She shoved a five-months-pregnant waitress into a mirror—then the mafia boss stepped forward and recognized the scar that once saved his life.

Damian didn't panic. He simply pulled a sleek black wireless communicator from his pocket and inserted it into his ear.

"Status on the lobby?" Damian asked calmly.

"Kane’s men are claiming they're looking for an employee who stole corporate documents," Marcus said, pulling a heavy pistol from his shoulder holster. "They know who she is, boss. Arthur identified her name from the hotel registry."

Damian looked at Elena. She had stood up, her hand instinctively protecting her stomach, her hazel eyes wide with sudden terror.

"They're going to kill me, aren't they?" Elena whispered.

"No," Damian said, walking over to her and taking both of her cold hands in his. "They're going to try. And they are going to fail."

He turned to Marcus. "Activate Protocol Black. Lock down the top five floors. Prepare the armored transport in the underground vault."

"Understood, sir," Marcus bowed, rushing out to execute the orders.

Within seconds, heavy reinforced steel security shutters descended over the penthouse windows with a low, mechanical hum, sealing the room off from the outside world.

Damian walked over to a concealed wall safe beside the fireplace, entering a eight-digit code. The panel slid open to reveal a pair of tactical handguns and multiple magazines.

"You don't need to do this for me," Elena said, her voice shaking as she watched him check the weapon's slide with effortless, terrifying precision. "We are strangers, Damian. An eleven-year-old debt doesn't mean you have to fight a war."

Damian walked back to her, standing so close she could feel the steady warmth radiating from his tall frame.

"We aren't strangers, Elena," Damian murmured softly, his thumb gently reaching out to wipe a tear from her cheek. "I have carried the memory of that little girl in the alley for fourteen years. Every time I looked at the scar on my own chest, I prayed to God that she was alive and safe."

He leaned in closer, his voice dropping into a dark, fierce whisper.

"Arthur Kane took my childhood," Damian said. "He will not take yours. Stay behind me, and don't let go of my belt."

A heavy explosion shook the lower floor elevator shafts!

The lights flickered red as the backup generators roared to life.