Chapter 30 - The Final Bloodline
The Mercedes slammed through the scorched remains of the front gates of Hale Manor at full throttle, sliding across the gravel driveway and coming to a violent halt beside the front steps.
The estate was dark, save for the eerie red glow of emergency smoke lights flickering through the shattered windows of the east wing.
"Marcus, take the service entrance and secure the sub-vault!" I ordered, kicking my door open and leaping out with my weapon raised. "If anyone is inside that house, take them down!"
I didn't wait for confirmation. I charged up the front steps, kicked the heavy mahogany double doors wide open, and stepped into the smoke-filled foyer.
Two of Viktor’s mercenaries dropped from the balcony, firing blindly, but I rolled across the floor, returning fire with lethal precision, dropping both instantly.
I scrambled up the grand staircase, sprinting down the corridor toward the sunroom.
The heavy glass double doors were shattered. Inside, the room was empty, save for two star-shaped plastic plates resting on the floor and a small, folded note sitting on the glass table.
I snatched the note.
“Too late, Julian. They’re at the church.”
I clenched the paper in my fist, a primal, blinding fury surging through my chest. I turned around just as Marcus came running up the corridor, panting heavily.
"Boss! The sub-vault is secure! Grace and the girls... they weren't in the panic room! They were taken from the conservatory ten minutes ago!" Marcus yelled.
May you like
I looked down at the note, then out the shattered window toward the dark horizon where the spires of the old cathedral on 5th Street pierced the midnight sky.
"Get the cars ready," I said, my voice cold as a winter grave. "We're going to church."
