Chapter 7: The Breach
The red strobe light cast harsh, rhythmic shadows across the penthouse. Clara froze, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird.
Marcus was already moving, his hands flying across a hidden touch panel on the wall. A grid of security feeds materialized on a large screen. "Lobby doors forced. One hostile, armed. He's bypassing the front desk and heading for the service elevators."
Elias didn’t flinch. He walked to a sleek console table, pressed a hidden latch, and drew a suppressed matte-black handgun from the concealed drawer. He checked the chamber with a fluid, practiced motion.
"Is it just one?" Elias asked, his voice deadpan.
"Looks like a scout," Marcus confirmed. "He's trying to tap into the building's manifest to see who owns the penthouse. If he gets that data, he’ll broadcast it to Sullivan's main crew."
"Not happening," Marcus added, pulling a radio from his belt. "Delta team, you have a rat in the service elevator. Neutralize silently. No police."
Clara watched in stunned silence as the feed showed the armed man stepping into an elevator car. The doors closed. Ten seconds later, the elevator stopped between floors. The lights in the car flickered and died on the security feed. When they flickered back on a moment later, the man was unconscious on the floor, two heavily armored men standing over him.
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"Threat neutralized," Marcus reported. "But they found the building, Elias. It's only a matter of time before they send a strike team."
Elias slid the weapon into a holster at his waist. He turned to Clara, his expression softening just a fraction. "Pack the clothes Mrs. Gable gave you. We are leaving."
