Chapter 7 - Shadows in the Storm
Winter arrived in New York with a vengeance.
A massive blizzard swept over the East Coast, burying the city under two feet of snow and ice. The harbor froze over in places, bringing shipping traffic to a crawl.
In the Tribeca penthouse, the fire crackled in the master fireplace. Kara was six months pregnant now, her bump beautifully visible beneath her soft wool dresses. Daniel spent every evening beside her, placing his warm hands on her rounded stomach, feeling the strong, active kicks of his unborn son.
“He’s going to be a fighter,” Daniel remarked one night, feeling a sharp kick against his palm.
“He gets that from his father,” Kara laughed, leaning her head on Daniel’s shoulder.
Suddenly, the penthouse lights flickered and died.
The glowing flames of the fireplace were the only light left in the massive living room. Emergency backup generators usually kicked in within seconds, but the apartment remained dark and silent.
Daniel’s posture instantly shifted. The loving husband vanished; the alpha predator returned.
He stood up smoothly, placing Kara behind him against the brick fireplace. He reached into his coat drawer, drawing a sleek black pistol from its hidden compartment.
“Daniel?” Kara whispered, her hand instinctively cradling her bump.
“Stay behind me,” Daniel commanded softly.
His phone buzzed. It was Marcus.
“Boss, we have a breach,” Marcus’s voice was tense over the line. “Power line to the building was deliberately cut. A team of six men just entered the underground parking garage. They’re using the service stairs.”
“Who are they?” Daniel asked coldly, racking the slide of his gun with a crisp clack.
“Mercenaries hired by the Sterling family,” Marcus reported. “Old man Sterling lost his company yesterday after you bought out his debt. He’s desperate. He sent men to take Mrs. Rourke as leverage.”
Daniel’s eyes turned to pure ice. “They won't make it to the floor.”
“We’re already engaging them in the stairwell, sir,” Marcus said, the muffled sound of silenced gunfire echoing through the phone line. “Keep Mrs. Rourke in the safe room.”
Daniel ended the call. He turned to Kara, taking her hand gently, guiding her toward the hidden reinforced door behind the bookshelf in his study.
“In here, Kara,” Daniel said. “It has independent power, food, water, and medical supplies. Lock it from the inside.”
“Daniel, no! Come inside with me!” Kara pleaded, tears stinging her eyes.
Daniel kissed her deeply, a fierce, passionate kiss that tasted of steel and devotion. “This is my house, Kara. No one invades my home while I breathe. Lock the door.”
He stepped back, sliding the heavy steel door shut and locking it from the outside control panel.
May you like
Turning back to the dark living room, Daniel pulled a second magazine from his pocket. The Sterling family had made the ultimate mistake. They thought a businessman in a suit was vulnerable in his own home.
They had forgotten that the Wolf of the Harbor hunted best in the dark.
