Chapter 6
The shockwave of the explosion threw Clara forward, straight into Ronan’s solid chest. He caught her instantly, his strong arms wrapping around her like a vice as the sound of shattering glass and wailing alarms echoed through the mansion.
"Stay down!" Ronan roared, pulling her to the floor. He covered her body with his own, shielding her from the debris raining down from the cracked ceiling.
For ten agonizing seconds, the world was a cacophony of destruction. Then, the deafening roar of automatic gunfire erupted from the front gates, shaking the very foundation of the estate. The Shaw family had not waited for nightfall; they had launched a brazen, full-scale assault in broad daylight.
Ronan rolled off Clara, instantly pulling the heavy pistol from his shoulder holster. He grabbed her hand, hauling her to her feet. "Are you hurt? The baby?"
"We're fine," Clara gasped, coughing through the thick cloud of plaster dust filling the room. Panic seized her throat. "Toby! Ronan, Toby is in the kitchen!"
"I know. We're moving," Ronan said, his face a mask of cold, calculated violence.
He dragged her out of the master suite and into the grand hallway. The luxurious mansion was unrecognizable. Guards in dark tactical gear were sprinting past them, shouting orders and returning fire through the shattered windows.
"Silas!" Ronan barked as his underboss rushed up the stairs clutching a submachine gun. "Report!"
"They breached the main gate with an explosive truck," Silas yelled over the gunfire. "It’s a heavy hit squad, Boss. At least fifty men. They’re trying to push through the front doors."
"Where is Toby?" Ronan demanded, his grip on Clara’s hand tightening.
"Safe room beneath the kitchen," Silas replied quickly. "Four men are locked in with him. He's safe."
Clara let out a massive sob of relief. Ronan caught her by the waist, holding her upright.
"Hold the grand staircase, Silas," Ronan ordered. He turned to Clara, his dark eyes burning with fierce determination. "We are going to the panic room behind my office. You will be safe there."
"I want to go to Toby," Clara pleaded, pulling on his arm.
"The kitchen is completely exposed to the courtyard, Clara. If I take you down there, we have to cross the main firing line," Ronan yelled. "I will not risk your life! You go to my panic room, and I will go down and end this."
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Ronan kicked open the heavy oak doors of his office and pulled her inside. He spun her around, grabbing her face with both hands.
"I am not going to die," Ronan said fiercely, pressing his forehead against hers. "I'm coming back for you and the baby. Lock the door behind me."
