Chapter 9 - THE KING’S WRATH
When Hannah woke up, her head felt like it was going to split open.
She was tied securely to a heavy wooden chair in the middle of a dimly lit, damp concrete basement. The smell of salt water and rust told her she was somewhere near the abandoned docks.
Standing in front of her, holding a glass of wine, was Victoria Sterling. Sitting nearby with a loaded revolver on his lap was Don Moretti.
"Look who’s awake," Victoria sneered, stepping forward and slapping Hannah sharply across the face.
The blow cut Hannah’s lip, the metallic taste of blood filling her mouth. But Hannah didn't cry out. She wiped the blood against her shoulder and looked at Victoria with pure, unadulterated contempt.
"Is this your big plan, Victoria?" Hannah spat. "Kidnapping me because a man realized you have the soul of a sewer rat?"
Victoria’s face twisted in fury. She raised her hand to strike her again, but Don Moretti caught her wrist.
"Save your energy, girl," Moretti grunted. "She’s just the bait."
Moretti pulled out a satellite phone and dialed a number, setting it on speakerphone.
The call connected on the first ring.
"Moretti," Adrien’s voice came through the speaker. It was quiet. It was steady. And it contained a level of cold, concentrated rage that made the temperature in the concrete basement drop. "If she has a single mark on her body, I will burn your family line out of existence."
"Listen to me, Romano," Moretti laughed nervously, trying to hide his fear. "Your precious little bride is tied up in Pier 42 warehouse. Come alone. No weapons, no guards. If I see a single enforcer, I blow her brain out."
Silence held the line for two seconds.
"I am already outside," Adrien replied softly.
BOOM!
The heavy steel doors of the warehouse above were blown off their hinges by a massive C4 explosion. Shockwaves tore through the floorboards, sending dust and concrete debris raining down on them.
Panic instantly filled the basement.
"How did he find us so fast?!" Victoria screamed, dropping her wine glass.
"He placed a tracking chip in her diamond ring, you idiot!" Moretti cursed, grabbing his gun and barking orders at his six guards. "Go up there! Kill him!"
The guards rushed up the narrow stairs into the main warehouse floor.
Rapid, heavy gunfire erupted above. Screams of agony, shattering glass, and the terrifying, rhythmic sound of heavy boots walking deliberately forward echoed through the ceiling. Within less than two minutes, the gunfire stopped completely.
Heavy footsteps descended the basement stairs.
Adrien stepped into the light. He wasn't riding a chair. He walked smoothly, wearing a dark trench coat, a heavy tactical shotgun resting casually in his right hand. His face was covered in splatters of fresh blood—none of it his own. His gray eyes were glowing with absolute, murderous fury.
Behind him stepped Victor and twenty heavily armed Romano hitmen, locking down every exit.
Don Moretti dropped his revolver to the floor, raising his hands, shaking violently. "Adrien... wait! It was the girl! Victoria paid me!"
Adrien didn't even look at Moretti. He raised his shotgun and fired once without breaking his stride. Moretti dropped dead instantly.
Victoria let out a blood-curdling shriek, dropping to her knees, sobbing frantically. "Adrien! Please! I loved you! Don't kill me!"
Adrien walked past her as if she were air, stopping directly in front of Hannah. He dropped his weapon, knelt down, and pulled a pocket knife to quickly cut the ropes binding her wrists and ankles.
As soon as her hands were free, Hannah threw her arms around his neck, burying her face into his chest. "I knew you were coming," she sobbed softly.
Adrien wrapped his arms around her tightly, lifting her up off the chair and holding her against his body, burying his face in her soft hair.
"I will never let anyone hurt you again, my love," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. "Never."
He turned his head slowly toward Victoria, who was cowering on the floor in her ruined silk dress.
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"Victor," Adrien ordered coldly. "Send Miss Sterling to a maximum-security mental institution in Europe under armed guard. Ensure she never sets foot in this country again."
"No! Adrien! Please!" Victoria screamed as two large enforcers dragged her up the stairs, her hysterical cries fading into the night.
