Chapter 3 - Lock and Key
The heavy silence in the hallway was instantly shattered by the wailing of the estate's alarm system.
Red emergency lights began flashing violently in a rhythmic pulse across the ceiling.
Elena grabbed Sophia by the waist and hoisted her into her arms, ignoring the child's protests.
Titan barked loudly, stepping protectively in front of Elena and the little girl.
"They breached the perimeter," Dante yelled over the blaring sirens.
He grabbed a heavy assault rifle from a hidden panel in the wall and tossed a handgun to another loyal guard.
Dr. Reynolds ignored the chaos, pressing hard on Adrian's chest to keep his heart pumping.
"I am losing him, Dante," the doctor shouted in absolute desperation.
"If I don't get the specific antidote from the medical wing downstairs, his brain will shut down in ten minutes."
Dante cursed loudly under his breath.
"The medical wing is on the first floor, right where the intruders are breaching."
Gunfire erupted from the grand staircase, echoing horribly through the massive mansion.
Elena pressed her back against the wall, shielding Sophia's head with her trembling body.
She realized this was not a simple assassination attempt on a mafia boss.
This was a coordinated, full-scale military assault.
"I will go get the medicine," Elena said, shocking herself with the sudden words.
Dante looked at the terrified maid as if she had entirely lost her mind.
"You will die before you make it halfway down the stairs," Dante replied sharply.
"I know the servant passageways," Elena insisted, her maternal instinct completely taking over her fear.
"The secret hallways behind the walls lead directly to the infirmary, and no outsider knows they exist."
Dante hesitated, watching the doctor desperately perform chest compressions on his boss.
"Fine," Dante agreed, tossing a small flashlight to Elena.
"Take the passageway, grab the blue vial from the main fridge, and come straight back."
Elena set Sophia down near the doctor and ordered her to stay exactly where she was.
She pulled back a heavy tapestry on the wall, revealing a narrow wooden door.
Elena slipped inside the dark servant's corridor and began rushing down the steep, dusty stairs.
She made it to the bottom and carefully pushed the panel open to peek into the medical room.
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Her breath caught in her throat as she saw a pair of combat boots standing right in front of the medicine fridge.
It was Marco, and he was pouring every single vial of antidote down the sink drain.
