Chapter 13 - THE WARNING AT THE GATESThe heavy front doors of the mansion swung open at 8:00 PM, and Nathan walked in, shaking the autumn rain from his shoulders. He tossed his briefcase onto the entryway table and loosened his tie, looking exhausted but letting out a soft smile when he saw me standing in the foyer.
"Hey, my love," Nathan murmured, stepping forward and pulling me into a warm embrace. He kissed the top of my head, breathing in my scent. "Sorry I’m late. The board meeting ran long, and—Grace, what’s wrong? You’re trembling."
He pulled back, his sharp eyes instantly scanning my face, reading the tension in my posture.
Without a word, I led him into his private study, closing the heavy oak doors behind us. Marcus was already inside, projecting the files of Julian Trust onto the massive smart-display on the wall.
Nathan stared at the screen. The color slowly drained from his face, leaving him looking as hard and cold as carved marble.
"Julian," Nathan whispered, the name tasting like poison on his tongue. "I thought he was dead."
"So did everyone else," Marcus said. "But someone is back using his old corporate assets, buying up distressed commercial real estate around the city, and testing our perimeter defenses. And tonight, Grace received a direct threat."
Nathan’s head snapped toward me, his eyes flaring with a terrifying, protective fire. He grabbed my shoulders, his hands firm and reassuring. "Did they touch you? Did they get near Lily?"
"No," I shook my head, covering his hands with mine. "We’re safe. The house is locked down. But Nathan... they know about us. They know about Lily."
Before Nathan could speak, a sudden, violent alert blared across the study’s security monitors.
Marcus rushed to the console, tapping furiously on the keyboard. "Mr. Cole... perimeter sensors on the north gate just tripped. Someone isn't just watching us. They’ve left a package."
Nathan didn't hesitate. He drew back from me, walking swiftly to his desk where his tactical sidearm rested in a hidden biometric drawer. He chambered a round with a sharp, metallic clack.
"Marcus, secure the master suite with Grace and Lily," Nathan ordered, his voice dropping into its most dangerous executive register. "I’m going out to check the gate myself."
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"Nathan, no, it’s a trap!" I protested, stepping forward.
"If someone is coming for my family, I won't wait for them to knock," Nathan said, kissing my cheek fiercely before striding out toward the front courtyard.
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