Chapter 7 - Blood on the Marble
Gabriel moved like an apex predator through the splintered doorway, his Sig Sauer flashing in the dim nursery light. He didn't issue warnings. He didn't negotiate.
Bang. Bang.
Two deafening gunshots roared inside the small room.
The lead operative dropped instantly, a clean round piercing the center of his tactical vest. The second intruder, still holding Elena in a vicious chokehold, spun around, using her as a human shield while raising his submachine gun toward Gabriel.
"Drop your weapon, Castellano, or the girl and the brat take a dirt nap!" the intruder screamed, his voice trembling with absolute panic.
Gabriel froze, the barrel of his gun lowering an inch. His eyes locked onto Elena, who was pale, gasping for air, with tears streaming down her face. Behind her, Enzo’s terrified screams pierced the room like glass.
The air in the nursery grew thick with the metallic stench of cordite and fresh blood.
"You made a fatal mistake coming into my house, soldier," Gabriel said, his voice terrifyingly calm, devoid of any human emotion. "Moretti sent amateurs."
"Shut up! Drop the gun or I swear to God—"
Gabriel didn't drop the gun. Instead, his eyes darted to the antique brass mirror hanging on the side wall—angled precisely to reflect the intruder's blind spot.
With a speed that defied human reaction, Gabriel fired a single, calculated shot downward.
The bullet ricocheted off the brass floor grate, tearing upward through the floorboards and striking the intruder directly in the knee. The man shrieked in agony, his grip loosening instantly as he collapsed onto the imported Persian rug.
Gabriel closed the distance in two strides, bringing the heavy butt of his pistol down hard across the man’s temple. The intruder went limp, crashing unconscious to the floor.
Silence rushed back into the room, broken only by Enzo’s frantic, heartbroken crying.
Gabriel dropped his gun into his holster, rushing past the bodies and falling to his knees beside Elena, who had slid down the wall, shaking uncontrollably. He gently pulled her into his arms, checking her wrists for injuries.
"Are you hurt?" Gabriel demanded, his hands trembling slightly as he cupped her face.
"I... I'm fine," Elena breathed, tears spilling over her lashes. She scrambled back toward the crib, scooping the crying baby into her arms and pressing him tight against her chest. Within seconds, Enzo’s sobs began to quiet down as he felt her warmth.
Gabriel stood up slowly, looking down at the two unconscious men bleeding onto his pristine white carpet. A dark, murderous shadow crossed his face.
"Rocco!" Gabriel roared toward the hallway.
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A bloodied but functional Rocco appeared in the doorway seconds later, rifle raised. "Boss! We neutralized the outer extraction team in the courtyard. Are you—sweet mother of God."
"Clean this up," Gabriel commanded, his voice dripping with venom. "And load Moretti's file onto my private terminal. We are paying a visit to New Jersey tonight."
