Chapter 18 - Siege of the Estate|
We abandoned the SUV at the ruined gates and moved on foot, using the shadows of the ancient pine trees for cover. The front courtyard was a war zone. Several of my guards lay motionless on the gravel, but they had taken a heavy toll on the attackers; bodies in black tactical gear were scattered across the steps.
"They breached the main hall," Marcus whispered, pointing to the shattered mahogany doors.
We slipped inside, the silence of the house broken only by the crackle of flames from the burning west wing. The air was thick with smoke and the metallic scent of blood. I signaled for my men to split up, sweeping the ground floor room by room.
I headed straight for the basement stairs, my heart pounding against my ribs. The safe room was located behind the wine cellar, heavily fortified and hidden.
As I reached the cellar, I heard the heavy, rhythmic thud of a sledgehammer against steel. Three Corsican mercenaries were gathered around the false wall that concealed the safe room. They had found it.
"Plant the C4," one of them barked in French. "We blast the door open and grab the targets."
I didn't hesitate. I stepped out from behind a wine rack, my rifle raised. "Hey!" I shouted.
They spun around, dropping the hammer, but I was faster. Three controlled bursts echoed in the confined cellar, and the mercenaries dropped to the stone floor before they could raise their weapons.
I rushed to the steel door, banging my fist against it in our secret, pre-arranged rhythm. "Clara! It's Sebastian! Are you okay?"
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There was a torturous moment of silence before the heavy locks clicked, and the steel door swung open. Clara stood there, holding a handgun with trembling hands, her face pale but resolute. Behind her, Emma was huddled under a blanket, crying softly.
"You're late," Clara whispered, tears finally spilling over.
