Chapter 8 - The Confrontation
"They found the office," I whispered, panic rising like a cold wave in my chest as I looked from the locked door back to the dark console screen.
"The panic button," Lorenzo murmured, gesturing weakly toward a small brass toggle switch hidden beneath the edge of the mahogany desk. "Press it."
I slammed my palm down against the brass switch.
CLANG.
A heavy steel security shutter dropped over the floor-to-ceiling windows with the force of a guillotine blade, plunging the room into shadow save for the flickering blue light of the console.
Outside the door, Elena’s voice rose, sharp and commanding.
"Blow the hinges! Julian is already on his way from the city charter office. I want this room secured before the morning light!"
Bang!
A heavy iron sledgehammer slammed against the outer oak door, splintering the frame with a violent shockwave that shook the books on the shelves.
"There's a service ladder inside the walk-in closet behind the desk," Lorenzo said, his breath coming in shallow, ragged gasps as he slumped further into the chair. "It leads directly to the attic server farm. Take the flash drive. Upload it to the primary mainframe before they get through this door."
"I am not leaving you here to face them alone," I said, my voice hardening with a sudden, fierce stubbornness born of too many years surviving on the margins of a world that cared nothing for ordinary people.
"You aren't leaving me," Lorenzo said, his dark eyes locking onto mine with an unshakeable command. "You’re protecting my daughter. Now go!"
Another violent blow splintered the door frame, sending wood chips flying across the Persian rug.
I didn't hesitate anymore.
I grabbed Emma from her hiding spot behind the antique clock, scooped her up into my arms, and lunged toward the walk-in closet behind the mahogany desk. I pushed open the mirrored door, revealing a steep, vertical metal ladder disappearing into the dark ceiling above.
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"Hold onto my neck, baby, and don't let go of your rabbit," I whispered into Emma’s ear as she wrapped her tiny arms tightly around my neck.
I began to climb, rung by rung, pulling us upward into the dark, echoing rafters of the mansion just as the heavy oak office door gave way with a thunderous crash below.
