Chapter 13 - Blood in the Library
Adrian broke through the side terrace doors just as the second crash echoed from the main entrance of the house.
The cold wind whipped his hair across his forehead as he sprinted down the hallway, his weapon raised. Through the open library doorway, he saw two men in dark tactical gear moving methodically toward the hallway stairs, their suppressed weapons sweeping the perimeter.
“Hey!“ Adrian shouted, stepping into the doorway.
Both operatives whipped around, but Adrian was already moving. Two crisp, flat cracks split the air inside the book-lined room. The lead operative stumbled backward, his weapon clattering against the Persian rug as he collapsed against a bookshelf, sending a dozen leather-bound volumes tumbling to the floor.
The second man raised his rifle, aiming directly at Adrian’s chest.
Before he could pull the trigger, a heavy shotgun blast roared from the hallway behind Adrian. Vincent stepped around the doorframe, pumping the Remington with a brutal, mechanical efficiency as the second operative slumped sideways against the stone hearth.
Silence descended on the library, broken only by the crackle of the birch logs in the fireplace and the sound of heavy, ragged breathing.
Adrian lowered his pistol, his hand pressing flat against his chest. The adrenaline spike had triggered the arrhythmogenic flutter once more—a wild, irregular stutter behind his ribs that made his vision swim with bright, jagged spots of white light. He staggered half a step forward, grabbing the edge of the oak desk to keep from falling.
“Boss!“ Vincent dropped his shotgun, rushing forward to grab Adrian by the uninjured shoulder. “Damn it, Adrian, I told you to take the full dose of beta-blockers before you cleared the ridge.“
“I'm... fine,“ Adrian rasped, his teeth clenched as he fought off the wave of dizziness washing over him. He looked down at the floor, where the snow melting off their boots was mixing with a dark, spreading crimson stain near the bookshelf. “Check the perimeter. Are there any others?“
“Marcus and the boys cleared the lower trail five minutes ago,“ Vincent said, supporting Adrian’s weight as he guided him into the leather armchair by the desk. “The rest of Viktor’s crew is scattered or running back to their cars. It’s over, boss. They broke.“
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Adrian closed his eyes, leaning his head back against the leather cushion as the wild rhythm in his chest slowly began to normalize under the sheer force of his willpower.
“Go down to the cellar,“ Adrian whispered, opening his eyes to look at Vincent. “Tell Sarah and Lily it's safe to come up.“
