Chapter 18 - Mother's Iron WillThe moment Julian mentioned my sons, something primitive and terrifying awoke inside me.
"They aren't on this floor," I lied smoothly, keeping my voice utterly steady. "They’re in the subterranean safe room with the security detail. The moment the power flickered, the iron doors locked automatically from the inside. You can't reach them."
Julian hesitated, his eyes darting around the high-ceilinged archive. "You're lying."
"Try the elevator," I challenged, stepping closer to his gun, drawing every ounce of his attention toward me. "See if it moves. The only way into that safe room is through the master terminal in Gabriel's study."
Julian glared at me, his jaw clenching. "Then you're going to take me to his study and unlock it."
"Of course," I said softly.
I turned and walked toward the connecting door that led to Gabriel’s private study, keeping my hands visible. Julian and his two gunmen followed close behind, entirely focused on me.
They didn't know the house layout. They didn't know that the master study possessed a panic trigger beneath the heavy oak desk—a silent beacon that signaled a direct breach to Gabriel’s personal encrypted satellite phone.
As I reached the desk, I pretended to stumble, reaching out to catch myself against the wood. My fingers slammed against the hidden red button beneath the ledge.
"Get up!" Julian yelled, grabbing my arm and pulling me back. "Where is the override console?!"
Before I could answer, the heavy double doors of the study exploded inward with a deafening crash.
A flashbang grenade detonated in the center of the room, blinding light and concussive sound filling the air. Before Julian’s gunmen could even raise their weapons, Marco and four Cross security operatives breached the room, firing with surgical precision.
The two gunmen dropped instantly.
Julian Vale spun around in terror, aiming his gun at the doorway—only to have it ripped from his grip as a shadow moved through the smoke.
Gabriel stood over him.
He didn't look like a businessman. He looked like an avenging god of death. With a roar of pure, primal fury, Gabriel threw Julian across the room, slamming him through a glass display case before pinning him to the floor with a knee to his chest, his gun pressed against Julian's temple.
"Gabriel, no!" I shouted, rushing forward through the clearing smoke.
Gabriel’s finger tensed on the trigger, his gray-green eyes dark with an unholy rage. He was seconds away from painting his study floor with Julian Vale’s brains.
"Gabriel! Look at me!" I commanded, placing my hands on his face, forcing his eyes to meet mine. "I'm safe! The boys are safe! Don't do this in front of our home!"
Gabriel’s chest heaved in ragged, violent gasps. He looked at me, his breathing gradually slowing as my touch registered in his mind. The terrifying darkness in his eyes softened, replaced once again by the man who loved me.
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Slowly, agonizingly, Gabriel pulled his gun back.
"Marco," Gabriel growled, his voice a low, terrifying rasp. "Take him to the federal prosecutor. Tell them Senator Vale’s brother just attempted a domestic terrorist attack. Make sure he never sees the sun again."
