Chapter 4 - The Siege Begins
"Code Red," Julian muttered into his comms link, drawing his concealed pistol from his shoulder holster. "All guards, lockdown the perimeter. We have intruders."
The estate transformed in seconds. Heavy steel shutters slammed down over the ground-floor windows, plunging the manor into a dim, amber emergency glow. Upstairs, Marisol heard the heavy thud of the security shutters dropping. She didn't panic. Her training kicked in immediately.
She rounded up Leo, Toby, and Sammy, gathering them in the master walk-in closet—a reinforced panic room hidden behind a sliding mirror panel.
"Marisol, are we going to die?" little Sammy whimpered, clutching her skirt.
"No, sweetie," Marisol said, her voice steady and soothing, though her heart was pounding. "We are going to play a game of absolute silence. Just like we practiced. Look at me—no matter what you hear outside, you stay right here with me."
Outside in the grand hallway, Julian crouched behind a marble pillar, his gun raised. The heavy front doors splintered inward with a deafening crash. Glass shattered as masked men poured into the foyer, automatic weapons raised.
"Julian Mercer!" a raspy voice shouted through the dust and smoke. "Time to settle old debts! Come out and watch your legacy burn!"
Julian stepped out from behind the pillar, firing two precise shots that dropped the lead attacker instantly. "You picked the wrong house, bastards!"
Gunfire erupted, echoing through the high-ceilinged halls. Wood splinters flew from antique furniture, and the smell of gunpowder filled the air. Julian fought with ruthless efficiency, a cold fury driving every movement. He was taking down men left and right, but he could hear more footsteps rushing up the grand staircase toward the upper levels—heading straight for his children’s rooms.
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"Damn it!" Julian cursed, sprinting past the crossfire to cut them off.
Upstairs, two armed intruders kicked open the door to the boys' bedroom. Finding it empty, they cursed loudly, turning their attention toward the master bedroom suite where Julian and Marisol were.
