Chapter 9
Heavy, synchronized footsteps echoed from the grand hallway outside the living room. The heavy oak double doors swung open, and four massive men in tailored black suits stepped into the room. They moved with military precision, their faces impassive, their eyes immediately scanning the room for threats. Marcus, a towering man with a scarred jawline and cold gray eyes, took the lead, stepping directly up to Sebastian.
"Sir," Marcus said, his voice a deep, gravelly rumble. He glanced briefly at the ruined dessert cart, the weeping pregnant woman on the floor, and the bruised, bleeding man leaning against the wall, but his expression didn't change. "Perimeter is secure. Gates are locked. Vehicles are standing by."
"Good," Sebastian nodded. He turned his attention to little Noah, who was still cowering near the wall, trembling like a leaf. Sebastian’s hard eyes softened again. "Marcus, have one of the maids take Noah to the playroom. Get him some ice cream and keep him away from this mess. He shouldn't be here."
"Yes, Mr. Whitmore," Marcus signaled to one of his men, who gently approached the terrified boy and escorted him out of the room. Ethan watched his son leave but was too terrified of the armed men to utter a single word of protest.
Sebastian gently stroked Lily's back. "Lily, sweetheart, I need you to go with Maria for a little while, okay? Daddy has to finish talking to Mommy and Grandpa."
"Are you going to yell?" Lily asked softly, wiping a tear from her unbruised cheek.
"No, sweetheart," Sebastian smiled, a genuine, warm smile that completely contradicted the ruthless mafia aura he exuded moments before. "There's no need to yell anymore. Everything is handled."
He handed Lily over to the head nanny, who had quietly slipped into the room behind the security detail. As soon as Lily was safely out of sight, the warmth vanished from Sebastian’s face, replaced once again by the cold, calculating predator.
He turned back to the Coles. They were completely surrounded. The illusion of their suburban perfection had been utterly shattered, replaced by the grim reality of Sebastian’s world.
"Marcus," Sebastian ordered, his voice echoing in the large room. "Pack a single suitcase for my wife. Escort her, Victor, and Ethan to the black SUV outside. You will drive them to Victor's estate. If they attempt to return to this property, you have my authorization to use whatever force necessary to remove them."
"You're a monster, Sebastian," Victor spat, though his voice trembled uncontrollably. "You won't get away with this."
May you like
"I already have, Victor," Sebastian replied smoothly, adjusting his cufflinks. "Your daughter gave me all the justification I needed on a silver platter. Now get out of my sight before I change my mind and decide to make this violent."
Marcus stepped forward, gripping Ethan by the collar and dragging him toward the door.
