Page 103 of Falling for the Grump Billionaire

Dominic leans closer, his voice low and steady. “They think they have the upper hand. We’ll let them believe that—until it’s too late.”

I nod, swallowing my fear. “What do you need me to do?”

“Stay close,” he says firmly. “When I move, follow me. Don’t stop for anything.”

The footsteps grow louder, the intruders moving methodically through the penthouse. I grip the edge of the counter, my knuckles white as I brace myself for what’s to come.

Suddenly, a shadow appears in the doorway to the kitchen, backlit by the faint emergency lights from the hall. The intruder steps forward, his gun raised, his movements slow and deliberate.

Dominic doesn’t hesitate. In one swift motion, he lunges, grabbing a heavy skillet from the counter and swinging it with precision. The impact is sickening, the intruder crumpling to the floor with a groan.

“Move!” Dominic hisses, pulling me to my feet.

We dart toward the hallway, my heart pounding as I struggle to keep up. Behind us, a second man shouts, his footsteps thundering across the floor.

“Down!” Dominic shouts, pushing me to the ground just as a gunshot rings out.

The sound is deafening, the bullet ricocheting off the wall inches from my head. Dominic fires back, his movements quick andcontrolled. The second man stumbles, clutching his shoulder as he collapses against the wall.

The third intruder appears at the end of the hall, his gun trained on us. Dominic pulls me behind him, his body a shield as he fires again.

The man ducks, taking cover behind a bookshelf, his return fire splintering the wood around us.

“Eva, stay down,” Dominic commands, his voice sharp.

I nod, pressing myself against the floor as he moves to the side, his movements fluid and precise. He fires again, the sound sharp and echoing, and I hear the intruder cry out in pain.

It’s over as quickly as it began. The hall falls silent, the only sound my ragged breathing and the faint hum of the city outside.

Dominic kneels beside me, his hands on my shoulders. “Are you hurt?”

I shake my head, my throat too tight to speak.

“Good,” he says, his voice softer now. “Stay here. I need to check the rest of the penthouse.”

“No,” I say, grabbing his arm. “I’m coming with you.”

He hesitates, his eyes scanning my face. Finally, he nods. “Stay close. And if I tell you to run, you run. Understand?”

“Understand,” I whisper.

We move cautiously through the penthouse, Dominic’s gun raised as he clears each room. My hands tremble as I clutch a makeshift weapon—a heavy candlestick I grabbed from the hallway.

When we reach the living room, I freeze. The glass coffee table is shattered, shards scattered across the floor. But it’s what’s scrawled on the wall in bold, red letters that makes my blood run cold:

"This is just the beginning."

Dominic’s hand tightens on his gun, his jaw clenched. “They’re trying to send a message.”

“They’ve already sent it,” I say, my voice barely audible.

He turns to me, his expression hard but protective. “We’re going to make them regret it.”

Adrian arrives minutes later, his team sweeping the penthouse for any remaining threats. The intruders are restrained, their weapons confiscated.

“This wasn’t just a scare tactic,” Adrian says, his tone grim. “They wanted you dead, Dominic. Both of you.”

Dominic nods, his focus unwavering. “Then we hit back. Hard.”

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