Chapter 4 - The Infiltration
Dominic rushed into the room, his white shirt stained with fresh blood, a tactical submachine gun clutched in his hands.
"Boss! It’s the Marcone family!" Dominic yelled over the sudden, muffled pops of suppressed gunfire echoing from the front courtyard. "They breached the eastern gate! They brought fifteen men! They knew the security rotation!"
Julian didn't panic. His entire body locked into a terrifying state of absolute tactical dominance.
"Get Sophie to the safe room," Julian ordered coldly, racking the slide of his pistol.
Emma stood up instantly, scooping the sleeping Sophie into her arms. The little girl woke with a start, her eyes wide with terror as she saw the red alarm lights flashing against the walls.
Emma! Sophie signed frantically against Emma's chest. What is happening?!
Stay close to me, sparrow! Emma signed with one hand, keeping her other arm locked tightly around the child’s waist. I have you!
"Emma!" Julian snapped, his voice cutting through the panic. He stepped directly in front of her, his massive frame blocking her from the glass windows as a burst of automatic gunfire shattered the upper conservatory panes, raining glass down like frozen tears.
Julian grabbed Emma by the back of her neck, pulling her face to within an inch of his own.
"Take Sophie through the secret passage behind the study bookcase," Julian commanded, his gray eyes burning into hers with absolute, terrifying trust. "It leads to the underground vault beneath the garage. Do not open the door for anyone except me. Do you understand?"
Emma looked into the eyes of the monster who ruled New York’s underworld, and saw a father placing his entire universe into her hands.
"I won't let them touch her," Emma swore, her voice steady and clear.
Julian stared at her for a fraction of a second, his grip on her neck tightening before he pulled her forward and pressed his lips hard against hers—a brief, brutal, possessive kiss that tasted of rain, danger, and unyielding fire.
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"Go!" Julian roared, turning toward the conservatory doors as three armed men in tactical gear burst through the entryway.
Emma didn't look back. She clutched Sophie against her broad chest, using her strength to sprint through the servant hallways, her heavy sneakers pounding against the pristine marble floors as gunfire echoed behind them.
