Deadly Standoff

The silence in the estate was deafening, broken only by the distant shuffle of footsteps as Wolfe's mercenaries advanced. Mia stood in the center of the library, clutching a small handgun Lucas had pressed into her hand moments earlier.

"You don't have to do this, Mrs. Blackwood," Lucas said, his voice tense but steady. "The safe room is reinforced. You'll be protected there."

Mia shook her head, determination blazing in her eyes. "No. I've been a victim too many times, Lucas. Not this time. I won't let Wolfe win by running."

Lucas hesitated, then nodded, recognizing the resolve in her voice. He handed her an earpiece. "Stay in contact. I'll be monitoring the perimeter. If anything happens, call me."

Mia slipped the earpiece into place, her heart pounding as she steadied her breathing. She had trained for moments like this alongside Alexander, learning how to defend herself in case of an emergency. Now, all those lessons were about to be tested.

Meanwhile, Alexander sped through the city streets, his car a blur as he pushed it to its limits. Wolfe's face and his chilling words replayed in his mind.

"I've always been one step ahead… I'll destroy everything you hold dear."

He clenched the steering wheel, his knuckles white. The estate was his sanctuary, the one place he thought Mia and their unborn child would be safe. Now, that illusion had shattered.

"Lucas, report," he barked into his comm.

Lucas's voice crackled through. "Sir, we've got multiple hostiles breaching the outer defenses. I've activated the countermeasures, but they're well-armed. Mia refused to go to the safe room. She's in the library."

Alexander's chest tightened with fear and anger. "Keep her safe, Lucas. I'm five minutes out."

The mercenaries moved with precision, their black tactical gear blending into the shadows. But the estate's defenses slowed them down—hidden tripwires and automated turrets took out several of them before they reached the main building.

Inside, Mia heard the muffled explosions and gunfire. Her fingers tightened around the grip of the gun. Every fiber of her being wanted to panic, but she forced herself to stay calm.

Suddenly, the library doors burst open, and two mercenaries stepped in, their rifles raised.

"Drop the weapon!" one of them barked.

Mia didn't flinch. Instead, she remembered Alexander's advice: "Never show fear. Fear gives them power."

"Get out of my house," she said, her voice steady.

The mercenaries exchanged a glance, clearly not expecting resistance. One of them stepped closer, his gun trained on her.

With a quick movement, Mia raised her weapon and fired, hitting him in the shoulder. He dropped his rifle with a grunt of pain, and the second mercenary lunged toward her.

Mia dodged, grabbing a heavy book from the table and slamming it into his head. He staggered, giving her just enough time to retrieve his fallen partner's rifle.

By the time Lucas and two guards arrived, Mia had both mercenaries disarmed and subdued.

Lucas's jaw dropped. "Remind me never to underestimate you, Mrs. Blackwood."

Mia exhaled sharply, adrenaline coursing through her veins. "Let's just make sure that's the last of them."

Alexander's car screeched to a halt outside the estate. He leaped out, his gun drawn, as more mercenaries emerged from the shadows.

"Take them down!" he ordered, firing with deadly precision.

Lucas's men joined the fight, and the clash turned into chaos. Alexander moved like a man possessed, his only thought to reach Mia.

When he finally burst into the library, the sight that greeted him stopped him in his tracks.

Mia stood in the center of the room, the rifle still in her hands, the two mercenaries restrained on the floor.

"Alexander," she said, relief washing over her face.

He crossed the room in three strides, pulling her into his arms. "Are you hurt?" he demanded, his voice thick with emotion.

She shook her head. "I'm fine. But I think we've made a mess of your library."

Alexander let out a shaky laugh, pulling back just enough to look at her. "You're incredible. Do you know that?"

Before she could respond, Lucas appeared at the doorway. "Sir, we've neutralized the remaining hostiles. The estate is secure."

Alexander nodded, his grip on Mia tightening. "Good. But this isn't over. Wolfe's crossed a line, and I won't rest until he pays for this."

As the dust settled, Alexander and Mia sat together in the library, surrounded by the aftermath of the attack. Mia leaned against him, her hand resting protectively over her growing belly.

"We can't keep living like this," she said quietly. "It's not just us anymore. We have a baby to think about."

Alexander kissed her forehead. "I know. And I swear to you, Mia, I'll end this. Wolfe will never threaten our family again."

Mia nodded, trusting him completely. But in the back of her mind, she couldn't shake the feeling that Wolfe still had more cards to play—and that the fight was far from over.