Chapter 9 - The Final Stand in the Courtyard
Upstairs, the Ferrante estate resembled a war zone.
Three armed operatives from the Mancini faction had breached the eastern terrace doors, moving through the grand library with pistols raised. They were looking for ledgers, looking for leverage, looking for anything that could cut the head off the Ferrante empire.
They found Veto instead.
Standing by the grand marble fireplace in the center of the library, Veto held a heavy, customized Sig Sauer pistol in his right hand. His charcoal shirt was torn at the shoulder, a shallow graze leaking dark blood down his forearm, but his stance was as steady as a granite pillar.
“You picked the wrong house, boys,” Veto said coldly, his voice echoing off the vaulted ceilings.
The first intruder lunged around the bookshelf, raising his weapon—but before his finger could squeeze the trigger, Bruno the mastiff launched himself from the shadows like a freight train, slamming the gunman into the antique oak desk with bone-crushing force.
The remaining two intruders opened fire wildly, shattering priceless crystal decanters and tearing through centuries-old oil paintings.
Veto didn't flinch. Two calculated, echoing shots rang through the library.
Thud. Thud.
Both men dropped instantly, their weapons clattering across the Persian rug.
Silence descended upon the library once more, broken only by the crackle of a stray ember from the fireplace and Bruno’s heavy, satisfied panting.
Dante jogged into the room moments later, assessing the carnage with a clinical glance. “Perimeter is secure, Boss. The remaining cowards dropped their weapons at the gate when they realized the national guard wasn't coming to bail them out.”
Veto lowered his pistol, exhaling a long, steady breath. He looked down at his bloodstained sleeve, then toward the subterranean stairwell leading down to the safe room.
“Is she safe?” Veto demanded, his voice suddenly taut with panic.
May you like
“In the bunker with two armed details and Mrs. Gable,” Dante reported quickly. “Unharmed.”
Veto closed his eyes for a single second, letting the crushing wave of adrenaline recede. Then he turned and walked out of the smoking library toward the stairs.
