Chapter 7 - The Betrayal Unmasked
"Security breach! Perimeter compromised!" Cassian’s voice roared over the internal intercom system through static-laced smoke. "Silas shut down the main power grid! Victor’s strike team is inside the compound!"
Damian moved like lightning. He reached under his mahogany desk, pulling out a concealed submachine gun and two spare magazines.
"Stay behind me!" Damian commanded, pulling Elena toward the secret reinforced panic corridor behind the bookcase.
"I'm not leaving you!" Elena shouted over the sound of automatic gunfire tearing through the main hallway outside the study!
"Elena, listen to me!" Damian grabbed her by the shoulders, his eyes fierce. "You are my wife! My life means nothing if they take you! Get into the safe room!"
BOOM!
The heavy oak doors of the study blew inward, throwing splinters and smoke into the room!
Damian spun around, firing a heavy volley of bullets into the doorway, dropping two masked mercenaries instantly! But out of the thick smoke stepped Silas Sterling—Damian’s trusted advisor—holding a silenced pistol, flanked by four heavy mercenaries.
"Sorry, Boss," Silas sneered, his face twisted in greed. "Victor offered me twenty million and the harbor concessions. Your time is up."
"Silas!" Damian roared, stepping into the line of fire to cover Elena.
Silas didn't aim at Damian. He aimed at the ceiling fixture directly above Damian’s head!
BANG!
The heavy brass chandelier collapsed, crashing down in a mountain of crystal and steel! Damian lunged to shield Elena, taking the brunt of the falling iron frame across his shoulders! He hit the floor, pinned beneath the heavy wreckage, his fresh stitches tearing open once more as blood soaked through his shirt!
"Damian!" Elena screamed, trying to pull the heavy iron off him.
Before she could lift the frame, two mercenaries grabbed her arms, dragging her away from Damian!
Silas stepped forward, kicking Damian’s sidearm across the floor out of reach. He looked down at Elena, pulling a zip-tie tightly around her wrists.
"Bring the nurse," Silas ordered the mercenaries. "Victor wants his main bargaining chip."
"If you touch her... Silas..." Damian growled from beneath the heavy chandelier, his face covered in blood, his hands clawing at the marble floor as he tried to lift the crushing weight, "...I will rip your heart out with my bare hands..."
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Silas just laughed, raising his radio. "Victor. We have Mrs. Cross. Meeting you at Pier 44."
They dragged Elena out through the burning, smoke-filled corridors of the estate into a waiting black van, leaving Damian bleeding in the ruins of his burning home.
