Chapter 2 - The Silent Guardian
Chaos erupted outside the study as heavy steel doors slammed shut across the estate.
The lockdown protocol was designed to trap threats inside, but now it trapped Elena in a nightmare.
Dr. Reynolds worked frantically to inject a broad-spectrum counteragent into Adrian's neck.
Titan watched the needle closely but did not attack, mostly because Sophia was casually leaning against his ribs.
The massive dog seemed to understand that the little girl was acting as a bridge of peace.
"I need an exact identification of the toxin to save him," Dr. Reynolds muttered while checking Adrian's fading pulse.
"This generic antidote will only buy us maybe twenty minutes."
Dante began pacing the hallway and pointing his weapon at every guard who approached.
"Nobody comes within twenty feet of this door," Dante ordered, his voice echoing off the marble walls.
Elena slowly moved forward until she was close enough to grab her daughter's shoulder.
"Sophia, you need to come with mommy right now," Elena pleaded softly.
"But Titan is sad," Sophia replied, resting her cheek against the dog's thick coat.
Elena's eyes darted past the dog and landed on the shattered pieces of crystal on the floor.
She noticed a small silver serving tray resting near the edge of Adrian's mahogany desk.
A very specific detail about that tray made Elena's heart skip a painful beat.
She had been working in the kitchen when that water was poured.
"Mr. Russo," Elena said, her voice shaking violently.
Dante snapped his attention toward her with cold, calculating eyes.
"I know who brought that tray up here," Elena confessed, pointing at the silver platter.
"It was the new security guard, Marco."
Dante gripped his radio so tightly his knuckles turned entirely white.
"Control room, I want eyes on Marco immediately," Dante barked into the microphone.
Static hissed through the radio before the panicked voice of the camera operator replied.
"Sir, we have a massive problem down here."
Dante raised his gun slightly.
May you like
"What is it?"
"Marco just shot the camera operators, and he is opening the front gates."
