Chapter 6 - The Fortress
Before Emma could argue, the sound of screeching tires echoed from the end of West Oak Street.
Shouts rang out in the night, followed instantly by the sharp, terrifying crack of heavy automatic gunfire echoing down the block.
Emma screamed, dropping to her knees and covering her ears.
Julian didn't even flinch. He reached down, grabbed Emma by the arm, and hauled her effortlessly to her feet, pulling her tightly against his uninjured side.
Outside, the street exploded into chaos. But the gunfire lasted less than fifteen seconds. The disciplined line of Castiglione soldiers moved with surgical precision, smothering the incoming threat before the attackers could even breach the perimeter.
Lev slammed the front door open. "Boss. Two vehicles neutralized. The street is clear, but more will be coming once Marcone realizes his team failed."
"Bring her bag," Julian ordered sharply.
"Wait! My things—my grandmother—" Emma cried out as Julian marched her out onto the front porch.
"Lev will pack your essentials. Your grandmother is already being taken care of," Julian said, leading her down her front steps.
Emma looked up and down West Oak Street, her jaw dropping in sheer disbelief.
The street was a war zone. Smoke drifted through the air from a smoking SUV crushed against a light pole at the corner. Dozens of men in black suits stood guard, weapons raised, creating a human corridor protecting the path from her front steps to Julian’s armored limousine.
Neighbors were peeking through their curtains in absolute terror.
"This is insane!" Emma yelled over the sound of idling engines. "You're destroying my life!"
"I'm keeping you alive," Julian replied, pushing her gently into the spacious leather interior of his limousine before sliding in beside her.
The heavy door slammed shut, sealing out the noise of the street. The limousine accelerated smoothly, escorted by a convoy of ten black SUVs roaring through the early morning fog.
Emma slumped back against the soft leather seat, her hands trembling uncontrollably. "Where are you taking me?"
"To my estate," Julian said, pulling a silk handkerchief from his pocket and handing it to her to wipe the sweat from her brow. "It's a fortress in the hills. No one enters without my permission. No one leaves without my protection."
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"And how long am I supposed to stay there?" she demanded, glaring at him through her tears. "I have a job! I have bills!"
Julian leaned back, looking at her with that same unsettling, intense calm. "You don't work at Mercy General anymore, Emma. And as for your bills... they've already been paid."
