Chapter five

The explosion shook the orphanage like an earthquake.

BOOM!

The office windows rattled violently.

The teacup on Mrs. Martha’s desk crashed onto the floor, shattering into dozens of tiny pieces.

Outside…

Children screamed.

Emily instinctively flinched as the sound echoed through the building.

“What was that?”

Before anyone could answer, another explosion tore through the afternoon.

BOOM!

This one was closer.

Dust drifted from the ceiling.

Somewhere down the hallway, a little girl burst into frightened tears.

Mrs. Martha’s face drained of color.

“The children…”

Without thinking, Emily spun toward the door.

“I have to—”

A firm hand caught her wrist.

She looked back.

Adrian Kingsley.

His expression had completely changed.

The calm, composed businessman she had met only minutes ago was gone.

In his place stood a man whose eyes had turned dangerously cold.

“You are not going out there.”

Emily stared at him.

“What?”

“The children are out there!”

“I know.”

“So let me go!”

“No.”

His answer came without hesitation.

Emily yanked her arm, but his grip didn’t loosen.

“Are you serious?”

“I’m very serious.”

“They’re terrified!”

“And so am I.”

The words slipped from Adrian before he could stop them.

For a heartbeat…

The room fell silent.

Emily blinked.

He was…

Afraid?

Before she could question it—

The office door flew open.

One of Dante’s bodyguards rushed inside, breathing heavily.

“Boss!”

Dante turned immediately.

“What happened?”

“There are six vehicles blocking the front gate.”

“Only six?”

The bodyguard nodded.

“But they’re heavily armed.”

Dante’s expression didn’t change.

Instead…

He reached beneath his coat.

Emily’s eyes widened as he calmly drew a black pistol.

He checked the magazine.

Loaded.

With the same casual expression someone might have while checking the time.

Emily’s mouth slowly fell open.

“…Is that real?”

Dante glanced at her.

“What?”

“The gun!”

He looked at it.

“Oh.”

“Yes.”

“You carry that around?”

“I carry two.”

Emily pointed at him in complete disbelief.

“You have two guns?”

“I have three.”

A bodyguard cleared his throat.

“Four, Boss.”

“Oh.”

“I forgot about the ankle holster.”

Emily looked as though her brain had stopped working.

Mrs. Martha pinched the bridge of her nose.

“Mr. Moretti…”

“There are children in this building.”

“I know.”

“I won’t fire unless I have to.”

Emily slowly turned toward Adrian.

“…Is he always like this?”

Adrian answered without even looking at Dante.

“Unfortunately.”

“I can hear you,” Dante replied.

“I intended for you to.”

Despite the tension, Emily couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

Two of the most powerful men she’d ever met…

Were arguing while someone was apparently attacking the orphanage.

“Are you both insane?”

Neither answered.

Dante pressed a finger against the tiny earpiece hidden beneath his hair.

“Status.”

A voice crackled through.

“Perimeter secure on the east side.”

Another voice interrupted.

“West entrance compromised.”

A third followed almost immediately.

“Boss… they’re not trying to get in.”

Dante frowned.

“What do you mean?”

“They’re…”

The voice hesitated.

“…they’re waiting.”

The room became still.

Waiting?

For what?

Adrian’s gaze darkened.

“They’re expecting someone.”

Dante nodded once.

“I know.”

His eyes slowly shifted toward Emily.

For the first time…

She felt a chill run down her spine.

“What?”

Neither man answered.

Emily looked between them.

“Why are you both looking at me?”

Silence.

The bodyguard swallowed hard before speaking.

“Boss…”

“We intercepted one of their radio transmissions.”

Dante’s jaw tightened.

“What did they say?”

The guard took a slow breath.

His next words sent an icy silence through the room.

“They said…”

“…Target Zero has been located.”

Emily frowned.

“Target…”

“…Zero?”

She laughed awkwardly.

“That’s obviously not me.”

Nobody laughed.

Mrs. Martha’s hands began to tremble.

Adrian slowly closed his eyes.

Dante cursed under his breath.

Emily’s smile disappeared.

“What?”

“What does that mean?”

Still…

No one answered.

Outside—

A loudspeaker crackled to life.

A distorted voice echoed across the orphanage grounds.

“Hand over Subject Zero.”

“Or everyone inside dies.”