Chapter 13 - Blood on the Hearth
The heavy iron ring of the trapdoor rattled as Viktor pulled on it from above. The lock strained under the force. Elena shrank back into the corner of the cellar, picking up a rusty iron pry bar off a shelf, holding it like a club, ready to fight to the death for the infant in her arms.
BANG!
A gun fired upstairs, followed by the sound of shattering glass and a wet, gurgling gasp.
A body hit the kitchen floor right above Elena with a thunderous crash. The heavy footsteps of a violent struggle erupted—fists smashing into wood, furniture splintering, and men roaring in primal fury.
Julian had re-entered the cabin.
The fight was brutal and short. Julian fought like a man possessed, fueled by the terrifying thought of his child and Elena being harmed. He disarmed Viktor with bare hands, slamming the massive enforcer against the stone fireplace.
"Where is Marcus?" Julian demanded, his voice a monstrous growl as he pinned Viktor by the throat.
"He's... he's at the docks..." Viktor choked out, blood leaking from his mouth. "Setting up... the shipment..."
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Julian didn't give him a chance to finish. With a brutal twist, the fight was over.
Silence fell over the cabin once more. Only the crackling of the dying fire and the heavy, ragged breathing of Julian Rossi remained.
