Chapter 5 - Shattered Glass
The concussive force of the entry threw Gabriel backward onto the carpet. Clara reacted instinctively, lunging forward and grabbing the heavy bronze desk lamp. Before the intruder could align his sights on Gabriel, she swung the lamp with all her strength, smashing it against the man's tactical helmet.
The blow threw the gunman off balance, his assault rifle discharging into the ceiling, raining plaster and sparks down upon them.
""Clara, down!"" Gabriel roared, recovering instantly. He swept the gunman’s legs with a brutal kick. The man crashed onto the shattered shards of glass covering the floor. Gabriel pounced on him, pinning his weapon arm, delivering two swift, punishing blows to the intruder's jaw. The man went limp.
Panting heavily, Gabriel stripped the rifle away and kicked it under the desk. He stood up, bleeding from a superficial cut along his cheekbone, his white dress shirt torn and smeared with soot and glass dust. He looked down at Clara, who was kneeling on the floor, breathing hard, her maid's apron torn and hands scraped.
""Where did you learn to swing like that?"" he asked, genuine astonishment cutting through the adrenaline.
""Self-defense classes in college,"" she said between ragged breaths, wiping a speck of dust from her cheek. ""I told you I wasn't helpless.""
Gabriel offered her his hand. Clara looked at it for a second before placing her small palm into his. He pulled her up with effortless power, but didn't immediately let go. His thumb brushed against her wrist, feeling the rapid, fierce pulse beneath her skin. For a moment, amidst the shattered glass, howling wind, and wailing sirens, the distance between master and servant vanished entirely.
""Thank you,"" he murmured, his gaze softening into something dangerously raw.
Suddenly, the intercom on the desk crackled to life with static, followed by a wet, choking cough.
""Gabriel..."" Julian's voice came through, weak and labored. ""They didn't... they didn't come for you. It was a diversion. The server... Marcus has the location data... for Mia.""
Gabriel grabbed the radio mic. ""Julian! Where are you? Stay where you are!""
""Basement... parking garage..."" Julian gasped. ""They have her, Gabriel. They're taking her to the docks tonight.""
The radio went dead. Gabriel dropped the mic, his eyes burning with a desperate fury. He turned toward the private safe behind the painting, punching in a sequence. The heavy door swung open, revealing spare ammunition, cash, and car keys.
May you like
""Stay here,"" Gabriel told Clara, grabbing an overcoat and racking the slide of his sidearm. ""The police will be here in ten minutes.""
""They'll be too late,"" Clara said firmly, blocking the study door. ""And you don't know which dock, do you? But I do.""
