Chapter 18 - iron in the rain
At three o'clock in the morning, the silent alarm on the compound’s outer gate chimed softly on Nathan's wrist receiver.
He stood up instantly, unholstering his weapon from his shoulder harness, his eyes narrowing into cold marble. Beside the fireplace, Nero lifted his heavy head, letting out a low, gut-wrenching growl that vibrated through the floorboards.
"Marco," Nathan said into his lapel microphone. "Report."
"We have three vehicles through the south gate, boss," Marco's voice came through the earbud, sharp and steady. "They didn't use the main driveway. They cut through the perimeter wire near the boathouse. It's Don Domenico's personal security detail. Vance is with them."
Nathan looked back at Sarah, who had pulled Lily into her arms, holding the frightened child tightly against her chest.
"Stay in this room," Nathan instructed, his tone calm and absolute. "Lock the iron security shutters behind me. Do not open the door for anyone except Marco or me."
Nathan walked out into the central hallway, pulling a second heavy sidearm from his belt. He didn't feel anger or panic; he felt a terrifying, crystalline clarity. Domenico had made his final mistake. Instead of fleeing the state with his stolen millions, the old Don had chosen to launch a desperate, suicidal strike to eliminate the ledgers and the child who carried the silver rose mark.
Nathan stepped out onto the wide stone terrace overlooking the dark pine woods. Rain had begun to fall again, cold and sharp against his face. Down near the boathouse, four figures dressed in dark tactical gear were advancing through the trees, their weapons fitted with heavy suppressors.
Nathan didn't wait for them to reach the lawn. He stepped off the terrace, slipping into the dark shadows of the pine trees like a ghost returning to his graveyard.
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The first enforcer didn't even hear the branch snap before Nathan came up behind him, taking him down with brutal, silent precision. Within two minutes, three of Domenico's men lay motionless on the wet needle-covered floor of the forest.
The fourth man—Counselor Vance—was standing near the boathouse door, holding a heavy iron crowbar, his hands trembling violently as he tried to force the heavy padlock.
