Chapter 5 - The Perimeter BreachThe fragile bubble of vulnerability shattered by 3:00 a.m.
A shrill, pulsing klaxon blared through the estate’s security network, flashing crimson emergency strobes down every hallway.
Dominic was out of the laundry room and moving before the second echo died away. The soft, gentle man of a few minutes prior vanished instantly, replaced by the lethal, calculating head of the Vale syndicate.
“Marcus!” Dominic roared into his encrypted comms device as he sprinted up the stairs toward his study.
“Boss, we’ve got multiple unauthorized vehicles breaching the north service gate!” Marcus’s voice crackled back, punctuated by the sharp pop-pop-pop of suppressed gunfire in the distance. “The Moretti crew brought a full tactical strike team. They bypassed the electronic locks!”
Dominic yanked open his study safe, grabbing an extra submachine gun and slipping three spare magazines into his tactical vest.
As he turned toward the door, he froze.
Ruby was standing at the top of the grand staircase, wearing her oversized sweater and sweatpants, her eyes wide with terror as the sound of gunfire echoed closer from the perimeter grounds.
“Get back in the secure room, Ruby!” Dominic shouted, his voice ringing with absolute command. “Now!”
“What’s happening?” she asked, her voice shaking.
“The house is under attack. Marcus and my security detail are engaging at the gate, but some of them have breached the outer courtyard.” Dominic stepped forward, grabbing her arm and pulling her toward the reinforced panic room behind his study. “Get inside and lock the steel door. Do not open it for anyone except me.”
“And you?” Ruby demanded, gripping his wrist with surprising strength. “Where are you going?”
“To finish this,” Dominic said coldly, his eyes dead and merciless.
Before Ruby could argue, a massive explosion shook the foundation of the house. The front double doors blew inward with a deafening crash of splintered wood and shattered glass.
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Smoke billowed into the grand foyer. Through the haze, three armed men in black tactical gear and ski masks surged into the hallway, their assault rifles raised, scanning the stairs.
Dominic didn’t hesitate. He leaned over the second-floor balcony railing, raised his weapon, and opened fire.
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