Chapter 12 - THE SMOKE OVER VALE|
By the time our convoy slammed through the main gates of Vale House, thick gray smoke was already billowing from the rear gardens.
Two explosion-response vehicles were parked on the gravel driveway, and Marcus was directing tactical guards around the perimeter.
BOOM!
A muffled detonation rocked the ground beneath us, blowing out the stained-glass windows of the lower wine cellar.
I covered my ears as glass rained down onto the stone driveway.
"The secondary charge went off in the basement!" Marcus yelled, running up to our SUV as Adrian stepped out, drawing his sidearm. "The bomb squad disarmed the charges in the east wing, but Moretti’s demolition team is still pinned down near the carriage house!"
"How many?" Adrian asked, his voice deadly calm.
"Four men!" Marcus reported. "Including Moretti's top enforcer, Santino!"
Adrian turned to me, grabbing my hand and leading me toward the armored security bunker near the front entrance.
"Stay inside this vault with two guards, Elena," Adrian said, his gray eyes locking onto mine. "This will be over in ten minutes."
"Be careful," I whispered, reaching up to touch his cheek.
"I have a home to rebuild with you," Adrian smiled fiercely. "I'm not dying today."
He locked the vault door behind me, leaving me safe inside with two armed Vale operatives.
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Through the high-definition security monitors mounted on the bunker wall, I watched the fight unfold outside.
Adrian moved with frightening, surgical speed. Flanked by Marcus and six guards, he breached the carriage house under heavy fire. Within four minutes, three of Moretti’s men were down, and Adrian had Santino pinned against the stone wall, his boot on the man's chest.
