Chapter 12 - Betrayal from Within the Syndicate
While Gabriel and Tessa were at the ancestral estate, a viper struck from within Costa Enterprises.
Underboss Vance, Gabriel’s second-in-command in logistics, had secretly sold his loyalty to Victor Moretti.
Vance had discovered Tessa’s real identity through hotel archival records and leaked her location to Moretti’s strike team.
As Gabriel and Tessa prepared to return to the city, the manor’s perimeter alarms blared.
Red strobe lights bathed the courtyard in blood-red hues.
Gunfire erupted at the outer iron gates.
“Don Gabriel!” Marco shouted, bursting into the study with an assault rifle. “It’s Moretti! They’ve breached the southern perimeter! Vance disabled the surveillance grid!”
Gabriel’s expression turned into pure ice.
He drew a custom black semi-automatic pistol from his shoulder holster.
“Take Tessa to the panic bunker,” Gabriel ordered Marco.
“No!” Tessa cried, grabbing Gabriel’s arm. “Do not leave me!”
“I will eliminate them and return for you, mio tesoro,” Gabriel promised, kissing her forehead fiercely. “Trust me.”
Before Tessa could reach the bunker corridor, an explosive blast blew through the side ballroom windows.
Thick smoke filled the hallway.
May you like
Mercenaries in tactical gear swarmed through the breach.
In the chaotic crossfire, a mercenary struck Marco from behind with a stun baton and grabbed Tessa, dragging her kicking and screaming into an idling armored transport.
