“I’m going out.”
I don’t wait for his response. I’m already moving, exiting through the side entrance that puts me in position to intercept the attackers before they reach the house.
The morning air is cold and smells like gunpowder. My breath comes out in white clouds as I move low and fast across the grounds, using the landscaping for cover.
I spot the first attacker twenty yards ahead, advancing on the house with his weapon raised.
I don’t hesitate. Two shots on the head and he drops.
The second attacker spins toward the sound but I’m already moving, changing position. He fires where I was, bullets tearing through expensive shrubbery, but I’m coming at him from the side now.
One shot to the forehead and he goes down hard like a sack of beans.
The third is smarter. He’s already taking cover behind the fountain, laying down suppressive fire that keeps me pinned behind a stone planter.
We’re at a stalemate. He can’t advance without exposing himself, and I can’t flank him without crossing open ground.
Then Marco’s voice crackles over the radio. “Boss, we’ve got a problem. One of them got close enough to plant something on the east wall of the main house.”
A bomb.
Ice floods through my veins. Scarlett and Luca are in that house.
“Disarm it. Now.”
“On it.”
I need to end this. Hell, I need to get back inside and make sure my family is safe.
I rise up and fire three quick shots at the fountain, forcing the attacker to duck. Then I’m sprinting across the open ground, closing the distance before he can recover.
He pops up to return fire, but I’m already on him. I slam into him full force, knocking his weapon aside, and we go down together in a tangle of limbs.
He’s good. Trained. He gets his hands on my gun and we struggle for control, rolling across the wet grass.
But I’m better, and I’m fighting to protect my son and his mother.
I get my hand around his throat and squeeze. He tries to break the hold, but I’m stronger and I’ve got leverage. His eyes go wide as his air cuts off.
I watch the light fade from his eyes as he dies and his body goes limp beneath me. Then I’m up and running for the house.
Marco’s already there when I arrive, crouched beside a small device attached to the exterior wall. His hands are steady as he works, but I can see the sweat on his forehead despite the cold.
“How long?”
“Ninety seconds. Maybe less.”
“Can you disarm it?”
“Working on it.”
I stand guard while he works, my gun trained on the grounds in case there are more attackers we missed. The estate is eerily quiet now except for the sound of Marco’s tools and my own heartbeat pounding in my ears.
Sixty seconds.
“Marco.”
“I know. Just need to…there.”
