Chapter 8 - Fire and Blood
The smoke filled the library with terrifying speed.
Luca coughed violently, releasing his grip on Tessa’s arm to cover his mouth.
The estate was burning to the ground.
Tessa dropped to her knees, trying to find clean air near the floorboards.
Her eyes burned and her lungs felt like they were filled with crushed glass.
Above them, the glass skylight suddenly shattered into a thousand pieces.
A figure dropped into the room like a nightmare descending from the sky.
It was Leo.
He was wearing a black tactical gas mask and holding a massive combat shotgun.
Luca tried to raise his rifle, but the smoke blinded him.
Leo did not offer a warning or a dramatic speech.
He pulled the trigger.
The blast threw Luca backward through the burning bookcases, killing him instantly.
Leo threw the shotgun aside and dropped to his knees beside Tessa.
He pulled a spare oxygen mask from his tactical vest and strapped it over her face.
The rush of cool, clean air brought Tessa back from the edge of unconsciousness.
Leo sliced through her zip ties with a hunting knife.
His eyes were visible through the glass of his mask, burning with absolute, murderous fury.
He pulled her to her feet and carried her out through the shattered skylight using a grappling ascender.
They collapsed onto the wet grass of the rear lawn as the mansion burned against the night sky.
Leo ripped his mask off and looked down at her.
“We are not hiding.”
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He pulled her toward a hidden garage concealed behind the hedges.
“We are going to the hospital to kill your actuary.”
