Chapter 12 - THE KENNEL WARTitle: The Bloodbath in Sector Four: Protecting What’s Mine
The heavy titanium doors of the animal rehabilitation wing hissed open under the manual override, and a cloud of white security smoke billowed into the corridor.
Three heavily armed mercenaries in matte-black combat helmets stepped through the haze, their automatic rifles sweeping the room. They expected cowering animals and terrified handlers.
Instead, they found Barnaby.
The cane corso didn't hesitate. Weighing over one hundred and forty pounds of solid muscle and protective fury, Barnaby launched himself from the shadows, slamming directly into the chest of the lead mercenary. The man’s rifle discharged harmlessly into the ceiling as he crashed backward onto the polished concrete floor, his helmet clattering away.
Bang! Bang!
The second mercenary raised his rifle, tracking the dog, but before he could pull the trigger, a heavy, custom-engraved bullet tore through his shoulder, spinning him violently around.
Aleandro stepped out from the smoke, his face a mask of remorseless death, his Beretta smoking in his right hand. Beside him, Salvatore and two capos moved in with ruthless, synchronized efficiency, clearing the remaining intruders in less than twenty seconds.
Silence fell over the kennel wing, broken only by the frantic panting of twelve rescued dogs huddled safely inside their reinforced glass enclosures, and the low, victorious growl of Barnaby standing over the unconscious mercenary.
Aleandro walked slowly over to the lead intruder, pressing the heel of his leather shoe brutally down onto the man's throat until he gasped for air.
"Who sent you?" Aleandro demanded, his voice dropping an octave into a register of pure, unadulterated terror. "Who hired phantom cleaning crews from Eastern Europe?"
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The mercenary choked, coughing up a mouthful of blood, a cruel smirk twisting his bruised lips. "You... you think you won because you married a stray dog trainer, Dantis? The Syndicate didn't send us. The Consortium did. And they don't care about your money... they want the girl."
Aleandro’s eyes flashed with a lethal, blinding light. Without another word, he raised his gun and fired.
