Chapter 14

The firefight was over in less than twenty minutes. The Chicago strike team was completely annihilated, leaving dozens of bodies scattered across the pristine, snow-covered estate. Alexander walked back through the heavy front doors, the cold winter air clinging to his unbuttoned shirt.

The bright, cinematic lighting of the foyer flickered back on as the tactical red strobes deactivated. Alexander handed his rifle to a waiting guard. He looked flawless, completely unbothered by the slaughter he had just orchestrated, save for a few drops of blood staining his crisp white cuff.

“The perimeter is secure, Boss,” Marcus reported, stepping into the foyer, his face grim. “Cleanup crews are moving the bodies to the incinerators. We suffered zero casualties.”

“We suffered a breach,” Alexander corrected smoothly, his cold eyes locking onto his security chief. “They knew the exact timing of the patrol shifts. They bypassed the thermal cameras on the east wall. Find the rat, Marcus. Tear the staff quarters apart. No one sleeps until I have a name.”

“Yes, Boss.”

Alexander didn’t wait to oversee the interrogation. He walked purposefully toward the grand staircase, his heavy footsteps echoing on the marble. He bypassed his study and headed straight for the second floor, his sole focus returning to the woman and child hidden in the dark.

He reached the nursery and pressed his thumb to the biometric scanner. The heavy steel door hissed open.

Anna was sitting on the sofa, holding a sleeping Emily tightly against her chest. When the door opened, she looked up, her beautiful, heart-shaped face pale with anxiety. When she saw Alexander standing in the doorway, unharmed and towering, a profound wave of relief washed over her features.

“It’s over,” Alexander murmured softly, stepping into the small panic room.

>>Chapter 15