Chapter 6 - The Glass Fortress
When Nathan returned to the estate, the atmosphere had completely changed.
Four black SUVs were parked in the driveway, and armed men patrolled the perimeter.
Inside, Rosa was feeding the twins in the living room while Lily drew pictures at the coffee table.
Lily looked up and smiled brightly when Nathan walked in.
"Uncle Nathan! Is Mommy okay?" she asked, dropping her crayons.
"She is sleeping right now, but she is going to be just fine," Nathan promised, scooping her up into a hug.
He carried her to the window, looking out at the vast expanse of snow-covered pine trees.
The glass walls that usually offered beautiful views now felt like a terrifying vulnerability.
"Mr. Pierce," a deep voice interrupted.
It was Vance, the lead security contractor, a massive man with scars across his face.
"We have secured all entrances, and the cameras are running on backup generators," Vance reported.
"Good. If Marcus Kane steps onto this property, you have permission to use lethal force," Nathan declared.
Vance nodded in understanding and walked back out to the security command center.
The day dragged on in a tense, suffocating silence.
Nathan tried to play games with Lily, trying to distract her from the trauma she had endured.
But every time a tree branch snapped under the weight of the snow, Nathan flinched.
As the sun began to set, casting long, dark shadows across the mountain, the power suddenly went out.
The entire mansion plunged into total darkness.
The backup generators failed to kick in.
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"Rosa, get the kids into the panic room," Nathan whispered in the dark, pulling a handgun from his desk drawer.
Marcus Kane had arrived.
