Chapter 7: Behind the Mask
789 Words
Gunfire echoed through the Volkov Estate.
The deafening cracks shattered every ounce of silence that had once filled the mansion.
Lia's heart slammed against her ribs as another shot rang out somewhere down the corridor.
The guards moved with military precision, shouting orders as they rushed past the dining room.
"Secure the east wing!"
"Protect the boss!"
"Find the intruders!"
Everything happened at once.
Lia stood frozen.
This wasn't a nightmare anymore.
This was war.
Adrian stepped in front of her instinctively, shielding her body with his own.
"Stay behind me," he ordered.
"I'm not a child," Lia protested.
"No."
His voice remained calm despite the chaos.
"You're my responsibility."
Before she could argue, another explosion shook the mansion.
The crystal chandelier above them trembled violently.
Dust drifted from the ceiling.
Viktor c****d his pistol.
"They've breached the outer hall."
Adrian's expression darkened.
"How many?"
"At least twelve."
"Twelve men don't attack this estate unless they're expecting to die."
"They came prepared."
Adrian nodded once.
"So did we."
He reached into the inside pocket of his suit and pulled out a sleek black handgun.
Lia stared.
She had seen him kill before.
But watching him calmly prepare for another fight made her stomach twist.
He checked the magazine with practiced ease before slipping the weapon back into his hand.
"You've done this before," she whispered.
He looked at her briefly.
"More times than I can count."
A loud scream echoed from upstairs.
Lia flinched.
Maria.
Without thinking, Lia darted toward the hallway.
"Lia!"
Adrian caught her wrist before she could disappear around the corner.
"What are you doing?"
"Maria's up there!"
His grip tightened.
"It's too dangerous."
"I can't just leave her!"
For a moment, they simply stared at one another.
Then Adrian sighed.
"Viktor."
"I'm on it."
Viktor disappeared upstairs with several guards.
Adrian turned back to Lia.
"You don't run toward gunfire."
"I couldn't just stand here."
"I know."
His answer surprised her.
"I would've done the same once."
She frowned.
"What changed?"
His eyes grew distant.
"I learned that emotions get people killed."
Before Lia could ask what he meant, Viktor's voice echoed over the radio.
"Maria's safe."
Relief flooded Lia's chest.
"Good," Adrian replied.
"Three intruders neutralized."
"What about the others?"
"They're heading toward the west wing."
Adrian's jaw tightened.
"They're searching for something."
Lia looked at him.
"You still think it's me?"
"I know it is."
Her stomach dropped.
"How?"
"Because no one else in this house matters to them."
His words sent a chill down her spine.
She wasn't just caught in Adrian's war anymore.
She was becoming part of it.
The mansion gradually fell quiet.
One by one, the gunshots stopped.
The shouting faded.
Only the distant sound of footsteps remained.
An hour later, Adrian led Lia into his office.
"Sit."
She remained standing.
"I'm fine."
"That wasn't a suggestion."
She rolled her eyes but sat anyway.
A doctor entered moments later carrying a medical bag.
"I'm perfectly healthy."
The older man smiled kindly.
"Humor me."
Lia sighed dramatically.
After checking her pulse and examining a small cut on her hand that she hadn't even noticed, he nodded.
"Nothing serious."
He cleaned the wound before wrapping a small bandage around it.
"There."
As the doctor left, Adrian glanced at her hand.
"You were bleeding."
"It's just a scratch."
"You didn't notice."
"There were people shooting at us."
"Exactly."
She looked down at the bandage.
"You notice everything, don't you?"
"I have to."
Silence settled between them.
Lia finally spoke.
"Why do you care so much?"
Adrian didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he walked toward the window overlooking the estate.
The flashing security lights illuminated the grounds below.
"I've spent years protecting this family."
She waited.
"I've buried people I couldn't save."
His voice was quieter now.
"I don't intend to bury another."
Lia frowned.
"I'm not your family."
"No."
He looked back at her.
"But you're under my protection."
She searched his face.
For once...
He wasn't hiding behind arrogance.
He sounded tired.
Almost haunted.
Another knock interrupted them.
Viktor entered.
"We searched every body."
"And?"
"We found this."
He placed a folded piece of paper on the desk.
Adrian unfolded it.
His expression changed instantly.
Lia stepped closer.
"What is it?"
He handed her the note.
Written across the page in dark ink were only six words.
We're coming for what's ours.
No signature.
No explanation.
Just a symbol.
The same silver crest engraved on the coin from earlier.
Lia looked up slowly.
"What does it mean?"
Adrian folded the note carefully.
"It means..."
His eyes hardened.
"...they know you're here."
A cold knot formed in Lia's stomach.
She had hoped the attack was over.
Instead...
It had only been the beginning.
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