Chapter 361

Chapter 361:

“Thirty seconds,” Alexander said.

Stefan tucked the lure safely in his pocket and checked his own equipment one last time. Unlike the others, he carried no weapon. Alexander had been clear about that.

“Camille is being held in what appears to be a basement or lower level,” Jason reported. “Thermal imaging shows one guard at the exterior cellar entrance.”

“That’s our way in,” Alexander said. “Road team, begin distraction on my mark.”

The seconds stretched on like hours. Stefan’s heart hammered in his chest, a mixture of fear and determination driving his pulse upward.

“Mark.”

In the distance, an explosion rocked the night. A moment later, a plume of fire rose above the treeline near the main road. The guards outside snapped to attention, their movements suddenly urgent.

“Now.” Alexander signaled, and they were moving through the rain.

They kept low to the ground, following a path Stefan had described from Camille’s stories—a narrow deer trail that led to the old stone garden. The fire burned bright in the distance, drawing the attention of the guards.

“East side, report,” Alexander whispered.

“Both guards moving toward the road. Main house entrance clear.”

They reached the stone garden, now overgrown but still recognizable. Stefan pointed to a large flat rock tucked against the foundation. “There.”

Alexander nodded to his security team. Two men stepped forward, shifting the heavy stone to reveal a set of concrete steps descending into darkness.

“Single guard at the bottom of the stairs,” reported Jason, checking a handheld thermal device. “Sitting position. Likely armed.”

Alexander drew his weapon. “I’ll take point. Stefan, you stay here until…”

A crackle of static cut through their earpieces.

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“Road team under fire! Multiple armed tangos emerging from the woods!”

Alexander’s face hardened. “Rose has backup.” He turned to Jason. “We need to move. Now.”

Everything accelerated. Alexander disappeared down the steps, followed by two of his men. Seconds later, a muffled thud echoed from below.

“Clear,” came Alexander’s voice. “Stefan, get down here.”

Stefan scrambled down the steps into a dimly lit storage area. A guard lay unconscious on the floor, efficiently restrained.

Alexander pointed to a metal door across the room. “Thermal shows two heat signatures behind that door. One seated, one moving.” The sound of gunfire echoed in the distance.

“Road team falling back to secondary position,” reported the team leader. “We’ve got at least six armed men in pursuit.”

Alexander cursed under his breath. “She was ready for us.”

“We still have surprise on this side,” Jason reminded him. “They’re focused on the road team.”

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