Leo grabbed Nico by his little vest and lifted him into the air.

My heart hammered against my ribs. "Leo, put him down, now!"

The servants also hurried to stop Leo.

"Sir, let the boy go!"

"If you don't, the Don will tear you to pieces!"

Everyone in the estate knew Nico was the Don's one weakness. Cassiano wouldn't even let the boy get a scratch.

But Leo let out a cold sneer. "Get out if you don’t want to be dismissed! I'm cleaning house today. I'm gonna teach this bitch and her bastard a lesson."

My back was slick with cold sweat. "Leo, what are you doing!"

His face was a mask of fury, a killer's look in his eyes. "By family law, you broke our vow and had a bastard child. For that, you should be put in the ground. I'm taking back everything the family ever gave you."

It was a joke. We hadn't even finished our vows.

My fingers were trembling with rage. "Leo, we never finished the ceremony! What betrayal are you talking about?!"

"Put Nico down!"

Nico’s legs dangled in the air, kicking constantly..Not a trace of fear.

Threatened by Leo, none of the servants dared to step forward.

Leo looked at me like I was already dead. "First I'm gonna break this bastard's arms. Then I'm dragging you down to the cells for punishment."

With that said, he picked Nico up by the arm and walked outside.

Finally, Antonio threw his own body in Leo's path.

Leo's eyes were pure murder. "You want to die too, old man?"

Sweat soaked Antonio's collar, but he kept begging. "Sir, you can't! Please, calm down! Let the boy go!"

I used the opening to lunge for my son, but a sharp pain shot through my scalp. Cecilia had a fistful of my hair.

She wore a triumphant smile. "In a hurry, Aurora? Got a date in hell?"

I swung my arm back, and the sharp, custom diamond ring on my finger sliced across her cheek.

"If anything happens to my son," I hissed, "I swear to God, I'll put you both in cement shoes and drop you in the Hudson!"

Cecilia shrieked, clutching her bleeding face.

Seeing that, Leo's eyes went red. All his rage focused on Nico.

"You hurt Cecilia? I'll smash this bastard's head right now!"

He roared, lifting the boy high, ready to smash him against the marble floor.

My heart stopped.

I moved on pure instinct, throwing my body underneath him. "Nico!"

Even with mafia blood, a four-year-old boy facing death is still just a boy. Tears of terror finally filled Nico's eyes.

Leo screamed at me. "Get out of the way! Your turn in hell is next."

I held my son tightly, letting him slam the butt of his gun hard against my back again and again.

Custom leather shoe and drove it into my ribs. Pain exploded behind my eyes.

The servants finally had enough and swarmed him, grabbing his legs.

"Sir, stop this at once!That's the Don's woman!"

Leo completely lost his patience. He broke free from the crowd, ready to kick me hard in the chest.

In that split second,

BAM!

The heavy front doors blew open.

A voice was gravel and ice. "Who gave you the balls to touch my wife?"