Alexander’s Arrival

Inside the safe room, Mia paced nervously, her heart pounding with every muffled explosion that shook the walls. She could hear the faint sound of gunfire through the reinforced steel door, a haunting reminder of the chaos unfolding outside. Her son was nestled in the crib provided for emergencies, sleeping soundly, oblivious to the danger surrounding them.

But Mia couldn't just sit there. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of worry, fear, and resolve. Alexander was out there, risking his life to protect them, and for the first time, she realized how much she hated feeling helpless.

Her gaze fell on a small panel in the corner of the room—an intercom that connected to the estate's security network. She pressed it, her voice shaking but firm. "Selena, this is Mia. What's happening out there?"

Selena's voice came through the static, tense but steady. "We're holding them off, but they're not here to negotiate. They want to destroy everything, including you and your son. Stay put. We'll handle this."

Mia clenched her fists. "Is there anything I can do?"

Selena hesitated. "The best thing you can do is stay safe. We can't afford to lose you—or him."

Mia stepped back from the intercom, her mind racing. Staying safe was important, but she couldn't ignore the feeling gnawing at her—a call to action. She wasn't the same woman who had been betrayed and discarded. She had faced loss, pain, and danger, and come out stronger. She had a family to protect, too.

Mia opened a hidden cabinet inside the safe room, one that Alexander had shown her during one of their security briefings. Inside were a small handgun and a radio. She hesitated only for a moment before strapping the holster to her side and grabbing the radio.

Her son stirred, his tiny face scrunching in sleep. Mia leaned over, kissing his forehead. "Mama will keep you safe," she whispered, her voice steady despite her fear.

Quietly, she pressed a series of buttons on the wall, bringing up a live feed of the estate's exterior on the safe room's monitor. She could see Alexander and Selena leading the defense, their team moving with precision. But then her eyes caught something—three figures sneaking around the east wing, heading toward the back entrance.

Her blood ran cold. That entrance led directly to the corridor outside the safe room.

Mia moved quickly, her instincts overriding her fear. She activated the estate's internal lockdown for the east wing, sealing most of the doors to slow the intruders down. But she knew it wouldn't stop them forever.

Gripping the radio, she called Alexander. "Three hostiles heading toward the east wing," she said, her voice low but firm.

"Mia?" Alexander's voice was sharp with concern. "What are you doing on the radio? You're supposed to be in the safe room!"

"I am," she replied, glancing at the monitor again. "But they're coming this way, Alexander. I can't just sit here and do nothing."

There was a pause, then his voice softened. "Lock the door and stay put. I'm coming to you."

But before she could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway outside. They were close.

Mia took a deep breath, her heart hammering in her chest. She positioned herself near the door, the gun in her hand feeling heavier than she expected. Every instinct screamed at her to run, to hide—but she couldn't. Not when her son's life was on the line.

The door handle jiggled, then the sound of metal scraping against the lock filled the air. They were trying to break in.

Mia steadied her grip on the gun, her mind flashing to Alexander's lessons on self-defense. "Aim for the center. Stay calm. Never hesitate," he had told her.

The door burst open, and the first man stepped in, his weapon raised. Mia didn't think—she acted. She fired, the recoil jolting her arm, but her aim was true. The man fell, clutching his shoulder.

The second man hesitated, giving Mia just enough time to slam her hand against the emergency alarm button on the wall. A deafening siren blared through the room, disorienting the intruders.

Within seconds, Alexander and Selena appeared, their weapons trained on the remaining two intruders. "Drop your weapons!" Alexander barked, his voice cold and commanding.

The men complied, raising their hands as Selena secured them.

Alexander rushed to Mia, his eyes scanning