Chapter 6 - AMBUSH AT THE SAFEHOUSE
The rain poured heavily over the Baltimore harbor as Gabriel steered the dark SUV through back alleys, finally pulling up behind an inconspicuous brick warehouse near Pier 4.
Rosie sat in the back seat, her arms wrapped tightly around Titan's neck. The dog remained hyper-alert, his right ear twitching at every splash of rain against the glass.
"We wait inside until the boss gives the clear signal," Gabriel said, unlocking the side entrance of the warehouse.
They moved quickly inside. The safe house was well-equipped, featuring reinforced doors, monitors connected to estate security cameras, and emergency medical supplies. Rosie sat on a metal stool, her heart pounding with every minute that passed without news from Dante.
Suddenly, Titan stood up, his ears flattening against his head. He faced the rear loading dock door, letting out a ferocious, guttural bark.
"Gabriel!" Rosie yelled, pointing toward the rear entrance. "He senses something!"
Before Gabriel could raise his rifle, the heavy metal door collapsed inward with a deafening boom. Flashbang grenades bounced across the concrete floor, exploding in blinding light and disorienting sound.
Rosie covered her good ear, crouching behind a metal workbench. Through the thick smoke, several masked men poured into the room, firing silenced automatic weapons. Gabriel returned fire, dropping the first attacker, but was quickly pinned down behind a support pillar.
A heavy hand grabbed Rosie by her hair, yanking her backward off the floor.
"Got you, little maid," a familiar cruel voice sneered.
Rosie looked up to see Marco Moretti, his face twisted in a triumphant grin. He dragged her toward the open loading dock where a black van was waiting with its engine idling.
"Let her go!" Gabriel shouted, attempting to clear his line of sight, but another attacker shot him in the shoulder, knocking him to the floor.
"Dante thought he could humiliate me at his own table," Marco hissed, pressing a cold gun barrel against Rosie's temple. "Let's see how confident he looks when I send him pieces of his favorite little charity case."
Rosie felt terror surge through her, but as Marco pulled her past the workbench, she caught sight of Titan emerging from the smoke. The pitbull wasn't barking now. He was stalking forward silently, his dark eyes fixed entirely on Marco.
May you like
Rosie didn't scream. Instead, she used her veterinary training and knowledge of Titan's body language. She slammed her foot down onto Marco's boot with all her weight, causing him to stagger and lower his weapon for a split second.
"Titan! Attack!" Rosie screamed at the top of her lungs.
