Chapter 4 - the midnight breach
A heavy black armored truck smashed through the decorative wrought-iron gates, its engine roaring as snow and shattered iron flew through the air.
Two secondary black SUVs sped through the breach behind it, skidding across the frosted courtyard flagstones and blocking the main exits.
The doors of the armored vehicles flew open, and a dozen men in dark tactical gear stepped out, holding short-barreled automatic weapons.
The courtyard erupted into utter chaos. Guests shrieked, dropping their champagne glasses as they scrambled for cover behind the stone pillars and dining tables.
Victor didn't panic. In a single, fluid movement, he pulled Eddie behind his broad frame, while Marcus and four senior bodyguards drew their weapons, forming an impenetrable human shield around the boss and his son.
Caesar let out a fierce, thunderous bark, standing at Eddie's side, his eyes locked on the advancing tactical team.
From the front passenger seat of the lead SUV stepped a tall, silver-haired man wearing a heavy dark wool coat over an expensive suit. He carried a heavy silver cane and walked with a calm, arrogant posture.
It was Dominic Vance—the ruthless leader of the rival Vance Syndicate and Celeste’s estranged older brother.
"Good evening, Victor," Vance spoke, his voice dry and cold against the winter air. "It seems my sister's little holiday party got a bit out of hand."
Victor stood tall, his midnight-black suit unblemished, his dark eyes burning with frightening composure. "You stepped onto my land armed, Vance. You know what the syndicate rules say about trespassing on Christmas Eve."
Vance smiled thinly, leaning on his silver cane. "Rules only apply to men who survive the night, Victor. My sister called me twenty minutes ago. She informed me that you were about to alter the family bloodline succession."
Victor looked over at Celeste, who was now standing near Vance’s men, a triumphant, wicked grin returning to her wet face.
"You sold your own family to the Vances," Victor said, his voice flat and disgusted.
"The Vances are my real family!" Celeste declared, wiping snow from her wet hair. "Dominic promised that once Julian's boy was eliminated, Logan would take the primary seat with Vance backing!"
"Eliminated?" Victor’s voice dropped into a register so dark it made the tactical men hesitate.
Vance raised his hand, pointing a finger directly at little Eddie. "Hand the boy over, Victor. You have twenty guards against thirty of my best men. You don't have to die for a child who isn't even your biological son."
Victor looked down at Eddie, who was holding his coat, his wide eyes looking up at him with absolute trust.
Victor reached out, gently patting Eddie's red sweater. Then, he looked up at Vance, a cold, terrifying smile touching his battle-hardened lips.
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"He is my brother's blood," Victor stated flatly. "Which makes him my son. And no man leaves this courtyard alive if they touch him."
Victor raised his hand and snapped his broad fingers.
