Brick by brick

VINCENZO'S POV

Chaos erupted as bullets flew in all directions. Years of simmering hatred between the Salvatores and Armandos had finally boiled over, transforming my brother's wedding into a bloodbath.

"Get the women and children to safety!" I bellowed. My men rushed to usher the terrified guests away from the hailstorm of lead.

I scanned the pandemonium desperately for my pregnant wife. "Lily!" Where was she? There - a flash of her yellow dress across the courtyard. I sprinted towards her, bullets kicking up shards of brick at my heels.

She stood paralyzed behind an overturned table, one hand instinctively cradling her belly. I shielded her body with mine and urged her towards the exit. "We need to move, now!"

We scrambled into a sheltered alcove. Her eyes were wild, face streaked with tears. "Oh God, the baby-"

"You'll both be alright," I soothed. I peeked out - we weren't far from an escape route. I steeled myself. "On three, we run."

I took her hand in mine. "One, two, thre-"

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