“You have one hour to make your decision, grandson,” Salvatore said.

The screen flickered as the signal wavered under the bridge.

Adrian took a step toward the camera, his fists clenched at his sides.

“If you touch her,” Adrian said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, “I will burn everything you built.”

Salvatore did not flinch.

“Then the fire starts with her,” the old man replied.

The screen suddenly went black as the connection cut out.

Camille turned to look at me, a triumphant look in her eyes.

“Your move, Adrian,” she murmured to herself.

The SUV accelerated, heading straight toward the iron gates of the estate.

I closed my eyes, praying that my children were still safe in the dark.

The gates began to swing open.

The headlights swept across the wet stone driveway, illuminating the armed men waiting for us.

The car came to a sudden halt.

The driver’s side door flew open.

A hand reached in from the outside.

The hand belonged to a tall man wearing a dark wool coat.

He dragged our driver out of the SUV and threw him onto the wet gravel.