Chapter 4 - THE RED SIRENS
The piercing wail of the estate’s security system shattered the intimate silence of the study. Flashing crimson lights bathed the mahogany walls in a violent rhythm, and the heavy steel shutters over the windows slammed down with bone-rattling force.
Victor burst through the door, a suppressed submachine gun already gripped in his hands. He did not look panicked, but his jaw was locked tight. The northern perimeter wall had been breached, and three armored vehicles bearing the Castiglione insignia had rammed through the outer gates. The enemy was already on the grounds.
Dominic did not hesitate. The soft, tender man who had just fastened the rubies around Emma’s neck vanished entirely, replaced by the apex predator of the underworld. He drew his heavy-caliber pistol, his dark eyes instantly scanning the hallway behind Victor. He turned to Emma, his gaze stripping away all room for argument. He ordered her to the basement vault to secure Sophia, promising he would hunt down every man who dared step onto his grass.
Emma kicked off her heels. She didn't freeze. The adrenaline that had propelled her across the diner floor weeks ago surged back to life. She sprinted up the grand staircase toward the east wing, her bare feet silent against the plush carpets. Gunfire erupted from the foyer below, the deafening cracks echoing through the sprawling mansion.
May you like
When she reached Sophia’s room, the door was already open. Standing over the terrified child’s bed was Julian Volkov, holding a silenced pistol. The arrogant cousin turned, a sickly, desperate sneer twisting his face. He had sold them out to the Castigliones to claim the syndicate throne.
Julian raised his weapon toward Emma, mocking her fake marriage and demanding she step aside so he could use the child as leverage against Dominic. But Emma did not step aside. She grabbed a heavy bronze lamp from the hallway console, lunging forward with a feral scream just as Julian pulled the trigger. The bullet grazed her ribs, tearing through her dress, but she didn't stop. She smashed the heavy bronze base directly into Julian’s temple. The traitor collapsed instantly, dropping his weapon. Emma scooped Sophia into her arms, pressing the little girl’s face into her uninjured shoulder, and bolted for the reinforced steel panic room at the end of the hall, slamming the heavy vault door shut just as Dominic’s boots pounded up the stairs.
