Chapter 8 - The Siege of Hollow Creek DriveThe calm shattered instantly.
On the master console display, three blacked-out SUVs tore through the front gates of the Mercer estate, smashing the ornamental ironwork into twisted wreckage. Armed men poured out of the vehicles, raising automatic weapons as they fanned out across the lawn.
“They brought an army,” Adrian stated coldly, his hand instantly dropping to his holster, drawing his SIG Sauer with practiced smoothness.
“They brought targets,” Claire corrected.
She didn't panic. She didn't hesitate. She turned to the kitchen intercom panel, flicking the master switch.
“Ethan, Noah,” she spoke into the mic, her voice calm, clear, and reassuring. “We’re playing a game of hide-and-seek. Go to the second-floor panic room right now. Lock the steel door from the inside and do not open it until Mr. Mercer or I give you the code word. Ready? Go.”
Seconds later, the faint patter of little feet echoed up the stairs.
Adrian watched her efficiency with a mixture of awe and fierce adrenaline.
“They’re breaching the front doors,” Adrian said, staring at the camera feed as heavy iron battering rams slammed against the reinforced mahogany entrance.
“Let them break the glass,” Claire said, grabbing a tactical tactical vest from the mudroom closet and strapping it over her hoodie with swift, lethal efficiency. “They think they’re walking into a rich man’s mansion. We’re going to teach them what a kill-box looks like.”
The front doors exploded inward in a shower of splinters and glass.
Shouts echoed through the grand foyer as Héctor’s men poured into the house, guns raised, ready to slaughter everything in sight.
Adrian raised his pistol, stepping into the hallway.
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“Stay behind me,” Adrian snarled.
“Bad tactical positioning, Mr. Mercer,” Claire retorted, already moving past him with fluid, predatory grace. “Follow my lead.”
