Chapter 8 - THE BATTLE FOR THE ESTATE
Bruno's roar shattered the darkness. The Neapolitan mastiff slammed directly into Vivien, throwing her hard against the stone wall. The weapon flew from her grip.
"Open fire!" Leo screamed.
Muzzle flashes illuminated the hallway. Seizing the opening, Adrien dropped low, firing three precise shots. Two of Leo's top mercenaries collapsed to the floor instantly.
Recognizing the tide turning, Leo didn't stay to fight. He turned and bolted toward the basement escape route, knowing a hidden tunnel led directly out toward the shore.
"Bruno! Protect Elena and Mia!" Adrien commanded before sprinting after Leo into the pitch-black lower levels.
In the corridor, the remaining mercenaries rushed forward. But Elena was no longer the defenseless woman she had been two years ago. Grabbing a heavy bronze floor lamp, she swung it with all her strength, striking a mercenary advancing on Mia. The man went down, and Bruno lunged, pinning the second gunman to the floor.
Meanwhile, in the cold, cavernous basement, Adrien cornered Leo.
The two men clashed in a brutal, hand-to-hand fight. The sound of striking fists and shattering concrete echoed off the walls. Leo was younger and fueled by desperate rage, but Adrien possessed decades of instincts forged in the world's most unforgiving battlegrounds.
Adrien dodged a knife strike from Leo, caught his arm, and twisted it sharply behind his back. A sickening crack reverberated through the corridor.
"Tell me," Adrien growled, pressing Leo's face into the cold concrete. "Where is Salvator?"
"He's... he's on his yacht off the coast..." Leo choked out through the blood in his mouth. "He has a remote detonator... If I don't check in within ten minutes, he triggers the explosives planted at the new foundation center!"
Adrien's heart slammed against his ribs. The newly constructed sanctuary—built for children and rescued animals—was rigged to explode.
Just then, heavy sirens and the thunder of tactical boots echoed from above. Nico had arrived with thirty heavily armed loyalists, surrounding the estate.
Adrien rendered Leo unconscious with a heavy strike, then sprinted back up the stairs.
In the hallway, Nico's team had already secured the remaining intruders. Vivien was pinned to the floor, sobbing hysterically. Elena was holding Mia tight, with Bruno standing guard right beside them, panting heavily but refusing to leave their side.
Adrien rushed over, pulling Elena and Mia into a fierce embrace.
"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice shaking.
"We're safe," Elena sobbed, burying her face against his chest. "But you..."
"Nico!" Adrien turned to his trusted lieutenant. "Salvator rigged the new foundation center with explosives. He's on a yacht off the coast. Evacuate the construction site immediately!"
"On it, Boss!" Nico shouted into his comms.
"What about you?" Elena gripped Adrien's arm, terror in her eyes. "What are you going to do?"
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Adrien looked at Mia, then at Elena. He pulled out the drawing Mia had given him earlier from his inner pocket and gently placed it back in the little girl's hand.
"I have to end this once and for all," Adrien said softly. "So no one can ever threaten our family again."
