Chapter 6 - The Bloodline Defense
The deafening roar of automatic gunfire ripped through the beautiful living room, tearing the expensive artwork to shreds.
I threw my body over Lily, pressing us both firmly against the cold hardwood floor behind a thick kitchen island.
Marcus and his elite tactical operators returned fire immediately, their muzzle flashes illuminating the dark room like violent lightning.
Silas moved through the shadows with terrifying precision, dropping two heavily armed mercenaries who tried to breach the side windows.
"Keep your head down, Nora!" Silas yelled as a spray of bullets shattered the granite countertops above me.
Lily covered her ears and buried her face into my shoulder, crying silently in pure terror.
I promised myself I would burn the entire world down before I let anyone take her away from me.
Arthur and Leo were positioned near the staircase, using covering fire to keep the mercenaries trapped on the front lawn.
"They have us heavily outnumbered, Marcus!" Leo shouted as he reloaded his weapon.
"Hold the line!" Marcus commanded, his voice never losing its absolute, terrifying authority.
"They are fighting for a paycheck, but we are fighting for our blood!"
The front doors were suddenly kicked completely open, and five heavily armored mercenaries flooded into the foyer.
They threw flashbang grenades, hoping to blind our defensive line.
But Marcus's men were wearing advanced tactical visors, and they neutralized all five intruders before the smoke even cleared.
Silas stepped out from the shadows and grabbed the wounded leader of the breach team by the collar of his tactical vest.
He dragged the bleeding mercenary roughly behind the marble pillar for cover.
"Call off your men right now!" Silas demanded, pressing his gun against the man's temple.
The mercenary coughed up blood and laughed weakly.
"We don't care about the real estate agent," the mercenary gasped, looking toward the living room where Julian lay tied up.
"He was just a stupid, greedy pawn who thought he could play in the big leagues."
Silas narrowed his eyes, sensing a much deeper conspiracy.
"Who hired you to attack this house?" Silas interrogated brutally.
The mercenary smiled a bloody, wicked smile.
"We didn't come here for the billionaire, the general, or the underworld king," the mercenary wheezed.
"We came exclusively for the little girl."
My blood ran completely cold as I heard those words from across the room.
"Why?" Silas demanded, pressing the barrel harder against the man's skull.
"Because the person who hired us wants to ensure the Vance bloodline ends permanently tonight."
Silas looked over at Arthur, a silent, terrifying realization passing between the brothers.
"Tell me the name of your employer, or I end your miserable life right now," Silas growled.
The mercenary shook his head weakly.
May you like
"You already know him," the mercenary whispered.
"He has been sitting at your family dinner table for the last ten years."
