Chapter 362

Chapter 362:

Alexander nodded. “Stack up. Breach on three.”

The team moved into position around the door. Stefan pressed himself against the wall, his heart in his throat.

“Wait,” Jason whispered suddenly, his ear pressed to the door. “I hear movement. Someone’s talking.”

They froze, listening. A female voice, Rose’s voice, came through faintly. “They’ve found us. I don’t know how, but they’re here.” A pause. “No, I’m moving to Plan B. Get the boat ready.”

Alexander motioned for silence, pressing a small device against the door. The tiny screen lit up, showing a thermal image of the room beyond. Two figures—one seated, one pacing.

“Camille’s still there,” Alexander whispered. “Rose is on the move.”

Through the earpiece came a flurry of urgent reports. Their teams had discovered more than just guards; the entire property had been rigged with motion-activated defenses. Hidden cameras. Pressure plates. Trip wires connected to unknown devices.

“Sir, we’ve found what looks like explosives wired to the foundation,” reported a team member from the west side. “This entire place is—”

Stefan’s blood ran cold. Rose wasn’t just hiding; she had prepared for war.

“Alexander,” he whispered urgently. “Rose always had escape routes. Always. Margaret said she used to panic if she didn’t know exactly how to get out of any room.”

Alexander’s eyes narrowed. “Check for hidden exits,” he ordered his team. Inside the room, they could hear Rose’s voice growing more agitated. “I don’t care what it takes. I’ll be there in two minutes. Have the boat ready.”

A faint beep echoed through the door, followed by a mechanical sound, something sliding or opening.

“Multiple heat signatures moving through the woods toward the lake,” reported the team watching the perimeter. “Looks like reinforcements heading for the boathouse.”

Alexander made a quick decision. “Change of plans. We breach now, before she can move Camille.”

Stefan’s heart leapt into his throat as the team readied for entry. Whatever lay beyond that door would determine Camille’s fate.

“Go!” Alexander ordered.

The door burst open, and the team rushed in, weapons raised.

They found themselves in a room filled with computer monitors displaying every angle of the property. In the center sat a chair, with cut ropes hanging from its arms—empty.

“Clear!” called one of Alexander’s men, sweeping the room. “No targets.”

Alexander strode to the chair, touching the restraints. “Still warm. She was just here.”

Stefan noticed a hidden panel standing ajar in the back wall. “There! Secret passage!”

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