“Sofia says the main gate has been breached,” Marcus said, his voice trembling. “They bypassed the security cameras.”

At that exact moment, the lights in the study flickered.

The golden glow of the lamps died, plunged into absolute darkness.

Outside, a bright flash of lightning illuminated the rain-slicked windows.

A second later, the deep rumble of thunder shook the entire house.

Then, from the hallway outside, came the muffled sound of a single, echoing gunshot.

I pressed my back against the cold oak paneling of the wall, my breath catching in my throat.

The darkness in the study was absolute, smelling of old leather, paper, and the sharp scent of ozone from the storm outside.

Beside me, I could hear the heavy, rattling breath of Alexander Romano.

“Marcus,” Alexander whispered, his voice a low growl that ended in a wet cough. “Where is my gun?”

“In the desk, sir,” Marcus answered, his voice coming from the shadows near the window. “I am reaching for it now.”

A floorboard creaked in the hallway.

I reached out in the dark, my fingers brushing against the cold velvet of Alexander’s armchair until they found his damp hand.