Chapter 4 - The Broken Sanctuary
The security alert on my phone flashed a bright, angry red.
The perimeter of my Fifth Avenue townhouse had been breached.
I stared at Marco, the betrayal burning like acid in my throat.
I demanded to know why he had abandoned his post.
Marco swore that he received a direct order from my phone to come to Arthur's office.
Someone had cloned my device to lure my best enforcer away from my daughter.
I did not have time to debate his innocence or guilt.
I struck Marco across the jaw with the butt of my pistol, knocking him unconscious to the floor.
I sprinted back to the elevator, my heart hammering violently against my ribs.
I drove back to the townhouse at a reckless, deadly speed, ignoring every red light.
The heavy iron gates of my home were blown completely off their hinges.
I rushed through the front door, sweeping the foyer with my weapon raised.
The living room was completely destroyed, the furniture overturned and the windows shattered.
Two of my loyal guards were lying motionless on the Persian rug.
I screamed Mia's name, praying for a response from the shadows.
Rosa emerged from the ruined kitchen, holding a bloody kitchen knife and trembling.
She told me that a tactical team had stormed the house five minutes ago.
They had used our own private security override codes to bypass the blast doors.
I asked her where my daughter was.
Rosa broke down into heavy, uncontrollable sobs.
May you like
She pointed toward the open back door leading to the alleyway.
They had taken the eight-year-old girl back into the freezing rain.
