Chapter 14 - The Breach
The glass of the balcony sliding door shattered with a crisp, violent crash.
Three figures dressed in matte-black tactical gear dropped silently into Victor’s living room, their assault rifles raised, sweeping the corners of the dark, quiet space.
"Clear," the lead operative signaled over his comms unit. "Target area secure. Moving to the master suite."
As the second operative stepped past the bookshelf toward the hallway, the apartment's smart-lighting system suddenly flared blinding white. A computerized voice echoed from the overhead speakers:
“Intruder protocol active. Biometric lockdown engaged.”
Heavy steel security shutters slammed down over every window and door, sealing the living room like a bank vault.
"It's a trap!" the lead operative yelled, turning toward the balcony.
Too late.
The inner study door swung open slowly. Victor Caldwell stepped out into the hallway, his posture relaxed, his hands resting casually in his trouser pockets. Standing behind him in the shadows were two of Julian Moretti’s most formidable veteran enforcers, their weapons leveled with absolute, unshakeable calm.
"You're trespassing," Victor said, his voice cutting through the sterile hum of the lockdown system.
The lead operative raised his rifle, snarling behind his mask. "You think a steel shutter stops us? Hand over the girl, Caldwell, or—"
"Or what?" a cold, gravelly voice interrupted from the doorway behind them.
May you like
Julian Moretti stepped out of the private elevator foyer—which had bypassed the building's main security entirely—flanked by Alexander Sterling. The former Capo looked at the armed operatives with the chilling indifference of a lion surveying stray dogs.
"You're a long way from Marseille, boys," Julian murmured, stepping forward. "Drop the weapons."
