[Elena's POV]

I stood frozen. The two massive Velgrave guards lay completely still by the shattered doorframe.

"Mr. Marlowe..." My lips were trembling but I couldn't show weakness in front of him.

"So, are these your last words?" Marco said in a calm tone. Before I was about to say something to save my life...

"Elena!"

Footsteps slapped hard against the hardwood floor.

Nicole sprinted out, dragging my mother by the hand.

Nicole's face was chalk-white, but her right hand gripped a heavy, cast-iron fireplace poker. She shoved me backward, stepping directly between me and the Boss of the Marlowe family.

The heavy iron poker shook violently in her grip....