Page 88 of The Hunter's Empire

Bodies litter the marble floor. Security guards drag wounded guests toward cover while medics rush between the injured. Several attackers have already been captured alive while others lie motionless where they fell.

Then my attention catches on a familiar figure. Axel Lindberg. His security team is hurriedly trying to move him through the chaos toward safety while Erik follows close behind.

For a brief moment, it looks like they're going to make it. Then a gunshot cuts through the hall.

Axel stumbles. His hand flies to his chest before his knees buckle beneath him and he crashes onto the marble floor. Blood immediately begins spreading across the front of his white shirt.

"Axel!" Erik's roar echoed through the mansion.

Every trace of composure disappears from Erik as he fights his way toward his brother. Security teams rush forward while someone shouts for a medic, but even from where I'm standing, it doesn't look good.

Nearby, Darragh has already taken control of the situation. Surrounded by armed guards, he directs security teams through the chaos while several captured Italians are forced onto their knees.

"Take them alive." He orders sharply. "I want every one of them questioned."

As I watch more guards flood the foyer, it becomes obvious that the attack is beginning to fail. The Keegans know this estate. The Italians don't.

Beside me, Nico reaches up and pulls the mask from his face. His expression is unreadable as his eyes track the growing security presence below.

Then his hand closes around my arm. "We're leaving."

I look at him. "Now?"

"Especially now."

His gaze sweeps across the growing security presence.

"The attack gave us cover. Once this settles, they're going to start asking questions."

The implication is clear. Questions lead to us.

"The jet is waiting."

I nod. Then another realization strikes me.

My gaze immediately sweeps across the foyer, searching through the crowd of fleeing guests, armed guards, and security teams rushing in every direction. I scan the staircase, the corridors, and every familiar face I can find. My stomach drops.

"Wait."

Nico follows my line of sight. "What?"

I look around again, searching more carefully this time, but the result is the same. No Roisin.

"Where is she?"

For the first time since the attack began, uncertainty flashes across Nico's face. Only for a second. Then it disappears.

A knot forms in my stomach. "She was with us a minute ago."

Nico follows my line of sight, scanning the crowd with the same careful precision he applies to everything.

"Zora."

"No." I already know what he's about to say.

"We don't have time."

"We can't just leave her."