Chapter 13 - The Breach
The emergency sirens wailed through the night, a harsh contrast to the quiet rustle of the pine trees. Claire’s heart hammered against her ribs as the backup generators kicked in, bathing the hallways in an eerie, red emergency glow.
"Harper! Claire!" Silas’s voice boomed through the security comms. "Get to the panic room. Now!"
Claire grabbed Harper from her bed, wrapping the terrified girl in a blanket. Together with two armed guards, they hurried down the hidden staircase behind the master library. But as they reached the basement level, a flashbang grenade exploded at the end of the hall. The blinding light and deafening roar disoriented them.
Through the smoke, masked operatives clad in tactical gear emerged. The Rossi guards opened fire, and a brutal shootout ensued in the narrow corridors. Claire pressed Harper against her chest, crouching behind a heavy oak desk. She could hear the wet thud of bodies falling, the metallic scent of copper filling the air.
One of the masked men broke through the defensive line, his eyes locked on Claire. He lunged forward, his hands reaching for her. But before he could touch her, a deafening shot echoed through the hallway. The man collapsed, a neat bullet hole in his forehead.
Dominic stood at the entrance, his weapon smoking, his eyes reflecting a primal, terrifying rage. He had driven through the night like a madman to get to them. He swept Claire and Harper into his arms, checking them for injuries.
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"I've got you," Dominic growled, his voice thick with emotion. "I've got you."
The attack was repelled, but the cost was high. Three of their best men were dead, and Valentin Borzov had sent a clear message: no wall was high enough, no security tight enough to keep him out. The Hudson Valley estate was no longer a sanctuary; it was a target.
