Chapter 16 - Danger Close
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The morning light filtered softly through the heavy curtains of Lorenzo's master bedroom. Hannah woke up tangled in silk sheets, her body aching pleasantly, her head resting on Lorenzo's broad, scarred chest.
He was already awake, gently tracing the curve of her hip with a mesmerizing, lazy rhythm.
"Good morning," Lorenzo murmured, kissing the top of her head.
"Morning," Hannah smiled lazily.
Their peace was abruptly shattered by the deafening sound of an explosion.
The entire mansion shook violently. The bedroom windows shattered inward, spraying glass across the floor. Alarms immediately began blaring throughout the estate.
Lorenzo was out of bed in a fraction of a second, his lethal instincts taking over. He pulled Hannah to the floor, shielding her with his body as automatic gunfire erupted from the gardens below.
"Vincent's loyalists," Lorenzo growled, pulling a heavy handgun from a hidden safe under the nightstand. "They must have found out I locked him in the basement."
He grabbed a heavy tactical jacket and threw it over Hannah's shoulders.
"We need to move. Now," Lorenzo ordered.
They scrambled out of the bedroom and into the hallway. The estate was a war zone. Marco and the security team were returning fire from the grand staircase, but they were heavily outnumbered by the surprise assault.
"Boss, they breached the east wing!" Marco shouted over the gunfire. "They're pushing toward the basement to free Vincent!"
"Hold the stairs!" Lorenzo shouted back. He grabbed Hannah's hand, pulling her toward the back service corridor. "I'm getting her to the panic room."
They ran down the narrow, dimly lit hallway, the sounds of destruction echoing behind them. As they reached the kitchen, the heavy wooden doors burst open.
Three heavily armed men in tactical gear stepped into the room, their assault rifles raised.
Lorenzo pushed Hannah violently behind a marble island, raising his weapon to fire. He took down the first man, but the second one fired a burst that clipped Lorenzo's shoulder.
Lorenzo grunted in pain, dropping to one knee.
The third gunman aimed his rifle directly at Hannah's exposed position.
Hannah squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the impact.
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But the gunshot never came.
Instead, a terrifying, guttural roar shook the kitchen walls.
