Chapter Nineteen: Blood at the gate

The sound of the gunfire was distant at first.

Lucien paused at the top of the stairs, his hand tightening around the banister. The scent of ash from the hearth still clung to the hallway. He had been heading back to speak to Emilia, to say something, anything, but the sharp, staccato crack of bullets changed everything.

Seconds later, the house exploded into motion.

“Boss!” someone shouted from below.

Lucien was already moving. He descended like a shadow, sharp and fast, heart pounding. By the time he reached the foyer, his men had already flanked the front doors, weapons drawn.

“Talk to me,” he ordered.

“We’ve got movement at the east gate. Three SUVs, tinted glass. They didn’t stop at the perimeter. Just blew through it like they knew what they were doing.”

Lucien’s jaw locked. “Who’s on the gate?”

“Marco and Dane.”

His two best perimeter guards. Which meant whoever this was… wasn’t stupid.

Lucien turned to Matteo. “Get Emilia to the vault. Now.”

“She’s in her room…”

“Now, Matteo.”