CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY NINE – SAILING TO FREEDOM

Alessandro and Pietro returned fire, but it was clear they were outgunned and outmanned. Joan ducked down, her heart pounding so hard she thought it might burst from her chest. Just when it seemed their luck had finally run out, a new sound cut through the chaos – the distinctive whump-whump-whump of helicopter blades. "Oh, perfect," Caporelli growled. "Just what we needed." But as the helicopter came into view, Joan realized it wasn't the sleek black of a police chopper. This one was larger, military-grade. A voice boomed out over a loudspeaker, barely audible over the noise of the engines and gunfire. "This is the Italian Coast Guard. All vessels, cease fire immediately and prepare to be boarded." The effect was instantaneous. The pursuing boat cut its engines, clearly not willing to tangle with military forces. Caporelli, however, showed no signs of slowing down. If anything, he pushed the throttle even further. "What are you doing?" Joan shouted. "Shouldn't we stop?" The ol