Chapter 2 - The Intruder
I gripped my weapon and moved silently toward the grand staircase.
The entire mansion was completely quiet, save for the heavy rain beating against the windows.
I descended the stairs, keeping my back pressed against the cold stone wall.
The sound of shattering glass had come from the direction of the staff quarters.
That was exactly where Lily’s mother, Elena, was supposed to be sleeping.
I reached the bottom of the stairs and noticed a cold breeze sweeping through the corridor.
The heavy mahogany door leading to the garden had been forced open.
Muddy footprints stained the pristine white tiles of the hallway.
I raised my gun and followed the tracks toward the kitchen.
The footprints stopped right outside the door to Elena’s private room.
I kicked the door open and leveled my weapon at the darkness.
The room was completely empty.
Elena’s bed was unmade, and the window was smashed from the outside.
A profound sense of panic gripped my throat.
If Julian knew that Lily had spoken to me, he would eliminate both the mother and the child.
I turned around to sprint back to my bedroom to protect the little girl.
Before I could take a single step, the kitchen lights suddenly flickered and died.
The entire estate was plunged into absolute, pitch-black darkness.
Someone had just severed the main power line to the property.
My backup generators immediately failed to activate, which meant this was a highly coordinated attack.
I heard the distinct, metallic click of a rifle bolt chambering a round.
May you like
The sound came from the shadows directly behind me.
I threw myself sideways just as a silenced bullet shattered the wall where my head had been.
