Chapter 4 - Shadows of Treason
The peace of our new life shattered on a rainy Tuesday evening.
I was organizing files in the main study when the penthouse alarm began to blare.
Red emergency lights bathed the luxurious apartment in a sinister glow.
"Get to the panic room, now!" Victor shouted, bursting into the study with a drawn weapon.
My heart hammered against my ribs as I sprinted to the nursery.
I scooped a crying Maya out of her crib, wrapping her tightly in my arms.
Gunfire echoed from the private elevator lobby.
Victor's rivals, a brutal cartel from the south side, had bypassed the building's security.
Victor pushed me into a reinforced steel room hidden behind the library bookshelf.
"Do not open this door for anyone except me," he ordered, his eyes blazing with lethal intent.
"If I don't come back, the safe has enough cash and passports for you to disappear."
"Victor, please be careful," I pleaded, surprising myself with the genuine fear in my voice.
He paused, his expression softening for a fraction of a second.
Then, he locked the heavy steel door, plunging me into a terrifying, silent darkness.
I huddled in the corner with Maya, rocking her and praying to a God I hadn't spoken to in years.
May you like
The muffled sounds of combat vibrated through the floorboards.
I was terrified of the monsters outside, but I realized I was even more terrified of losing the monster who was protecting us.
