Chapter 7 - Breach at the Cliffside"Intruders!"
The intercom system blared Mrs. Gable’s panicked voice through the suite. "West perimeter breached! They’re coming up the cliffside service elevator!"
Luca didn't panic. In a fraction of a second, the vulnerable, tired man vanished, replaced by the ruthless warlord of the Baltimore docks. He spun toward the door, drawing his sidearm in a single fluid motion.
"Stay in this room," Luca commanded, his voice absolute. "Lock the deadbolt. Do not open it for anyone except me or Viktor."
"Like hell I'm hiding in a closet while my dog is out there!" Ruby fired back, grabbing a heavy brass table lamp by the bedside table.
Luca grabbed her by the shoulders, his grip firm, his dark eyes blazing with fierce urgency. "Ruby, listen to me. Moretti’s men aren't here for negotiations. They’re here to burn this estate to the ground. I need to know you're safe so I can focus on slaughtering the bastards who stepped foot on my property."
Before Ruby could argue, a deafening explosion rocked the western wing of the mansion. The shockwave rattled the windows, sending glass raining down onto the stone terrace outside.
Down the hallway, deep, furious barking echoed through the corridor—Caesar’s war cry.
Luca released her, spun on his heel, and sprinted out the door into the red-lit hallway.
Ruby didn't hesitate. She dropped the lamp, grabbed a heavy iron fireplace poker from the hearth, and ran out the door right behind him.
"Ruby!" Luca roared over the shrieking alarms.
"I told you," she yelled back, her heart hammering against her ribs like a drum, "I don't leave injured animals behind!"
They reached the grand central landing overlooking the sweeping marble foyer just as the front oak doors splintered inward under the force of a breaching charge. Smoke billowed into the grand hall, smelling of sulfur and burnt wood.
Half a dozen men in tactical gear swarmed through the smoke, automatic weapons raised. Standing behind them, leaning casually on a silver-handled cane, was an older man with silver-streaked hair and a cold, predatory smile. Moretti.
"Well, well, well," Moretti sneered, his voice echoing off the marble pillars. "Look what the tide washed in. The great Marchetti, reduced to hiding in his own parlor."
Luca stood at the top of the grand staircase, his automatic pistol leveled dead at Moretti’s forehead. "You're trespassing, Moretti. And it’s going to be the last mistake you ever make."
"Is it?" Moretti chuckled, raising his hand. Two of his men dragged a heavy iron cage out of the smoke. Inside, struggling against heavy electrical shock collars, was Caesar.
May you like
The giant Cane Corso let out a guttural, agonized roar, thrashing against the bars as blue sparks snapped across his neck.
Ruby’s breath caught in her throat. A blind, white-hot fury unlike anything she had ever felt surged through her veins.
