Chapter 9 - BLOOD AND BETRAYAL
I pushed open the heavy front doors, stepping through the haze of smoke and tear gas that filled the grand foyer.
Augusto met me at the base of the staircase, his tactical vest dusted with drywall debris.
"Status!" I barked, holstering my gun.
"Perimeter is secure, boss. Two captured alive, two neutralized," Augusto reported quickly. "The guards outside the master wing held firm. Ms. Hayes and the baby are completely unharmed."
A massive wave of relief washed over me, instantly replaced by a cold, murderous fury.
"Where is Elena?" I demanded.
Augusto gestured toward the service corridor. "We detained her in the kitchen. She tried to delete her phone logs when the shooting started."
I marched down the hallway toward the kitchen, my boots echoing sharply on the tile floor. Elena was sitting at the stainless-steel prep table, handcuffed, surrounded by two security guards, weeping hysterically.
When she saw me walk in, she fell out of her chair onto her knees, grabbing at my trouser legs.
"Mr. Rossi! Please! I didn't know they were going to shoot up the house!" she sobbed. "Victor told me they just wanted to talk to the girl! He said they wanted to scare her into leaving!"
"You betrayed this household, Elena," I said, my voice dead, flat, and chillingly quiet. "You put my son in the crossfire of mercenaries just to satisfy my cousin's petty revenge."
"I’m sorry! I’m sorry!" she wailed.
"Augusto," I said, turning away without looking back. "Pack her bags. Send her to the container yard in Queens to keep Marcus company. Let her spend her golden years reflecting on her loyalty to Victor."
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"Right away, boss."
Leaving the kitchen behind, I took the grand staircase two steps at a time, heading straight for the master wing. The most important objective of the day was waiting behind that heavy oak door.
