Chapter 19 - The Preparation
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The next few weeks transformed the Tower into an impenetrable military fortress.
Dante and Matteo worked around the clock, restructuring the entire syndicate to prepare for an invisible siege. They liquidated offshore accounts to hire the most elite, ruthless private security contractors in the world. They upgraded the building's cyber defenses, anticipating an attack from every possible angle.
Elina became an integral part of the operation. She organized the logistics of the safe houses, managing the supply lines and ensuring that Mia’s life remained as normal as possible within the gilded cage of the penthouse.
"She has an incredible mind for organization," Matteo noted one evening, watching Elina efficiently direct a team of security analysts from the dining table. "You chose well, brother."
"I didn't choose her," Dante smiled softly, watching his future wife. "She chose to save me."
One night, Dante was sitting in the dark by the floor-to-ceiling windows, staring out at the glittering Manhattan skyline, waiting for the invisible enemy to strike.
Elina walked over, wrapping her arms around his shoulders from behind, resting her chin on his head.
"You haven't slept in three days," she murmured.
"I can't sleep while there is a gun pointed at my family," Dante replied, his voice rough with exhaustion.
"We are safe here, Dante. The building is secure."
"No fortress is impregnable," he said, turning his head to kiss her hand. "Carmine taught me that."
Before Elina could respond, the entire penthouse plunged into absolute darkness. The city lights outside the window remained on, but the Tower’s power grid had been completely, surgically severed.
The backup generators didn't kick in. The systems had been hacked.
"Get Mia!" Dante roared, jumping to his feet and drawing his weapon in the pitch-black room.
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The heavy reinforced doors of the penthouse exploded inward with a deafening crash.
Dante pushed Elina behind him, raising his pistol, preparing to fight a war in the dark.
