Chapter 3 - The Hidden Bomb
Vincent read the threatening note twice.
He ordered Marcus to call the estate security team immediately.
Tell them to evacuate the entire staff.
Marcus barked orders into an encrypted radio as they sped down the highway.
Hannah pressed her face against Vincent's shoulder.
She was trying desperately not to cry.
Vincent held her tightly and kissed the top of her head.
I am so sorry I let that woman get into your head.
Hannah looked up at him with tears in her eyes.
I just wanted to be a wife you could be proud to stand next to.
Vincent felt his heart break all over again.
I have never been more proud of anyone in my entire life.
You restore broken things while these people only know how to destroy.
The SUV finally arrived at their massive gated estate.
Private security guards had already established a perimeter.
The head of security ran up to Vincent's window.
We swept the entire house and found nothing.
Vincent frowned because the Romano family never made empty threats.
He stepped out of the vehicle and drew his weapon.
He told Hannah to stay inside the armored car with Marcus.
Vincent walked through the front doors of his mansion.
The house was completely silent and empty.
He checked the kitchen, the living room, and his private office.
There were no explosive devices anywhere.
Then he remembered the one room the guards were not allowed to enter.
It was Hannah's private sewing studio on the second floor.
Vincent sprinted up the marble staircase taking two steps at a time.
He kicked open the heavy oak door to her studio.
The room smelled of old fabric and lavender.
In the center of the room sat his mother's restored golden dress.
But it was no longer on a mannequin.
It was laid flat on the cutting table.
A heavy block of military-grade plastic explosive was resting on the delicate silk.
A red digital timer was counting down from three minutes.
Vincent slowly walked toward the table to inspect the device.
He realized the bomb was wired directly to the door hinges.
He had triggered the countdown when he kicked the door open.
The timer suddenly skipped from three minutes down to thirty seconds.
May you like
Vincent turned to run back toward the hallway.
He stopped when he saw Laurel Whitman standing in the doorway holding a detonator.
