The Billionaire's Mistake (Anya and Daniel)
MISTAKE 131

Chapter 131: Counterattack

"We hold here," Daniel said, opening his eyes and fixing Luca with a steely gaze. "Salvatore will come. Until then, we remind these Dante dogs what it means to fuck with a Shaw." Luca's face split into a fierce grin. "Yes, boss."

As if in response to Daniel's declaration, a chorus of engines rumbled in the distance, growing louder by the second. Luca moved to the window peering out into the darkness. "Headlights," he reported. "At least three vehicles, coming up the old logging road.

Daniel pushed himself to his feet, ignoring the protesting ache in his arm. He joined Luca at the window, watching as a trio of SUVS emerged from the treeline, their headlights cutting through the gloom like searchlights.

"Seems we've been found," Daniel murmured. He turned to Luca, clapping his good hand on the younger man's shoulder. "You've served me well, my friend. Whatever happens next, know that I couldn't have asked for a more loyal lieutenant." Luca's eyes shone with emotion. "It's been an honor, Boss."

Daniel allowed himself a small smile at the use of his formal title. Then, squaring his shoulders, he moved towards the lodge's entrance. Outside, car doors slammed and gruff voices called out orders in the local dialect.

"No need to hide!" a voice bellowed. "We know you're in there! Come out now, and we'll make it quick!"

Daniel's hand rested on the door handle. He glanced back at Luca, who stood ready with his pistol raised. In that moment, despite the dire circumstances, Daniel felt worried about his

wife back at the hotel. He needed to go back to her.

"What do you say, Luca?" Daniel asked, a dangerous glint in his eye. "Shall we give these bastards a proper Neapolitan welcome?"

Luca's grin was all the response he needed. With a deep breath, Daniel threw open the door, ready to meet whatever fate awaited him in the darkness beyond.

The soft glow of the chandelier cast dancing shadows across the luxurious suite of the grand hotel. Anya stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, her slender body leaning the windowside chair. In one manicured hand, she held a glass of wine; the rich red wine remained untouched in her hand as she stared out into the night.

Something was wrong. She could feel it in her bones.

Daniel should have been back hours ago. The meeting with the Dantes wasn't supposed to take

this long.

Anya took a sip of her wine; the flavor did not matter as she was distracted. She had not been married to Daniel for long but could still feel something was wrong. Anya trusted her instincts greatly. And right now, those instincts were screaming.

A sharp knock at the door broke through her reverie. "Mrs. Shaw?"

Anya recognized the voice of Marco, one of her personal guards. She set down her wine glass and moved to open the door, her shoes clicking against the marble floor.

"What is it, Marco?" She asked, taking in the man's tense expression.

Marco's eyes darted nervously down the hallway before meeting hers. "Signora, we need to move you. Now"

Anya's heart clenched, but her face remained a mask of calm. "Why?"

"There's been an attack," Marco said, his voice low. "On the boss' convoy. We don't know all the details yet, but-"

"Daniel," Anya said, her composure cracking for just a moment. She knew something had happened. "Is he alright?"

"We don't know, ma'am. The last report we received indicated that he and Luca had escaped the initial ambush, but their car crashed in the woods near Apple Town. We've lost contact since then."

Anya nodded, her mind already racing. "Give me two minutes to gather my things. Then we leave,"

As Marco stepped back into the hallway, Anya moved quickly.

She picked up her purse and her phone before walking for the door.

Daniel. Her husband. For some reason she was angry. Was this not a small meeting?

She took out her phone and called Wendy.

"Anya, dear," Wendy answered.

"Wendy, something happened to Daniel. He was attacked on his way back. I need to be moved.

and

1 will keep you informed" she gave a short summery domed the door to the sure

kd

She emerged from the suite, nodding to Marco and the two other gets who had vartalos in the hallway.

"Take me to the safe house," she ordered. "And want to know everything that happens nary five minutes. If anyone so much as sneezes in Apple Town, I want to kno

doses

The drive through Appletown's winding, streets was tense and silent. Arrya sat in the back of the armored SUV, her fingers tapping an impatient rhythm on her knee. As they passed the outskirts of the town, she finally broke the silence "Marco," she said, her voice deceptively soft. "Who did this?"

The guard shifted uncomfortably in the front seat. "We're still gathering information, Signora, but... it's complicated."

Anya's eyes narrowed. "Explain."

Marco cleared his throat. "Our sources have found evidence implicating not one but four families in the attack."

"Four?" Anya's surprise was evident. Such cooperation between rival clans was almost unheard of. "Which ones?"

"The Dantes, as we suspected. But also the Russo clan, the Bianchi family, and... the Vitale syndicate. All are small families that operate in Appletown."

Anya absorbed this information, her mind whirling with implications. That means Daniel's meeting was a trap. For them to work together against the Shaws...did they even know?

same to

"They're all small families; how could they autour by the herself, "There is no way they would be stupid enough to work the Semily the s threat; why would they do this?"

Marco nodded grimly. "It seems they may not know who has

Anya's lips curled into a cold smile. "Then we'll have to send them why the Strate feared across Italy.

She leaned forward, her voice taking on a tone that would have dete instant

"I want the heirs. All of them. Bring me the sons of these four familles sonight"

Marco's eyes widened. "Signora, that's that would be an act of wa

"They fired the first shot," Anya snapped "Nowe finish it Mare the calls Mobilize everyone in apple town. Since they don't know who Daniel is, it is best to remind them. Take the heirs of each family."

For a moment, Marco looked like he might have heard wrong. The bow new wife did not seem like a violent person. They did not know she could be this angry. He wondered if she might have misspoken.

But one glance at Anya's cold expression changed his mind. He nodded, reaching for his phone. "Yes, Signora. It will be done."

As Marco began making calls, Anya turned her gaze back to the window. Somewhere out there, Daniel was fighting for his life.

Was she scared? God knew she was, But she was determined to get him back first and deal with the rest later.

The next few hours passed in a blur of activity.

Anya coordinated operations from an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Appletown, surrounded by a team she took with her. Reports Blooded in from across the town from the men the Shaw family back home had sent over When Marco had talked to the family back in the capital to relay what orders Anya had given, Ray gave all his support.

In a small part of town, Nico Russo, the 22-year-old heir to the Russo clan, was snatched from his girlfriend's apartment in the dead of night. The young man barely had time to register the intruders before a hood was thrown over his head and he was bundled into a waiting van

in to Clem