Page 83 of The Hunter's Empire

"The loop is still active."

Another blast of the alarm echoes through the manor. The shrill sound seems endless. Relentless.

"We still have two minutes."

My confusion must show on my face because Nico continues immediately.

"If security found us through the cameras, the timing wouldn't match."

The realization slowly sinks in. This alarm isn't because of us. Which means something else is happening. Something bad.

Roisin looks between us before taking a slow breath. When she finally speaks, her voice is steadier than before.

"I'm helping you."

For a second I think I misheard her. "What?"

"I'm helping you leave."

"Roisin…"

She immediately cuts me off. "Don't thank me."

Her eyes remain locked on mine. "I'm not helping because I trust either of you. I'm certainly not helping because I approve of whatever you've been doing in my grandfather's room."

The words sting because I know I deserve them.

"I'm helping because when I needed someone, you were the only person who stood beside me."

A lump forms in my throat. "Roisin..."

"When I told you about Conall, you believed me. When everyone else dismissed me, you listened." Her voice wavers slightly. "But after tonight, we're even."

The words land heavily between us.

Before I can respond, another sound cuts through the estate. A gunshot. The crack echoes somewhere below us.

A second gunshot follows shortly after.

Then three more. Then a rapid burst. The atmosphere inside the room changes instantly.

The confrontation. The betrayal. The explanations. None of it matters anymore. Because whatever is happening downstairs has suddenly become far more dangerous than us.

Nico moves first. "Everybody move."

The command snaps all of us back into action.

Within seconds we're gathering documents from the floor. Nico quickly sorts through the files, selecting only the most valuable material before sliding them into the hidden pockets sewn inside his tuxedo jacket.

The locker is secured again. The hidden compartment disappears behind the coats as though it was never opened in the first place. Then we leave Fergus's room.

The moment we step into the corridor, it becomes obvious that something has gone terribly wrong. People are running. Staff members are shouting. The alarm continues screaming through the estate.

Another burst of gunfire erupts somewhere below us. This time much closer.

Roisin goes pale. "What the hell is happening?"

Nobody answers because nobody knows.