Chapter 5 - THE SIEGE AT THE GATESLorenzo’s expression hardened instantly. The relaxed warmth of the morning vanished, replaced by the lethal, calculating focus of a syndicate boss ready for war.
"Speak," Lorenzo commanded.
"Moretti didn't wait," Marco reported, rushing over to the desk. "Three black SUVs just rammed the outer security checkpoint at the east gate. They bypassed the biometric scanners using an override code we haven't seen in five years. There are at least twelve armed men in tactical gear deploying across the lower gardens."
Clara gasped, dropping a silver spoon onto the tray with a sharp clatter. She immediately rushed over to the side table, scooping Lily up into her arms, pressing the child's face against her shoulder.
"Mommy, what's happening?" Lily whimpered, hugging her one-eyed rabbit tighter.
"Nothing, sweet girl, Mommy's right here," Clara whispered, though her own face was entirely drained of color.
Lorenzo turned toward the heavy mahogany gun cabinet behind his desk, punching a digital passcode into the steel keypad. The glass doors clicked open, revealing an array of tactical shotguns, assault rifles, and customized sidearms.
"Marco," Lorenzo said, pulling a heavy Sig Sauer P226 from the rack and checking the magazine with practiced efficiency. "Activate the interior lockdown protocols. Seal the reinforced shutters on the ground floor. Have the reserve detail take positions along the second-floor gallery."
"Already done, boss," Marco replied, drawing his own weapon. "They're moving fast. They brought thermal breaching charges. They're heading straight for the main residence entrance."
"They want to make a statement," Lorenzo said coldly. He slid the sidearm into his shoulder holster, adjusted his jacket, and turned to look at Clara and Lily.
"You are staying right here in this study," Lorenzo instructed, his tone absolute. "The walls of this room are reinforced with two inches of ballistic steel, and the emergency panic tunnel behind the bookcase leads directly to the subterranean vehicle bay. If anything breaches the main hall, Marco will escort you to the armored transport."
"And you?" Clara asked, her voice shaking as she clutched Lily tightly. "Where are you going?"
"I am going to remind Don Moretti why his father taught him never to step foot on Duca land," Lorenzo replied calmly.
Before Clara could argue, a deafening BOOM shook the foundation of the mansion. The concussive blast echoed from the front foyer—the heavy oak main doors had just been blown off their hinges.
Shouts, the clatter of combat boots, and the sharp crack of automatic gunfire echoed up the grand staircase. The war had arrived inside the house.
"Go to the tunnel. Now," Lorenzo commanded.
May you like
He didn't wait for a response. He spun on his heel and strode out of the study into the grand hallway, drawing his weapon as the acrid smell of smoke drifted up from the floor below.
Pino the Doberman didn't follow Clara into the panic room. Instead, with a low, terrifying snarl, the 125-pound beast trotted out into the hallway, falling into stride right beside Lorenzo’s left boot—exactly where he belonged.
