Chapter 8 - Midnight Infiltration
The storm reached its peak at 11:55 PM. Lightning tore through the black sky, followed by deafening cracks of thunder that rattled the windowpanes of the estate.
Inside the west wing guest suite, Rosa was sitting on the edge of the bed, gently stroking Sophia's hair. The little girl was sound asleep, holding her favorite stuffed rabbit tightly against her chest.
Suddenly, the lights inside the room flickered once, twice, and went out completely.
The room plunged into pitch darkness, illuminated only by the rhythmic flashes of lightning through the balcony windows.
Rosa froze, her heart leaping into her throat. She remembered what Damon had told her: If the power ever cuts out, drop to the floor and stay away from the windows.
Gently, Rosa slid off the bed, grabbing Sophia in her arms and pulling her down into the space between the heavy wooden bedframe and the wall.
"Mommy?" Sophia whimpered, waking up in the dark. "What happened to the lights?"
"Shh, baby," Rosa whispered, covering Sophia's mouth gently. "It's just the storm. Stay low."
Outside the balcony window, a dark figure stepped out of the pouring rain.
A man dressed in black tactical gear, wearing a night-vision visor and holding a silenced automatic submachine gun, raised a gloved hand to break the glass door.
Before his hand could touch the glass, the balcony door burst open from the inside.
A massive black shadow lunged out of the darkness with a terrifying, primal roar.
It was Zeus.
The 120-pound Cane Corso hit the intruder like a cannonball, throwing him over the stone balcony railing. The man let out a short, strangled scream before plunging two stories down into the courtyard below.
A second intruder stepped onto the balcony, raising his weapon toward the dog.
THWACK.
A heavy, silver-plated hunting knife cut through the dark, embedding itself deep into the second intruder's shoulder. He dropped his weapon, gasping in pain, as Damon Cain stepped out onto the balcony from the darkness of the adjoining corridor.
Damon didn't hesitate. He grabbed the intruder by his tactical vest, slammed him hard against the stone pillar, and drove a powerful knee into his chest, knocking him unconscious instantly.
Inside the bedroom, Rosa watched in awe through the crack under the bed as Damon moved through the shadows with lethal, terrifying grace.
From the hallway outside the guest suite, gunfire erupted—muffled, rapid bursts followed by heavy thuds against the carpet. Marco's security team was wiping out the rest of the infiltration team in the corridors.
Within five minutes, the sound of fighting ceased.
The emergency backup generators kicked in with a low hum. Warm yellow lights flickered back on throughout the estate.
Damon stepped back into the bedroom. His dark suit was damp with rain, and a small smudge of dark blood marked his cheek, but his expression was entirely calm.
He walked over to the side of the bed and looked down at Rosa and Sophia hiding on the floor.
"Are you hurt?" Damon asked, offering his hand to Rosa.
Rosa took his hand, her body trembling violently as he lifted her and Sophia back onto their feet. "We're... we're okay. Mr. Cain... what was that?!"
"Lorenzo’s last mistake," Damon said coldly.
Just then, Marco walked into the room, holding a radio. He looked exhausted, but a broad smile broke across his face.
"Boss," Marco reported. "Our team found Martha's grandson in a safehouse in Southie. The boy is unharmed. We're bringing him here now."
Damon let out a slow, controlled breath. "Good work, Marco. Clear the halls. Get the vehicles ready."
Rosa looked at him, panic in her eyes. "Where are you going?"
May you like
Damon turned to look at Sophia, who was staring up at him with wide, innocent brown eyes.
"I'm going to end this, Rosa," Damon said softly. "So that this little girl can grow up without ever having to hide under a bed again."
