Chapter 10 - The Siege
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The wail of the sirens grew deafening, bouncing off the surrounding hills and echoing straight through the glass of the library windows. Red and blue lights began to strobe violently across the dark room, flashing against my closed eyelids in faint bursts of warmth.
Out in the hallway, the situation had completely deteriorated into chaos.
“The cops are here!” one of the hired men screamed, his voice cracking with terror. He sounded like he was standing right on the other side of the oak doors. “We’re boxed in! The gates are locked open, there are cruisers everywhere!”
“We’re trapped!” another yelled.
Inside the room, Adrian’s panic finally overrode his arrogance. He seized me by the collar of my blouse, dragging me roughly across the floor toward the heavy library doors. My knees scraped painfully against the stone.
“Then you’re coming with me,” he spat, spit flying onto my cheek. “You’re my ticket out of this house.”
Beside me, Atlas rose to his feet. He was heavily bruised and limping, but a low, protective growl began to vibrate in his throat. He wasn't going to let Adrian take me.
At the exact same moment, six massive shadows shifted violently beyond the door. The police had arrived, but my security dogs were already holding the perimeter.
Suddenly, a booming, amplified voice crackled through the mansion’s integrated smart-speaker system. It was Vance, my security chief, speaking from the mobile command center outside. His voice was calm, authoritative, and utterly terrifying.
“Adrian Vale. This is private security. You are completely surrounded. The exterior is secured by K-9 units and local law enforcement. Release Maya immediately, drop any weapons, and put your hands on your head. Armed tactical response is thirty seconds out.”
Adrian’s grip on my collar tightened like a vice. He was shaking uncontrollably, his heart hammering against his ribs.
May you like
I smiled again, leaning my head back to look at the ceiling.
“Twenty-nine seconds now, Adrian.”
