Chapter 6: Whispers in the Night
Julian did not run. Cornered predators strike back.
At 2:00 AM, the penthouse security feed on the 14th floor flickered and died. A shadow moved silently through the service stairwell, bypassing the electronic keycards using an insider override code.
In his bedroom, Alex woke up thirsty. He slipped out of bed, holding his silver heart locket between his fingers.
As he padded down the dark hallway toward the kitchen, he saw a tall figure dressed in black tactical gear unscrewing the lock on the master bedroom door.
Alex didn't scream. Years of surviving the ruthless streets of New York had taught him how to be silent. Instead of running back to his room, he reached into the corridor umbrella stand, grabbed a heavy brass-handled cane, and shoved a marble bust off its pedestal.
The crash reverberated like a gunshot.
"Intruder!" Arthur Cross’s voice roared from the security quarters.
The mercenary spun around, lunging toward Alex. But Eleanor was faster. She burst from her room, tackling the boy behind her, shielding him with her own body just as Cross fired two non-lethal rounds, bringing the intruder down.
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Sirens echoed across Manhattan within minutes.
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