Page 41 of Maddening Fixation

“Now!”

As if any doctor alive could restore a man whose brain had just been split apart.

One of my uncles staggered backward, knocking over his chair.

Another crossed himself repeatedly, lips moving in silent prayer.

An aunt let out a piercing scream before collapsing into tears.

The illusion of a perfect Flynn family dinner dissolved into terror.

Medved’s grief transformed into fury.

“How?”

He looked toward the entrance.

“How did the guards let this bastard inside?”

His voice thundered through the mansion.

“Guards!”

“Where are the bloody guards?”

Nobody answered.

No one came running. No footsteps echoed through the corridors.

Only silence.

Keegan smiled faintly. “They’re occupied.”

Medved slowly looked toward him.

“What?”

“Our men have already relieved your guards of their weapons.”

Bodgan clasped his hands behind his back, his expression calm, almost courteous.

“We came here with a battalion of soldiers. Your guards were wise enough to surrender before anyone had to die.”

He let his gaze travel around the table, meeting each pair of frightened eyes in turn.

“This estate is completely surrounded.”

His voice remained steady. “You are no longer protected.”

He looked back at Medved. “You are at Romeo’s mercy now.”

A heavy silence settled over the dining room.

No one was coming.

No one was breaking through the cordon outside.

No one was going to save them.