The gunshot echoed once, twice, then silence crashed back into the corridor like a heavy curtain dropping after a violent play.
Smoke curled faintly from the barrel of the intruder's weapon.
Luca had already moved.
The Beta slammed into the attacker before the second shot could land, his shoulder driving into the man's ribs with brutal force.
The pistol clattered across the marble floor.
"What the fuck!" Luca snarled.
The intruder staggered backward but recovered quickly, a knife flashing into his hand.
They collided again, bodies slamming into the wall.
Metal scraped stone.
Elara's breath caught in her throat.
Alessandro stepped forward, his presence like a storm rolling through the hallway. His claws extended fully now, golden eyes blazing with restrained fury.
Two more intruders appeared at the far end of the corridor.
Marco cursed under his breath.
"Oh holy shit."
Gunfire erupted again.
