I fired. The man went down.
"How many?" she asked.
"At least six. Three entry points—penthouse elevator, service entrance, emergency stairwell." I ejected the spent magazine and slammed in a fresh one. "They bypassed everything simultaneously. That takes coordination and inside knowledge."
"Someone gave them the security codes."
"Yes."
We moved again, me leading, her covering the rear approach like I'd taught her. The master suite was thirty feet ahead—reinforced door, biometric locks, steel-core walls. If we could reach it, we'd have a defensible position until backup arrived.
Gunfire erupted from behind us. I felt the rounds impact the wall inches from my head, pulled Valentina down, and returned fire blindly. Heard a grunt, then nothing.
"Go," I said. "Now."
We ran.
I hit the biometric scanner, shoved Valentina through the opening door, followed, and slammed it shut. The locks engaged with satisfying metallic thuds—a twelve-point system, military grade. Nothing short of C4 was getting through.
I grabbed the desk and dragged it against the door. Added the leather armchair. Not enough to stop a breach, but enough to slow one.
Valentina moved to the windows, gun raised, checking approach angles.
"Clear," she said.
I pulled out my phone, which still had a signal—the attackers hadn't jammed communications, which meant they wanted this over fast. Wanted to be in and out before anyone could respond.
Domenico answered on the first ring.
"We're under attack," I said. "Penthouse compromised. At least six hostiles, professional grade. Where's the security team?"
"Four minutes out. Traffic helicopter spotted on your roof—they rappelled down."
"Fuck." That explained the simultaneous breach. "They knew exactly when to hit. Someone leaked our protocols."
"I'll find them."
"After. Right now I need—"
Pain exploded across my shoulder. I'd been hit during the hallway exchange, adrenaline masking the damage until now. Blood soaked through my shirt, warm and sticky.
Valentina was there instantly, pressing her palm against the wound with steady pressure.
"Keep talking," she said quietly. "I've got this."
I did. Coordinated with Domenico while Valentina tore strips from the bedsheet, fashioned a field dressing with hands that didn't shake. She worked with focused precision, like she'd done this before.
"There." She tied off the makeshift bandage with steady hands. "That should hold until we can get you proper medical attention."
"Where did you learn that?" I asked, impressed despite everything.
"YouTube." She smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. Then she swayed slightly, caught herself against the wall.
"Valentina?"
"I'm fine. Just…" She pressed her hand to her temple. "My head feels a little strange. Probably just the adrenaline crash."
I should have paid more attention to that. Should have checked her over immediately instead of focusing on the next threat.
