From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series Santanico Novels & Stories

DIANA The terrace lights flickered weakly as I fought sleep, staring out the window. Cold wind whispered through the leaves. Down below, Rocco stood still. Domenico yawned beside him. "I'm heading home," Domenico said. "Nothing's going to happen at this hour. The little devil's probably asleep by now." He glanced up, and I pulled back into the shadows of the curtains. "I'll stay," Rocco replied. "Extra coverage." Domenico patted Rocco's shoulder.

*TRIGGER WARNING* . . . *I'M SO SERIOUS | YOU'VE BEEN WARNED* *Alberto’s POV* I walked into my basement as I rolled up my sleeves. The room smelled—reeked of blood, sweat, and piss. As it should, of course. My men surrounded Santoro’s already bleeding figure as he hung from the ceiling by his arms. “I hope he’s awake already,” Francisco hissed from behind me. “Because I’m itching to have some fun.”

I was certain she was doing fine. "Noodles is ready." I said while placing the large tray of noodles on the mat. My siblings smiled. Few minutes after we began eating the noodles, our light bulb came alive. Tami got up and was shaking his buttocks. "The light has been restored." he kept screaming. "That's strange. Mother didn't tell me she had the light fixed even though I knew she was working towards it. " I said. "Well thank God we have light." said Kiki. "We can finally watch T. V." answered Tami. Few minutes later, Kiki and Tami were done eating snd were watching a cartoon channel after I forced them to have a bath. I was about entering the bathroom when I saw Peter fixing the light bulb

“Ahh! Oh god, it’s... it’s coming!” Outside, the Vane Estate was a slaughterhouse. Black-clad operatives from the Global Council swarmed the lawn, their movements synchronized and robotic. The "New Dawn" wasn't a metaphor; it was the fire of a thousand muzzle flashes. Dante reached down, his fingers trembling—a movement he hadn't allowed since the cellar. He saw the crown of the head. “I see him, Bianca! One more! Give me everything!” Bianca’s eyes rolled back. She sucked in a breath that sounded like tearing silk and pushed. She didn't just push with her body; she pushed with the sheer, irrational spite of a woman who had survived a vault, a mountain, and a genocide.

"See you at dawn, Mr. Moretti. Don't be late. And don't bring any friends. I have eyes everywhere." The call ended. Dante stood in the empty diner, his phone still in his hand, staring at the black screen. They had Sienna. The countdown on her phone continued its relentless march. 9:43:28 9:43:27 Eight hours until dawn. Eight hours to get the ledger from the bank and figure out how to save her without getting them both killed. He picked up her phone and shoved it in his pocket along with his own. Then he headed for the door, already planning, already calculating.

They look at us with surprise. “Dante, what the fuck?” Domenico asks when he sees me. It seems as though the older brother wasn’t as forthcoming as I had thought. Dante leans back in his chair and gestures for Sienna to come to him, letting her sit on his lap as soon as she gets there, then he whispers something in her ear and she nods. “Sylvana has something to tell us about Abraham Solanzo.” Dante starts, finally letting me know why I was here.

“I know you and Alessandro have... unresolved issues. But I think the two of you need to put that aside and work together. Whoever is behind this is bold enough to hurt someone close to you and Fiona. That means the situation is serious. We all need to stand as one. Sí?” Dawn surprises me by agreeing without hesitation. “I agree. This is getting out of hand. All hands on deck would be appreciated... before someone else gets hurt.” He smiles at her, the tension in his features easing just a fraction. “Good. Did Souza show you to your room?” “Yes, thank you. You have a lovely home.” “Gracias,” he says simply, the word rich with that natural warmth he carries in his voice. My phone buzzes. Anot

Antonio leaned in, and spoke with a deep sigh. "I'll ask you one last time.” Antonio said as he reloaded his gun. “How did the De Santis know about our operation?" Santos erupted into laughter, his blood-stained teeth glinting. "They're coming for you." Antonio cocked his gun. "See you in hell." He shot Santos in his head. Donatello stumbled towards Antonio, clutching his injured leg. "What...what just happened?" he stammered. Antonio holstered his gun, his eyes blazing with anger.

Except maybe one, and she is standing right behind him. "I am Santo Ganovese. A vulgar waitress doubled with a whor... "Shut up, Santo," I interrupt him curtly, so he doesn't say anything more. He finally realizes that I'm not looking at him and freezes on his spot. He quickly turns his head behind us, and I can swear I see the panic in his eyes for a split second. Didi looks at him coldly. Her dark circles look even darker than usual in the light of day. Everyone in the Family knows that she works too much, and everyone knows it except Santo.

I need you to run a trace for the Bellini's, her bank logs, dark market links, and every other thing you can find out. “Mmm… you sound tense. Sure you don't need me” she teased. His voice dropped an octave lower. “I'll not hesitate to kill you myself. Now that Dante is gone. Besides you owe the clan.” The sudden silence was deafening. “Fine, Consider it done. You’ll have what you need in two hours.” He hung up. Just as I was about to light my cigar, a little buzz came from Vince's phone. “THE LAMB BLEEDS AT DAWN!! TIK.TOK.”