Chapter 9 - The Crimson Cellar
The command cut through the underground dampness like a guillotine blade.
Titan didn't hesitate. One hundred and twenty pounds of pure predator launched across the twelve-foot gap, moving with blinding, terrifying speed. Julian panicked, swinging his weapon away from Christian and firing wildly. The round shattered a shelf of antique Bordeaux, raining crimson liquid and glass shards onto the floor like a burst of fresh arterial spray.
The dog hit Julian's chest with the force of a battering ram. The gun flew from Julian's hand, skidding into the dark corridor, and the mercenary went down hard against the stone flagging, the wind knocked out of his lungs in a violent gasp.
Titan’s jaws clamped around Julian's forearm, the heavy canvas of his tactical jacket tearing instantly under the crushing hydraulic force of the dog’s bite. Julian screamed, thrashing on the wet floor, his fingers desperately clawing at the dog’s eyes.
""Titan, out! OUT!"" Clara yelled, rushing forward.
The Cane Corso released instantly, backing away two paces, his teeth bared, saliva mixed with crimson liquid dripping from his chin, waiting for the slightest movement to strike again.
Julian lay on his back, clutching his mangled arm to his chest, whimpering in agony against the shattered glass and spilled wine. His face was gray, the bravado completely shattered.
Christian walked over, kicking Julian's sidearm beneath a massive barrel, before standing over the fallen mercenary. He pulled a zip-tie from his own tactical pocket and knelt down, binding Julian’s wrists together with brutal efficiency.
""You're pathetic, Julian,"" Christian said coldly. ""You traded your family for a leash, and you couldn't even keep hold of that.""
""Christian..."" Clara said softly, her breath trembling as she looked at her bleeding brother. Despite everything, the sight of her flesh and blood broken on the floor tore through her defenses.
Christian stood up, looking at her with an unreadable expression. ""We don't have time for tears, Clara. The gunfire will bring the sweep team down here in ninety seconds. Do we leave him to them, or do we drag him with us?""
Clara looked at Julian, who was staring up at her with hollow, terrified eyes, begging without speaking a word.
""We take him,"" Clara said firmly. ""He knows the dock codes. And if he dies, I never get the rest of my father’s ledger.""
May you like
Christian stared at her for a long second, a dangerous spark of admiration flickering behind his cold gray eyes. ""Ruthless. Maybe my father made the right choice after all.""
Before Clara could reply, the heavy iron door at the top of the stairs blew inward with a deafening crash of plastic explosives.
