Chapter 6 - The Blood Alliance
Cora stood frozen in the center of her bedroom, holding the tiny blinking transmitter in her shaking palm.
Her mind reeled, frantically replaying every conversation, every shared night shift, every single interaction she had experienced with Priya over the past year.
Priya had been the one who constantly asked about Cora’s father. Priya had been the one who encouraged her to take the private server job for Felix. Priya had been asking detailed questions about Julian’s estate only an hour ago.
Her best friend—her only true friend in the city—had been a plant all along.
Tears of bitter betrayal scorched Cora's eyes, but she forced them back. She couldn't afford to break down now. The bug in her hand meant that Marco Dresco now had the exact GPS coordinates of Julian’s private suite and internal security frequency.
An attack was imminent.
Cora rushed out of her room, running down the long marble corridor toward the east wing where Julian’s private office was located.
Two heavy-set security guards barred the mahogany doors. "Miss Whitaker, Mr. Voss is in a high-level briefing with his kapos. You cannot enter."
"Move!" Cora shouted, her voice laced with such raw authority that the guards flinched. "I need to see Julian now!"
She slammed her hands against the heavy double doors, pushing them open.
Inside, the grand office was thick with tobacco smoke. Julian sat behind his massive desk, flanked by Tomas and six senior lieutenants surrounding a tactical map of New York Harbor.
Every man in the room reached for his concealed sidearm at the sudden intrusion.
Julian raised his hand, halting his men instantly. He stood up, his brow furrowing in concern as he took in Cora's pale, breathless state.
"Cora? What's wrong?"
Cora walked straight up to his desk and slammed the black plastic transmitter onto the glass blotter between his maps.
"Priya planted it," Cora gasped, her voice trembling with rage and heartbreak. "She put it under my vanity table while I was changing clothes."
Tomas stepped forward instantly, picking up the device with gloved fingers and examining it. "It's a military-grade short-range relay bug," Tomas confirmed grimly. "It bypasses our outer perimeter frequency scramblers. Dresco knows our exact internal layout now."
The lieutenants in the room muttered curses, drawing their weapons.
Julian didn't look at the bug. He looked directly at Cora, seeing the profound, shattering pain in her eyes. He stepped out from behind his desk and walked over to her, grabbing her shoulders gently to steady her trembling frame.
"Are you alright?" Julian asked softly, ignoring the six lethal lieutenants watching them in shock.
"She was my friend, Julian," Cora choked out, a single tear spilling over her lashes. "She sold me out. Just like my father."
Julian’s dark eyes hardened into something ancient and terrifying. He pulled her gently into his chest, wrapping his strong arms around her, resting his chin against her hair.
"I am so sorry, my sweet girl," Julian murmured, his deep voice vibrating against her chest. "I am so sorry you had to suffer this."
He looked over her head at Tomas, his eyes burning with absolute, lethal intent.
"Activate the perimeter defense protocols," Julian commanded coldly. "Dresco thinks he caught us sleeping. He’s going to strike tonight, thinking he has the element of surprise."
"Shall we evacuate Miss Whitaker to the safehouse in Vermont?" Tomas asked.
"No," Cora said firmly, pulling back from Julian’s chest and looking up at him with fierce determination. "I am not running anymore. If Marco Dresco is coming here because of me, I am staying right beside you."
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Julian stared down at her, mesmerized by the sheer, unyielding courage burning in the eyes of the quiet nurse from Brooklyn. A dark, proud smile spread across his handsome face.
"You heard the lady, Tomas," Julian growled softly. "Prepare the house. Tonight, we end the Dresco family forever."
