Chapter 5 - the intruder in the east wing
By 2:00 AM, the storm outside had intensified, thunder rolling across the dark hills as rain lashed against the high arched windows of the estate.
In the master suite, Hannah woke with a sudden start. She sat up in bed, her heart pounding in her chest as a subtle, scraping sound echoed from the adjoining balcony gallery.
She slid out of bed, slipping into her robe, and walked softly toward Grace's wooden crib.
The balcony glass door was unlocked, swaying slightly in the cold night wind!
Standing beside Grace's crib, wrapped in a black rain jacket, was a dark silhouette holding a heavy leather bag!
Hannah gasped in pure horror. "Get away from my baby!"
The intruder spun around, pulling a silenced pistol from his coat!
Before the mercenary could raise the weapon, the bedroom door was kicked open with shattering force!
Dominic charged into the room like an unstoppable dark storm! He closed the fifteen-foot gap in a single second, his massive hand clamping around the intruder's wrist, twisting the gun backward with crushing strength!
The weapon clattered uselessly across the floorboards.
Dominic grabbed the mercenary by his tactical vest, lifting the full-grown man off his feet, and slammed him violently against the stone fireplace mantel!
"Who sent you?!" Dominic roared, his voice echoing through the suite like thunder.
The mercenary choked, blood dripping from his lip, but remained silent.
Dominic reached into his waistband, drawing his heavy silver revolver, and pressed the barrel directly under the intruder's chin. "Speak, or you don't leave this room alive."
"Dante!" the mercenary gasped out in terror. "Underboss Dante paid us fifty thousand dollars to find Julian's baby and retrieve the Saint Christopher medal!"
Hannah covered her mouth, tears of relief and fear spilling down her cheeks as she pulled baby Grace into her arms.
Dominic stared at the mercenary, his eyes turning into dark, lethal iron. "Marcus!"
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Marcus and four armed guards burst into the room with weapons drawn.
"Lock him in the lower cellar," Dominic ordered coldly. "And assemble the High Council at my estate by midnight tomorrow."
