Chapter 9
Vera watched Elias transform from a sophisticated syndicate leader into a ruthless soldier in a matter of seconds. The heavy tactical vest looked unnatural over his expensive dress shirt, yet he wore it with the terrifying ease of a man intimately acquainted with violence. He loaded several spare magazines into the pouches, the sharp, metallic clicks echoing loudly in the quiet study.
"Must you go out there yourself?" Vera asked, her voice trembling as she stepped closer, unable to hide the desperation in her expressive eyes. "You have hundreds of men to fight for you. Why put yourself in the line of fire?"
"Do you believe a general inspires loyalty by hiding in a reinforced bunker while his men bleed in the snow?" Elias asked, turning to face her. He reached for a suppressed submachine gun, checking the chamber with practiced, lethal efficiency. "My men need to see me on the line. They need to know I am willing to die for this house just as they are."
"I can't lose you," Vera whispered, the tears she had fought so hard to restrain finally spilling over her delicate cheekbones. "I just got you back. The baby needs you. Noah needs you."
Elias stopped. The cold, mechanical focus in his eyes shattered. He set the heavy weapon down on the desk and crossed the room in two long strides, pulling her fiercely into his arms.
"You will not lose me, Vera," Elias vowed, his deep voice thick with raw emotion, pressing his face into her hair. "I survived the streets, I survived the commission, and I will survive tonight. Do you understand?"
"Promise me," she cried softly against his chest, her hands gripping the thick Kevlar of his vest.
"I promise you upon my life," he swore, pulling back slightly to cup her face with his tattooed hands, his thumbs gently wiping away her tears. "I will come back to this room. I will come back to you and our child."
He kissed her, a desperate, bruising kiss that tasted of fear and absolute devotion. When he finally pulled away, his breathing was heavy, his angular face set in lines of uncompromising stone.
"Lock this door the moment I leave," Elias commanded, his tone shifting back to the authoritative boss. "Do not open it for anyone except me or Marcus. If you hear shooting inside the house, take the hidden staircase behind the bookshelf down to the panic room. Noah is already secured in the bunker below the west wing."
"I understand," Vera nodded, forcing herself to be strong, smoothing her white apron in a nervous gesture.
Elias picked up his weapon, the sling settling heavily across his broad shoulder. He looked at her one last time, an unspoken universe of affection passing between them in the warm, cinematic light of the study.
"Stay safe, my love," Elias whispered.
He turned and strode out of the study. Vera immediately threw the heavy brass deadbolt, the loud click echoing with finality.
Outside, the mansion was a hive of chaotic, terrifying activity. Elias moved swiftly down the grand marble staircase, his men falling in behind him. The festive Christmas decorations—the evergreens, the red berries, the warm fairy lights—were a surreal, jarring backdrop to the tactical teams taking cover behind the cream marble columns.
Elias reached the grand foyer just as a massive, deafening explosion rocked the eastern wing of the estate. The heavy crystal chandeliers swayed violently, raining dust down upon the polished floors. The Cross family had breached the outer perimeter wall.
May you like
"They used C4 on the east gate, Boss!" Silas yelled over the ringing in their ears, racking the slide of his rifle. "They are flooding the courtyard!"
"Do we retreat into the shadows, Silas?" Elias asked, his voice a low, terrifying roar that cut through the chaos, raising his weapon as he looked at the heavy front doors. "Or do we show them exactly why they should fear the dark?"
