Chapter 3 - Bloodline of the Shadow Doctor
Red emergency lights flashed in the hallway outside the master suite. The heavy oak doors burst open, and Marcus rushed inside, his sidearm already drawn.
“Boss!” Marcus yelled over the siren. “We’ve got a perimeter breach at the east gate! A convoy of unmarked SUVs just rammed the security barrier! It’s the Moretti family!”
Damen didn't panic. He swung his long legs out of the bed, ripping the IV line out of his forearm without flinching. Blood trickled down his wrist, but he ignored it, stepping into his dark trousers and pulling a heavy black holster over his shoulders.
“Julian opened the gate,” Damen said coldly, pulling a heavy custom pistol from his nightstand drawer.
“We don't know that yet, boss—” Marcus began.
“I know my brother,” Damen cut him off, racking the slide of his weapon with a brutal, satisfying click. “He poisoned my tea. When he saw I survived, he realized his window was closing. He’s turning the house over to Don Moretti in exchange for a seat at their table.”
Damen turned to look at me and Ellie. Ellie shrank back against my legs, frightened by the loud sirens and the flashing red lights. Atlas immediately took a stance in front of us, let out a deep, protective growl facing the door.
“Marcus,” Damen ordered. “Take Clara and the child to the subterranean vault beneath the wine cellar. Put four men on the door. If anyone tries to enter who isn't me, kill them.”
“Mr. Romano, wait!” I called out as he began walking toward the door.
Damen paused, turning his head.
“The Moretti family... they use digitalis,” I said, the truth suddenly assembling in my mind like a horrifying puzzle. “Seven years ago, my father—Dr. Julian Vance—was framed for providing digitalis toxins used in the assassination of Don Moretti’s predecessor. My father didn't make the poison. Someone stole it from his lab!”
Damen’s eyes widened in genuine shock. The name hit him like a physical blow. “Julian Vance was your father?”
“Yes,” I confessed, tears pricking my eyes. “My real name is Sarah Vance. My father was innocent! He was set up by someone inside the Romano syndicate to provoke a war with the Morettis!”
Damen stared at me, the pieces of a seven-year-old mystery finally falling into place. A dark, terrifying realization washed over his face.
“It wasn't my father who ordered that hit,” Damen whispered, his voice dark as pitch. “It was Julian. My brother has been playing both sides for nearly a decade.”
The sound of gunfire suddenly erupted from the floor below—automatic rifle fire echoing up the grand marble staircase. The battle for the Romano estate had begun.
“Go to the vault!” Damen commanded, his voice filled with an intense, terrifying fire. “Sarah... keep your daughter safe. I will settle your father’s debt tonight.”
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Marcus grabbed my arm gently. “This way! Move!”
Atlas didn't follow Damen into the fight. Instead, the gigantic dog turned around and walked beside Ellie and me, refusing to leave our side as Marcus led us down the dark, narrow escape stairs into the depths of the mansion.
