Page 83 of Mafia Kingdom

His expression hardens at this, something dangerous flashing in his eyes. "Michael's coming to my office? Now?"

I nod, watching as he checks his gun with practiced efficiency. "What does it mean? Are they moving against you before you can strike at the O'Reillys?"

"Possibly," Marco says, his mind clearly racing through implications and countermoves. "Or they're changing the location of the meeting, adapting their plans." He pulls me close, his expression intensifying. "Stay here. Lock the door. Don't open it for anyone but Tony or me. Understand?"

I nod, though fear claws at my throat. "Marco, if Gerald and Michael are both working against you—"

"I'll handle it," he assures me, his confidence unwavering despite the danger. "Just keep yourself safe until I return."

He kisses me quickly, then slips from the room, moving with silent purpose toward a confrontation I can only imagine. I lock the door behind him as instructed, then press my ear against the wood, straining to hear any sign of what might be happening.

Minutes crawl by with excruciating slowness. I consider waking Lily and Karen, preparing them for a potential evacuation, but hesitate—alarming them now might create more problems than it solves, especially if Marco manages to contain the situation.

A sudden crash from down the hall shatters the silence—something heavy falling or being thrown. My heart leaps into mythroat as shouting follows, though the words are too muffled to distinguish.

Then, a sound that freezes my blood: gunshots. Three in rapid succession.

Before conscious thought can intervene, I'm unlocking the door, driven by instinct rather than reason. Marco could be hurt, could be dying while I cower behind a locked door. I can't simply wait, not knowing whose blood is being spilled just meters away.

The hallway is empty when I emerge, but the door to Marco's office stands partially open, light spilling out into the darkened corridor. I move toward it cautiously, every nerve ending screaming danger.

More voices echo from inside—Marco's and Tony's, both alive, both urgent. Relief washes through me, so powerful it nearly buckles my knees. I step closer, close enough to hear their rapid exchange.

"—must have warned them," Tony is saying, his voice tight with controlled fury. "The Sanctuary is empty. O'Reilly's men cleared out hours ago."

"And Gerald?" Marco asks.

"Gone. His house is abandoned, personal items missing. He's disappeared."

"Find him," Marco orders, his tone leaving no room for failure. "Whatever it takes. And get Damien on the phone—we need to consolidate our forces immediately."

I step into view then, unable to remain hidden any longer. Both men turn sharply at my appearance, Tony's hand instinctively moving toward his weapon before he recognizes me.

"Sasha," Marco says, his expression a complex mixture of relief and frustration. "I told you to stay in the room."

"I heard gunshots," I explain simply, scanning him for injuries. There's blood on his shirt, but he seems unharmed. Mygaze shifts to the floor where Michael lies motionless, a dark stain spreading across his chest. "Oh my God."

"He drew first," Tony says, correctly interpreting my shock. "Came at Marco as soon as he entered the office."

Marco moves to me, blocking my view of the body.

Tony's phone buzzes, drawing his attention. Whatever message he receives causes his expression to darken further. "Boss, we've got movement at the perimeter. Multiple vehicles approaching the east gate."

Marco's reaction is immediate. "Initiate lockdown protocols. Full security alert. Get everyone armed and in position." He turns to me, his decision already made. "We need to move you, Lily, and Karen to the panic room. Now."

My mind draws a blank. “What?” Fear clouds everything.

Marco grabs my arm. “Now, Sasha!”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Sasha

"WHAT'S HAPPENING?" I ask, though I already suspect the answer.

"They're coming for us," Marco says grimly. "The O'Reillys, possibly with Gerald leading them. They're bringing the fight to our doorstep."

The calm that descends over me is surprising, almost unnatural—a crystalline clarity born of extreme danger. "I'll get Lily and Karen," I say, my voice steady despite the terror pounding through my veins. "What about Buddy?"

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