Chapter 2 - The Escape from the Estate"We can't go back through the ballroom," Norah instructed silently as they navigated the dusty maze of the servants' corridors. "Liam's men have secured every exit. The moment he realizes you didn't come upstairs, he's going to lock down the estate and start culling anyone loyal to you."
Declan kept his hand on her waist, steering her through a steep descent toward the old bootlegger cellar beneath the wine racks. "I have a safehouse in Bridgeport. Off the books. No one knows about it except me."
"Are you sure?" Norah asked, glancing back. "Because you thought Liam was your brother fifteen minutes ago."
The truth stung, but Declan didn't argue. "The Bridgeport house belongs to my mother’s estate. Liam never had the address."
They reached the low iron door leading to the rear courtyard. Outside, the December rain had turned to heavy, wet snow, blanketing the dark gardens in white.
Declan cracked the door open an inch. Two guards in Gallagher security uniforms stood near his backup vehicle, their hands resting on their sidearms.
"They aren't my men anymore," Declan muttered. "Liam swapped the perimeter guards before midnight."
"Take the left," Norah whispered, pulling a silenced compact pistol from a hidden holster strapped beneath her apron. "I've got the right."
"You're shooting my security team?" Declan raised an eyebrow.
"They're mercenaries, Declan. Keep up."
Before Declan could answer, Norah stepped out into the swirling snow. Two silent double-taps echoed softly against the brick walls. The guards collapsed into the snowbanks without making a sound.
Declan moved instantly, dragging the bodies into the shadow of the garage while Norah hotwired a non-descript delivery van parked in the loading bay.
As the engine purred to life, a sudden roar echoed from the third floor of the mansion. The glass windows of the study blew outward in a shower of orange fire and shattered frame—Liam had detonated the charge early, realizing Declan was gone.
Emergency sirens began wailing across the estate as guests rushed out of the grand entrance in mass panic.
Declan slid into the passenger seat, staring back at his burning mansion as Norah slammed the van into gear and tore out into the snow-slicked Chicago night.
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"Your life as you knew it just ended," Norah said, her eyes fixed on the rear-view mirror.
"No," Declan replied, his voice turning into ice as he loaded a fresh magazine into his weapon. "My war just started."
