Chapter 9 - Siege at the Citadel
The front heavy oak doors of the Vale mansion splintered inward with a deafening crash as a breaching charge blew the deadbolts clean out of the stone frame.
Smoke billowed into the grand foyer, obscuring the black marble floor. Through the haze, half a dozen armed operatives in tactical gear poured into the entrance hall, weapons raised.
They didn't expect the hail of gunfire waiting for them from the second-floor balcony.
Dominic Vale stood at the center of the iron railing, firing with cold, calculated precision. Two operatives dropped instantly, their weapons clattering against the marble. The rest scrambled for cover behind marble pillars and antique sofas.
"Vale!" a harsh voice echoed from the smoke.
Viktor Sterling stepped through the shattered front doors, flanked by three heavily armed guards, a cruel smirk carved across his scarred face.
"It’s over, Dominic! Your father’s empire is dead, and so are you!" Viktor shouted, raising his assault rifle toward the balcony.
Before Viktor could pull the trigger, a sharp click echoed from behind him near the grand staircase.
"Drop the weapon, Viktor."
Viktor froze. He slowly turned his head.
Standing at the base of the staircase, holding a silver-plated revolver with a steady, unblinking grip, was Hannah Mercer. Her eyes were burning with a cold, terrifying fury that mirrored Dominic’s own.
Viktor laughed mockingly. "What’s a little waitress going to do? Shoot me?"
"She’s not a waitress, you son of a bitch," Dominic’s voice boomed from the balcony as he descended the stairs with predatory speed, his gun locked directly on Viktor’s chest. "She’s a Vale."
Before Viktor’s men could turn their weapons toward Hannah, the heavy oak side doors burst open.
Marcus and a dozen loyal Vale enforcers swarmed into the foyer from the flanking corridors, surrounding Viktor’s team and weapon-locking them in a crossfire so complete surrender was the only option.
Viktor’s gun slipped from his trembling fingers, clattering against the marble floor.
Dominic walked straight up to Viktor, grabbed him by the tactical vest, and slammed him against the stone pillar with enough force to crack the masonry.
"You crossed the line the moment you stepped foot on my property," Dominic whispered, his voice dangerously low. "And you threatened my family."
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"You... you can't touch me..." Viktor choked out. "The commission will—"
"The commission belongs to me now," Dominic interrupted coldly. He motioned to his men. "Take him to the deepest cell in the east wing. And make sure he has plenty of time to reflect on his mistakes."
