“Grab her by her hair if you have to,” Marcus snarled. “We have five minutes before the backup transport arrives.”

Suddenly, a massive explosion shook the entire foundation of the estate.

The glass in my bedroom window shattered inward, raining sharp shards across the carpet.

Downstairs, the heavy oak front doors groaned and splintered under a violent force.

The rapid, muffled pop of suppressed automatic gunfire echoed through the foyer.

It was followed by the heavy, unmistakable boom of a tactical shotgun breaching the lower security locks.

“They’re inside!” a voice screamed from the hallway downstairs, followed by a wet groan and a heavy fall.

Thomas drew his sidearm, pointing it toward the dark staircase outside my room.

“Marcus, get behind me,” Thomas ordered, his flashlight beam shaking against the far wall.

Another burst of gunfire erupted, much closer this time, tearing through the drywall of the upstairs corridor.

Plaster dust puffed into the air, illuminated by the stray beams of light.

Marcus backed into my room, his hand reaching into his suit jacket for his own weapon.