vincent roared over the sound of the alarms, throwing a heavy Kevlar vest over his shoulders.

Gunfire erupted downstairs, the terrifying, staccato popping of automatic weapons echoing up the grand marble staircase.

The Moretti family had sent a massive hit squad, intending to wipe out Vincent and his entire inner circle in one violent strike.

Norah huddled on the floor beside the massive king-sized bed, her hands clamped tightly over her ears in absolute terror.

The sound of shattering glass and screaming men filled the house, turning the luxurious mansion into a horrifying war zone.

Suddenly, the heavy oak doors of the master suite were kicked open, splintering the wood around the reinforced deadbolt.

Two men wearing dark tactical gear stepped into the room, their weapons raised as they scanned the shadows for targets.

Norah screamed, scrambling backward until her back hit the heavy mahogany wood of the dresser.

Before the men could even point their weapons at her, a massive, roaring figure stepped out of the adjoining bathroom.

Vincent unleashed a devastating burst of gunfire, dropping both assassins instantly before they could fire a single shot.

He dropped his empty rifle and pulled a heavy handgun from his waistband, his chest heaving with adrenaline and raw fury.

He rushed over to Norah, pulling her up from the floor and shoving her roughly into the reinforced walk-in closet.

"Lock this door from the inside and do not open it for anyone except me or Enzo," Vincent commanded desperately.

"I won't let you leave, they will kill you!" Norah cried, grabbing the fabric of his shirt to hold him back.

Vincent stopped, looking down at her terrified, tear-stained face amidst the smoke and chaos of the violent asNextlt.

He grabbed the back of her neck, pulling her forward and smashing his lips against hers in a desperate, bruising kiss.

It was a kiss that tasted like gunpowder, fear, and absolute, undeniable love.

"I am the king of this city, Norah," Vincent promised fiercely, pulling away and looking deep into her eyes.

"And a king does not die in his own castle."

He shoved the heavy closet door shut, the metal locks clicking firmly into place as he turned to face the war raging in his home.

Norah sat in the absolute darkness of the closet, surrounded by expensive suits, praying into the void for the man she loved.