Chapter 24

Before the mercenaries could establish their positions, the temperature in the immediate vicinity plummeted to absolute zero. After Emily finished her routine, Anna calmly walked her daughter toward the stables, fully aware of the orchestrated trap. As soon as the heavy wooden doors clicked shut, the illusion of vulnerability vanished entirely.

Marcus and Ethan, Alexander’s most lethal capos, stepped out from behind the heavy hay bales, their suppressed automatic weapons raised and aimed directly at the rogue mercenaries.

“Drop your weapons,” Marcus commanded, his American accent crisp and absolute.

The guards hesitated for a fraction of a second. Alexander stepped seamlessly out of the shadows, materializing directly behind the lead mercenary. He moved with explosive, blinding speed. He closed the distance, grabbed the heavy tactical vest of the intruder, and hurled the massive man violently against a solid brick column. The mercenary crashed, shattering his collarbone. The remaining hostiles instantly surrendered, dropping their handguns onto the straw-covered floor.

Alexander stood over the groaning mercenary, his tailored suit completely unhindered by the exertion. “Did you truly believe you could walk into my domain and use my daughter to leverage my throne?” Alexander whispered, his voice a vibrating hum of absolute danger. “Did Victor Hayes send you to die for his cowardice?” The mercenary gasped for air, his arrogant facade entirely shattered by the terrifying reality of the Mafia boss.

>>Chapter 25