Chapter 7 - The Fury of the Pack
Marcus didn't even see it coming.
While Marcus’s attention was entirely focused on Roman, Titan didn't wait for a command. He didn't hesitate. He launched himself from the shadows like a black lightning bolt, clearing eight feet of open floor in a single, terrifying bound.
“Shoot the dog!” Marcus screamed, panicking as the massive Cane Corso collided with him like a freight train.
The gun went off, the bullet burying itself harmlessly into the ceiling as Titan slammed Marcus hard against the concrete floor, sending his weapon skittering across the broken glass.
The remaining mercenaries opened fire, but Roman moved with blurring speed, dropping two of them with precision double-taps before they could adjust their aim. The other two operatives scrambled back toward the blown-out entrance, dragging their wounded comrades into the snowy night as Roman’s primary tactical backup finally breached the rear alley doors, cutting off their escape.
In the center of the shop, Titan stood over Marcus, his massive paw planted heavily on the traitor’s chest, pinning him to the floor. A low, rumbling growl vibrated in the dog’s throat, his jaws hovering inches from Marcus’s jugular vein.
Marcus was shaking uncontrollably, his face pressed against the glass-strewn floor, staring up into the yellow-flecked eyes of the beast he had tried to exploit and discard.
“Get this—get this animal off me!” Marcus choked out, gasping for air.
Roman walked over slowly, standing over his former head of security with an expression of utter, chilling detachment. He didn't look angry. He looked like an executioner looking at a broken machine.
“You had everything, Marcus,” Roman said quietly, holstering his weapon. “And you threw it all away for greed.”
Roman looked down at Titan, extending a single hand.
“He’s yours, boy,” Roman said softly.
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Titan didn't bite. He didn't need to. He simply applied enough weight to crack a rib, keeping the traitor completely paralyzed until Roman’s men moved in with heavy steel cuffs.
As Marcus was dragged out into the snow, screaming obscenities into the night, the shop fell into a heavy, profound silence once again.
