Chapter 12
The sudden, lethal accuracy of Aldric’s counterattack completely broke the tactical discipline of the remaining two hitmen. They dove behind the heavy oak front doors, exchanging panicked, whispered commands.
"He's armed! Provide suppressing fire!" one shouted, blindly firing a burst around the corner that shattered the crystal chandelier above the foyer.
Glass rained down like deadly snow in the bright, cinematic light. Aldric didn't flinch. He remained perfectly shielded behind the marble pillar, holding Thora tightly.
"Aldric! Help me!" Heloise wailed from the dining room floor. She was crawling through the broken crystal and spilled food, her designer gown ruined, her fair face smeared with her own blood. "They're trying to kill me!"
"You invited them in, Heloise," Aldric stated, his American accent entirely devoid of pity. "You reap exactly what you sow."
He tapped a sequence into the face of his smartwatch. Instantly, the estate's localized defense protocols engaged. Heavy steel blast shutters descended over the massive windows and the front doors, trapping the two hitmen inside the foyer.
"What the hell is this?" a hitman panicked as the steel slammed into the floor, cutting off their only exit.
"It's a tomb," Aldric promised.
Before the men could react, the hidden side doors of the hallway burst open. Marcus, Aldric's heavily armed head of security, poured into the room with a squad of tactical operators. They moved with terrifying precision, instantly cornering the intruders.
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"Drop your weapons!" Marcus roared, aiming his assault rifle. "Or die on the rug!"
The hitmen dropped their guns, raising their hands in absolute defeat.
