Chapter 7
The dawn broke over the Ashford estate, casting a pale, cold light on the carnage of the night's battle. The mansion was scarred, its grand wooden doors splintered and the marble foyer stained with soot, but the fortress had held.
However, a chilling realization had settled over Roman during the cleanup. The Mercer hit squad had bypassed the outer perimeter alarms completely. They had known exactly which security cameras had blind spots, and they had struck at the exact moment the guard rotation was shifting.
Someone inside the house had fed Victor Mercer the security protocols.
Roman stood in his ruined study, pacing like a caged tiger. Dante stood by the fireplace, his face grim.
"We swept the communications room, Boss," Dante reported. "Someone accessed the mainframe yesterday afternoon and downloaded the patrol routes onto an encrypted drive. It required a level-three clearance."
"Only my capos and the head of security have level-three clearance," Roman growled, his angular jaw locked in fury. "You're telling me I have a rat in my inner circle?"
"It looks that way, sir," Dante admitted heavily.
The heavy mahogany doors opened, and Nina stepped in, carrying a tray of hot coffee. She wore a soft cream sweater, her delicate features pale from the sleepless night. She set the tray down on the desk, sensing the lethal tension in the room.
"Is everything alright?" Nina asked softly, looking at Roman.
"We have a mole, Nina," Roman said, rubbing his temples, not wanting to hide the truth from her. "Someone on my staff helped Dahlia lock you in that pantry, and then helped her father coordinate the attack on this house."
Nina frowned, her clear eyes narrowing in thought. She replayed the events of Thanksgiving Day in her mind. The rush of serving guests, the confrontation with Dahlia in the guest wing... and the terrifying moments inside the dark pantry.
"Roman," Nina said slowly, her heart beginning to race. "When Dahlia locked me in the pantry, the electronic deadbolt engaged. But she didn't have a keycard on her. She was wearing a satin gown. She pressed the intercom button next to the door and said, 'Lock it down, Julian.' The door clicked immediately."
Roman froze. The color drained from his face, replaced by a dark, murderous flush.
"Julian," Roman repeated, his voice dropping to a demonic whisper. Julian was the head of his personal security detail. The man responsible for guarding his son.
"Are you sure, Nina?" Dante asked, his hand dropping to his sidearm.
"I'm positive," Nina said firmly. "I heard her clearly."
Roman didn't say another word. He drew his heavy pistol from his shoulder holster, checking the chamber with a sharp, metallic click. The negative space tattoos on his hands blurred as he moved with terrifying purpose.
"Dante," Roman commanded, his eyes burning with unholy fire. "Lock the estate down. No one leaves. Find Julian and bring him to the grand foyer. If he resists, shoot him in the legs and drag him."
"Yes, Boss," Dante said, sprinting out of the study.
Roman turned to Nina, his expression softening for a fraction of a second. "Stay in this room. Lock the door behind me."
May you like
"Be careful," she whispered, stepping forward to press a quick, desperate kiss to his cheek.
Roman nodded, his resolve hardening into steel. He stepped out of the study, walking toward the grand foyer to execute the traitor who had endangered his family. The internal rot was about to be excised in blood.
