Chapter 5 - The War RoomBack at the Thorne estate, the atmosphere was thick with impending violence.
Dante stood in his private study, staring at the empty wall safe. The door had been cleanly bypassed using biometric codes that only three people possessed: Dante, his chief of security, and his accountant—who had been found dead in his parked car off the interstate three hours ago, ruled an overdose.
"It was Vance," Dante said, his voice terrifyingly quiet.
His head of security, a hulking veteran named Marcus, stood near the door. "We checked the security footage from the east gate, boss. The police raid was coordinated with Vance’s private transport. They didn't just arrest Cora—they took Nero."
Dante turned slowly. His eyes were no longer cold; they were burning with a deadly, calculated rage. "Where?"
"The county animal quarantine facility on Route 9. They’re using the dog’s 'dangerous classification' as an excuse to eliminate him before he can be examined by an independent vet." Marcus hesitated. "Boss... Nero won't let them take him alive. If they try to sedate him without you, it's going to be a bloodbath."
Dante didn't reach for his coat. He reached for his holster resting on the mahogany desk, sliding a heavy Sig Sauer pistol into place.
"They aren't going to kill my dog," Dante said, his voice dropping an octave. "And they sure as hell aren't going to keep my girl."
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"What about the police?" Marcus asked.
"The police work in the city," Dante replied, walking toward the French doors that led to the courtyard. "We work in the dark."
