Chapter 14 - The Ambush at the VillaThe helicopter touched down softly on the hidden concrete landing pad behind the Tuscana villa. The rotor wash whipped up a flurry of dust and olive leaves as I vaulted out of the cabin, my hand resting firmly on the grip of my Beretta.
Two local security guards scrambled over from the perimeter fence, looking panicked.
“Don Moretti! We didn't expect you—”
“Cut the chatter,” I interrupted, stepping briskly toward the main villa doors. “Where are Elena and Sophia?”
“Inside the sunroom, sir. We locked down the perimeter the moment we noticed the suspicious sedan on the southern road.”
“Good.” I pushed open the heavy wooden doors and strode into the sunlit corridor.
Elena was pacing frantically near the antique marble fountain in the central courtyard, wringing her hands. When she saw me, she rushed forward, tears welling in her eyes.
“Mr. Moretti! Thank God you’re here! Men in masks tried to cut the perimeter fence ten minutes ago!”
“Where is Sophia?” I asked, scanning the surrounding hallways.
“She’s upstairs in the playroom. She wouldn't come down. She said she had to finish her drawing.”
Before Elena could finish her sentence, a muffled, violent explosion echoed from the western perimeter wall, followed by the deafening rattle of automatic gunfire.
“They’re breaching!” Gabriel roared, unholstering his submachine gun as he sprinted into the courtyard. “All units, defensive positions! Fall back to the main staircase!”
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Heavy boots pounded against the gravel outside as masked mercenaries swarmed the courtyard, shattering the delicate glass windows with a hail of lead.
“Get Elena to the basement panic room!” I commanded two guards, before turning and sprinting up the grand marble staircase toward the second-floor playroom.
