Chapter 11 - The Midnight Intrusion

The clock on the bedside table read 2:14 AM when a sharp, low-frequency hum echoed through the smart-home security panel.
I woke instantly, my breath catching in my throat. Beside me in the king-sized bed, Damian was already awake, his hand sliding beneath the mattress to grip the cold steel of his firearm in a single, fluid motion.
"Perimeter breach on the western terrace," Damian whispered, his voice low and razor-sharp. "Stay in the room, Emily. Lock the interior deadbolt."
"I'm not hiding," I hissed, slipping out of bed and grabbing the compact pistol Damian had given me a few days prior.
Before Damian could argue, a loud thud rattled the heavy oak doors of the master suite. Glass shattered somewhere down the hallway—the sound of reinforced patio doors giving way under heavy tactical charges.
"They're inside," Damian muttered, easing the bedroom door open an inch.
Two dark figures clad in tactical gear rounded the corner of the hallway, their assault rifles raised. Damian didn't hesitate. He stepped out into the corridor, two quick shots echoing through the estate. Both intruders dropped instantly, neutralizing the threat before they could even fire a round.
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"Vance! Status!" Damian shouted into his comms.
"Secured the east wing, boss!" Vance’s voice crackled back, breathless. "But we missed one. A third operative split off and headed straight toward the nursery!"