Chapter 19 - The Storm at the Sanctuary
Julian refused to take any more chances with his family’s safety.
Within two hours of Marcus's arrest, Julian had moved Elara and baby Maya to his private coastal compound on the rugged cliffs of Montauk.
The property was a fortress of reinforced concrete and bulletproof glass, perched high above the churning Atlantic Ocean.
A torrential nor'easter was slamming into Long Island, rain hammering against the floor-to-ceiling windows with deafening fury.
Wind shrieked through the rocky cliffs, churning the sea into frothing white waves below.
Julian paced the length of the living room, a tactical radio strapped to his belt, checking in with the six armed private guards stationed along the perimeter fence.
"Perimeter clear, Mr. Vance," the radio crackled through the static. "Gate security is locked down tight."
Julian let out a slow exhale, walking down the dim hallway toward the master suite.
Inside, Elara was sitting on the edge of the king-sized bed, gently feeding Maya from a bottle.
The soft glow of a small bedside lamp cast warm shadows across the room, creating an island of peace amid the raging storm outside.
Julian sat down beside his wife, gently wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
"The federal prosecutors are freezing all of Victoria's remaining assets," Julian said softly. "By tomorrow night, she won't have a single dollar left to hire guards, drivers, or lawyers."
"Where could she have gone, Julian?" Elara asked, looking up at him, dark circles tracing her tired eyes. "A woman like that doesn't just disappear."
"She’s cornered," Julian replied, brushing a stray lock of hair from Elara’s forehead. "And a cornered animal runs out of options quickly."
Suddenly, a blinding flash of lightning illuminated the entire bedroom in electric blue light.
A split second later, a massive crack of thunder rattled the heavy foundations of the house.
All the lights in the compound abruptly died.
The hum of the air filtration system stopped.
The gentle glow of the nightstand lamp vanished, plunging the bedroom into complete, suffocating darkness.
Maya let out a sharp cry of alarm in Elara’s arms.
"Julian?" Elara whispered, her voice tightening with dread.
Julian reached for his tactical flashlight and unholstered the small, licensed firearm from his waistband.
The emergency backup generators should have kicked on within three seconds.
Five seconds passed. Then ten.
Silence reigned, save for the howling wind and the violent thrashing of rain against the glass.
Julian clicked the radio on his hip. "Ross! Report! Why hasn't the auxiliary power engaged?"
May you like
Nothing came through the speaker except dead, metallic static.
***
