Chapter 11 - The Sabotage
Julian slammed the phone down. “Victor just bypassed the building’s security protocols. His private security team is heading up the freight elevator to this floor.”
Elena’s heart slammed against her ribs. “How? You said this floor was secure!”
“He’s the COO. He has master override codes for emergencies,” Julian growled, pulling open the bottom drawer of his desk and retrieving a sleek, black 9mm pistol. He checked the magazine with terrifying familiarity. “He knows we’re looking into the ledgers. He’s coming to silence you before we can hand the proof to the feds.”
“Maya!” Elena gasped, sprinting out of the study and down the long hallway toward the guest bedrooms.
She burst into Maya’s room. The little girl was sound asleep, curled around Barnaby in the center of the massive bed. Elena scooped her up, blankets and all, pressing her hand gently over Maya’s mouth as the child stirred.
“Shh, baby. We’re playing ninja again,” Elena whispered, tears of absolute terror pricking her eyes.
Julian met them in the hallway. “The elevator is compromised. We have to take the private emergency stairwell to the helipad on the roof. My pilot is already spinning up the chopper.”
They hurried toward the reinforced steel door at the end of the corridor. Just as Julian placed his hand on the biometric scanner to unlock it, the main elevator at the far end of the penthouse pinged.
The heavy doors slid open, revealing Victor Vance and three heavily armed men in tactical gear.
“Going somewhere, Julian?” Victor called out, stepping onto the plush carpet with a chilling smile. He drew a suppressed handgun from his jacket. “I’m afraid all outgoing flights have been canceled.”
Julian shoved Elena and Maya behind him, shielding their bodies entirely with his own mass. He raised his weapon, pointing it squarely at Victor’s chest.
May you like
“You take one more step into my home, Victor, and I will put a bullet through your heart,” Julian roared, the absolute, deadly authority of a billionaire tycoon echoing through the penthouse.
Victor laughed, a dry, hollow sound. “You always were dramatic. Shoot me, and my men will riddle your new girlfriend and the bastard child with bullets. Drop the gun, Julian. Let’s handle this like businessmen.”
